Chapter twenty-five.

The Blood Games,

My back thudded harshly against the ground and my breath left my lungs. For the tenth time.

"Ugh." I moaned, turning over on my aching belly.

"Again." Commanded Ben. I glared at him and stood up. I know he's just doing this so I'll give up. I wobbly formed my fighting stance, the way Ben taught me. He sighed and wiped some dirt of his brow.

Not sweat, dirt! And he only got that on him because he threw me into a tree! A TREE! Ben stood un-winded, looking unimpressed. His lean powerful muscles shining in the moonlight from when he took off his shirt. He looked real nice. Real nice. Coffee colored hair tumbled over over a strong brow, curling behind his ear. The deep mahogany of his eyes, laced with spikes of gold and green, shimmered with barely controlled lust and a touch of love and a fierce protective flame. And his mouth, full and masculine, parted sensually. Or at least to me it was, he was just breathing. Lord's hairy goat was I addicted to that man.

I, on the other hand, was perspiring like a pig, my brown hair clinging to my neck like a toddler to his mother's leg on the first day of school. My face was blotchy and red, my workout clothes stuck to my wet body. Doctor Knull removed my cast four hours ago and it still was awkward to stand on it. Can you say hot mess?

"Emmeline you're doing it wrong." He groaned and strolled over to me. Ben pressed his body against mine and shifted my arms.

"Sorry." I heaved, eyes wide. Good lord I was so tired I couldn't savor the lines of his well built frame! He came around and got into his stance, much better than mine. As an example.

"We will move on to deflecting." Ben stated, straightening up. "You can have the best offense moves and lose because you're defensive maneuvers are crap."

"Why didn't you teach me that first?" He ignored my question and moved my arm to block my face. He instructed that this will become my new best friend, saying that it would guard my face from attack. As long as I kept the arm strong.

He moved on to teach me on how to use my stature against my opponent, maneuvering myself so that my attackers weight would be a disadvantage. It wasn't till a hour later when Ben tested my newly learned abilities. Of course he didn't put his all into it like he was batting a real threat.

A fist flew at my face and my 'best buddy' came and blocked it smoothly. I wasn't prepared when another came and hit my stitches.

The breath left my lungs and I crashed to the ground. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes and I clutched the side.

"Oh Emílie, I'm sorry. I forgot my place." (A/n- Ah- muh-lee-uh that's how it's said) Ben dropped and tilted my head up so he could look into my eyes. "Let me see." I lifted my tank and shifted to give him more access.

"Is it bad?" I asked, what's one more mark on my body? He kissed the salty skin and sat back, face angled towards the sky. The sting left and I sighed in relief.

"No, it's perfect." Ben closed his eyes and smiled at the moon. "I like the moon more than the sun." He admitted.

"I like nothing right now." I groaned and flopped back onto the hard earth. Wincing when I bumped my head.

"You asked for it." I threw my arm over his chest and beamed at the huf he made.

"I hate you." I used my unoccupied hand to cover my eyes and died.

"I love you too, drahoušku." (drahoušku - dear heart) He flipped over to hover over me.

"Gerroff!" I mumbled when he dropped his weight on me, I beat on his back.

"Nah." He nuzzled my hair and ran a hand along my body. Slowly the aches and pains faded and in their place was a burning fire.

Ben sat up, leaning on his elbows to take the mass off me, his hips resting against mine. I smiled up at him.

"Hi." Ben pulled his Flynn Rider smirk as I lovingly called it. It made my inside bits turn to mush.

"Hi." I whispered, in zero point two seconds Ben's plump lips with devouring mine in a mind numbing kiss. I leaned my head up and tugged on his hair. It always made him moan. I liked it when he made sounds when we were making out, it told me I was doing something right.

I felt a hand go up my shirt and I gasped. Ben's tongue walked into my mouth like it owned the place. I wiggled at the sensations Ben's calloused and warm palm made when it fluttered about the scars. Gently grazing each one in turn. This isn't the first time Ben's fingers found their way up my clothing, it never strayed past the scars. He told me it was because he liked them, but I knew it was because I didn't.

