Zoey
It was 5 o'clock. I had to be ready in an hour. Honestly I was starting to freak out. I didn't want to fall in love with Kalona and I was worried that a full night of him turning on the charm would make me want to stay with him. I didn't want to get tangled in Kalona's web of lies and his charming façade.
I took the dress that Kalona wanted me to wear from by bed and pulled it over my head. It was still slightly damp from my shower and I was careful not to get the dress wet. I was alarmed by how short the dress was, but it was really flattering and it looked expensive. I went over to the dresser and opened the top drawer. I took a pair of thick black tights and slipped them on. Then I took a pair of black heels and slipped them on as well.
After that I snuck over to the bathroom and blew out and brushed my hair until it hung down my back like a shining ebony waterfall. I put on some makeup, but come to think of it I wasn't sure why I was trying so hard to look good. I didn't care about what Kalona thought of me. I didn't need to look good for him. But I really couldn't help it. I guess it was the girly girl in me.
When I was ready, nearly forty-five minutes later, I went back to my room. I checked the clock. The best night of my life, supposedly and according to Kalona, would start in fifteen minutes. I had to wonder what it would be like. Well, I guess I would find out.
Thinking about my date night with Kalona made me think of Stark. I had lied to him and told him that I didn't have any feelings for Kalona. I had feelings, I just wasn't quite sure that they were. Also, I had promised him that I would never pick Kalona over him, which is slightly ridiculous. Its really not a competition, and really, I might not to be with either of them in the long run. Although I must confess that the thought about not being with Kalona in the future was terrifying in some way. I knew Kalona wouldn't stop coming after me, and I knew I had some kind of feelings for him. However, that didn't change the fact that I loved Stark
Anyway, I sat there feeling guilty and waiting for Kalona and for our date night to start. I had a strange feeling that somehow, tonight, might not be as bad as I thought it would be.
-/-
There was a knock on my door. I stood up and answered it. Kalona stood in front of me looking absolutely gorgeous. He was wearing tight black jeans that hugged his figure perfectly. His thick, shaggy, midnight ebony hair brushed his shoulders. His legs were full and curved with a slight smile. His amber eyes glistened. I couldn't help but look at his chest, which was perfect in every way, because I only came up to his shoulders and he was almost seven feet tall.
He smiled down at me. "You look beautiful, my little Zoey. Get ready for the best night of your life." He held out his hand for mine.
I smiled and took it. "What makes you think it's going to be the best night of my life?"
"Because," he said, in his smooth, dark voice, "I promised you the best night of your life and I always deliver."
"Well, I must confess that I have pretty high standards and expectations."
"They can't be that high," he said, "you are in love with Stark, and before that it was your pathetic little mortal, and that foolish vampyre, and Neferet's tool."
I scowled at him. It was annoying that Kalona knew about each of the guys I had been involved with. Not only that, but it was disturbing that he had killed one of them and that he had been involved with a woman who killed another. Not that I really cared about Loren Blake anyway. Still, it was rather disturbing. I tried to ignore Kalona's comment though. So I changed the subject. "So what does the best night of my life involve?"
"That's for me to know and you to find out. But you will love it,]. In fact, you shall love it so much that you will not want to leave me. Soon you shall realize what you could have, and you won't want to give it up."
"Whatever helps you sleep at night," I said, totally annoyed with his cockiness.
"We won't be doing much sleeping tonight, my dear little Zoey."
"You're an asshole," I said, "I can't believe you are going to make me do this."
"A promise," he said, "is a promised. Besides, if you are so intent on leaving me, you must give me a parting gift."
"I hardly consider sleeping with you to be a gift," I said,.
"It is," he assured me, "actually it's a blessing. For you anyway."
"Cockiness is not a turn on," I said, rolling my eyes.
"Maybe not, but after centuries of experience, I know how to treat a woman in that department. I assure you that you will be more than satisfied."
Well, that was awkward. What did Kalona know about my needs in that department. Hell, I hardly knew them. I mean I had only done it twice and the first time had been the worst mistake of my life. "I'll believe it if it actually happens."
"It will," he promised. He squeezed my hand in his, "Come on. We're going upstairs."
"We're going to do it first?"
"Don't be silly," his laughter was a dark and beautiful melody, "that's going to be the grand finale."
Kalona dragged me up the stairs. We walked through her room and went out to the rooftop.
