:: Sometime Later ::
I awoke to what felt like several hours later, slowly blinking away the haze as I groaned, the nausea rushing back to me, I could feel my stomach lurching as I began to dry heave, making my stomach slowly begin to hurt as I made an attempt to hunch over, but found I was laying on the cold, hard ground with my arms tied behind my back with a thick cord. I struggle in vain against the cord, making an attempt to break free, but I found that my body was oddly drained of my strength…something that only happened when beings fed on ones Aura. I let out a shaky sigh, quickly giving up on getting free, shaking my head as I tried to blink away the haze of my unconsciousness before I looked around as I growled lightly. To my shock, I was still in the abandoned Fortuna church, the room was strangely lit with candles. I was beginning to grow uneasy…the events leading up to this proved to be unsavory…considering I was tied up in a church, the room littered with candles and there was a beast holding me captive. My uneasiness was slightly calmed when I realized, the church had long since been forgotten by the people of this city….so it was only common that it would not have any electricity and by now it was night fall.
I heaved out an exasperated sigh before jolting at the sound of heavy booted steps, quickly closing my eyes to feign sleep…but it appeared my attempt was in vain.
"Do not think me stupid human…I heard your struggles from outside. You are not quiet." He said in a dull, un amused tone.
I opened my eyes, looking up at him as I growled, making an attempt to speak, but stilled when my words came out in nothing but a ragged whimper. My throat was impossibly dry, judging by breathing in this dank air while passed out, it did not bode well for ones vocal chords. I needed water and I needed it now…it was very apparent that I was dehydrated.
I slowly opened my eyes, shuddering as his voice wrapped around my senses, sinking deep into my mind as that same icy cold shiver from before snaked down my spine, coiling around my very being as I felt an odd feeling building in the pit of my stomach as I listened to his voice. I somehow managed to un blur my vision enough to weakly look up at him, watching him with an odd amount of curiosity as he set the mirror in such an angle so that he could kneel in front of it. He narrowed his eyes in what looked to be disgust, looking to be in deep thought, while he began to cut away at his long, blood stained and dirty silver hair with a pair of scissors he no doubt acquired from His Holinesses' study.
While he sat there grooming himself, I had noticed that I had the man's dirty coat draped over my body, sure the coat was more than nasty, covered in blood and god knows what else…but I knew a kind gesture when I saw it.
Yet as quickly as that thought raced to my mind…it was banished away when I tried to move onto my side, blinking in utter confusion when my body oddly remained in the position it was in. I felt stiff, as if someone was holding me down. It was then that I looked up at the man, seeing that he was looking over his shoulder at me, those eyes of his bearing into my soul. Finding it hard to hold in my gasp as his eyes oddly began to glow a bright crystal blue. I'd never seen a color so pure before…I was almost fascinated.
"You will not escape. The coat has been lined with specially designed weights…a being of your stature does not have the training necessary to get free." He growled out at me, his voice was more than a dangerous purr, the shiver it induced made my cheeks flush slightly. But his words resonated with me…I'd heard a similar set of words…just phrased differently…then my brain registered them. He was insulting me! The bastard was sitting there all smug…insulting me!
I felt anger boiling deep inside my stomach as I ground my teeth together, my eyes narrowed in a dark fury as I viciously glared at the male whom I was mentally beating with a large blunt object. But as soon as I had thought that very mental image, did my eyes widen when he looked over his shoulder at me, his fierce blue eyes narrowed in an oddly dangerous glare. It sent a powerful chill down my spine, causing me to gasp as I oddly began to tremble in fear, making his eyes glow a deep midnight blue. His aura chilled the room, the sound of ice cracking echoed around me, the temperature around us seemed to plummet as I began to oddly shiver. I tried to ignore the freezing cold, trying my hardest to remain composed, but the sound of my teeth chattered brought me out of me delusion and I found myself looking up at him as low growl rumbled up from his massive chest.
"Such heinous thoughts are not wise for a girl in your situation. Direct them elsewhere or you will find the next few hours…highly unpleasant." He said, with a more then malicious tone, it shook me to my very core as the scent of my fear spiked around the room, making him narrow his eyes as he scoffed, turning back to his grooming. "Such a pathetic sight…"
His words cut like a cold knife into my very soul, I quickly tore my gaze away from his, finding myself to be trembling in actual fear. My face hidden from his view, was buried in to his coat, I ignored the smell, doing my best to keep myself composed as a sob rose in my throat. An old instinct I had told me these were going to be my last moments on earth, this was going to be how I left the world, tied up and wrapped in a disgusting coat, captured by a cruel male…my soul encased in fear. I didn't want this to be my end, but I couldn't get free from the bindings or the coat. It seemed as if my energy was being drained, being sucked from me somehow. I couldn't move without being in pain. What hope did I have when all the odds were stacked against me?
