Inner Demons- ON HOLD

Chapter 3.

I woke suddenly, jolting to a seated position as my eyes fought to regain normal sight. As my vision cleared, I felt my body give against something soft, realizing I was lying in a bed. My eyes fluttered wildly, trying to see where I was. A large four-poster bed towered over me and the room was dimly lit. My eyes slowly began to adjust and I saw that it was dark outside. The room was traditional, and beautifully decorated in heirloom furniture, with lightly draped panels hanging from the bed in a canopy.

I looked down to see that I was still dressed in the nurse's uniform and gasped.

So, it wasn't a dream. Where the hell am I?

I stood to see a cotton dress folded neatly in a chair in the corner and stood to inspect it. It was similar style to the nurse's uniform and I noted that it also fell just past her knees. Beneath the dress was a long sleep shirt and shorts and I gladly took that instead. I quickly changed and looked in the mirror. My long blonde hair fell in messy waves down the sides of my face and I was sore at her shoulders, remembering Alexander's hard grip.

This can't be real. I can't be in a strange place, wearing strange clothes, with a man claiming to be a vampire. What am I going to do?

I steeled my nerves and left the room. I heard low voices coming from down the hall and I quietly made my way toward them.

As I came around the corner I heard Kit's voice hissing. "What are you going to do with her? We can't be tied down by some girl who knows about us. And we can't compel her to forget, so that only leaves one choice."

I shivered hearing him so easily contemplate killing me.

Xander's voice immediately answered. "I am not killing her. And neither are you. When was the last time you've heard of a human not being able to be compelled, if ever? I can't read her thoughts either. Something's going on, and I plan to find out what."

I suddenly remembered his confused look when he'd leaned up to search my eyes.

He can read minds too? What is going on? This can't be real. I have to get out of here.

I felt my heart rate rising and struggled to maintain my breathing, remembering I had no idea where here was, or where I could go. I realized I could not outrun them, and had no choice but to stay put for now.

In a blink, Xander was standing in front of me, inches away. I let out a loud cry and flew back instinctively against the wall.

"Eavesdropping are we? Come join us. We have some questions."

I shook my head and felt glued against my spot on the wall.

He reached his hand out, looking seriously at me. "I can assure you that you're in no danger here. We will not hurt you."

I took his hand hesitantly and he led me into the sitting area slowly. Kit stared intensely at me and I fought against my instinct to run. Alexander placed me gently into a seat before sitting just across from me. Kit remained standing, staring down at me, intimidating in stature as he crossed his arms.

"Where am I?" My voice stuttered more than intended and I silently cursed at my nervousness.

Xander hesitated and spoke slowly. "We have brought you to a safe place. We are about two hours outside of London."

How could I be in London? I was just in New York. What the hell happened when I touched that tree?

"What did you mean you could not read my mind?"

His face grew strained and he struggled with how to answer. "It is a trait that some vampires are gifted to have. I was born with the ability to search people's minds, and even control them. But it did not work on you. We also have the ability to compel humans to remember or do what we want. That was not effective on you either, hence why you are sitting here now."