DEAD SEED (AKA "Vampires Don't Exist")

FIFTEEN: Whisper in the Shadows

Her entire body was so tense that she ached all over. Every muscle was clenched. She was afraid. She knew he was close by; she could sense him. The cement floor beneath her was freezing, the chill seeping through both the coat and the robe.

Deep down she knew this was just a cat and mouse game — she wouldn't be able to run from him for long. Yet, there was an overwhelming desire to keep trying. To stay hidden for as long as possible. To stay unseen and not surrender.

She was terrified though, more so than she had ever been, because she knew the consequences for her running would be unforgivable. Aimeric wouldn't forgive her; she wouldn't forgive herself for what he was likely to do to the prisoners ... or have her do to them.

If only she had been able to jump from the cliffs....

Inside the abandoned lighthouse, she sat and waited with bated breath. Her back was against a stone-wall that was wet with moss. She had brought her knees up to her chest, resting her mouth against them in an attempt to keep from breathing too loudly.

Her heart betrayed her, though. She could hear it beating ... Aimeric would be able to as well.

He probably already knew where she was.

Watching. Waiting. Toying with her.

"Come out my darling, I know you're in there."

Tears fell down Aralyn's cheeks at the sound of his voice; a whisper being carried on the wind. She wasn't able to stop a sob from escaping her lips, then covered her mouth with both hands in an attempt to stop it.

Suddenly he was there, kneeling in front of her. His cruel, cold eyes stared at her with mock sympathy, similar to the first time she had met him.

"Did you really think you could escape?"

She shook her head.

"Do you remember your promise to me? We both agreed it was unbreakable, yet here you are."

"You lied to me, you said you would let him go." Her voice shook.

"I did let that poor excuse of a vampire go."

"You killed him," Aralyn said through clenched teeth.

"Death is a release."

She shook her head as the images of Virgil suffering and dying came rushing back to her. She considered Aimeric's words, then whispered, "Release me too ... kill me."

"Your mortal body will die and you will be released, just not in the way you are hoping." He laughed cruelly as he moved a strand of her black hair that had fallen in her eyes. "You will soon forget he even existed, I will make certain of that."

She shook her head as fresh tears fell down her cheeks. "I won't forget him. He'll be with me in everything I do. Even when you take me to your bed, he'll be with me there." She held her head high, waiting for him to lose his temper and slap her, grab her and return to the mansion to punish her, threaten her, whatever else he might do. Her hope was that he would go too far and accidentally kill her.

But he didn't get angry. He cupped her face and gently wiped away her tears with his thumb, which was somehow more terrifying.

"Is that so?" he whispered. "You know, Aralyn, when you first ran away, I was furious. I planned to do terrible things to you once I had you in my grasp again. But seeing you here, such a mess, dirty, cold, and weeping ... well, I suppose I'm going soft for you because my anger has subsided. You'll still be punished — I can't let you get away with what you've done — but perhaps your punishment won't be quite as severe." He grinned. "Oh, but I do have something special planned for you."