Part 1: Chapter 8
When Jaxon and I returned, and I had shown him to a room for his stay, I went to bed thinking of her. She was feet away, and all I wanted was to see her, just make sure she was okay. Of course it was absurd to worry about her. As hard as I seemed to fight the emotions I felt towards her the stronger they seemed to get.
In my mind I recalled our first encounter. She was in a room with clear glass and a demon was there next to her. She was crying, at first I took her for a human, but that aura of hers was to tranquil for a humans, she was a Fallen even if she didn't have wings or the courage often associated with a Fallen. As the demons auctioned her off one by one the vampires there failed to meet the demons asking price for her. Of course I wasn't planning on keeping my word with these demons.
I felt glad as the Fallen cried out in sorrow at least she was experiencing the pain and sorrow I felt the moment I knew of my brother's death. But then everything seemed to change as the demon tore her blouse, cut her skin, and tossed her around like a rag doll, anger brust inside me. And I felt anger I'd never experience before, not even the death of my brother had prompted such a strong desire to kill, like I felt that instance as the demon laughed at her pain.
It took years of self control to not lash out in a murdering rage. Instead I went on with the bidding until I was the last one. Once I made the deal with the demons I made my way to her, I had wanted to make sure she was okay then too, but I told myself it was because I need her for bait. She was no good if she were dead or critically injured I reasoned. She sat on the floor before me trembling, again I felt like ripping the demons throats out, but I went to her. I wanted to comfort her, in any way possible, and all I could do was give her my jacket for warmth. As we walked out, I ordered the demons killed, regretting the fact I couldn't accomplish the task myself. The rest of the ride home I focused all that anger towards her. Not understanding where or why I felt this need to protect her. That alone made me even angrier. I didn't analysis the feeling deeper. She was a Fallen, her kind had killed my brother and that was that. Revenge was all I wanted.
But now look at me. I'm questioning whether she could possibly be my bride. I closed my eyes. Tomorrow I'd see her again, and see where things lead.
Once William had left I waited all day, and waited until finally the darkness arrived. And then I waited some more expecting him to come in at any moment, but now I'm having second thoughts. Where was he? Surely he'd show up, right? Or maybe he wouldn't. I was trembling with anticipation that I knew. What I didn't know was whether I was trembling with anticipation because I just wanted to see him, and those bright hazel eyes, or because I just wanted to put my plan to action.
I wanted to believe it was the second reason, but... I didn't have much of a plan really. Brainstorming turned out to be not very helpful.
I walked over to the window. I need to focus that was what I need to do. I can't be falling for a vampire, never that. Sure he's incredibly handsome, but he's cold and wants to kill every Fallen which includes myself. I spun around the room pulling strands of my hair, "I'm going to end up a crazy! The walls are closing in ON ME!" I yelled frustrated and landed on the bed.
" I assure you they're not." a deep voice enveloped the room.
I gasped as I sat up to face him. He wasn't dressed all in black this time around. He had black slacks on, and a brown dress shirt with the sleeves pulled up. He looked so casual leaning against the door's frame and his hands in his pockets. Gosh, I must look awful.
" Your here," I said, smiling, which I quickly wished I could take back. I quickly put on a serious face, reminding myself I was his captive and he was my captor. What each other was to the other, Enemy. But then the images of us, during that first meeting flashed through my mind.
" Umm, I thought maybe we could talk." I said. Hoping my plan would work, and everything would end up happily ever after. Of course that only happens in fairy tales.
" We can talk." he said.
" And walk too," I added, " I really need to get out of this room. " Hoping he'd agree to take me outside, but knowing that he probably wouldn't since he most likely thought I'd try to escape, which if the right situation came up I certainly try.
" Fine with me."
My mouth dropped open, I quickly closed it. What was he up to? He was acting, kind? " Aren't you worried I'll try to escape?"
All of a sudden just like that he seemed to turn cold, his shoulders broad, " Jolisa, is it not?" he asked
I nodded.
" You can run and fight however much you want, it doesn't matter there's no place on earth you can hide from me. " he said. It came out calmly, as matter of fact, a promise.
