Chapter 3 - Provocation
Sleep was hardly restful that night. I jerked awake over and over again to dreams I couldn't remember when I sat bolt upright, ice trickling down my spine. I remembered something about running and the dark, but nothing else. The breaking light of dawn was a relief. So was the fact that I was alone.
New clothes were folded in place of my old ones had been, along with a few other essentials. To my delight they were my size and, being jeans and a t-shirt, were just my style. I noticed they also smelled like a store and not like a vampire. That was calming too -- sort of. His scent was just too encompassing to be forgotten or unmissed.
Pale light shone through the windows. It looked to be a clear day and I wanted to watch the sun rise over the hills and softly touch the petals of the flowers in the garden to awaken them, but kept myself from the windows. I had no desire for a repeat of last night's performance.
So I dawdled in the bathroom as I washed my face – thankfully it was not swollen this morning, and combed through my tangled wheat colored hair one hundred strokes. I tried three different styles before deciding to let it just fall where it would. It was too short to do anything with anyway. I would have to remember to ask for some bobby pins and rubber bands.
When I was finished in the bathroom, I made the bed, making sure to plump each pillow just so. I fiddled with the pale grey comforter until it hung from the floor the same distance all the way around and then, finding there was nothing else to do, I plopped myself in the desk chair and combed through the desk looking for a scrap of paper and a pencil. Nothing. Each drawer had been carefully emptied. I tapped my fingers in a frustrated tattoo against the desk top.
After awhile I got up to examine the walls closely – there must be a hidden panel somewhere -- and tried to find the stereo that he must have used to play the sonata last night, but was unable to find anything. I felt slightly self-conscious for the thought that there would be such a thing. I doubted I was in that kind of castle, but what did I know of vampires. Up until a day ago, they were nothing but myth.
But still there was nothing. There were no books, no TV, no music and I was bored – beyond bored. It made me feel like the prisoner I was and I hated it. I flopped on the carefully made bed and laid there not moving until suddenly I felt his presence.
I sat up quickly, my head swimming from the abrupt movement, and found him already in his chair watching me with his careful expression. My heart picked up a little at his close proximity. My whole being knew what he was and cried for me to run. I ignored my instincts. Where could I run to?
"How do you do that?" I asked breathlessly as the stars cleared.
His brow furrowed, "Do what?"
"Just suddenly appear, sitting in a chair, like you have been there all morning."
His lips twitched, "Perhaps I have been here all morning."
I rolled my eyes, "Then I would have sat right on you. What do you do when you're in here? I couldn't find so much as a scrap of paper. I was going crazy."
I was a bit hyper from sitting around alone all morning and not even my fear could change that. I think it took him by surprise. He raised a dark eyebrow.
"I removed the paper in case you tried to write a note."
I leaned back on my elbows, feet hanging off the bed and made a face, "And just who would I give a note to? Did you move your books too?"
"What books?"
I frowned. I could have sworn the marks on the floor had been from a bookcase. I shook my head, "Okay, back up to my first question; what do you do when you're in here?"
"I am not in here much," he murmured.
"Humph." I laid all the way back, tucking my arms under my head and stared up at the ceiling. "Why have a room if you hardly use it?" I muttered quietly. I was not totally surprised when he heard me anyway.
"What do you do in your room?"
I raised my head and looked over at him -- something was different, I just couldn't put my finger on it. I pulled myself up to a sitting position and sat Indian-style.
"I read and study and talk on the phone and draw and relax and sometimes eat." I ticked them off on my fingers then stopped, "Um, speaking of … you didn't by chance bring any food, did you? I'm starving."
Amusement glinted in his eyes but he did not smile as he pulled away from the desk to reveal a covered plate.
"Cool."
I got up and breezed by, grabbed the plate and returned to my spot on the bed, forcing myself to ignore his slight recoil and my heart's stutter at the unexpected movement. If I was going to die, bring it on. But don't feed me and clothe me and expect me to behave nicely. If he didn't like me, too bad.
I pulled the cover off the plate and was pleased to see it was fruit and bread. I took a few bites then about five minutes later popped back over for the bottle of water. I was interested to see what would happen. The result was the same.
I leaned my hip against the desk and raised one eyebrow, "Why do you do that?"
He met my eyes and I noticed that they were darker then they had been yesterday. There was only a thin ring of crimson around his pupil. That must have been the difference I'd been unable to put my finger on. I wondered idly what that signified, if anything as I waited for his answer. It seemed he was disinclined to speak to me today.
I gestured with the bottle and qualified, "Why do you pull back when I walk by?"
His dark brows knit, "Must you make this more difficult?"
I felt a flash of temper and thoughtlessly slammed the palm my hand down on the desk as I leaned toward him, "Me, make this difficult? I am the one who we both know is going to die. How could I possibly make this more difficult?"
Quicker then I could draw breath, I had been slammed up against the wall hard enough to see stars, a furiously provoked vampire with his cold hands at my throat. And he was furious. I felt the chills that ran up and down my entire body at the deep growls that rumbled up from his chest. My heart reacted by nearly jumping out of mine and trembling shook me. But after a moment I laughed – weak, yes, but I did. He was not the only one who was furious. I was just not as violent as he was.
"Now that was some reaction."
"What?" he snarled, his lips were peeled away from his glistening white teeth and he was trembling now too, straining not to crush my throat.