Then it hit me…
My eyes slowly opened as I blinked away the tears of despair, my eyes narrowed as I choked down that sob, stopping myself from trembling in fear as I began to pull against my bindings, wincing in pain as the cord cut into my upper arms and my wrists. I bowed my head, squirming against the weighted coat in some vain attempt to be freed. But as I sat there squirming around like a helpless animal caught in a trap, I heard the male sigh in utter annoyance, making me still my movements. I looked up at him, seeing that his face was now clean shaven, his hair cut and he was somewhat washed enough to look like a normal person instead of a bum. I ignored those stupid female thoughts, right now I was in a dangerous situation and sitting here blushing over how handsome he was would not help the situation progress. Then it struck me, he looked far more familiar now…he looked like…
"DANTE?!" I choked out a ragged snarl, viciously struggling against the cord now, my fury showing in my eyes as I pushed against the coat, ignoring the blinding pain that shot through my shoulder. But all but stilled when the male let out a fury filled snarl, his arm shot out, his hand wrapped around my throat, lifting me off the ground as the coat fell free from my body, I almost sighed in relief before I remembered that I had a hand wrapped around my throat. His eyes narrowed in a far more vicious fury then before as he let out another snarl of anger.
"Impudence! How dare you address me by that wretch's name!" He growled out, his voice chilled my heart as I weakly looked up at him, I could feel his icy fingers digging into the muscles of my throat, my chest began to tremble as I gasped for air, my lips quickly turning a pale blue from how quickly it was growing cold and the lack of oxygen while his eyes flared a dark and malicious midnight blue. "Foolishness, yet another of my brother's whores have mistaken him for m-…"
By some miracle, I found the strength to push past my lack of air and push through the pain, fighting un consciousness, before I weakly looked up at him through half closed eyes, my cheeks turning a light red as I let out a weakened growl. "I…don't…belong to him…not…his whore…l-loathe…loathe him…" I choked out, my eyes slowly closing as my body began to shut down, before I felt his grip on my throat loosen, letting air rush into my throat as I raggedly gasped, greedily trying to get more air before he cut off my oxygen again.
I whimpered as I looked up at him, seeing his head cocked in curiosity as he glared down at me with speculative eyes, as if he wished me to continue my thought. He dug the tips of his fingers into my neck as I went wide eyed, feeling something sharp piercing my skin as my mouth opened in a silent scream as his eyes flashed a deeper midnight blue. "If you are not his whore…then how do you know Dante? He does not just keep the company of young women for no reason. Explain yourself or perish here." He growled out at me, his voice cutting into my soul as I shivered.
He lessened his hold on my throat as I choked out a ragged gasp again, tilting my head back as I whimpered, dragging in as much air as I possibly could before he tightened his hold on my throat once more as if trying to train my body to obey him. "I…work for him…h-he helps me…find jobs. I…don't like his company…he irritates me…" I tilted my head back as it grew harder and harder to breathe, before I felt his hold lessen on my throat, air rushing into my lungs as I trembled, coughing loudly before I looked up at him through hazy vision, to my surprise his eyes looked as if I had peaked his interest somehow. He brought me close, as if to inspect me to see if I was lying to him. He sniffed the air around me, his eyes narrowing before he pulled back, a look of derision on his face before he ran his clawed thumb up the side of my jugular, my eyes snapped wide open, he had my full attention as I trembled. I somehow knew I had just gotten myself into a whole shit load of trouble, but I couldn't really go against the situation. I was tied up with cord, my body drained of energy and what appeared to be a demon male was stroking my jugular with his claw. I didn't really have much of a choice. The odds were more than stacked against me…I let out a ragged sigh as I quickly pushed down my apprehension, locking my weakened gaze with his stern one.
"If you wish to continue your pathetic existence, you will do what I say without argument. Is that in any way unclear?" He growled, tightening his hold on my throat to make his point, I let out a ragged gasp of pain as I quickly mentally accessed the situation, seeing no other option I found myself nodding. What other course did I have? And no more than a few seconds had passed before his grip lessened on my throat, I happily let out a ragged gasp, before I looked up at him, seeing that he had pulled me closer, so our faces were mere inches apart as he ran the tip of his finger over my cheek, his claw lightly cutting into the skin as I winced in pain.
"The rules are as followed…One: When I untie you, you will not strike me, you will not run and you will sit until your orders are given. Two: You will never run from me, you will never back talk me, you will never turn from me. Three: When you are given an order, you will follow through perfectly and without arguing. You will never raise your hand or weapon against me. Four: If someone dares to attack me, you will draw your weapons to protect me. Not that I need it, but the action will be seen. Five: You will be seen and not heard. You will speak when spoken to and I will here no argument on this. Now is anything unclear?" He said with a calm and reserved voice, his orders were rather stern, but I really had no other choice. If I went against him, I would no doubt die here and I had no intentions of doing such things. I refused to die. Not here and not ever.
I wasn't sure if I should answer him, it was rather confusing, and I suppose it was him testing me. So I merely kept myself quiet, staying still before he cocked his head in what looked to be approval as he let out a growl. "You may speak." He lessened his hold on my throat again, making me tremble and gasp before I gulped down my apprehension, looking up at him as I shivered in response to his voice.
