Elizabeth's POV

For me love is joy, care. Sharing something with another person. To feel that you are in somebody's thoughts and he cares for you.

I had been beyond happy when James would call me just to hear how I am. I had adored hearing the concern in his voice, or imagine his smile when we talk. We could last on the phone for hours, just talking. I adored that. I adored having someone I could talk to, cuddle with. It had been the best feeling ever having that. To love and be loved.

I had cherished every moment I had spent with James, he was the man I loved so much. Until he changed and I didn't know what I did wrong or how I could fix it. James became more nervous, closed in himself. He used to love us to go to a bar, to dance and have some fun. It used to be our typical Friday night, when I wasn't on work, of course. We had stayed until the early hours dancing. James used to be so fun before and I liked this about him, he was always so positive. In fact when I had been sad, he would always find something to cheer me up with . And if I didn't want to go out, he didn't either. When some of his friends invite my love to a party, he rarely went without me. My friends used to say that what we have with James was unique; we make a very good couple. He looked at me with so much love, understatement and respect. I would have trouble finding a guy that would look at me, like James did, my friends said. And I knew that was the truth. I was young and happily in love. Then what got wrong? Why the man that I had given my heart to, became so easily irritated and almost our every conversation ended with a fight? James disliked that I wanted to party, he thought I wanted to be without him.

''Jamie, please.''- I sat down next to him on the sofa and reached for his hand. But he pulled it away, and that hurt me.-'' Alisha invited us tonight to a party. Why you don't want to go?''- One of my friends got the job she wanted, and she wanted to celebrate it. But since she had called me to invite us with James and I had told him, he begun to act weird. I could understand that he was tired from work, but that didn't excuse his behavior. My love had just lit up a cigarette and went on the balcony to smoke. I had followed him, but he just refused to talk to me. I had waited for him until he finally decided to get back.-'' I will call her to say we can't come. I will think of something.''- Alisha was a good friend of mine since high school and I really wanted us to go, even for an hour or two. At least it would be something.

'' You go, Lizzie.''- James stood up and looked at me. His blue eyes were cold and I instinctively wrapped my arms around myself.-'' Have fun.''- He ran his hand through his dark hair.-'' You seem to do that a lot, have fun without me.''- James headed to the balcony again.-'' Why not do it another night?''- My love disliked that I had signed for dance lessons with one friend of mine and every Tuesday and Thursday night I had to go. It also irritated him that I had gone to a SPA center with my mother.

'' Why are you acting like this?!''- I followed him and stood up in front of him.-'' I haven't stopped you not even once, James.''- I had encouraged my love to learn Italian. I never once stopped him from going to a football match, even if I didn't like it. I was crying, and I wiped a tear.-'' I respect your personal life and I know you need to have time without me.''- I turned around and stared at the city.-'' I am not abandoning you, Jamie.''- He wrapped his arms around me from behind and I rested my head on his chest.-'' I don't want to fight any more.''- Why my guy was so nervous, so suspicious, so acting like I was neglecting him? Why he was so clingy all of sudden, why the constant need us to be together?

'' Me, too, Elizabeth.''- James kissed my hair.-'' I love you so much.''- His hold around me tightened.

# # #

I was staring in James's blue eyes, still hoping I had misheard. That my fear was making jokes with me. A bad hallucination. But I had heard correctly, and I stiffed in James's arms.

'' Please, don't do this.''- I frantically searched in his eyes for the man I had once thought was the one for me. The man that had cooked for me, had loved and been my comfort. The guy that had made me laugh so many times, when he had seen I was sad. I desperately wanted to believe I could bring that man back somehow, that this wasn't real. But James, the guy I knew from our first months together was long gone. He didn't exist anymore. The sweet, caring guy got replaced with this insanely jealous, always demanding my attention stranger. The James who wanted us to get a cat, disappeared into this cruel, cold man.-'' Don't ask of me this.''- My hands were clutching his shirt, as I stared into my ex's ice cold eyes. The idea of us being intimate made my stomach do a flip. There were times when I had adored how passionate James was, we barely could keep our hands away from each other. I had loved everything in him. I had loved to wake him up with a kiss on the neck, or to listen to his heartbeat as I lay my head on his chest. I used to love how Jamie would hug me and we would sleep like this. But now I didn't want James, this murderer. This creature, this demon, this vampire. I won't bear the thought of us making love; I couldn't stand to look at him. I had been seeing Jennifer's face when I close my eyes for months after my ex killed her. Now I couldn't bear him to touch me after what he was and especially after he abducted a child. There was blood on his hands, so much death, and I didn't want to taint myself. James was my demon, the love, which took a terrible twist and turned into a horror story.