When we stepped outside I couldn't believe my eyes. The sky was still dark. The sun would rise soon. There was a table draped with a black silk An elegant candelabra was placed in the center. White candles were lit, which was strangers seeing as the sun would probably rise within the hour. The table was set for two. Kalona smiled down at me and then pulled me over to the table. He pulled out my chair. It was such an unusual gesture. It took me by surprise. Then Kalona said, "Wait here."
Kalona disappeared inside the penthouse. A moment later he came back out pushing a silver trolley cart loaded with a couple trays of food. I have no idea how he did it, but somehow me managed to get all of my favorites.
However, I hardly noticed the food. I ate it, but I really didn't pay attention to what I was eating. Kalona's behavior was so out of character that it was shocking. He was beeing a gentleman, but not only that, he was being kind and considerate.
We couldn't really find much to talk about. Mostly we ate, talked a little bit here and there and then we kind of just stared at each other. Kalona didn't really know all the rules of dating 101, but a strange thought popped into my head as I stared at those gorgeous amber eyes of his. Maybe after awhile he could get better at it. Despite his lack of dating expertise, what he did know, he did extremely well. When we finished eating he pushed away the table and we moved the chairs together to watch the sunrise. His enormous black wings draped around the chairs. His feathers tickled my bare back and gave me a pleasant sensation. Then, without hesitation, he put his arm around me and pulled me in closer. "What are your thoughts about tonight so far?" he whispered.
"I'm not very impressed," I lied.
He looked slightly annoyed with my answer, but then his expression changed. Then I shall have to change your opinion. Look," he said, "the sun is rising." We switched our attention from each other to the sky, which was streaked with, red, pink, orange and yellow. Fifteen minutes. The sunrise was gorgeous. I realized how long it had been since I had seen one, seeing that a vampyre's nights and days are switched.
Kalona suddenly cupped my face with his hand. He leaned in and kissed me gently on the lips. We moved closer together and in the light of the rising sun we started making out. I threw my arms around his neck and he put his arms around me. I was pressed against him and I inhaled his scent: pine needles, sweat, and something that I couldn't identify. His scent filled my lungs and I could feel my heart start to pound. The adrenaline was rushing through my body. A sensation of passion, desire, and something else flowed with it. I didn't like hit that much, but I didn't hate it. I let it fill me up.
After a few minutes he ended our make out session and asked, "Ready?"
The question caught me off guard, but I nodded as I looked into his amber eyes. Kalona smiled and stood up. Then he swept me in his arms. He carried me into the penthouse and then set me down on his bed.
As he did this all I could think about was the fact that this was the time. The moment was coming and I wasn't sure if I was ready. Actually, I was scared out of my mind.
Kalona set down on the bed next to me and put his arms around me again. Pretty soon I was lying on the bed and he was on top of me. His enormous black wings covered us. He started out gently and kissed my forehead. Then he moved down to my cheek, my lips, my neck, my chest,
"Zoey," he said, his voice dark and husky. I could hear the lust in his voice.
"Yes?" I asked.
"Get ready for the best moment of your life."
From then it felt like everything was going in slow motion. Kalona's hand went under my dress as he took it and started to peel it off. I raised my arms above my head and shivered as I felt the soft fabric brush against my skin. Kalona flung the dress on the floor.
His skin was warm against mine. He kissed my chest, my neck, and my lips. Then he removed my tights and I was left in nothing but my bra and panties. He smiled down on me as he removed the only article of clothing that he was wearing. Soon we were both wearing nothing. The only thing covering us were his massive ebony wings.
Kalona kissed me deeply.
It was going to happen soon. I wasn't ready for this. There was so much of Kalona. I felt as if he would consume me. Suddenly, with courage and strength I didn't even know I had I pushed Kalona off of me.
Kalona scowled down at me. "What are you doing?" he asked. "You said you were ready. Besides, you made me a promise."'
"I can't do it," I said. I suddenly took my lingerie and put it back on. Kalona groaned and put his jeans back on.
I didn't even bother with my dress. I stood up and picked up my dress and my tights. "I can't do this. It doesn't feel right."
"How can you say that?" he asked. "I have been nothing but wonderful tonight."
"Yes," I agreed. "You were wonderful tonight, but you have hurt me so much. You tried to kill me twice. You killed Heath. You threatened Stark. I don't know that I can ever be with you. You have done so much to hurt me."
"Zoey," he said, pulling me into his arms. Again, I noticed that his skin was like fire against mine. "You promised me. I shall take what I deserve, even if I need to use force. But, I offer you this, a few minutes to prepare yourself. You are meant to be mine and it is time that you deliver what you promised." He was so forceful that it was hard to believe. He held me in his arms. Suddenly, his lips crashed against mine.
