Oh The Webs We Weave

Chapter 2-Entrapment

A/N: Hey guys, I just want to say thank you to all who have reviewed my story. :-) Here is the next installment, I hope you all enjoy!

"Well well well what do we have here?" questioned Blood. "You do have a knack for trouble don't you young lady, walking all alone in the forest. That's dangerous; you never know what might be lurking out here."

Alice's heart jumped up into her throat as she tried to come up with something to say. She briefly considered turning and walking away from this confrontation but Blood's firm grip on her arm made sure that option was out of the question.

Blood stared expectantly down at Alice waiting for a response. Finally swallowing the large lump in her throat Alice quietly said, I was just going for a walk.

"Were you?" he questioned releasing her arm yet staying tremendously close. "Or were you perhaps coming to met one of your lovers."

Alice could feel her face reddening as she hastily replied, "Of course not." Then upon seeing the smirk on his face she quickly added, "Not that it s any of your business if I was."

"Is that what you told your ex when he you discovered your lack of faithfulness?" Blood retorted with a sneer.

SMACK!!

The forest resonated with the sound of Alice's hand making contact with the mafia bosses right cheek. Stunned Blood placed a gloved hand to his reddening cheek as if to assure himself that he had actually been slapped.

"How dare you! I never cheated on my ex he was the one who was unfaithful to me!" Alice shouted.

Breathing heavily she stood facing Blood. As the anger she had been feeling began to ebb away it was replaced with a new emotion. Fear.

Blood's shock had faded away and the look that he was giving her nearly stopped her heart. Fire danced behind his eyes and his posture resembled that of a lion ready to pounce on its paralyzed prey.

The fight or flight response suddenly kicked in. Deciding flight was the best course of action Alice quickly scanned her surroundings looking for the best possible exit. Just as she was preparing to sprint to safety Blood's deathly tone stopped her. "Don't I would catch you before you made it three steps from me."

Alice stared in wide-eyed horror at Blood. For the first time she finally caught a little glimpse of who he was and what he could be capable of. She was alone. She was alone in the forest with a very pissed off Blood Dupre.

All of her senses were hyper alert. Her eyes took him in watching, waiting, for any sign of movement. Her ears listened closely for any faint sound that would indicate he was about to spring. But he didn't move. He simply stared at her with his smoldering gaze, as if daring her to run. Alice couldn't take the intensity anymore. She bolted to the left. Escape the only thought in mind.

It was as if her movement snapped Blood into action. True to his word Alice didn't make it three steps before she felt a familiar hand grasping her upper arm stopping her dead in her tracks. With a single motion Blood spun her around and slammed her against the nearest tree. Pressing his body tightly against hers he effectively trapped her arms between their bodies while pinning her to the tree. His hands quickly came down on either side of her head making any escape impossible.

The rough bark of the tree dug painfully into her back while Blood's proximity made it hard to breath. At this point Alice was in a near panic; she was sure that Blood could feel the frantic pounding of her heart. Blood gazed down coldly at Alice, his face mere inches from her own.

"You've got some nerve young lady." he said quietly and insanely calm. Alice couldn't find the words to speak. She could barley even breath. All she could do was stare up at his face.

"I'm afraid I can't let that kind of action go unpunished." he said while bringing a hand up to cup her chin.

"What should I do hhmm?" He questioned leaning in closer. Alice tried to jerk her head away but Blood only tightened his grip on her chin successfully making her immobile.

Finding some of her strength back she said quietly but forcefully, "I m not sorry. You deserved it and I'd do it again. You always say rude things and make wild accusations."

Her defiance and strength made him smile ruefully down at her. "I'm the rude one?" he asked sardonically, "You struck me Alice. I think that physical violence trumps any harsh words spoken." As he spoke he delicately stroked a thumb over her lower lip. Alice gave an audible intake of breath at the contact which made Blood smirk in enjoyment. His proximity and touch was so unnerving to her. Why was he doing this?

Coming back to herself Alice retorted, "You chocked me. Remember"

For some odd reason this made Blood laugh. He released her chin as he chuckled. Alice looked at him with disbelief. And with that she knew the man in front of her truly was mad.

"So I did," he said once his laughter had died away, "Still," he said while staring down at her intently, I think I know how I shall punish you."

Alice held her breath in anticipation not knowing what this crazy man would do next.

"Two little birds told me that you weren't planning on going to the ball because I would be there. Is that true?" He inquired.

Not wanting to tell the truth, but knowing he would sense a lie if she told one she opted for the truth.

"Yes" she said simply.

He smiled darkly. "In that case, you will come to the ball and you will dance with me."

Alice gulped " And if I don't?" she ventured.

His smile turned predatory as he leaned down until his lips were next to her ear. Alice could feel his warm breath teasing her ear and it sent a tremor through her body.

"Then I ll find you." he whispered. "Remember you can run, but I can run faster. You can hide, but I will always find you.

Alice felt as though a cold bucket of water had been dropped on her. This man, this man was insane. There was no escaping him. Blood pulled back slightly so that he could look at her face, a victorious smile gracing his lips. His lips, why was she looking at his lips? Looking up into his eyes Alice voiced the one question that kept coming back to her mind.

"Why are you doing this?" she quietly asked.

With that same smile on his face he placed his hand behind her head and closed the distance until their foreheads were resting against each other. This is way too close Alice's mind screamed. What is he planning?

Then in a sultry voice Blood gave an answer that Alice would never have expected in a million years. "Because I want to be the only one that you seduce." he answered.

Alice's breath hitched and she tried to move her head back, but Blood was having none of that. He intertwined his fingers in her hair holding her in place.

" I don't understand." she breathed.

Closing the distance until their lips were almost touching Blood responded, "You will."

And with that Blood abruptly released her and stepped away. Alice could only stare in shock as the Mad Hatter smiled and turned to go. "I'll see you at the ball Alice. Don't keep me waiting."

And with that final underlying threat Blood left as quickly as he had appeared, leaving a very confused and distraught Alice behind.

Their encounter had ended so abruptly she felt as though her head was spinning. Despite the intense situation Alice had just been in she felt strangely alive. It was a truly confusing sensation.

Deciding that it was well past time that she get the hell out of this forest she turned to head back to the path. But wait, which way is out? Oh no was she lost? She couldn't be, she just needed to...

CRUNCH!!

Whirling around to face the unknown noise Alice came face to face with none other than an equally confused looking Ace.

"Ace!" She exclaimed.

"Oh, hey Alice." He said with a smile walking over to her. "I'm trying to find my way back to the Clock Tower, do you know which way it is?"

Great, so he was lost too. Could today get any worse. As if on cue the time suddenly switched to night. Wonderful. What was that saying? Or right, out of the fire and into the frying pan.

A/N: Lol poor Alice, she never catches a break does she. The next chapter will basically be an Ace and Alice chapter. So for all you Ace fans you should enjoy it. I'll try my best to get the next chapter up soon.

Lena