Wicked Devotion
By: afallenblackrose
Author's Notes: Since I couldn't sleep on Saturday night, I finished writing this out by hand instead of waiting until today to do it. If many of you follow me on twitter you know that something interesting is coming up in this chapter. So thanks to rabbit88, ARABELLA VIOLETTA, JenBunny, YingYing, CharmedSerenity3, SerentiyMoonGodness, Jeanniestorm, reenabernadette, Shinobi of life, lyra17, sookiesook, Chocodips, Jessica Love1, Sailor Martin3, righter248, VAlvr04, and Anonymoose13 (BTW: I did get the chapter title from the song "Open Up Your Eyes" by Daughtry. Nice catch!) for reviewing the last chapter. I hope you guys enjoy this one!
Chapter Three:
Saw Your Ghost Here Tonight
After the spell, Andrew somehow convinced me to get up and get ready for work. Considering everything that had happened to me since I had woken up that morning, I was a little concerned with going to work. What if Endymion came for me at work? All those innocent people? But, I figured I needed a dash of normalcy in my day and he couldn't be that close, right? So I grabbed my purse and headed with Andrew out the door (making sure everything was safely put away, of course) and into his truck.
The ride into work was quiet, which I was thankful for. I needed time to think. How had I lost track of Endymion? Or a better question, what happened in Florida that made him leave so quickly and start his way North to me? I hadn't lived in Florida and I certainly hadn't passed through over the years, so what? Then a light bulb went off. Oh, no…
"Andrew, where did Mina go for that book conference this week?" I asked, hoping that I was wrong.
"Somewhere down in Florida, I think. Why?"
"She wouldn't happen to go for dark and mysterious guys, would she?"
"No," I almost sighed in relief. "But she does go for platinum blonde guys with piercing eyes. But again, I have to ask, why do you need to know this?" I sighed in despair. The description he just gave me fit Endymion's right hand minion Kunzite to a T.
"I think I just figured out how he knows where I am."
"No! Mina would never…"
"Sure she wouldn't, knowingly. If he got her drunk enough, he probably casted a spell and probed her mind for the information that he needed." No wonder Endymion had moved so fast without my knowledge. I usually only checked in once a week, because that's how long it took him to search an entire state, two if it was large (like Texas, California). I hadn't expected him to run into someone I knew while he was down in Florida. Stupid, Serena, stupid!
"Would they hurt Mina?" Andrew asked, his face now full of worry. Worry I understood. It was obvious to me, even when I first got here, that Andrew and Mina had a thing for each other. They weren't dating and only because they were afraid of what our coworkers would say.
"I doubt it," I replied, trying to ease his concern. "Endymion probably just probed her mind and then had one of his minions take her back to her hotel room. The next morning she'll just think she has a really bad hangover."
"How do you know this?"
"Because even though Endymion would like his enemies to think otherwise, he's really not as ruthless as he seems."
"Is that why you fell for him?"
I didn't answer Andrew's question at first. Why had I fallen for Endymion? To tell the truth, I really didn't know. One day he was an arrogant and insufferable jerk who I wanted to slap, the next, he was a sweet guy. Almost like a transformation over night. Something I still didn't understand. For a guy who was supposed to stop me from reaching the Book of Shadows, you'd think taking me out to dinner wouldn't be part of that plan. Which only makes me believe that his feelings for me and his offer to be his Queen are more than me being a powerful witch. He really did fall for me.
"Serena?" Andrew drew me back to the cab of his truck. "You okay? You look like you were lost in thought."
"Because I was," I murmured. "I can't really explain why I fell for Endymion. Maybe it was because I didn't know who he truly was, but all I know is that I did. And I really wish I hadn't." I knew it was a lie as the words left my mouth. How could you regret loving someone? Especially someone you thought was the one?
"I don't believe that, Serena," Andrew said, startling me a little bit. Had my lie been that transparent? "The only thing you regret, is that the guy you loved, turned out to be the Source of all evil. But, opposites attract, Serena, and when he comes for you, I hope you remember that."
Okay, I hadn't expected that from Andrew. Remember that opposites attract when he comes for me? What the hell did that mean? Lucky for me, I had the rest of the drive to work to figure it out, since Andrew wasn't in the mood to talk anymore. I could tell from the look on his face that he was really concerned about Mina. Something that made me feel bad. If it weren't for me, Mina would probably be safe and sound down in Florida. Which led me back to what Andrew had said. Opposites attract. I still had no idea what he was talking about. Yes, Endymion and I were different, him evil and me good, but why did I have to remember that when he came for me?
