'' You are bleeding. Here.''- Victor sank his fangs in his wrist and offered it to me. I took a few steps back. –'' Don't be a child, Daniela! Your wound has to heal.''- I covered the bite on my neck, and shook my head. My mind was a little dizzy, because of the blood loss.-'' Don't make me compel you, little one. In this state you won't bear it.''- Victor rolled his eyes irritated.-'' I will count to three, and if you don't come , I will compel you. One…''- I walked to him and the vampire smiled.-'' Good girl.''- As much as I hated Victor, my neck was burning, and I needed to be strong.
I grabbed the prince's wrist and began drinking his blood. I closed my eyes so I won't see Victor's brown ones focused on me. His free hand wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer to his body. The taste of the vampire's blood was a little different from the human's one. The immortal's blood could become like a drug to the humans, if taken often, and I was terrified of that. When the prince had taken my blood, Victor would heal me with his own or with vampire saliva. But maybe he liked more to offer me his own blood, hoping to make me addicted to it. It tasted good, sweet, like chocolate, or at least of that it reminded me. I couldn't say if I was addicted to the prince's blood or no, but the taste warmed me up inside.
'' That's enough for now.''- Victor smiled and pulled away his hand. My neck wasn't burning any more, and as I touched it, there was no wound. My mind slowly began to clear.
'' Do you want to…?''- I looked at the huge bed, too afraid to finish the question. Victor might still want us to have fun in here. After all he paid for me. The prince smiled at me seductively, and I took some steps back again. He would have to force me , I would never be with him willingly.
'' Such dirty mind, Daniela!''- He laughed and I blushed.-'' But no, I prefer my own bed for such activities. Plus, you have to be dressed much better.''- Victor's eyes looked at my dress and grinned.-'' Although this one fits you perfectly.''- I crossed my arms, trying to shield myself from his gaze. He smirked.-'' I will wait until you are in much better clothes, Danny.''
'' I feel better now, knowing this.''- Victor kept his smile on as he bent down and lifted the purple mask. My eyes moved to the window again, but I knew it was over. I had nowhere to run to.
'' Maybe we will keep this, Daniela. It looks very attractive on you.''- Victor twirled the mask in his hands.
'' It was Frank's idea.''- I lifted the champagne bottle, intending to hit the prince in the head with it. I know, a very stupid move, but I was desperate and I wasn't thinking clear.
'' Put it down, dear. Or you want us to have a glass or two? I think champagne is perfect for this occasion, don't you think?''- The dark-haired vampire took the bottle from my arms and opened it. I expected him to hit me or yell, but he only poured champagne into the two glasses and handed me one.-'' To us, sweet one.''
# # #
'' Thank you for the wonderful evening, Frank.''- Victor descended the stairs, my hand in his. His grip was strong. When the music band saw the prince , they stopped singing and the whole bar became quiet, like with a magic. I looked around and saw the girls.
'' You are leaving us so soon, Your Highness? But …''- My boss eyed me , wondering what had happened upstairs. I met Frank's eyes and was glad he looked away from me, ashamed.
'' Yes, I took what I came here for. My sweet Daniela. Thank you for not lying to me , Frank. You will be rewarded.''- I heard people talking, clearly shocked I was the girl everyone in the kingdom searched for.
'' Please, you promised me to say goodbye to the girls and take my things. Please, my prince.''- I turned to Victor, and begged with tears in my eyes. He couldn't just take me without giving me a chance to say goodbye!
'' Fine.''- The vampire let me go and I ran down the stairs to my coworkers. I hugged Sally and began crying ever harder.
'' I should have done something to hide you, Daniela. I'm sorry.''- The older woman kissed my cheeks.
'' Don't. You have already done a lot for me when you allowed me to live with you. You are a wonderful roommate and a good friend, Sally. I will miss you.''- I hugged her again, not wanting to let go.
'' I hope you will be well, dear girl.''- I finally let go of the older woman and went to the others.
'' You lied to us.''- Lara said and backed away. Eliza and Maya have returned my hugs.
'' I didn't want to. I hope you will all forgive me.''- I wiped my tears. I wasn't mad that the girls acted like this.
I felt everyone's eyes on me as I walked to the front door, followed by Victor and some of the royal guards. I just kept staring right in front of me, otherwise I would burst into tears again.
'' So this is where you were hiding .''- The prince looked around the place I had begun to call home.-'' You chose this here over my mansion. ''- Victor followed me around in my room and sat on the bed.-'' It's not even soft.''- The dark-haired man watched me intently as I packed my luggage.