Glancing over at him, I was more aware of the change in him. One minute he appeared to be totally human no clue as to being a vampire. Now it was like the inner beast was raging for freedom. His eyes had turned dark black, his body tense ready for anything. The change was confusing. And scary. However, I refused to back down from him, today I felt brave.
" Have you grown attached to me then? You might think I'm helpless, but I'm not. You can't keep me forever, here in this room locked up you know. They'll be consequences for this. Fallen will come, and I'm positive they'll rescue me."
" That's what I'm hoping for actually. It seems they're taking a while though to get here. We're going on to four days now. Not long, but I would have thought they'd act quicker. Maybe they won't come after all, you aren't the most valuable of them, are you."
" HA!" I said outraged. " I might not be, but they'd never just leave me here. Just being around you is torture. And you plan has so many holes in it, they're probably waiting to attack during the morning. Get you at your most weakest."
" You would think that, luckily we have a barrier which activates every morning, and deactivates at sun down, it's so strong no army of Fallen can break it. We paid a couple witches for the spell and to set the barrier, smart, no?"
" Whatever," I said turning away from him.
" Listen, I didn't come here to fight with you, but it seems I can't be near you without you driving me crazy."
At that moment I felt exactly the same way about him. I had to push my pride aside and get on his good side. I had to convince him about my plan it was the only way no one would get hurt in this pointless war about to take place.
" Fresh air would do me good." I spoke.
Then in a flash everything went fast. Things were flashing before my eyes one second there the other second gone. I felt this awful pressure on my head, and gravity seemed to triple, to the point I couldn't hold my head up. I was on a rollercoaster going the speed of sound. And as quickly as it started it stopped. It was like whiplash.
" You okay?" The voice was deep and in slow motion. The person a huge smug of black.
I felt the cold night air around me as I was laid down gently on the grass. Deep breaths I kept telling myself. Whatever just occured sure did leave me out of it. After a few minutes everything started clearing up. My head wasn't pounding and my vision cleared.
Eli stood over me looking down. " Maybe I should have warned you."
I sat up perplexed. " What did you just do to me!?" He held out his hand to help me up.
" I traced. As you can see we're not in the room you've staying in, but outside."
" Yes, I'm aware of that I'm not dumb. Just weak, remember. And don't EVER trace again at least not with me along for the journey. " He laughed.
" You'll get used to it." He said. To which I thought, as if.
" You say that like I'm going to be around you a lot or like you'll be taking me with you from now on." I Looked out into the beautiful night sky scenery, and the tall old trees surrounding the property, the castle was behind us, and a maze of trees in front. The moon full.
I turned to look at Eli as he thought about my comment. He seemed so old fashion. Like from the 1700's the way he carried himself. Who knew how old he really is. If he was truly from that era he'd be thousands of years old since we're in the future. Funny I don't even know what year it is. Maybe they stopped counting. I contemplated.
" I Don't know what I meant by it. " Eli finally spoke.
" Seems I caught you off guard by that one." I said almost proud of myself for confusing him. He seemed to always be ready for whatever was thrown his way, always in control. Where I'm always out of control, I have no control over my life what so ever.
" You know we're like ying and yang. Positive and Negative, me being the positive one." I suggested.
" Why do you say that?"
" Isn't it obvious. You're so in control and powerful and feared. While I'm in no control, not powerful and no one on earth could fear me the way you put it just minutes ago."
He nodded. " I can't disagree with you there."
I sighed. Maybe he could have disagreed a little. " Hey! why are you being so nice all of a sudden, well nice meaning your not going right for my throat, the other time you visited you were totally ready to slice my throat!" But ultimately ended with us doing other things I thought.
" I'm in a better mood tonight." was all he said.
We walked around for a bit. Both of us maintaining a certain distance from the other. Walking, I speed up from him and zigzagging around.
" So what was it you wanted to speak to me about?"
I bit my lip as he brought up the subject, I almost didn't even want to bring up the topic anymore. He was acting so different tonight. He was nice, well nice for him. Who would have thought. But it just has to be done.