I released a shaky breath and whispered hoarsely, "I am not a pet. I can't live scared that my next breath may be my last. It seems you made your choice." I glanced pointedly at his hands – hands, not teeth, at my throat.
He dropped me and backed away; his growls fading with every step he took. I hit the floor on my knees and stayed there gasping and willing my heart to calm. I shook so hard my teeth chattered and it was a miracle I had not lost control of my bladder. I looked up at him from behind my hair.
"You tempt fate too much, Sarah." He appeared to be having as hard a time as I in gaining control himself.
"How come you don't have fangs?" I asked between gasps and tremors. It had been the first time I had seen his teeth and they hadn't looked at all pointy like I had expected; white, yes; pointy, no. I was genuinely curious.
He scowled at me, taken aback by my question, "We don't need fangs, but make no mistake they could rip through your soft flesh in an instant." He stated brusquely, obviously still not in complete control.
That made sudden sense; his skin was as hard as stone, so why would he need to be fanged to tear through human flesh? I tried not to dwell on that as I slumped against the wall and rubbed at the bump I had acquired on the back of my head. My body ached and I was sure I was going to have several other bruises along with it.
His eyes widened in concern, the anger abruptly fading, "I didn't hurt you, did I?" He took a hesitant step towards me, crouching as he did it to look into my eyes.
I shook my head and tried to keep a clear thought, "Just a bump and I think I deserved it. I'm sorry I provoked you. I don't handle fear and stress well."
He settled himself in his chair, "That is an understatement." He murmured almost too low for me to hear.
"What will you do with me?" I asked looking down at my hands.
His voice was soft and thoughtful, "You think I offer only life or death?"
I frowned, "There's something besides?"
"Sarah," His voice chided me gently.
Oh.
Oh!
I looked up and my heart stuttered. When had I become so aware of its beats and rhythms? Maybe since it was the only one in the room that still beat. He was staring calmly at me.
"You plan to make me like you." It was not a question, but a statement and my voice was toneless.
"I haven't made any plans. But that is an alternative."
I drew my knees to my chest and hugged them. I wasn't sure that would be much better then death. I wasn't sure if I shouldn't beg him for death.
"I won't do anything until you ask me." He reassured me. His eyes were honest and instinctively I knew he would keep his word.
"Can I go outside?" I asked suddenly.
His brows pulled together, "That is not exactly a question I expected, but no. It is not safe for you to be out of this room alone."
"What if you came with me?" I was fully aware of the pleading inflection in my voice and didn't care. I was desperate. I couldn't stay in this room anymore. I needed to get out and breathe free air, feel the sun on my face, and the wind in my hair. Feel some sense of normalcy, that there were things still good and right in the world.
He leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees, "Here is the thing, Sarah. You are … tempting to us – more then tempting, really. I don't know if I, alone, would be enough to protect you from the others."
I frowned, perplexed, "How am I tempting?"
"Your scent … your warmth … your softness." Was that longing I heard in his husky voice? "You are human; we feed on humans."
I couldn't help cringing back at his words. "How do you stand it?"
He drew a deep breath, "You are … interesting and at this point offer more then a quick bite." He closed his eyes, "I didn't mean that."
"No," I smiled weakly, my heart picking up as the adrenaline released. "It's an honest answer. I like that better then you just staring at me, answering with nothing but monotonal single phrases." I felt myself pale as new thought entered my head. "So … am I here as, like, a snack. You know, something you use than put away until the next time you, feel, hungry?"
His brow puckered and he was reluctant to answer, "It doesn't work like that. If I chose to feed on you, I don't think I would be able to stop. Once we taste blood – or smell it, for that matter – our instincts take over the rational part of our brain. We essentially stop reasoning until the thirst is sated. It is very likely you would not live through it."
I forced a short laugh, "At least now I can say I know how a cow feels – want a steak?"
He spread his hands in an attempt to placate me, "I am sure it is worse for you then for the cow. You reason, you think, you feel, have a family. The cow is a dumb animal."
My eyes narrowed as I glanced at him, "But given our comparatively short lives and physical weakness, you look at us no different than the cow."
"For many that is true."
"And you?"
He looked downward and I had my answer.
"So I am a pet and a cow. Great." I said sarcastically. Could it get any worse?
He shook his head emphatically, "No, no, Sarah. It is … different with you. I don't know how or why, but I find I can't look at you the same way I do other humans."
I raised an eyebrow, "Is that normal for vampires?"
He shook his head, "No. I know of one other and that is all."
"And how did that end?"
He shrugged and leaned back, "I haven't heard yet."
I took a breath and asked a question whose answer terrified me, "What happens when you lose your interest in me?"
"That won't happen," He promised and somehow that was more frightening than if he had told me he would eventually lose interest. "I will wait until you have decided your own future and I will act on that."
"But you can't let me go?" I asked with no real hope.
He shook his head regretfully, "No, your mind grasped what we were too soon. You know too much to be allowed to go free."
I nodded slowly. I had thought as much.
"For now, you have been placed in my care. It's the best we can offer."
"Thank you." I murmured, not really sure if I meant it or not.
"So, Sarah …?"
He waited until I had looked up.
"Please try not to provoke me again." His lips twitched as he spoke.
I surprised myself by laughing. "I learned my lesson but I think I'll need a couple Tylenols before I can sleep tonight."
His eyes softened, gently, dangerously. My heart stuttered in reaction and a strange warmth poured through me. "That can be arranged."