'' Why, kitten?''- James's fingers lifted my blouse a little and he wrapped his arms around my waist. His hands were strangely warm against my skin, but I shivered. Those hands had slapped me, and now they were wrapped so intimately around me.-''Don't you miss us, Liz?''- The dark-haired man buried his face in the crook of my neck and breathed my scent.-'' Do you remember how much pleasure I gave you?''- I got sick and I tried to push him off, but his hold was very strong.-'' I remember.''- His hot breath next to my ear made me grip his shirt tighter.-'' How you begged me so sweetly.''- James began to place kisses on my neck. I tried to step on his foot, anything to get him to stop. This guy's touch and kisses had been my most beloved thing, but now I felt like some demon was touching me. Some nightmare came to life.-'' What wonderful sounds you made.''- He whispered and I felt his fangs against my skin. I froze. They were so sharp, like a knife, and I swallowed hard, imagining them piercing me. –'' I have been haunted by your image in my arms during the lonely nights in jail, Elizabeth.''- After one heated kiss on my neck, James bit me. I groaned from the pain. Like I was stabbed with a knife, a very sharp one.

James groaned with pleasure and pulled me closer to his body. How was it possible he to enjoy causing me pain? To take my life away? It wasn't just because my once blue-eyed dream guy was a vampire now and he needed blood to survive. I could understand that, it was his nature as much as it terrified me. It gave my ex excuse to kill, to be cruel. But the vampire James wasn't any different than the man that stalked me. That man had been determined to destroy my life, to not let me have peace, to cause me pain because I had left him. Then James had made me live in fear, like he was doing now. Nothing had changed except now my ex was a real monster.

'' Please, it hurts.''- I managed to say. My vision began to get a bit blurry, and my head began to spin.-'' You are hurting me, James.''- Will I be able to make him stop?-'' Stop.''- He stopped drinking, and I felt a little sting as his fangs were pulled off my neck. The pain was still there, and it was burning me.

'' Liz, I am so sorry.''- I touched my neck and as I looked at my fingers I saw blood. I began to tremble.-'' I promise not to hurt you again.''- Covering my neck I took some steps back. My head was a little dizzy.

'' Stay the hell away from me!''- I yelled hysterically as I continued to slowly walk backwards. My legs were a little unsteady, but I balled my fist and vowed not to faint. I stubbornly kept going.

'' I have to heal you, Elizabeth.''- James was following me with a slow pace too. His blue eyes showed so much concern, that it made me sick. How dare he after everything he had done to me?-''I promise this is all I will do.''- James raised his hands in surrendering gesture.-'' Come to me, Liz.''- How I hated his voice, this fake concern and kindness! How much he disgusted me!

'' You are a real monster, James.''- I was near the front door, and I sincerely doubted he would let me leave. He was trying to sweet talk me, to act nicely, but I didn't doubt he would use his supernatural abilities if I try to go through the door. I stopped, wondering what I should do. I was trapped and this feeling was killing me.

'' I can change, Elizabeth.''- James was in front of me, and I was surprised to see tears in his eyes. Once his tears had caused me pain too, I had hated to see my love cry. Now they didn't mean a thing to me. James deserved to cry after everything he had done to me. It may be cruel to think like this, but he made me live in a nightmare and I couldn't feel sympathy towards him. Not anymore. I had stopped caring about James Campbell a long time ago.-'' For you.''- How sweet his lies were, how naïve did he think I was? Or he thought I have forgotten how crazy he acted?

'' You can't change, James.''- My eyes spotted a vase next to the window and I made a few steps to it.-'' Not now, not before. You have always been like this. It just took me a lot of time to realize it.''- How my boyfriend had argued with me about the parties, his accusations that I had preferred them over him. Or how James always told me to drink less, like I was some alcoholic. He had grimaced if I had poured or ordered myself a second glass. James had been glaring daggers at me when I had danced. I attracted so much attention, he had said to me one night; men were staring lustfully at me. I had caught my boyfriend going through my Facebook, and that had been a blow in the stomach. This lack of trust, doubt had been too much for me. This control ruined us.

'' Liz, don't say that.''- James extended me his hand. With one swift movement I grabbed the vase and smashed it at my once dream guy's head. He groaned from the pain and fell on his knees. I used the chance that the vampire was in pain, and turned the doorknob. Opening the door wide, I bolted outside.

