"Darcy?" I heard Alec repeat my name, it was distant at first, and I thought I was dreaming. I opened my eyes to see Alec knelt down beside me. It took me a moment to realise that I had passed out. I was lying on the floor.
"Are you hurt, did he bite you?" Alec asked me.
I smiled at his concern. "No, I'm just tired."
He frowned but then smiled, probably relieved I wasn't hurt. He scooped me up easily in his arms. I closed my eyes, the motion making me dizzy. When I felt we had stopped moving I opened them again, making sure the dizziness had resided. I was back in the dreaded room, lying on the bed. I couldn't see where Alec went. I closed my eyes again.
"I told you to eat," Alec growled making me jump. I felt him sit on the edge of the bed. I opened my eyes. "Here," he said pushing a glass of water into my hand.
"Wait let me sit up," I handed him back the water and struggled to sit myself up. Before I had a chance to try harder Alec pulled me up with one hand. He handed me back the glass and I sipped the water slowly.
"Have this to," he pulled a tray off the table and set it on my lap. It was loaded with food. I still wasn't hungry but I didn't want to argue. I rolled my eyes and started to eat. He watched me as I ate. I put down my fork.
"You're staring at me again," I said frowning.
"Sorry," he mumbled and got up and walked onto the balcony.
"Alec," I called him, but not too loudly, I didn't have much strength after all.
He walked back into the room.
I was silent for a moment. "I'm sorry about yesterday by the fountain." I didn't really want to explain any further but luckily, he understood what I meant.
"No it's ok, I'm sorry; I don't want to push you into anything. And I'm sorry you had to fall into the fountain," he smiled which made me smile.
"Do you still like me?" He asked me.
"Of course, I mean, you've saved my life three times now."
"Three? Really? Already?"
"Well, when I was bleeding to death the first time, the second I almost drowned, and the third, well nearly sucked dry."
He smiled, "Look I have to go, things to do, just stay here, eat and rest."
I nodded. He was halfway to the door when I called after him. "Alec, wait," I paused. "Can you stay with me tonight? I don't...I mean..." I trailed off, but he seemed to understand. I didn't want to be left alone. I was scared Lex was going to come back. He walked back towards me, sitting on the bed next to me.
"I told you I wouldn't let him hurt you."
"It was a bit close today," I retorted.
"But nothing happened," he said in defense. "Don't worry, you're safe."
I smiled meekly.
"Now eat up."
I groaned. "You're so bossy."
He smiled. "I know."
The following morning I awoke to find that Alec was not there. Memories of the previous day came flooding back to me. My stomach flipped over as I thought of Lex. I tried to push the memory of him from my mind. My stomach grumbled as I sat up; at least I got my appetite back. I showered and got dressed and came out of the bathroom to find that Doreen had already left breakfast. I ate it greedily. I thought back to the day before as I ate, I asked Alec to stay with me, I must have fallen asleep before he got back, if he did come back. Alec came in as I finishing the milk at the bottom of my cereal. He smiled when he saw I was eating.
"Doesn't Zane come to see me anymore?" I asked as I put down my empty bowl.
"Morning to you to," he said frowning slightly. "He doesn't need to visit now does he? You're not ill or hurt." He said answering my question, although he looked displeased.
I frowned, slightly saddened. "Is he still staying here or has he left?"
He sighed and sat down on the chair opposite me. "He's still here, and he's going to stay until after the Placing."
"Doesn't he want to come a visit me?" I asked; I missed Zane, even though I had only seen him days previous.
"He's just busy," he avoided my gaze and I didn't think he was telling the whole truth. "Do you want some more food?" He asked changing the subject.
I frowned. "Not really."
"Just ask one of the staff for more food if you get hungry."
I nodded. There was silence between us again. Alec stared at the floor.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"How do you know something's wrong?" He carried on staring at the floor.
"You're always silent when there's something wrong," I said smiling.
He looked up at me and smiled slightly. "We have guests staying the night. But don't worry," he said looking at my face, which was probably looking terrified. "It's Maveric and a couple of his companions," I relaxed a little on hearing this, from what I had heard Maveric didn't kill people. "He wants to meet you. I don't have much of an objection to it, I trust him. But I thought I'd ask you first," he looked at me pleading.
"If you really do trust him, then ok. If you haven't noticed I haven't had much luck with vampires recently."
He smiled. "You can stay in here for most of the evening if you want, Maveric only wants to meet you, and then you're free to do what you like."
"What about Lex?" I asked, slightly nervous.
"Don't worry; he won't try anything, especially not with a group of Valik's in the house," he smiled. "If you still don't feel safe, stay in here, it's probably the safest place for you."