" Well, I wanted to talk about this whole keeping me prisoner thing."
" I thought we just discussed this I don't want to discuss your stay here any further."
I huffed. " You don't understand, being realistic there is probably no to zero chance I'll out run you even with ten minutes head start."
" What?" He asked
" I was planning on running away okay, which is why I was totally speeding up duh, but I gave up on the idea. Anyways. This, plan of keeping me here, and waiting for the Fallen to attack and rescue me is ridiculous. Think of all the people who'll get injured, about the people who'll be killed. Not just Fallen, but your people as well. It's best you just let me leave."
He grinned. " It's like you've rehearsed this."
We stood there in silence. " Maybe I have. The point is this is a dangerous game your playing Lord Eli." I spoke harshly.
" This isn't a game for me, Fallen, it's the real thing."
I can't reason with him I thought. I walked toward the maze of trees, in silence, Eli behind me. I couldn't understand him at all, " Why not just take it out on me? " I questioned.
It was so quiet I almost thought I was walking alone. The humming of the soft wind the only sound. I turned to see him inches behind me. " It's complicated." He said.
I rolled my eyes." This whole situation is."
We walked in silence from that point on, we entered the maze of trees, which hid the castle from view, as if we where in a totally different place. There was a small stream with flowing water I sat down next to, the water was cool against my fingers as I placed my hands in. We could hear an owl nearby, and twice we heard wolves howling.
In my mind I wondered if the wolves howling were lycans, and in the back of my mind I felt guilty for on telling Eli the truth, of course I'd always be loyal to the Fallen, and I'd never want to get William in trouble which would occur if I did spill the information. Other then for that guilty feeling I felt a easy. For a full ten to fifteen minutes, Eli and I hadn't argued. A miracle.
" Tell me about yourself." I said, wanting to break the silence after another ten minutes.
" What do you want to know?"
" Anything I guess. Do you having any other siblings?"
" Yes, her name is Cathrine. Rin for short. She's usually off somewhere, only comes by on occasion. She was Aiden's fraternal twin."
" Oh, she must have been devastated about the news."
" Yes." He said solemnly. " Do you have any siblings?"
" No, no member of my family is alive anymore." I said.
He nodded understanding. " Your a newborn, I can tell because of the obvious, but when is it you'll get your wings?"
I shrugged. " I don't know, I was only with the Fallen a couple days before I was taken against my will by those demons, and well then brought here by you."
Eli who had been sitting next to me, by this point turned tense again. His hazel eyes turning black once more. His fists cluching the ground.
" What's wrong? Your eyes are turning black again like in the room when I'd mention escaping. What did I say to anger you? " I asked turning my body his direction. His eyes meet my, and without him realizing it his hands had wrapped around both my arms.
" Run back to the castle, now!" he said it so quietly I was almost unable to hear it. He released my arms, and stood up. Still confused I stayed froze still wondering what I had done that he could stand to look at me anymore, which is why I thought he was sending me away. " Now." he repeated more sternly. I moved to get up, when I glance two blurry object moving near us at quick speed. I stumbled backwards, unaware of my footing, and landed in the stream. Water rushing in on me from all sides.
Eli quickly turned jumping in and wrapping his arms around my body and pulling me out of the water, shivering and hugging him closely so as not to fall into the water again, shivered, then I gasped as I saw the two huge wolves coming at Eli's back.
" Watch out!" I screamed my heart racing as the two huge wolves jumped right in our directions with teeth bared and deadly sharp claws. Eli traced immediately, but not before one of the wolves managed to claw at him.
Again I felt that same sick feeling and dizziness I'd felt the first time. I couldn't focus on anything, and my head pounded. I cried out in pain having landed harshly on the floor. I fought to regain my awareness, looking around I realized we were still in the forest. " Eli," I cried out scared.
" I'm here." I turned hearing his voice behind me. I found him holding his hand to his neck as he laid down on the grass looking over at me. I crawled over to him, seeing the blood pouring down his neck where the wolves claws had penetrated, sent an ill feeling to my stomach. The claws has reached in front of his neck and collarbone, and had torn the into the flash as he traced. You could see his shoulder bone and a pool of blood on the grass. If only I hadn't stumbled he wouldn't have had his back to them, and wouldn't have been injured. Guilt engulfed me.
