Atherian Tales: The Blood Slave

Chapter Eighteen

My eyes were still heavy when I tried to pry the open. The weight of sleep and pure exhaustion making the task a difficult one to complete. As the light of the room finally made its way past my eyelids, I had realized I wasn't in my chambers. I had forgotten, for a moment, that Elias had brought me to his own after Lord Delaney's attack.

Shifting slightly on the bed, enough to lift my head, I started to scan the room. I made it from the window to about halfway to the fireplace when when I was met with a pair of large brown eyes full with concern and sorrow. The unexpected sight caused me to jump slightly but i gathered my breath and looked again. It was Lord Delaney's blood slave, Jasmine. How did she get here? Just before I could ask the question that had popped into my mind, a shuffle at the door stole my attention as Elias walked into the room.

Jasmine, who was sitting on the edge of the bed when my eyes met hers, ran to the corner of the room upon Elias' entrance. She sank to the floor, pulling her knees to her chin and casting her eyes to the floor. Elias' met with mine, holding me in my spot. He looked away only briefly to address Jasmine.

"I have brought Guardsman Lee with me. He will accompany you, Jasmine, and he will be your new escort during your stay here. He will show you to the blood slave chambers." Just as he said, Guardsman Lee entered the room and walked directly to Jasmine. She was shaking as he grabbed her by the elbow, gently lifting her from the floor.

"Don't worry, I'm not here to hurt you."He whispered to her. I believed him when he spoke to Jasmine but I was unsure if she felt the same. Her eyes shot to mine once more, having an expression of doubt conceal her features, as they walked from the room, closing the door behind them.

It was only myself and Elias left in the chambers. His chambers. The air was thick, if it was something growing between us or the sheer heat radiating off my skin under his glare was unknown. We stayed glued to our spots, not shifting our eyes from one another. When movement was finally made, it was Elias walking towards the bed and taking a seat on the edge.

"How are you feeling?" He asked gently, his deep voice pulling me into him as it danced across my senses.

"I'm tired." I admitted. The attack played on my nerves taking every ounce of energy with it.

"Rest." He said as he took my arm into his hands to study the bite mark that Lord Delaney had left. His eyes went sharp as if anger was flashing through him. "I tried healing you, but it seems his bite was deep." Jasmine came to mind at Elias' words. Delaney's bites were always deep. He means to leaves scars on his blood slaves. The thought made me ask, "Why was Jasmine here?"

Elias had a sly smile run across his lips before he spoke. "I figured you needed a friend." i raised my eyebrow at the vampire in front of me. His hard as stone reputation was sinking fast with me as he continued to joke, trying to be funny in this moment. "She hates vampires just as much as you do, I thought you'd like the gesture of bringing you an ally." He smiles enough to showcase his fangs, making me feel guilty for his statement. I may have hated the vampires before, but i believe my opinion of them are changing, starting with him.

For the first time since he captured me and brought me to this castle, our banter was light and the look behind his pitch black eyes was not disgust or anger but genuine concern. I noticed he had small dimples on either side of his mouth that grew deeper the larger his smile grew. My heart skipped a beat suddenly and I knew those feelings I had for him, the ones I tried so hard to vanquish and hoped with his absence that I could, they would resurface for I never truly could beat them. I was staring into his eyes, those now fully staring back at me with a glimmer of sadness and concern, and I was falling deep into them. Deep into the darkness they were made from and I knew I would never return for my soul, and my heart, would be lost to him forever.