'' But I like it.''- My hands were trembling as I took out all of my clothes. The vampire followed me into the cozy kitchen, the bathroom, until I packed all of my things.-'' I have to return the keys to Sally and pay for the rent.''- I said , getting the courage to look Victor in the eyes.
'' I will make sure Sally will get her rent.''- The prince called one of his guards and told him to return the keys and ask for my roommate's bank account.
# # #
'' Do you intend to give me the silent treatment during the whole ride?''-Victor's voice pulled me up from my staring through the window. It was dark outside, and the surroundings were bearably visible. We were outside the town and in front of us was only the road. But still I preferred to gaze into the darkness, than to speak to Victor.-'' Seriously, Danny?''- I crossed my arms. Since I had gotten into the limo, I chose to sit as far away from the prince as possible. Victor hadn't tried to sit down next to me and I was glad for that. Despite the fact that the limo was enormous , I felt trapped in here.
'' What do you want me to say?''- I finally broke the silence between us. I hadn't said a word to the prince since we left the town . I found the courage to look at the prince. Victor was holding a glass of champagne and he had drank it all.
'' Anything. I have missed your voice.''- Victor put the glass down on the table next to him.-'' Do you want some?''- The vampire opened one bottle of vodka and filled his glass. The prince drinks a lot, but right now he wasn't drunk.
''No, I will pass.''- I didn't need alcohol right now, my mind has to be clear. While I worked at the bar, sometimes I drank a glass or two, but I had never got completely drunk. That used to be something I did with my friends. Just thinking what I had lost, made me want to cry again. I lost my friends, my first job, my freedom. I was right back where I started.
'' Fine, as you wish. It's a very good one.''- Victor smiled as he drank some and put his glass down again. I bet it was, the royal family only ate and drank the finest things. Nothing cheap. The food I had eaten in the mansion was better than anything I have ever tasted. Italian, French meals, prepared by specifically picked chefs. Food, bought from all the corners of the world. Served in golden plates and cups. Only old wines. –'' So have you eaten anything, Daniela? ''- The question startled me. This man practically bought me again, like I was a doll. I had seen it with my own eyes how he gave one big suitcase with money to Frank and shook his hand. How my boss had grinned, seeing all the bills inside. I didn't have to be a mind reader to know Frank has already making a plan how to spend this fortune. The prize for me, the prince's human pet. I felt so sick because of this deal. Where were my wishes, my choice?
'' Yes.''- I ran a hand through my hair, avoiding the vampire's eyes. I desperately wanted to cry, but it would do me no good. My tears would probably only bore him, or more likely irritate him.
'' What?''- Victor crossed his arms and smirked.-'' Come on, Danny, tell me for what did you exchange my talented chefs?''- How was it possible a man that good looking to be so cold? So egocentric, thinking that money solved everything? Thinking that because he was the prince and attractive every woman desired him? Not that it wasn't entirely true, many girls would do anything just for Victor to notice them. I had it all, but I had thrown it away, this making me the craziest girl in the world.
'' Pizza.''- It saddened me when I remembered how me and Sally had ordered one big pizza and ate it in front of the TV. It felt like it had happened years ago.
'' Pizza?!''- Victor laughed.-'' Oh, my God, Danny, what have you been eating , girl? It's a wonder you didn't starve.''- I gave Victor a cold look. When I was his pet , he had never allowed me to eat pizza, chips or other kinds of snacks. They were bad for me and cheap. I needed to have better tastes for food, I wasn't poor , as Victor often had said. The prince would teach me about the good life.
'' Yes, pizza. It was delicious.''- The man chuckled and his brown eyes met mine again.
'' If you want pizza so much, Daniela, my chefs will make you some really amazing Italian one. Not the cheap imitation you ate.''- Victor ran his fingers through his hair and leaned back on the seat opposite mine. I was glad we still had much distance between us, but I still felt trapped.-'' Thank God I found you , my little one, because I fear it could be worse. The place you lived in, where you worked, what you ate. ''- Victor shook his head.-'' I gave you a chance of a good life, and you chose the poverty again. ''
'' What will happen to me?''- My voice broke, despite how much I had fought. I still broke the laws. I had drugged the prince , stolen one of his cars, money and jewelries. I had been hiding for two months, living under a fake name. I deserved to be killed for even one of these things.
'' What do you think it will?''- Victor leaned forward and smiled.-''Your escape caused a scandal. My father wants to torture and kill you for your bravery.''- I paled. I will lose my life at the age of 20. Tears fogged my view and I began trembling. So this was it. I was being taken away to my death. –'' But I will try to reason with him.''- Victor continued, still smiling.-'' I will ask him to let me decide what your punishment will be . You are mine, after all, Daniela, and I have to deal with you.''- The vampire sighed.-'' It will cause me great pain to punish you, my sweet, but you left me no choice. You signed your own fate by drugging me with those pills and escaping.''- The prince drank a little from the vodka.