Her hands moved of their own accord and weaved themselves in Benedik's silky brown hair. She moaned happily and drew even closer. He sat up and pulled her into his lap, hating not being able to touch all that he wanted from their current position. This was heaven.

Benedik bit her lip and she made the most magnificent sound. The earth was hurting Emílie's back so with one arm under her firm butt Benedik carried them to the trailer, never breaking contact. His darling's family was not at home, and the fare had not started yet so he had all the time in the world; to carefully explore her body as much as he wanted, never going where she said not to.

Wait Emílie is not as experienced as him. Maybe I should let her up for air? Benedik thought as he kicked open the door. She breathed heavily, and Benedik moved his most likely bruised lips to her welcoming neck. Sitting on her bed, she had fixed it up after she put her workout clothes on.

"Ben."She rasped, her tiny chest heaving. The vampire found her spot, the skin behind her ear and she gasped violently. He sucked on it happily. I wonder if she'll marry me?

"Ben stop please." She breathed. He pulled back at her command, Benedik was not going to be like Fredrik and force himself on her. Her eyes showed nothing but annoyance, so Benedik felt no shame in continuing. My precious Emílie. His hands cradled her heart shaped face and Benedik beamed.

"Miluji tě." ( miluji tě- love you) He went back to his spot and nuzzled it, he could hear her heart beating quicker than usual. This did not concern him, as it always did this when they kiss, or even when he just looked at her. Benedik didn't think she even knew it was happening.

"I know, but I'm sweaty." She whined, wiggling slightly when he resumed his past actions.

"So?" He mumbled,moving his hands down to rub her waist.

"Shower, then make out." She pushed him away, and straightened her pink tank top. Benedik smacked her shapely, if not tiny, butt as his love walked by. Emmeline, in turn, smacked his head.

Maybe they should watch a movie? Benedik crouched down to look at the selections, his darling didn't really like horror films so that was out. She also greatly disliked watching romantic movies with someone else, and while Benedik could tolerate them he did not openly go out of his way to view them.

"Lovely?" Benedik called, standing outside the bathroom door. He could hear her softly humming some song. She stopped and asked him what he wanted. "Would you like to watch a film? We are home alone tonight."

"Where's the family?" She called.

"Wrenne (Ren or Wren) just texted me saying Lexi had a checkup to see if she will be dismissed so they won't be coming in till late." He leaned his head against the door and sighed, he had a headache. It took two hours to get here from the hospital. It was already nine o'clock.

"That's fine. I'll be done in a minute." He left to go sit down, healing Emmeline's body had taken a toll on his energy levels. He will need to feed. Tonight. Or risk bonding with Emmeline without her permission in some mad drive for blood.

I'll go while she is asleep. Daniel will watch her for me. He planned, pulling out a blanket.

"I'm done, close your eyes Ben, I need to get pjs." Emmeline warned, she hesitantly stepped out of the bathroom. Ben did as he was told, his acute ears picking up the slightest movements made by Emmeline. Her soft footsteps trailed away and she called for the all clear.

Benedik, following Emmeline's idea, got comfortable. He pulled on some red flannel pajama pants and neglected to put on a shirt. He stopped, maybe I need a shirt. It'd make Emílie more comfortable. He put on a black short sleeve shirt and fuzzy socks his mother made. Emílie must have not raided his drawers yet since he still had some left.

The bathroom door opened and his Emílie walked out in a grey hoodie that read, 'THIS IS MY TOO TIRED TO FUNCTION SWEATSHIRT', and paisley shorts, showing her long and shapely legs. Of course in normal Emmeline fashion, they were covered in bruises and cuts neither of them knew where they came from,

She bent down and took the warm socks right off Benedik's feet, put them on hers and plopped down next to him, snuggling into his side.