A jolt of adrenaline rushed through my body. It awakened something deep within my soul and oddly enough it seemed to awaken something deep inside my heart. Then I suddenly heard Kalona's thoughts in my head.
Oh dear goddess. Nyx, I want your daughter to be mine. You said that she was the maiden you promised for me. Yet she continues to fight against me. Why can't I make her mine?
I pulled away from him. "You can't make me yours," I said. "You can't force me into these things. I have to choose you."
"I told you not to break into my thoughts."
"I can't do this," I said. "It feels so wrong."
"I am going to get what I want," Kalona snarled. "What I want is you. You can't fight against me forever and if you don't give yourself to me tonight then I shall keep you here until you keep your promise."
"You can't do that."
"I am an all-powerful immortal. I can do whatever I please. Why are you fighting against me? I know that you love me. Or at least part of your spirit. I know that you can learn to love me. It is inevitable. Why don't you just give into the temptation."
"I'm not tempted," I lied.
"You have been tempted ever since we first met. I know this. You and I are destined to be together. The Goddess herself promised you to me. You are my match in every way. We just don't know each other yet."
"And you think sex will help us get to know each other?"
"No," he said, "But it will allow you to warm up to me. It will make you start to realize what I have known all along."
"What about changing for me? You promised you would do that. Yet you have made no efforts whatsoever."
"I can't change," he said, "at least not until you choose me once and for all. I have to know that you have accepted your destiny. The destiny that you belong to me and that we will be together for all of eternity."
"I'm not even 18," I said. "I'm not going to agree to be with someone that I don't even really like. And I'm definitely not going to agree to be with somebody for eternity. That's ridiculous."
"Then I cannot change for you. I cannot change unless you give yourself to me. I will not change unless I know that it s worth it.. Let's leave it at that. Now will you give yourself to me willingly or will I have to force you? I am fine with either one as long as I get what I want."
"What do you want?" I screamed. "I don't even understand why you would ever want me. I'm just an ordinary girl who was randomly Marked and Chosen by the goddess. I haven't even made the change."
"Zoey," said Kalona, "I can't really explain why I want you so much. All I know is that I really want you. You are the only one who can bring me back to the path of the Goddess. I know I can get back to that path with you on my side. Not to mention, you are the most beautiful young woman on this Earth. I need you to be mine."
"You're not helping yourself out."
"I see you are not going to choose me," he said, "so I am going to have to take you by force. We don't have much time left together before you will choose to leave me." Kalona shook his head sadly and threw me on the bed..
He was on top of me in moments. He ripped off my lingerie and then he peeled off his jeans. He kissed me deeply and his hands were suddenly caressing my breasts. He was rather aggressive. His hands moved up and down my body, trying to find the best place to hold me tightly so I couldn't escape him. He was the hunter and I was his prey. I was helpless and trapped and I couldn't even scream because his lifts smothered my own. "Why are you doing this?" I asked against his lips.
He didn't reply, but he continued to kiss me fiercely. His hands cupped my hips firmly. I couldn't move. He kissed my neck and then my bare chest. He lifted me up and pressed me against the oak headboard of the bed. One hand moved to my hands and he forced my arms above my head. He held my wrists tightly in his hand. I recognized the motion from the night when Stark was hurting me. This was strangely familiar. Kalona was rough and almost violent. I suddenly realized something. Stark had part of Kalona's spirit in his body. Kalona had controlled Stark on the night that I discovered my mother was dead. Kalona had somehow forced Stark to hurt me while we were trying to get intimate.
"Kalona, stop," I said.
"No," he replied fiercely.
"You're hurting me," I cried.
"So what," he said, "You deserve it. You have done nothing but fight against me this whole time. You should be giving yourself to me willingly right now. I save your life twice. We are Imprinted. You should be doing everything you can to please me. Yet here you are being a fool. So no. I don't care if I'm hurting you. Embrace the pain."
"You can't get what you want like this," I said.
"Is that a challenge?"
"Kalona, stop it, please. I can't do this. I don't love you. In fact, I think I hate you."
"That's a lie," he shouted, sounding like an angry, ferocious beast.
It was a bizarre scene. Kalona was clinging to me. I was shaking with anger and I didn't have the strength to force Kalona away. We were naked.
"Stop fighting me," he ordered.
"No," I cried. "I will never stop fighting you. I love Stark."
The blow was unexpected. My nose started bleeding. When that happened the scent of my blood filled the air. I immediately saw a change in Kalona. His gorgeous eyes glistened with an uncontrollable desire. Bloodlust.
