Warning: Will eventually contain mature material. Language. Lemons. Some spicy limes. Maybe full-blown things. ~_^

A Salvation Called Love

-Chapter 28-

-Kidnapped-

[Ellidor]

Florida was brighter than I was used to. It had been a few years since I'd been in the sun and it felt wonderful but painful at the same time. Regina had supplied a chauffeur to drive me around since I wasn't able to drive myself. The campus where the girl went to school was stunning and huge. People were running to classes or milling around, everyone seemed relaxed. But I wasn't here for them… I was here for the girl. Her name was Annabelle Amatheon and Regina had supplied a couple of pictures for me so that I observe and kidnap the right one. Wouldn't do to displease Regina and be locked up again.

I was just stepping into the music hall where I'd heard Annabelle was when I was ran into by a something that felt like a train. I tumbled backwards and landed roughly with what had hit me on top of me. I gave a small groan as I turned my attention to the girl, because that's what had run into me. Bright blue eyes blinked up at me through a mass of long dark auburn hair. "I'm so sorry! I didn't know anyone was coming in!"

I grunted as she used my chest to push herself away from me. I sat up and just stared at her. It was the girl I was supposed to kidnap. Annabelle. She was absolutely beautiful. I gave a small shrug and acted like I wasn't here to essentially stalk her. "Don't worry about that. It's my fault for barging in without checking to see if someone was going to be charging through the doors."

When she was standing she offered me her hand and I just stared at it like it was going to bite me. She gave a small laugh and continued to hold her hand out to me. "It's the least I can do since I practically tackled you."

I gave another shrug and took her hand. It was tiny compared to mine but she was strong enough to partly pull me up while I got my feet under me. I dusted off my jeans and reached up to brush one of my hands through my hair. The curls had settled into waves so it wasn't too much of a bother right now. Her eyes followed my movement and I arched a brow at her. "Something wrong? Do I have something in my hair?"

She gave a small laugh and shook her head. "No. It's nothing really."

"Surely it's something if you laugh about it."

She stopped and stared at me for a few seconds before laughing again. "It really is nothing… it's just that your movements remind me of someone. He does the same thing."

I frowned at her and cocked my head to the side. "What? Brushing my hair back?"

She nodded and gave a small shrug. "I'm sorry if I confused you. I told you it wasn't anything important." She leaned down and started picking up her music books that she'd dropped when we'd ran into each other. I moved to help her but she waved me off. "Oh, you don't have to help me but thank you for attempting to."

I straightened up and waited until she'd grabbed the last book before extending my hand to her as she looked back at me. "My name is Ellidor."

She quickly took my hand and gave me a firm handshake. "I'm Annabelle." She frowned up at me after a few seconds. "Do you go to school here, Ellidor? I don't think I've seen you around."

I shook my head and shifted to stand in a more comfortable position. "No. I'm just visiting the campus."

"Oh. Are you thinking of coming here next year?"

I shrugged. "I'm keeping my options open."

"Oh." She continued to smile up at me which was rather unnerving. Women were confusing. "If you want I can show you around campus sometime. But not right now, I have a class I need to get to and I'm already late for it."

I moved out of her way and gave a small nod of my head. "I shouldn't keep you then. I wouldn't mind having an escort guide me around sometime. I'll be here for a few weeks so I'm sure I'll get the opportunity."

She brushed past me and waved as she headed down the stairs. "I'll see you around then, Ellidor."

I watched her as she sped away. She wasn't what I'd pictured her as. The people Regina deal with are usual darker, meaner. Not nice like this girl. I sighed and headed back to the front of the campus where my chauffeur was waiting. When I slid into the car I pulled out the cell phone that Regina had given me to keep in contact with her and dialed her number. She picked up on the second ring. "What do you want, Ellidor. It's too early for you to be calling me."

I ignored the bite in her words. "Why this girl?"

Her voice turned cold. "Why are you asking?"

"She's not… evil."

"She doesn't have to be evil. I just need her kidnapped and brought her."

"Why?"

She was silent for a long time and I was almost worried that she would send someone to bring me back so she could punish me. But, she finally answered and I could hear the hate in her voice. "I want to destroy a certain… man. One who has been my enemy for a long, long time. I want to destroy what he loves most. And then when he is at his weakest he'll give up all of his powers to me and I will be more powerful than anyone in this world."

I shivered at the venom I could hear in her words and knew she believed every word she'd spoken. She hated this man who she wanted to destroy and it seemed that this girl was the key to his downfall. I shrugged even though I knew she couldn't see it. "I'll bring her then… and it'll be in a few days instead of a couple of weeks."

She hummed in approval and her voice was suddenly happy again. "Good, I hate waiting. And Ellidor…" She was silent for a few seconds before speaking in a soft, dangerous tone that reminded me of how dangerous she really was. "I'm glad you understand the importance of this. I'll be waiting."

She hung up and I sighed, running my hand through my hair for the umpteenth time. I knocked on the glass separating me from the driver and the tinted window rolled down. "Take me to the condo. I've seen everything I need to see today."