"Those are mine you know." He committed, clicking the button to play the movie.

"Deal." She simply stated, tucking her legs under her body. He rolled his eyes but said no more.

Emílie rested her head on his shoulder and sighed. Benedik settled his arm around her and put his skull on top her's. Absently rubbing her bicep and listening to her steady heartbeat, as Benedik always did. Finding that the action relaxed him.

"Are you alright?" She asked, thirty minutes into the flick. He hummed and nodded yes.

"Are you sure?" He turned his face towards her and sent a reassuring smile her way.

"Yes, do not worry, my dear." He pecked her lips and set her head back down into it's proper place, next to his. He sighed and paused the movie, he could practically taste the displeasure radiating off of her.

"I assure you I am fine." He tried to kiss her again but her hand stopped him.

"You're pale." She stated, pressing the back of her palm to his forehead.

"I am a Cursed One we are always pale, and we do not have temperatures." He gently removed her comforting touch and curled his fingers with hers.

"You're hungry." The tone in her voice was not one Benedik could continue to skate around.

"Yes."

She narrowed her eyes and got off the couch. "Emílie.." The vampire reached out an arm to halt her movements but she brushed him off. She grabbed his pants and handed them to him.

"Wear these." He took them but made no move to put them on. She searched the trailer for hers but saw none.

"Emílie, stop." He threatened but the woman continued to ignore him. Finally finding an acceptable garment she yanked down her pajamas and Benedik hastily covered his eyes.

"Emmeline!" He shouted, she looked up surprised. "Stop, you are not going anywhere." He commanded, Emílie glared so hard the vampire thought he would burst into flames.

"Why not?" She challenged. He came and gripped her arms tightly.

"I don't want you too." She snarled and pushed him away. "What the h*ll has gotten into you Emmeline?"

"You! Have you looked at yourself lately? You could stand next to a dead person with more color than you. And don't you say you're a vampire, because they have a skin tone other than death! You have shadows under your eyes thick enough to hide in. And you're hurting just being next to me this hungry." That's what snapped it for her. "Do you think I can't see it!"

Benedik gasped, this anger was about something he had never experienced before. Worry for his well being. He was the man, unmovable and strong; his sole job was to make sure that his Darling was safe, happy and warm. Not the other way around. She hauled on some shoes and chunked a pair in his direction. He caught them before then impacted with his nose.

"Emílie…" She snarled at him before he could finish.

"If you don't go feed, I'll force my blood down your throat. And we all know that you can't fight me in your current state." She stood on her toes and leaned so that their face were touching, the bitter rage glowed in her whisky eyes made him want to shrink away.

"I won't let you make yourself sick." She ran a hand through her tangle filled hair and sobbed. "Just do it for me." She pleaded, he set his load down and opened his arms. Emílie came running, clutching onto him as tight as she could.

"I was going to go while you were asleep." She looked up, tears caught on her long dark lashes.

"I wanna go, please." He sighed and kissed her softly on the forehead. He knew the reason, she was scared of being alone. Little did Emmeline know that Benedik was too.

"If that is what you wish." He pulled on his shoes and pants, while Emílie turned away.

They solemnly walked to the car, neither one speaking. Ben got into the driver's seat and went to the nearest club, fourteen miles away. His darling looked out the window, a storming raging outside. She traced a lone finger along the glass, mimicking the path of the raindrop.

"Never do this again." She stated, an underlying threat to her voice.

"I'm sorry."

"I love you, you know I do. But Ben, this." She motioned between the two of them." It hurts me. When you won't be open with me." She admitted, a lone tear slipping down her pale cheek.

He looked away, Benedik couldn't bare it when she cried. When the pair reached their destination Benedik pulled into a parking space and turned to look at Emílie.

"You will not get out of the car. You will not open the door for anyone but me. Do you understand?" She nodded and said nothing. He got out, locked the car and for good measure glared at a random man walking drunk next to the vehicle.