" Jolisa," He coughed. " Go run. I Wasn't," he coughed once more. " strong enough... to trace all way back."
" Never, I'm not leaving you here to die." I went to pull him up so I could help him get up, and get both of us out of here. He pushed me back with surprising strength. I landed awkwardly on my wrist, and twisted it. Tears swam down my face at the pain.
" NO!" He hissed. " Run. Please go." He fought to sit up, which surprisingly he managed without the use of his right arm which was still connected on instead of having ripped off by miracle, and his left arm which he used to stop the blood flow from his neck. He would have been dead if he weren't an immortal.
" Eli let me help you," I begged holding my wrist.
Eli looked down at my wrist with regret. " I'm sorry I've caused you pain. Forgive me for what I've done. " His eyes were filled with pain and regret his words seemed to go beyond the twisted wrist.
" I'll forgive you if you just come with me." I said, hoping it would work, knowing deep down it wouldn't.
Eli reached for my hand and placed it above is heart, " I'll die in peace knowing your well, let me do this for you, run back to your people and forget you ever meet me, my bride."
" Bride," I whispered confused. I began to realize Eli's heart was pounding strongly, but calmly. For a second I wondered if all vampires hearts did beat or if I was imagining it.
" It took a threat against you for me to realize it." He smirked. In one sudden moment he pulled me against him and kissed me with all the passion he had, gentle at first and then with a hunger of wanting and needing, then lastly a kiss goodbye.
With pain he stood up facing away from me, and ready for the two wolves. " Go now, before it's to late Fallen." he said in a serious uncaring tone. It seemed he had returned to his mask self again. But I knew it was just to push me away.
I was about to speak, when something caught my attention, again the two blurry objects were heading straight for us. My hands shook with fright, and my heart pounded loudly. If these were some of the Lycans which William had mentioned being around the area checking things out, and who had teamed up with the Fallen they wouldn't hurt me. I had to face them. It was the only way I'd save Eli. I stood up, and ran my way towards them.
Eli called out my name, but I refused to turn around, I couldn't stand to see him hurt and struggling to stand up, and now probably struggling as he tried to run over to me, it pained me to greatly. And still I felt this pride, proud of him and his courage, struggling to fight the two wolves even though he was gravely injured.
The two wolves neared me by the second until they were inches away. I started to breath heavily still frightened, but I refused to back down. I raised my hands in front of me in warning. " Stop." I yelled with as much anger as possible. I had to seem tough, and strong. Thankfully they did as I said.
" I'm the captive Fallen, you've been looking for me. I'll make sure your rewarded for my rescue, now take me back to the other Fallen hidden in one of the Lycans territory." I said making sure to add the last bit of information to make sure they knew I was truly the Fallen.
Both wolves stared, with their bared teeth at me until finally one kneed down, which I realized he had done so I could get on. As I did so the other wolf yelped in pain as something sliced across his face and sent blood flying. It came at the wolf I had climbed on too, too, except the wolf dogged it quickly enough to miss the attack.
Eli landed on the ground standing, his chest heaving up and down. He looked better if at all, his cut flesh rejuvenating right infront of me. His eyes searched mine for answers, " Jolisa I don't understand."
A second later the wolf Eli had cut rammed into him sending him flying and hitting a tree, then landing on the ground. My heart broke as I saw him, he slowly pushed himself up. The wolf again went at him, but halted it as I cried out, " Stop!"
The wolf turned to stare at me with its honey textured eyes, I regained my composer quickly not letting them catch on to my plan. " Let him live for now, I will come back later for his head." the wolf turned to glare at Eli with a hateful glare then growled before turning away and running deep into the forest, then the wolf I rode on too did as the first. I clung on the fur as the wind flew into my face, I laid down to avoid it.
I didn't dare to look back at Eli, I wouldn't be able to hold my tears in anymore if I did. But as we rode away I heard his anguished yell sink into the night sky.