[Annabelle – Two Days Later]

Classes were finished for the day and I was so very glad because I was so very tired. All I'd wanted to do was sleep during my classes but I'd forced myself to stay awake. Torture. That's what it had been. Pure torture. And on top of all of this the weather was turning bad. The weather channel was calling for a big storm. As I stepped out of one of the school buildings where my last classes were held I looked up at the sky as the sound of thunder rumbled through the air.

"Looks like it's gonna be a bad storm."

I jumped and whirled around, almost tripping down the stairs. Ellidor was standing behind me and it was his hand grabbing my wrist and me grabbing the handrails build into the stairs that saved me from tumbling down them head first. When I was steady on my feet and my purse tucked back under my arm I glared up at him as I pulled my wrist out from between his fingers. "Don't scare me like that. I could have gotten hurt."

He had the dignity to look apologetic. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you like that."

I sighed and shifted so that I could prop my bum against the handrail. I just stared at him in silence for a minute or two, taking in his appearance. He was wearing dark jeans again and a tight blue tshirt that scooped down at the neck. His hair seemed to curl more than it had when I'd ran him over last time. Must be because of the weather. His eyes were brown and sort of reminded me of Dominic's, but honestly no one's brown eyes could compare to his. That's one of the things I loved about him. I shivered at the memory of them staring at me seductively and shoved thoughts of him to the back of my mind. "Did you come to visit the college again?"

He gave a small chuckle. "No. I came to see you."

I frowned at him and cocked my head to the side, confused. "You came to see me?"

A small grin curved across his lips as he took a small step forward. I moved to place the handrail in between the two of us, unsure of what his plans were. He stopped and leaned forward to grip the handrail, outright smiling at me now. "Yah, you offered to show me around the campus, remember?"

I breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't here to creep on me then. I felt my frown turn into a smile. "Well then, I guess since I don't have any more classes today I can show you around before it starts to rain."

He looked up at the sky and gave a nod. "It'll probably rain in an hour or two."

I shifted my purse back up onto my shoulder. "You can come with me to my dorm and then I can show you around. I have to drop off my stuff and grab an umbrella in case we're caught in the rain."

I turned and started walking down the stair and Ellidor followed behind me. We walked in silence with him just a few steps behind me but I didn't mind. When we got to my dorm I had him wait down below while I went up and dropped my stuff off. I didn't mind showing him around campus but I still didn't know him well enough to invite him up to my dorm room. Besides, I only allowed one man in there and he was currently in New York. I grabbed my umbrella and headed back downstairs.

Ellidor was standing where I had left him but he was turned away from me talking to someone on the phone. I kept a few steps away from him until he hung up and turned back to me with a bright smile. "Ready?" I nodded and tucked my umbrella into the back pocket of my jeans.

We headed off to start at the far end of the campus so that I could show him all the buildings and classrooms. We chatted the entire time, mostly me giving him the history of the college, or at least what I knew about it. By the time we got to the music hall where I'd originally ran into Ellidor it started raining.

I ran up the stairs and opened the doors so that Ellidor could hurry out of the rain. When the doors closed I turned to face him. His hair was plastered to his face. I smiled and leaned against the closed doors. "It's just water, Ellidor. I'm sure it's not gonna kill you."

He tried to flick the water off of his arms and had a frown on his face. He looked like an angry drowned rat and I couldn't help but giggle. His frown turned into a scowl as he stared at me. "It's not funny. It's like it only started pouring the second you were inside, leaving me to get soaked."

My giggle turned into a loud laugh and I doubled over with the force of it. It was just too cute. "You look like a drowned rat!"

"I do not."

I was laughing so hard right now that I was crying. It had been a long while since I'd laughed this much. I guess it was good that I'd met Ellidor. He seemed like he'd make a great friend. "You should see the look on your face."

He growled and walked over to where I was standing. My laughter cut off as he trapped me in between his arms and the door. He leaned forward until I could feel his breath burning against my cheek. "You shouldn't laugh at me, Annabelle."

I swallowed nervously and reached up to press against his chest, trying to push him away. "Back up."

He only moved his face away so that he could stare down at me. He was still close but it was a tiny improvement. "Are you scared of me?"

I shook my head slowly. I wasn't but there was a small part of me that was. "No."

He gave a low, rumbling growl and he moved to fast for me to react. His lips crushed against mine and the strength of it slammed me back against the doors. I tried to push him away but he didn't move an inch. He was like a steel wall as his arms wrapped tightly around me, confining any more movement. After a minute of me not responding to his kiss he finally pulled away but only to slide his lips around to my ear, where he nibbled at it before speaking. "You should be afraid."

I tried to wiggle away from him but I could barely move. "What are you doing, Ellidor? Let me go. Now. Please."

"Why?"

I gave a frustrated growl. "I don't like you this way. I don't know you very well and I don't appreciate you kissing me. Now let me the fuck go."

