Empty Eyes: Book 1

Chapter 9

The heavy door swung open before I could even reach for the handle, revealing the prince himself, glaring down at me with the same expression he'd had when I'd accused him earlier in the day. Honestly, I didn't know what to say or what to do so I simply stared up at him in a fearful stupor, hoping he wouldn't lose his temper.

A large part of me feels bad for accusing him since he's gone out of his way to aid me, but the other part of me can't help but feel that he has an ulterior motive. My mind's been screaming at me all day to not trust a single being under this roof other than my sister.

Despite his obvious offense at my distrust, Sasuke still took a step to the side so as to let me pass, but my legs were too shaky with nerves to act. What if he actually is the person who's been attacking me and the moment I walk in there, he'll shut the door behind me and seal my fate? On the other hand, what if he's completely innocent and I'm being incredibly rude to the only person on my side?

I hesitantly took a step toward him and his eyebrow rose. I looked up at his studious gaze and tried desperately to read them. Is he going to hurt me? His deep eyes held my green ones for what felt like forever before he finally closed them and let out a sigh, allowing me to break from the trance I'd been under.

He looked down at the ground with his lips in a frown, "Come on, already. I'm not going to hurt you."

The moment the words left his mouth, I believed it. I don't know how it worked, but all of my fears were sliced to ribbons in an instant. My body relaxed as though it'd been placed into a spa and seemed to move on its own through the doorway and straight to the couch I've been calling a bed.

The prince followed me after shutting the door and locking it tight. I sat down on the sofa and he stood before me with an expectant expression. It must've been obvious I had something I wanted to say.

"The only way I'll continue to stay here with you is if you start being honest with me. I'm in danger and I'm scared and you just keep lying to my face when I ask questions."

His features developed a blank look, similar to Sai's expressions, and he took a step toward me. I shot to my feet and gave him a warning glare.

"I can't."

My steady gaze faltered slightly, "You can't or you won't?"

His eyes sparkled in the dimly lit room, annoyance easily readable, "I can't or you may not be able to return to your previous life."

A chill danced smoothly up my spine and the small hairs on my arms rose in fear. He seemed dead serious. Who or what in this building could be so bad that he can't even tell me their name? I studied his being and noticed an uncharacteristic tenseness in his muscles that told me he's very uncomfortable with this topic.

On instinct, my hand rose to comfort him, but he took a step back, "Don't."

I retracted my hand with a hurt look.

"I meant it when I said you should avoid members of this family. That includes me."

My face warmed with embarrassment and I looked away. I hadn't meant to reach out to him, my body just acted on its own. The emotions he was stirring within me were maddening. Why would he care if I touch him or not? Even his own mother knows he goes through women fairly quickly so he can't possibly be opposed to physical contact. So, there must be a reason he doesn't want me in particular to get close.

I hadn't lied to Karin when she'd asked me about my feelings for the prince. I'm not really interested in the prince romantically because I can't possibly allow myself to be so. I'll never have a chance with him and I know it, so I do my best each day to block those feelings. The more time I spend with him, however, the harder it is to suppress such natural attraction. Regardless of this, I wouldn't mind calling him an acquaintance, or even a friend, and friends are able to comfort one another, but he wasn't having any of it.