"E-Everything is crystal clear…" I gave him a short response, something told me that anything longer would have no doubt irritated him. And I found my guess had been correct. He set me on my knees, pulling his hand back from my throat as blood trickled down in thin streams down my throat. He narrowed his eyes as he looked me over, before growling. "If I am to remove your bonds, you will remember the rules I set out for you. Is that understood girl? " He growled out, his eyes seemed to burn into my person as I trembled, I found myself bowing my head to him as I felt my will slowly slipping away. My urge to fight seemed to be vanishing before my very eyes…and there wasn't anything that I could do…but let I it happen.
"I...won't forget the rules." I spoke with a weakened voice, my demeanor oddly calm as he moved closer to me, I went wide eyed when my forehead pressed against his chest, his scent rushed around me as he began to undo the cord from around my upper arms and my wrists. I hissed in response, feeling the blood rushing to the deprived areas before my arms fell to my sides limply, numb from being encased for a few hours. He then pulled back, looking down at me as he let out an irritated growl.
"Girl…you will find me someplace to take refuge. The current rooming conditions are not to my liking." He said, grabbing my chin to gain my attention, making me look up at him as he spoke. I jolted before weakly nodding. "You will find me lodging, and some provisions for the next coming days." He said, his voice a mild growl now, his tone somewhat softer as he pulled his chilled fingers away from my chin. I found myself nodding as I oddly bowed my head. Something in the back of my mind nagged at me as I trembled, no longer being able to fight against the instincts rushing throughout my brain. I sighed and kept my head bowed, continuing to kneel at his feet as I hunched over, gulping down my last ounce of freedom before I spoke.
"May…I please stand?" My voice was nothing more than a whisper before I felt my spine tingle, I could swear he was smirking down at me. I felt oddly at peace kneeling in front of him, yet mildly irritated. But quickly shook off the irritation, for I recalled he could look into my thoughts. I gulped, hoping me didn't hear that.
"You learn quickly. How fortuitous for me. Yes you may stand and gather your things. Then we will make head way." He said with a now amused tone in his voice, before he turned away and began to gather his things, while I slowly straightened, jolting at the sound of my guns being tossed in front of me, I blinked in utter surprise as he kept his back to me, growling low as he sheathed that sword of his. He was giving my weapons to me? Did I somehow gain his trust? And as if he had read my mind, he looked over his shoulder at me, his eyes narrowed viciously as he let out a deep growl that child my very soul.
"I see no need to carry such pathetic devices…but you obviously rely on them in some manner or another, so you are permitted to wield them. Know this…if you ever draw those weapons on me…I will not hesitate to end your life." He growled out, before going back to his ministrations, I shivered at the mere thought and his words, while I forced my arms to work, feeling the blood rushing throughout them as I secured my gun belt around my waist. I looked down at his jacket, seeing that it was more than ripped beyond repair, I grabbed it by the collar as I stood up, grabbing onto the marble pillar to stabilize myself. He was right, the coat was weighted, far more then I realized. But I held my ground, ignoring my trembling hand as I shakily walked over to him, holding his coat out for him to grab. He stilled and looked over his shoulder at me as his eyes narrowed, he scoffed and turned back to his work, growling lightly.
"Get rid of that filth, it can be replaced." He said with a mildly cold tone, as if trying to fight off emotion. I bit my lower lip, ignoring his order as I carefully slung it over my shoulder, being sure not to hurt myself by dislocating my shoulder or by falling over before I looked at him. I had no idea who this man was, or even why I was so compelled to listen to him, but what was certain to me…was that I found myself irrevocably captured by his words. No matter how threatening they were…something told me to follow him into the deepest darkness, no matter what the cost.
Then it hit me, as if I ran into a brick wall. If I was going to be serving this guy…I had to know his name. I blinked at my utter stupidity before I looked up at him, before shaking my head as I looked away. He would never tell me his name. He reeked of demons after all and they never gave out their true name in fear of being controlled. But still I felt compelled to at least try asking.
"M…May I ask your name?" My voice was barely an audible whisper, yet my words seemed to travel to him, for I felt his gaze on the back of my head, it wasn't malicious, it seemed like more of a confused glare. What seemed like a few minutes passed before he spoke, his voice calm yet his voice guarded.
"Prove your loyalty to me and you will earn my trust, then and only then will I ever give my name out to one such as you." His words were soft, yet it seemed he was trying to keep up a cold demeanor and I could tell he was failing. It seemed that I was probably the first person he had spoken to in sometime. I found myself nodding as I kept myself from smiling.
I shivered as he strode past me, the cool breeze from the movement made me snap out of my reverie and I looked up, seeing him walking to the door, his posture controlled as he lifted his hand, snapping his fingers at me. "Girl…we leave now." His words were cold and commanding, urging me to obey, I jolted as I hurried after him, the coat more than weighing me down, but I managed to keep up, bowing my head in silence as I blindly followed after him. I shivered when the warm night air hit my chilled skin, something told me that I would have to get used to being cold. Yet…I strangely I didn't mind it…