His chuckle vibrated against my skin and his hold loosened on me. "I'm sorry, Annabelle." I thought he was going to let me go but I was wrong. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a needle. I barely saw it coming up towards my neck before I reacted.

Adrenaline kicked in and I raised my knee quickly, landing a solid blow into his groin. He groaned and stumbled away from me a couple steps. But he didn't stay that way as long as I wanted him to because I had just managed to open the door to run out into the rain when his hand fisted into my hair and he jerked me backwards. I tumbled with him to the floor and he wrapped his legs around my waist, locking his body against mine from behind. I gave a small scream in the hopes of someone being in the music hall but that was unlikely at this time of the day.

Ellidor's hand clasped over my mouth while his other gripped the needle again and aimed it at my neck. "Stop moving, Annabelle. I don't want to have to hurt you. I don't like hurting women."

I jerked my head back and smacked him hard in the face and he let go of my mouth while giving a soft curse but his legs tightened around my waist as I buckled. "Let me go then, dammit! Why are you doing this? You don't even know me and I don't freakin' know you!"

I struggled some more but it was useless because the needle pierced the side of my neck and whatever Ellidor injected into me started to take effect almost immediately. His legs slowly released from around my waist and he slid out from beneath me as I limply laid there. He laid my head in his lap and slowly ran his fingers through my hair. "I'm sorry that I have to do this, Annabelle. It's not that I want to. I have no choice. She's bound and determined to destroy whomever she plans on destroying and you just happen to be a part of the plan."

My vision swam as darkness started to swallow me. I did know what he was talking about but I could see the truth in his eyes even if the drug he'd given me was working through me. I struggled to raise one of my hands so that I could touch his cheek were a tear trailed down. "Choice… everyone… has… it."

After that I don't remember what happened to me. All it was was darkness.

[Ellidor]

As she slumped into my lap I continued to run my fingers through her long curly hair. She was beautiful, even if she was unconscious. At this moment I hated Regina more than I ever had. I hadn't wanted to hurt Annabelle… there was something about her that made me feel different… somehow alive inside even without my heart.

I gave a small sigh and reached into my pocket, pulling out my phone. Regina picked up a few seconds later. "What is it this time, Ellidor. I'm kind of busy right now."

"I have the girl."

She paused whatever she was doing and hummed her approval over the phone. "Already? My, my, Ellidor. You do like to do things fast, don't you?"

I rolled my eyes. "We'll be back in New York sometime tomorrow… probably early afternoon if we drive without stopping except for gas." I paused and thought for a moment before speaking again. "And when I get back I don't want anything else to do with this girl. It just feels… wrong. I feel like I shouldn't be doing this. She's nobody important, Regina. You could find another way to destroy the person you desire to destroy."

Her voice turned cold and angry in seconds. "Well, Ellidor, seeing as I have your… heart, you shouldn't be feeling anything. You're nothing more than my pet, Ellidor. Nothing more. If you question me again I might have to put you down. That girl is in fact more important to that man's downfall that you could ever imagine. She's the key to everything… and so are you." I heard clothing moving on cloth and imagined her shrugging. "So hurry back like a good puppy and I might forgive you questioning my orders."

She hung up without another word and I scrolled through my contacts until I found my chauffeur's number and called it. He picked up with a grumble but before he could say anything I told him the directions to the music hall. I hung up and slid my phone closed, tucking it into my pocket again. I stared down at Annabelle for a few moments before leaning down and gently picking her up. She wasn't very heavy as I tucked her in against my chest.

There was a loud honk outside the music hall so I opened the doors and walked out. My chauffeur was holding the back door open for me so I ran down the stairs and ducked into the backseat, cradling Annabelle in my lap until I was settled. The door closed and the sound of the rain cut off.

When the chauffeur got in he slid the glass window down in between us and stared at me and the girl. "Do you want to stop off at her dorm and grab some things for her before we head out?"

I blinked at him for a few moments before shaking my head. "No. Just drive. She won't be needing anything and if she does I'm sure Regina would love to supply it for her." The chauffeur nodded and rolled the glass window back up, leaving me in silence. I sucked in a deep breath and just leaned back against the seat, shifting Annabelle until I was a little more comfortable. A nap sounded like a good plan. There wasn't anything better to do at the moment.

A.N. - Yep, from here on out for a few chappies it's gonna get rough and tough so please keep your seatbelt on and hand and limbs inside the vehicle at all times... LOL. Ok... I don't know what that was... but, anyways... There is gonna be a lot of... anger and angst and... feels in the next chappies. Just stay strong and keep reading because it's not going to turn out the way you think. Oh, it's so not. HAHA. I plan on keeping you guys on edge for a wee bit... but I promise you giant chocolate chip cookies afterwards because I love you guys, LOL!

A.N. - I hope you like Ellidor, LOL. I like him a lot, he's such a cutie. And he's not really mean. He's just being forced to be mean. So don't hate on him, kk? *huggles Ellidor*