I began running, fully realizing this was a very stupid idea. Where would I go? I didn't know the area; I didn't know a thing here. It was like running into a maze, but I doubted I would get lost. James won't let me go that far. He was incredibly fast, and he would reach me in no time. Which made my whole running in the woods a complete waste of time. But I had to try; I couldn't just stand being with him under one roof and do nothing about my escape. I hadn't lost the will to escape, and no matter how foolish my idea was, I had to do it. I couldn't stand to look at James; I couldn't listen to his lies anymore. I couldn't even breathe the same air as him!

All the trees looked the same, as I ran pass them. How should I reach the main road, how far was it? It scared me that it must be so far. Were there any houses near, a town? Someone? The despair slowly took over me and I stopped despite that I didn't want to. But I was tired, I was panting. My wound was bleeding, and I leaned my back against one tree. I saw black spots before my eyes, but I shook my head. I was so tired from everything. I covered my mouth to muffle a sob. Ever since James had escaped from jail I barely rested knowing he was out there. And now I was barely holding up. But I was afraid I won't be able for much longer. How much can a person take, really?

'' Very brave, Elizabeth.''-James's voice almost made me yell, but I covered my mouth just in time. –'' But very stupid too.''- I pressed myself more against the tree, wishing I could disappear into it. –'' I can smell your blood, sweetheart.''- I looked up, wondering if I could climb up the tree, but James will hear me. I was doomed. My heart was beating so loud, that it was a miracle it was still in my chest. Long, agonizing seconds passed. My whole body was frozen.-'' Here you are, my love.''- James appeared before me and smiled.

# # #

James closed the door behind us and placed one cupboard in front of it. I took some steps back, but I knew I had nowhere to run. He would always find me.

'' Was your jogging pleasant, Elizabeth?''- James crossed his arms. His blue eyes changed their color to red again, but he closed them. When he looked at me again, they were crystal blue.-'' Because for me it was a little painful.''- He wiped some blood from his forehead, there was a cut.

'' I am sorry.''- I took some steps back again.-'' I didn't mean it.''

'' Come here so I can heal you.''- James sighed.-'' You could have fainted somewhere, Elizabeth!''- The dark-haired vampire's compulsion hit me with a strong wave and I slowly walked to him.-'' You could have broken a leg! Have you thought about that?!''- His left hand wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer. –'' But I found you, my lovely.''- James lifted his right hand to his lips and for a moment I saw his sharp fangs before he bit his wrist.-'' Drink.''- I obeyed the command. The blood was salty, metallic and I wanted to throw up. It felt so wrong to drink another person's blood. But the more I drank, the more the taste changed. It became more like a caramel, and I was stunned. The pain in my neck started to vanish, until I felt it no more. –'' That should be enough.''- I dropped his wrist and licked my lips, disgusted that I had just drunk his blood. I touched my neck and now there was still a stinging.-'' The wound will close soon.''

'' Thanks.''- I said sarcastically as I pushed him away. I was much better, like the dizziness had disappeared with magic too.

'' Your blouse is dirty.''- I looked down and saw a huge blood stain on the front.-'' You have to change it, Liz. I will get you a new one''- James caressed my cheek, but I slapped his hand.

'' Don't touch me!''- I hissed as I pierced him with my eyes. The man in front of me swallowed hard.

'' Take it off, Liz. It's dirty.''- The vampire simply repeated.

'' No.''- I backed away, because I saw lust in his blue eyes again.

'' Take it off.''- His compulsion made me weak and I nodded.-'' I will turn around.''- He ran a hand through his hair.-'' Not that I haven't seen you naked thousand times, Elizabeth!''- The vampire really surprised me as he turned around. I hurried to take off this blouse. My hands were shaking, but I managed.

'' Are you happy now?!''- I threw the stained piece of cloth at him with all the anger I had in me.

'' Was it that hard?''- James turned around and picked my shirt from the floor. When he stood up, the dark-haired man looked at me and froze. I quickly tried to hide my body from his gaze, but he had already seen my bra.

'' Stop looking at me like that!''- I said. James's eyes were full with lust and the fire I had once adored. His blue eyes were traveling up and down my body, and he began to walk towards me.-'' James.''- But he hugged me.

'' You look so delicious, my love.''- James licked his lips.-'' I need you.''- He kissed me hungrily and I began to struggle.-'' Don't fight me.''- His voice was so hypnotizing and I felt a huge wave of his vampire will.-'' Make love to me like before. ''- A part of my mind wanted to kick, to hit him. To run, yell. This was so wrong, but I couldn't fight him. James's vampire ability was stronger than my will. I didn't want this, I wanted to throw up. I wanted to control my body, my mind, but James didn't weaken his hold. He only enhanced it. I obeyed my once love's command, even though I was crying inside.