The Panther's Paw was packed tonight, a long line of potential clubbers standing under the canopy outside, even in the pouring rain. He by passed them all, ignoring the complaints.

"Hullo, Tom." He waved to the bouncer and went in with being stopped,. This was his main hunting ground. He scanned the crowed, the harsh lights and loud music stung his sharp senses. He shook off the rain from his hair and went on his way.

Spotting who the vampire was looking for, Benedik crossed the dance floor into the VIP area. Ducking under the velvet rope he went to his old buddy.

Darek Laforey was a six foot two brick of a man. His dark coco skin contrasting sharply against his neon yellow and green skin suit. Ten glittery piercings jangled in his ear.

"Benedik my man! How you be?" He bellowed, standing up, his bulk bumping the table. The girls cuddled against him squealed when their drinks tipped over on them.

"Hullo Crack." Benedik greeted, using Darek's old nickname. He had gotten it from back in the thirties when he was a loan shark. Darek was a Cursed One, and the main reason why Benedik wanted to go while Emílie was asleep. He was unmated.

Crack clapped his hand on the smaller vampire's shoulder and introduced him to his lady friends, the dark skinned vampire could smell the sweet scent of a darling radiating off his old buddy's clothing.

"I need a snack please." Benedik asked, accepting a drink from a waiter. Alcohol did nothing for Cursed Ones, just tamed their thirst a tad. The only way a Cursed One could get drunk is if they feed on a child, which was frowned upon by society.

"Oh, you are welcome to any of my ladies. There is a private room back there." Crack pointer a thick finger to a velvet curtain in a corner. Darek wondered why Benedik didn't just feed from his darling.

"I vill do vt." A thick accented busty platinum blonde stood up and downed her drink. Benedik pushed open the fabric for her to enter and attacked her wrist when she sat down. She was a blood whore.

Ugh how long will Ben take? He had been in there for seven minutes and I was getting scared. Maybe I shouldn't have gone. The rain was coming down harder and the thunder was frightening me.

I'm going in. Two extremely drunk guys laughing and stumbling along the sidewalk smacked my bum.

"Hey!" I shouted, a shadow loomed over me, so big it temporarily blocked the water falling from the heavens. I looked up and came to find a large man glaring at the boys.

"You know the rules." He grumbled, taking my arm with a surprisingly gentle grip.

"Hello sir, would you to mind to take me to a Benedik Tamvy?" I asked, smiling at his scared face. I held out my hand in a friendly gesture. The bouncer stared at it weirdly. "I'm Emily." I shook my hand. "You're supposed to take it." I softly took his huge hand and wrapped it around my small one. His was dark and engulfed my cream one.

"Tom." He grunted then shook my hand daintily. Almost like this was the first time in a while he shook a lady's hand.

"Nice ta meet ya." I chirped, following him as he bullied his way through the crowd. "Thank you for helping me." He just grunted in acknowledgement.

The club, The Panther's Paw, was shady to say the least. The ceilings were vaulted and crafted with amber wooden beams. The bar was along the far wall, with old distressed mirrors lining it. It almost looked like a vintage theatre.

My tinnie shoes made no sound over the blaring techno pop threatening to level the place, I shuffled after Tom, while still gaping at the atmosphere. This was the first time I have ever been in a club. It had a long raised platform where I assumed was the stage, as two dancers strutted their stuff for leering drunks, projections flashed a neon purple PP. Tables and booths were scattered throughout the building, drinks long abandoned.

We headed, cutting across the dance floor, to a back room. Sweaty bodies brushed and grinded against me as we hustled our way through the sea of people. One man grabbed my hips in his sloppy grip and thrust his pelvis to my bum. I gasped and attempted to shove him away.

"No." Tom growled, chunking the man across the flood of clubbers, they parted like the red sea, the man took my hand gently and pulled me along.

I do not like clubs.

"Boss, the little lady is here for BB." He mumbled, a large brick like man in some type of unitard, came to the mini stairs and gazed down at me.

