Hypnotic

Four

I didn't dare move. I couldn't see my hand directly in front of my face, so I was not about to risk bolting. Instead, I slid out of the chair and moved into the corner of the lobby, hoping that Damiar couldn't hear or see me. "Darling, you can't hide from me..." His voice, a taunting purr, was right next to my ear. I screamed and scurried to my feet, only to be wrestled back against the wall. His grip was firm but not harsh, and I heaved out strained breaths as his body pinned mine to the wall.

I couldn't see his face, not even his eyes, and I was mostly grateful, for if I couldn't see his eyes, then I wouldn't fall victim to them like before. And then they began glowing. They were like a cat's eyes, or maybe even a dragon's. Either way, they were beautiful and terrifying all the same, holding a strange sense of comfort in their soft, orange glow. "You're going back to the hotel room," he whispered, his breath lightly fanning over my lips. My heart twisted within its cage of bone. "You're going to get your suitcase, and then we're going back to your apartment to gather the rest of the things that you want most."

Somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind, I knew what was happening. He was technically kidnapping me, but all I could do was struggle to breathe and nod. He slowly released me, but our gazes stayed firmly locked. "Go," he demanded softly. "I'll see you back at your home." His golden eyes vanished, and the lights flickered back on. Finally free from my trance, I took in a large gulp of air and squinted against the sudden light. Damiar was gone. I ran to the desk to check on the lady that had tried to call 911. She was nowhere to be found.

After a long moment of going through all of my options, I heaved a sigh and shook my head tiredly. I had to comply. It was already blatantly obvious that Damiar wasn't quite human. No human could control technology and electricity like that. No human had such compelling orange eyes like that either. I huffed to myself as I lugged my suitcase down three flights of stairs. I used the lobby desk's phone to call a cab, and after about ten minutes of waiting, I was on my way back to midtown New York.

I had barely opened my door when the lights flicked on by themselves, and my eyes landed on the green haired male lounging on my sofa, my shattered phone in his hand. "Such a waste of an iPhone 11," he mused, glancing up at me. "No worries though, my dear. I'll get you another. For now, you need to pack what you most want. We have a long trip ahead of us." "Wh... Where are we going..?" I asked quietly. "Texas. I live there with my roommate." I furrowed my brows as I laid my keys beside the tv. "You have a roommate..?" Damiar chuckled airily and unplugged my computer charger from the wall, moving to place it in my suitcase. "Helps pay the bills."

I was silent for a long moment, my mind racing to understand. 'So even nonhumans still have to work', I thought to myself. 'So then.. How many of them are working around me without my noticing? How many have I been friends with? How many have I passed by on the street?' I was knocked out of my thoughts by a warm palm pressed against my chilly face. I nervously met his amused gaze. This man.. This creature was practically kidnapping me, and yet.. I already felt comfortable around him, as though I had known him for most, if not all, of my life.

Great. I was already going insane.

"Do you want me to help you pack?" He murmured, his thumb lightly stroking my cheek. Something major was off. It wasn't just because of what he was, but it was how my body and brain was reacting to him - to his eyes, to his words. It was like he had put some type of spell on me, and as good as it made me feel, it infuriated me. "No," I managed to answer, forcing my body out of his hold. I turned my back to him and headed into my bedroom where I pulled another suitcase from the closet and began filling it up with my valuables.

I didn't trust him. Of course I didn't. And after all of the strange occurrences that had already happened, I certainly didn't want his help with anything. A pang of anger stabbed at my chest, and I growled to myself as I ripped the zipper closed on the suitcase. I brushed past Damiar as I sat it beside the other one, and I turned to glare at him. "What happens to the rest of my shit?" I asked sharply. He sighed, almost in disappointment. "Your family gets it," he replied simply, moving towards me slightly. My gaze only hardened, and I stood my ground. "I am going with you for two reasons only," I hissed. "To protect my family and to save my life. I don't know what the hell you are, but you're demonic. You're definitely no angel. I can sense that much."

I blew a heated breath of air out of my nose and took hold of my luggage. "Now then. Exactly where in Texas are we going?" Damiar looked at me in what seemed to be genuine confusion, but nonetheless, he answered. "Nowhere you really need to know... For the time being," he amended once he saw that I was about to smart off. "And another thing," I huffed as we made our way out onto the street. "That little trick you do with your eyes. Stop doing that." The man let out a genuine laugh as he hailed over a taxi and set my baggage in the trunk. "Sorry, baby, but I have to do that little 'trick,' as you call it, if I intend on keeping you calm."

I rolled my eyes and plopped into the backseat, staying silent as Damiar directed the driver to the outskirts of New York City. As far as I was concerned, I was already calm, but part of me knew that he was only bullshitting me. I knew damn well how those orange eyes affected me. I wasn't more so calm as I was aroused. The realization nearly made me gasp out loud, but I quickly snapped my jaw shut. I tensed up and glowered out of the window. I needed to find a way to either get him to outright tell me what he is, or I needed to find a way to do my own research on him. He had told me that he intended on getting me a new phone, and he had brought my laptop, both of which were surprising.

Kidnappers were usually beyond careful to make sure that their victim had nothing to contact the outside world with. I glanced over at Damiar who had his head leaned back against the headrest, his eyes closed, arms crossed. Then again, he could control technology. I took the time to actually study him. His style undoubtedly suited his personality, and some of his jewelry made me envious. I really liked that damn lizard ring. Two cross earrings dangled from his ears, swaying gently with the car's movements. His black leather jacket seemed comfortable, and a small part of me wondered what it would look like on me. He had black jeans, ripped in some places and faded in others, held up with a regular black belt, and to top the look off, he had on a pair of older combat boots.

I would be lying to myself if I said I didn't find him attractive. I tore my eyes away from him when I saw his lips twisting into a smirk. I should have known that he could feel my analyzing gaze on him. I ignored him and instead placed my head back against the seat and got comfortable. I was in for a long car ride.