Chapter 8

(A/N-Yeah, so I wrote this today when I got my finals done. We're on finals schedule, so we got out at 2, and here I am, still stuck here, seeing as how I have to be here at 3 for a Scholastic Bowl game. . FUN. sarcasm. ANYwhooo…Here's chapter 8. I'm about ¼ done with Chapter 9, and I'll most likely post when I get home. Which will be later. Oy. Yeah, thanks to my lovely betas, CricketSpinner and DonJuanTriumphant. You guys friggin' rock my sox off! huggles and Erik-shaped cookies for you guys! Also, updates for Shattered Illusions will be by oh, I'd say at least Friday, if I have time from finals. Shudders Okay! On with the story!)

As we walked down the corridor, we passed Cricket Spinner and Sara. I received a telepathic message from Sara.

Can I drink his blood? My eyes bugged out of my head as I responded with the thought, Um, no. Maybe later. I, uh, am gong to romantically toy with him before putting him down later. Yeaaaaah. We're going to dinner right now, so uh yeah….

Aloud I said "hey" to Cricket, and we went down the elevator. Once outside the revolving doors, I saw a limousine parked by the curb.

"Erik, I…you shouldn't have!" I gasped incredulously.

"It was worth it for you," he said grinning. It felt as if someone had twisted a knife into my stomach with those words. I remembered what I was here to do, and I felt all the more worse because of it. Here I was, leading him to his death, and he's nonchalantly going along and pampering me. I managed to smile as he opened the door for me and ushered me inside. I must say, I was quite impressed. There was Phantom of the Opera music playing. Along the side was a built-in refrigerator that held all of my favorite beverages. Along the seats were tons of beautiful black, red, and white embroidered and beaded pillows. He joined me and shut the door. Upon sitting down, he pulled a bouquet of hibiscus flowers out of thin air.

"The pillows are for you too. I remembered how much you love them," he said, beaming. He not only remembered my favorite drinks, but my favorite flower and my pillow fetish! I felt a tear drop from my eye as he kissed my cheek and held me in a warm embrace.

"Erik, I, nobody has ever…well, thank you!" I managed to blurt out. He smiled and wiped the happy tear from my cheek.

"Anything for you." There was a silence in which he looked upon me with an unyielding gaze.
"You look positively radiant, Kristine. I just can't believe how beautiful you've become since I've left," he whispered, caressing my cheek. I shuddered as a tingle felt its way up my spine. He gathered me into his arms and tenderly kissed me. Just as he was getting into it, I remembered what must inevitably happen. I stiffened and pulled away to his disappointment.

"So, uh, where are we going to eat?" I asked while sitting back and folding my hands in my lap.

"Well, we're going to a Moroccan restaurant, and then I have a big surprise for you once we get back to the lodge." He muttered something about hoping it got there on time. My heart oozed at the fact he remembered something else about me. I loved the Moroccan culture, and I've always wanted to try their food. I was thoroughly excited by that time, and was squirming in my seat like a small child. Erik laughed.

"We're almost there. Oh, and there's plenty of non-meat items for you to choose from. I made sure to check the menu beforehand." I grinned and squealed. He'd obviously spent a lot of time thinking and planning. I grasped him into a tight hug and whispered a grateful thank you into his ear. Not wanting to leave his embrace, I pulled back slightly to look into his beautiful eyes.

"You've got to be the sweetest guy I've ever met, Erik," I said, pecking him on the cheek. The window to the driver opened up as we stopped.

"We have arrived at the restaurant, Erik."