Like I said, I got nowhere. I was really thankful when Andrew pulled into a parking spot in front of our office. Andrew and I worked at a publishing firm. I was Mina's executive assistant and Andrew was a junior editor who worked for Mina as well. It was an interesting job and it was mainly because of the job that I hadn't moved in over six months. I liked it here and didn't want to give it up just to run and hide from Endymion. But, because I was selfish, an innocent was probably going to get hurt.
"Hey Andrew!" Our building security officer, Lita greeted. "Hey Serena!"
"Hi, Lita," we replied in unison.
"Anything interesting happen yet today?" Andrew asked as he signed in.
"Well, actually, yes," Lita said. "Flower delivery guy stopped by earlier with a rather large order of flowers."
My hand froze as I signed in. I looked up hesitatingly and found her staring at me with a knowing smile on her face. I could feel Andrew's eyes on me too and I was almost sick. He was sending flowers to my work too? Was he trying to make my life a living hell? I grabbed my bag from the counter and literally, ran into the building. As soon as I did though, I regretted it. I wanted to go and run back home. When I came in, everyone's eyes were on me and I mean everyone. Even the stupid mail guy was watching me.
I felt Andrew walk in behind me and I don't know what he did, but some people turned away and went back to work. But others continued to stare.
"Come on," Andrew whispered and took my arm to drag me into the office.
"Andrew, I have a feeling I should just go home," I whispered trying to ignore the looks.
"No, you're going to your desk, you're going to throw out those flowers and then you're going to pretend it's just another day at work. Forget what these people think, okay?"
I wanted to reply with something sarcastic and mean, but I refrained, knowing that he was just trying to be a good friend. Besides I had to save the energy for what waited for me at my desk.
Something that almost made me forget what Andrew had said and turn around and run. For sitting on every inch of my desk were vases of blood red roses. Maybe sixteen vases in all. Sensing my bewilderment, Andrew squeezed my arm reassuringly. With a shaking hand I grabbed the white envelope that was sticking out of one of the vases and read the card.
Serena, my love,
These roses are nothing compared to your beauty. Something I can't wait to bask in very soon. My imagination has been very creative over the last three years, Sere, but it still pales in comparison to the feeling of holding you in my arms or having you beneath me. Soon, though, we'll be reunited and I will not let you leave my embrace.
With all my love,
Endymion
I grabbed the back of my office chair to keep me from losing my balance. The last two notes had been stalkerish and sort of cold, but this one… This one held some of the man I had fallen in love with. Almost as if I was in a trance, I could feel his arms wrapped around me like he had described in the card. NOmy mind shouted at me. This was not good. He was not good! He was the Source for crying out loud.
"Serena?" Andrew whispered.
"What am I going to do with all of these roses? I obviously can't throw them out. People will be too suspicious. But they can't stay…" I trailed off as I felt a warning go off inside my head. The house!
"Don't worry, I'll take care of the roses," Andrew said coming up and taking a vase. "But you look like something else is wrong."
"Something's going on at the house," I replied. "I have to check it out."
"No, you can't leave. People are going to think it had something to do with the roses. Besides, it doesn't matter, right? The spell you cast protects your home from people trying to do you harm and warns you when it happens. Worry about it when you get home."
"Okay, fine," I sighed, knowing he was right. But I was still worried. It meant that he was here and would probably be waiting to pounce when I got home. This was going to be a fun day.
After what seemed like an eternity, the workday came to an end and after giving most of the roses to the other females on staff, things went back to normal. Even though some did ask who sent the flowers to me. I just answered that it was an ex of mine trying to get back in my good graces, which wasn't too far from the truth. But I was still anxious to get home, though I knew who could possibly be waiting for me before I made it to the front porch.
It took some convincing, but Andrew agreed to just drop me off instead of walking in with me. I felt it was safer that way, but my stomach still had butterflies in it as I climbed the steps. No one tried to jump me and I didn't hear the very familiar velvet voice from my nightmares behind me, so I walked into my house. It wasn't until I flipped on the kitchen light that I realized that the door was unlocked.
Realized a little too late…
"Hello, Serena," I turned around gasping in surprise as my bag slipped from my hand and hit the floor.
Author's Notes: Ooh, cliffhanger! So who do you think is waiting for her and how did they get in? Please review and tell me what you thought and I'll update soon!