"Ah I see. Well let her on up!" He boomed, unclicking the rope and holding a hand out to assure me up the steps. The man had a deep Brooklyn draw.

"Thanks Tom!" I called to the man as he thudded away.

"I do believe you are the first person to tell him thank you." The Boss whispered in my ear, he took my bicep and lead me to sit right next to him an a sunken booth. "I'm Crack, what's your name little lady?" He kissed my hand and offered me a drink.

"Emily, nice ta meet ya." I beamed politely and denied the drink. "If you don't mind me askin' how do ya get a name like Crack?" I asked, he chuckled deeply.

"I was a loan shark back in the day. It came from the sound that spines make when I break 'em" He grinned showing two pointy fangs, gesturing with his humorous dark hands how he did it.

"Nice sir." I nodded my head in respect.

"BB will be done soon." He tilted his head to the room where I heard deep moans coming through. I gulped down a water witch Crack offered me after the turned down alcohol.

"Why do you call him BB?"

"Big Boss. See Tiny Girl I am Boss as I own the club, and Ben's Big Boss as he owns me and the ground we are sittin' on." My eyebrows shot up and I choked. Crack beat on my back gently to get the air moving again.

"Ben owns this?" I babbled. He nodded and snapped his fingers. A frighten waiter hurried over with a map. Crack pointed to seventeen locations in the area.

"He owns these and those and a lot of places in America." He motioned to each in turn.

"Wow I didn't know he was that rich." I gapped. Forty-three properties in Ireland alone!

"Oh yeah. He's the CEO of Štěstí Industries." I coughed and sat there wide eyed and disbelieving.

"That's one of the most powerful companies in the world!" I looked down at the worn map again. "Why didn't he tell me?" I whispered.

"I don't make it a point to flaunt my wealth, Emmeline." Ben growled coming out of the velvet curtain. Wiping blood off his mouth. "Why are you not in the car?"

"Hey now Benedik, Baby Girl was just checkin' on ya." He stood up and blocked me from Ben's angry gaze. I put a tiny hand on Crack's shoulder and smiled gently when he turned his golden gaze on me.

"I told you to say in the car." He scolded. I came around the former loan shark and narrowed my eyes at Ben.

"I am not a dog!" He scoffed and ran a hand through his hair that looked like another hand already went through it.

"Yeah, a dog obeys better." He snarled, downing a whiskey in one gulp.

"Hey now, no need to be harsh. Little Emily was just checkin' on you." Crack held up two palms in a surrender fashion and took the glass for Ben's grip.

"If you are done Benedik I would like to go home." I spun around on my heel and walked out with my head held high.

"You messed up BB." Crack informed, still staring at the five foot five petite ball of rage stomp out the building.

"Thank you for your excellent observation Darek. How much do I owe you?" Benedik pulled out his wallet and glanced at the man.

"Nothing, her company was enough. I know what she is Benedik, if you don't treat her better I will go after her myself." He warned, going to sit back down. Benedik sighed and rubbed his face.

"I wanted this to be a nice night." He groaned, Crack chuckled.

"With chicks like that it never is." And with that Benedik followed his moody darling's example and stomped out for a stiff drink, needing it to deal with an emergency meeting.

I slumped to the bar, the fight leaving me when the curtain fluttered shut.

"You look like you could use a drink?" A really attractive blonde man operating the man asked, I tilted my head at his leather vest, matching choker and guyliner.

"I'm eighteen." I flopped down and set my chin on my flat palm. He smirked and sat his skull down on his hands, elbows on the bartop. Looking very much like a curious child.

"A stiff one then?" He asked, making me giggle halfheartedly. "What's got your knickers in a twist Americana?"

"How did ya know I was an American?" I asked, sitting up. He mimicked my actions.

"I'm a bartender, I make it my job to know the accents. The South?" He turned around to fill a tall glass with a beer on tap for a gentleman standing next to me. "There ya go Jerr."