'' Your life isn't for me, my prince. I am a simple girl, I don't understand expensive wines, exotic meals. ''- I looked down at my hands on my lap.-'' I don't belong in..''- But I froze when the prince lifted my chin with his finger. His hand was warm, but the look in his eyes wasn't. I had seen this look so many times before when he was angry at me. When he had caught me kissing Sebastian.
'' From the moment I saw you, Danny, I realized you deserve more than the life you had. So I gave you mine, but you rejected my offer. I can have any woman I desire, you know that?''- I would have rolled my eyes, if I wasn't so scared. The vampire was so close to me, he had moved on my seat. I could smell his perfume, his favorite one, see all the shades is his brown eyes. My heart was beating so loud.-'' I have asked myself thousands of times why I hadn't kicked you out and found another.''- Victor buried his fingers through my hair.-'' There is something in you, Danny, that keeps me coming for more. And to be damned if I let you escape from me again. The kingdom is still trying to fix the mess caused by your escape. One mortal girl defied the prince!''- He pulled my hair roughly and I hissed. –'' Have you heard the gossips? The prince tricked by his mortal seductress! Me, 200 years old, tricked by some beautiful mortal girl!''- His eyes were red, and I saw his sharp fangs. I had seen Victor's anger outbursts countless times, how he broke plates, furniture, everything that came in front of his eyes. –'' Do you have any idea, Daniela, what problems you caused me?!''- The prince let me go finally and returned to his seat.-'' I will definitely beg my father to allow me to deal with your punishment, dear one. ''
I had trouble breathing. My hands were shaking.
'' I need fresh air, please.''- I sobbed and Victor rolled down the window and I tried to calm myself.
'' You need to sleep, little devil. We still have long hours ahead of us.''- Victor ran fingers through his hair again and eyed me.-'' You could use some sleep, Daniela.''- How could he expect me to sleep?! I couldn't even fall asleep even if I wanted to. My whole body was paralyzed with fear, my every thought was about what might happen to me, and I wanted to cry and scream. I couldn't relax. And Victor felt it and sighed annoyed.-'' Fine. Daniela, I want you to go to sleep, OK? You will relax and have some peaceful sleep until we arrive home.''- His brown eyes were so hypnotizing, the smooth like honey voice caught me under his spell. My body slowly began to relax, my eyelids got heavy. Sleep took over my senses and I yawned.-'' That's it. Now lay down and sleep.''- I yawned again and kicked my shoes off and laid down on the seat. Luckily it was long and comfortable.-'' Sleep well, Danny.''- Victor covered me with his coat and kissed the top of my hair. My eyes closed and I fell asleep, lulled by the compulsion and the movement of the car.
# # #
Something startled me from my sleep, and I opened my eyes. The lamps in the limo were off, and it looked like it was day already.
'' Yes, father, I have her.''- Victor said and I looked at him, blinking rapidly to focus his face. The smell of coffee was around and I saw two cups of coffee on the table.-'' No, she is not tied or beaten. No, I want to deal with her, she is mine.''- The prince put sugar in his coffee and stirred it.-'' Dad, Daniela is mine and I have the right to punish her! No, I am not soft, she is my problem after all!''- He looked through the window.-'' No, I am not smitten by her, dad. I will find a way to … Listen, father, Daniela Summers is my problem, and I want to take care of it. No, I won't allow her female charms to … No, you are not touching her! Fine , we will talk, but after we arrive!''- Victor ended the call and placed down the phone next to him.-'' Sorry, if I was too loud.''- He rubbed his eyes.-'' Good morning, Daniela.''- He gave me a smile. Vampires usually slept a little during the night, and I really hoped Victor hadn't stared at me all night. I noticed some newspapers and his laptop around.
'' Good morning, my prince.''- I sat down and handed him his coat back. I had managed to sleep through the whole ride, I thought as I was putting on my shoes. –'' Where are we?''- I looked through the window and saw one small town.
'' Close to home.''- I immediately glanced at Victor.-'' Here, I don't want you to faint, little devil.''- The prince handed me one cup of coffee and a plate filled with food- sandwiches, bagels, croissants .-'' I have already ate.''- The vampire lifted to his lips one glass, filled with blood. I looked away and began feeding. I so wished I could get out of this somehow, but I knew I was doomed.