I smiled slightly and changed the subject. "Why didn't you tell me it was a bite attack?" I asked, remembering what Lex had told me the previous day. I was referring back to the time he kidnapped me. He frowned and then growled and I swear I heard him say Morvan.
"I didn't want to say anything incase it scared you," he finally said.
"It's ok, at least I know now," I replied.
Alec stood up, "I have to go now," he said.
I nodded; his visits were getting shorter and shorter. I sighed and wished I were at home, where there were no death threats and bloodthirsty vampires. I didn't want him to go, scared that Lex would turn up, but I tried to reassure myself he wouldn't. I didn't know what to do for the rest of the day, I was too scared to go outside or leave my room. I withered away the day lying on my bed daydreaming.
As I had just finished getting dressed from the shower I had taken, there was a knock on the door. Doreen came in with dinner.
"Master Alec asked me to tell you that I am to bring you downstairs in about an hour for Master Maveric to meet you."
I nodded staying silent. As she left, I moved over to the food she had left on the side and started to eat. Not too long after I had finished Doreen re-emerged at the door. I got up and followed her. I had put on a dress, not a posh one, or anything, just something a bit smarter for the occasion. I followed Doreen left down the corridor and then down the grand staircase. I was a bit nervous, not knowing what to expect. Doreen lead me left at the bottom of the stairs and walked me down a corridor. We arrived at a closed door to which Doreen knocked. There came a muffled reply and Doreen opened the door. She walked in, me trailing behind her.
"Masters," she said curtseying and then turned to go, leaving me in the room.
The room was quite large, overlooking a large field and part of the forest. A few men (I guessed were vampires) were scattered throughout the room, some seated on sofas, others standing up. My eyes diverted to Alec who was sitting on an obscenely large sofa in the room. He was smiling.
"There she is," a voice sounded. I looked towards the source of the voice. A young looking man was seated opposite Alec who my eyes had missed, he had his head turned looking at me.
"Maveric, this is Darcy, my link," Alec said standing up moving towards me.
Maveric stood up, taking his time. Alec moved me towards Maveric, this made me nervous, but Alec seemed exceptionally calm, which helped ease my anxiety a little. As I got closer to Maveric, he didn't seem as young as I had first thought. His general appearance made him look young, except the slight wrinkles around his eyes, but the way he moved made him seem much older. His movements were not as graceful as the vampires I had met, and he was much slower.
"It's nice to finally meet you," he said to me, "Alec's had you hidden here for months, not letting anyone see you," he smiled sweetly.
Months? I had never thought about how long I had been here. I must have been unconscious for most of it, but still, I couldn't believe I had never thought to ask how long I had been here. I smiled in reply not knowing what to say. Alec sat me down next to him on the sofa; Maveric also sitting down on the sofa opposite.
Maveric stared at me, which made me feel very uncomfortable. He looked thoughtful, lines wrinkling his forehead.
"Tell me Darcy, do you like it here?" He asked, still studying me.
"Yes," I answered, thinking the opposite. It really wasn't that bad here, but there were too many near death experiences then I liked.
He raised his eyebrows, as if he didn't believe me, but then smiled.
"I'm glad; Alec wouldn't want to have a rebellious link would he?" It was a rhetorical question, but I wondered if there was something behind what he was saying. I tried to look at Alec to see his expression, but it was hard, he was too close for me to see, and I didn't want to make looking at him obvious.
"I don't know Maveric, I like a challenge," Alec replied, laughing slightly.
Maveric laughed as well. Was there something I was missing in that joke? Maveric and Alec chatted for a while; Maveric occasionally asking me questions. I refrained from saying much, still not feeling comfortable or safe in fact. Finally, Maveric stood up, Alec following suit, pulling me up with him.
"It was nice meeting you Darcy, I'm sure I'll see you around," Maveric said to me.
"It was nice to meet you to," was all I said.
Alec touched my shoulder to get my attention, "Doreen will take you back to your room, I have business to attend to for now, I'll see you tomorrow," he said.
One of the men in the room opened the door and I saw Doreen outside waiting for me. I walked out of the room towards her and followed her down the hallway.
I could hear voices coming from the room I had just left, the door still open.
"You need to soon, Alec, how will you know she's right, unless you try, it's getting too late to choose another one?" I heard Maveric say, quite quietly, but I hadn't walked that far from the room to not hear him speak.
"It will be fine," Alec replied.
I wanted to stop and listen, but I didn't know what would happen if I got caught and I didn't think Doreen would be too pleased so I carried on walking. What did Maveric mean; "choose another one," was he talking about me being Alec's link? And what does Alec need to do soon?