Over the next few days, a feelingof being watched settled unerringly onto my shoulders giving me goosebumps and making the hair on my neck stand on end. My only escapefrom the nagging sense was Reif's attempts to contact my mind andmy jaunts to reality where I would listen to them talk to me, eachother, or my son. Sometimes I caught snippets of conversation withothers as they came to check on me, but it was usually either of thetwo.
When by the eighth day, thestalker finally got on my last nerve, I was ready to snap. It wascloser now, right behind me. I stopped dead in my tracks and said,"Alright! Enough of the games, you wanker! Show your face so I canpummel it!"
I yelped in fear when a voicesaid, "You won't be pummeling anyone with your injuries."
I looked all around, trying topin point his location, but was unsuccessful. "You could at leastgive me a sporting chance," I said, hoping to draw him out.
"Calm yourself, pet," hesaid. I recognized that sentiment.
"Who are you?" I demanded,trying to wrack my brain and remember who had called me pet before.
Suddenly, out of thin air, a manappeared, smiling warmly. "You do not recognize me, pet?" thesmile turned to a pout. "How disappointing."
If I had ever met him before, Iwould have remembered. He was gorgeous. His shoulder length hair wasthe blue/black of obsidian, flowing gently around a face with highcheek bones, pouty lips and deep soulful eyes that shone with mirth.His irises were bluer than Stefan's, matching more of an azure thanhis sky blue. I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the sexual energythat rolled off of him in waves. "Nope, sorry. Refresh my memory."
"Well I suppose it would bedifficult to recognize me. The last time we met, I was borrowing yourfriend Stefan's body." His eyes switched colors back and forth sofast I almost missed the sickly gold as it flashed behind hisblinking lids.
"Balthazar..." Igrowled angrily, reaching for a weapon I didn't have.
"Such a smart girl," heteased.
"What do you want with me?"I demanded.
His face turned to a thoughtfulfrown, "Or not..." he rescinded his previous statement."Ithought we'd come to an understanding at our last meeting. I wantyour soul, pet."
"We did come to anunderstanding. You can't have it," I said.
"That's not anunderstanding," he countered. "My ultimatum was flawed. I'vehad time now to decide on a new method to wrench your soul from yourbody."
"Sorry," I said,crossing my arms. "I'm not currently knocking on death's door,so you can't claim my soul."
He stepped closer and I had towill my body to step back. "If you'll just let me in, pet, Iwill find a way to get you in the position I need you in." Hiswords were filled with promise and it was everything I had to keepmoving away.
"Do I look like I was bornyesterday? I'll never let you anywhere near me," I said.
"When I'm finished with you,you won't have a choice but to say yes," he purred.
His voice tugged at my hormonesand I felt a tightening between my legs. "Piss off!" I spunand lurched away from him.
If I gave Balthazar credit foranything, it was persistence. Every day for several weeks, he tauntedand teased me. Every move he made, every word he spoke played to myweaknesses. I found myself staring at him hungrily several times andhad to tear my gaze away. All that did was make him chuckle deep inhis chest and make me writhe in a sick, twisted pleasure. His voicewas like fire in my veins, speaking to every vice I had. The more Ifought, and the more I said no, the more I wanted him, needed him.
I walked along one day, huggingmyself and trying to ignore his crushing presence when he asked, "Howare you wounds faring, pet?"
I stopped and spun to glare athim. "Why do you care?"
He shrugged with languor. "Thanksto you, I know how it feels to suffer a broken bone. I was simplyconcerned."
I narrowed my eyes suspiciouslyand held up my still far from being healed palm. "The ribs don'tfare much better." He grabbed my wrist before I could dodge himand his touch was electric, making my knees weak. When he knew thethreat of me pulling away no longer existed, his touch softened.Holding my hand lightly in his, he ran a gentle finger over the angrywound on my palm. "Ow," I said, barely a whisper.
"I could heal these if youpermit me," he said, his eyes rising to meet mine.
I stared into the deep pools ofblue and gave in. I was tired of the constant pain I'd endured sincearriving here. "Sure," I said quietly, my brain screamingit was a mistake, my aching body not caring. He smiled and lifted myinjured palm to his lips. "What are you doing?" I protestedweakly, the tug I attempted barely moving my hand an inch from him.
"Healing your wound,"he explained vaguely, in a voice that left no room for argument.
"Okay," I agreed.
Again, my hand rose to his lipsand this time he brushed them lightly over the ravaged skin, kissingit gently. I felt the wound close over as I watched the look of deepcontentment and passion grace his face. That couldn't be a lie...Could it? "Now for your ribs," he whispered. He got down onhis knees, gazing up at me for permission. I squeezed the hand stillholding mine, giving my consent.
His free hand slid up under myshirt, caressing my skin and raising goose bumps. My shirt came up ashis hand went further up. His finger tips brushed lightly against mybreast, drawing a whimper from my lips. "Just... Heal," Iwarned tenuously.
"Apologies, pet," hesighed. When had his face gotten so close to my body that I couldfeel his breath? My instincts told me to back off, deal with thepain, but I was beyond reason. The hand that had been holding minebroke free to lie on my hip, holding me close enough, not that Ineeded any more coaxing. A few more breaths caressed across my skin,his lips parted in a display of desire. Finally, his lips fell gentlyatop my skin and I sighed as the throbbing ceased, leaving my skinunmarred, by the ugly bruise that had stood out starkly momentsbefore. "Are those the only injuries you sustained?" heasked, laying his head against me.
Trying in vain to fight hisspell, I backed away, pushing his head away and letting my shirtfall. "Yes, they were," I said shakily.
"Please, pet," hebegged, still on his knees."We could be miraculous." He stoodand stepped toward me holding out his hands. My hands slippedunheeded into his. "I know you feel it, too. The unbridledpassion we share."
"It's a trick," I said."You're bewitching me."
"Never," he insisted,pressing his body to mine.
"Anders," I was stillweakly fighting his hold on me.
"I promise you, If you letme in, I will let you go home." As much as I wanted to, my brainwouldn't think clearly. The sexual fog he'd built up around me wasdulling everything. I could find nothing wrong with his offer.Getting home was my goal. I would be free of this horrible, unendingprison.
My body rubbed coaxingly againsthis as I made my decision. "Quickly," I moaned.
"Are you so eager to be ridof me, pet?" he asked, pushing my hair back with his hand andcupping my face.
"Yes," I growled andmet his lips savagely with mine. Before I knew what I was doing, hehad ripped my clothing off and I wasn't sure what happened to his. Hewas rough and turbulent, grabbing my breasts and squeezing hard,drawing ragged cries of pleasure from me. I clawed his flesh with mynails. My body ached for him. "Do it, do it," I urged,feeling him hard against my thigh. I got my wish when he shovedhimself deep inside. "Oh goodness! Balthazar!" I cried,bolting up from beneath blankets, my hands shaking and my stomach inturmoil. I swallowed the vomit threatening to surface and started tocry.