Kalona's lips were against mine in an instant. He forced me down onto the bed. He held me in his arms tightly. I did all I could do in a crisis. I raked my fingernails into his skin.
Kalona barely noticed my attack, but at that moment I realized that I shouldn't have attacked him. Blood was on my hands now. Kalona released me and sat up looking down at me. A sheet covered his lower body and I was suddenly relieved. But now I was lying there, exposed and unprotected. His blood was on my hands.
The scent hit me. It was the wildest and most exotic scent I had ever encountered in my life. Suddenly my heart was pounding so hard that I though it might just beat out of my chest. The blood was calling to me. I had never experienced a bloodlust this strong. It was as if I needed Kalona's blood to survive, even if it was just a tiny little bit.
I looked at Kalona's chest. The small wound was almost healed.
"Taste it, Zoey. I know you want to. I can see it in your eyes. I can feel it in your heart. I can hear it in your mind. Give into the bloodlust and take what rightfully belongs to you. Then give yourself to me as you were always ,meant to do. If you do that I will release you and you shall be free of me if you wish. But I warn you. You shall only be free of me for a short time before I come back for you.'
"I don't want you," I said.
"Yes you do," he said. "Now give into the temptation and be mine." He forced my hand to my lips. I tasted his blood. My heart sang. The reaction was instantaneous.
Drinking blood is like sex for vampyres. Tasting Kalona's blood made me realize the dark and forbidden secret that had been growing in my heart. I was starting to have real feelings for Kalona. Now that I had tasted his blood I knew there was no turning back. Yes I had tasted his blood before, but that had been when I was close to death. Now it was a whole new experience, I knew now that those developing feelings would never go away. In fact that would probably grow even stronger. This wasn't right. I didn't even care if Kalona could read my thoughts. All I knew was that tomorrow I would be free of Kalona. I would do my best to keep him away from me. I would do whatever I could to keep those I loved safe from harm.
However, for tonight, I knew that I needed to be with Kalona this one time, just so I could know how it felt. I wanted to know what I was giving up. I wanted to make sure that the trade off was worth it. Stark for Kalona. I knew I would always find a way to keep my friends safe, whether I ended up with Kalona or not, because Kalona didn't want to hurt my friends. Stark would be the target if I didn't choose Kalona. I knew this and I was full accepting that fact. I intended to run away fro Kalona and be with Stark and try to bury the feelings I had for Kalona.
However, for just one night, now that I had tasted his blood, I needed to sleep with him. I needed to know what if felt like to be with him.
What happened next was one of the strangest and best moments of my life, as much as it hurts me to admit it. I knew as soon as I agreed to be with Kalona that I could never tell Stark. The information would destroy him.
"I'll do it," I said breathlessly.
"You will?" he asked.
"Yes," I said.
"I knew it," he cried triumphantly.
Then he kissed me deeply. After a few long glorious moments our arms wrapped around each other. Kalona kissed me deeply and I kissed him back. We pressed ourselves against one another and our bodies became one.
-/-
I woke up the next morning and I was relieved to discover that I had put my lingerie back on. I rolled over and looked over at Kalona and I was even more relieved that Kalona was wearing boxers.
I smiled before I let the guilt sink in. I had slept with Kalona, and truly, as he promised, it was one of the best nights of my life. I was kind of sad to know that it would only happen once.
I sat there for a moment, in bed next to Kalona. I couldn't believe that I had slept with three different guys, well one was a man, one was a guy and one was an immortal. I wasn't even 18 for goddess sake, but I knew plenty of girls younger than me or my age who had done it way more than I had.
Anyway, Kalona woke up a few minutes after I did, He took me in his arms and held me for a long time. He finally asked, "Did I deliver?"
"Yes," I said.
"I told you I would. Now will you stay with me?"
"No," I said. "When Rephaim and Stevie Rae come I will be leaving with them."
"That's unfortunate, my dear Zoey. I see that you need time to think about our future together. I suppose that is fine, but I will always come back for you."
"Always?" I asked.
"Always," he promised. "Well, we have a few more hours together. I say that we make the most of it." He kissed me deeply,
I pushed him away. "No," I said firmly. "I need to pack. Wait, can I do that?"
"Everything in this house was meant for you, Take whatever you wish."
"Thanks," I said quickly. Then I got out of bed and scooped up my clothes. I could feel Kalona's eyes on me as I left his room, dressed only in lingerie from Victoria's Secret.