"Ya, my name is Emily Atwell. What's yours?" I had to shout over the beat, leaning over the bar to speak with him.

"Felix Glenn. Nice to meet you." He gave me a boyish smirk and held out a hand, I took it and shook happily. He had a Swedish accent, pleasant to the ears.

"Pleasure." He placed a sweet, friendly kiss to my knuckles and gracefully dropped my fingers.

"Where ya from, 'Murcia?" He asked, shaking a steel container to make a martini.

"Where do you think Felix?" I sassed, giggling.

"Idaho?"

"Nope, guess again." I leaned over, feeling confident in this setting and stole a maraschino cherry.

"Texas?" He threw the fruit in the air and caught it, I clapped excitedly.

"I was born there, but that was not where I was raised." I popped my cherry in my mouth.

"Dang I was for sure. Uh…. Okala… Okako.." He fumbled for the name and I grinned.

"Oklahoma, and close. I live next to it." He jumped and tapped his chin.

"Arkansas?" I nodded, glancing around for my Ben.

"Hurra, I'm so good." (Swedish- hurra- yippee)

"Congratulations Felix." We talked for ten minutes more when a pump white man with a dirty comb over came behind the bar.

" 'ho is this sexy lady yoo're chatting op?" He chortled, smacking Felix on the back making him stumbled. The man has a cross between an English and Scottish accent.

"Brent this is Emily, 'Murcia this is the manager Brent." Felix mumbled rubbing down the bar. He was summoned to the opposite end, leaving me alone with the pig.

"Whatcha drinkin'?" He put his greasy face into my personal area, beer breath making me almost gag.

"Sprite." I replied, fiddling with my straw. He ripped the glass out of my hand and spun around while proclaiming that he was the best at making drinks.

***Trigger Warning- Date Rape****

"No, i-it's fine. D-don't tro…" I stuttered, but he slammed the cup down

"Drink op, sexy."He smirked and had a gleam in his eye when I took a sip.

"Thank you." I said, blushing at his expression.

"No, thank you. You will make my night." He stared at me until my brain went fuzzy. I glanced around and fumbled with my words.

"Whha's happin'?" I slurred, slipping off the chair, my heart beating fast.

"Nothing to be concerned with, dear." Brent took my arm and led me away.

"Lee, gou!" I shoved at him, but completely missed.

"Beeen!" I shouted mentally and verbally calling for my savior. What's happening? I can't see my vision was blurring and my steps sloppy.

All the sounds mushed together and I forgot where I was.

"Lay down little one. You won't remember a thing." Brent cooed, shutting the door, I distantly heard the lock click into place.

"Nuh." I reached for a lamp on the side table, all that was in the dark room was a large red bed and two side tables. I missed the light completely.

"What are you doing!" Brent screeched, his pants unbuttoned and hanging open. I chunked it at him, it missed his head but hit his shoulder.

I bitterly held onto what little consciousness I had left, picking up a standing lamp and back into a corner.

"Go 'head wear yourself out, then I'll have my fun." He came at me again, predatory smirk in place. My vision was so bad I saw only two feet in front of me.

He leaped at me and I shakily dived to the side, slamming my jaw into the baseboard.

"Oh you like it rough. I'll make it rough." He purred, wrestling himself on top of me, I struggled and trashed but he held me down.

My sweatshirt came off and I was shivering in my sports bra. Little tears leaked out my eyes and I blacked out at the sound of wood shattering.

A/N Ya'll are gettin' lazy, no commits. For shame, well it's my spring break and I'm getting tooth surgery tomorrow so wish me luck. Today is cleaning day. There is a critter in my wall, I know gross, I've christened him Ford and I spent all day yesterday arguing with him about music choice. He likes heavy metal and I do not. But we have come to agreement, I play what I want and he shuts the Diddles up.

ANAANANd that's all folks, don't forget to tell me about any spelling or grammar mistakes and I will give Ford a big hug if I see any, no one knows what thing Ford is so.- Love Maybird1