Chapter 4: Trouble

As Anaya was dancing, she suddenly felt a familiar presence spike in her blood. Death, she thought, her steps becoming slower and out of rhythm with the music as she looked around the crowd of dancers. She couldn't see him but still continued to look as she stopped moving altogether. Her heart beat excitedly in her chest as her gaze darted around the circle of people. Her partner then asked her if something was wrong shaking her from her thoughts and bringing her back to reality. "I'm fine," she told him as she picked up the dance again.

Godric watched Anaya as she continued to look over her partner's shoulder searching for him in the crowd. A pleased smirk tugged at his lips as he watched her, he knew that she felt his presence and that she wanted to find him. He walked between members of the crowd, keeping skillfully hidden from Anaya's sight as he made his way around the fire pit towards her. She was so graceful, even when she was distracted, he thought to himself. Every move was powerful and perfect; she was a true huntress. The only thing that she had ever fallen prey to was him; and in a world full of dark and evil things, this was an impressive boast.

He hoped that his return to her would be a welcomed one. Regardless, he had watched and waited for as long as he could and he could no longer let another night pass without being with her; without touching her and tasting her.

Once the drum music ceased and the dancers struck their final pose, Godric started to make his way out of the crowd towards her. Anaya faced her partner who was sweaty and out of breath and inclined her head towards him in polite thanks. He did the same and then was immediately called off by a group of his male friends who had been waiting for him to finish the dance so that they could share in a drink together. He had quickly apologized before he ran into the throng of people leaving Anaya alone. She stared after him, frustrated that he would just run away as he did. Still, she was not surprised.

Seizing this opportunity, Godric moved out of the crowd and came up directly behind her. He took in the beauty of her flower scented hair and the way her elegant back gently expanded with every breath. Godric was so close to her that he could wrap his arms around her waist if he wanted.

"You look beautiful tonight," Godric whispered in her ear, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He knew that he had surprised her.

Anaya's heart skipped a beat as this calm, soothing voice caressed her ear. There was doubt in her mind as to who this was; the sound of Death's voice was still fresh in her memory. Also no other man, woman, or creature had ever been able to sneak up on her like that except for him. Taking in a breath for courage Anaya slowly turned to face the owner of the voice. Her gaze then met with a pair of familiar blue eyes.

Anaya went to touch him, to make sure that he was real, but then stopped herself. Noticing her endearing urge, Godric reached up and brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. 'Yes I am here little one,' he thought savoring the warmth of her skin against his own. Anaya closed her eyes at his touch, bathing in the spell of his presence. 'You are mine,' he told himself.

"Was it you who was watching me in the woods this morning?" She asked upon opening her eyes. The only response she got from him was a little smirk. She did not know what to make of it but regardless, she was happy that he was finally here after having waiting for so long for him to return.

"Dance with me," he requested holding out his hand, his smile was becoming more mischievous by the second. A warm shiver ran down Anaya's spine when she saw his rakish expression. Her eyes flicked back and forth from his outstretched hand to his face, deciding what she should do. The music began to start up again and Anaya tentatively slipped her hand into his.

"You're being coy with me Anaya," Godric said, flashing another grin then leading her to a clear spot among the other dancers. "I told you I would come back."

Anaya opened her mouth to explain her shock but the first step of the dance had begun leaving her no time to argue. Anaya moved fluidly around her new partner, not missing a beat. Once the time came in the dance for Godric to begin, he moved in perfect timing with her, complimenting her every move. The two made a beautiful couple which drew many eyes from the banquet to them. Either they didn't notice or they didn't care because their focus never once left one another.

The drumming grew progressively quicker, rising in intensity. As the music hit it's crescendo Anaya threw her arms up to the evening sky and Godric grabbed her wrists, sensually running his hands down her arms and then down to her waist. He then picked her up as if she weighed nothing and spun her around before gently placing her back on the ground. Anaya could not help but smile in awe of his skill, it stirred up the lust inside of her; he knew this dance very well and performed it as if he had done it thousands of times before. Their eyes met and Godric had to restrain himself from crushing her lips to his upon seeing her fiery gaze.

Many of the villagers watched the young pair curiously as they danced. They began talking amongst themselves, murmuring that they had never seen the boy whom Anaya was dancing with before and that his tattoos were not of their tribe. Yet they all agreed that Anaya seemed to know him well judging by the extremely familiar way she danced around him and how she smiled at him. But they were not as trusting of the young man as her, nor did they completely approve of her bold conduct with him either.

…

Gallia was heading back from the banquet table when heard some of the villagers talking about her sister and some stranger. Curious as to what they could be referring to, she looked up from across the fire pit and saw Anaya dancing with a mysterious young man. He was incredibly handsome and graceful as he led Anaya in a dance. He seemed almost like a creature to her with his wolfish grin and mature eyes rather than a young man.

"That's him," she whispered to herself in shock as she watched him effortlessly lift her sister high in the air. It had to be the man that Anaya searched for in the woods every night, she just knew it. She didn't know whether or not to be happy or worried for her older sister. This man might not be able to be trusted even if Anaya thought otherwise.

"What are you saying darling?" Owen asked, approaching his wife and kissing her lightly on the temple. He looked in the direction of her gaze and saw that she was looking at her sister and the stranger.

"Nothing," she said, interlacing her fingers with his and leaning against his chest. "I was just talking to myself is all."

"He's a runaway slave you know. That man your sister is dancing with," he told her.

"You know him?" Gallia asked in surprise, looking back at her husband.

"No, but I can tell by that brand on his back shoulder. I've seen one's like it before; it's the mark of a slave. Tell Anaya to be careful of him, we don't know if someone is looking for him nor do we know who he is."

Gallia nodded in agreement. She then saw the large circular scar on the young man's back as he turned away from her. It was deep and made her flinch just imagining how painful it must have been to receive. She wondered where he had come from and how he had escaped his bondage.

…

Once the dance had finished, Anaya and Godric bowed deeply to one another as cheers for the musicians and dancers filled the air. Their gazes met and they both saw the lustful fire that was burning in each other's gaze. Anaya's breath caught in her throat seeing her desire mirrored in his eyes. She ached to get away from these people so that she could be alone with him.

Anaya and Godric both knew that her tribesmen were staring at them, wondering who he was and how Anaya knew him, but they did not care. They only wanted to be in each other's company; that seemed to be the most important thing at the moment. Godric had risked exposing himself to these people and yet it was all worth it to be able to claim Anaya.

They discretely left the dance ring together, getting lost in the throng of people. Once they were nearly forgotten about, Godric then led Anaya away from the crowd, weaving through the dirt roads and thatched houses, until they came to the northern edge of the woods where it was quiet and devoid of people. There were no more words spoken between them, each knowing the other's mind as they headed into the trees. Anaya's heart beat quickened with excitement as they traversed over the leaf strewn ground and large roots together. Unable to restrain himself anymore, Godric stopped in their retreat from the village and pulled Anaya to him, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. Time seemed to stop then as they finally connected once more. Anaya embraced him tightly, burying her fingers in his thick dark hair and relishing the feel of his perfect body against hers.

Godric placed warm kisses down her neck then continued his descent downwards to nuzzle her cleavage and further still till he was on his knees licking and nibbling the muscles of her flat stomach. Wrapping his arms around her waist he pulled her down to her knees as well, kissing her lips once more with increased fervor. Each felt a burning hunger within them that needed to be satiated immediately.

Anaya roughly pushed Godric on his back and feverishly ground her hips against his large arousal, moaning longingly at the feel of him between her legs. Godric growled in pleasure as he held onto her thighs and watched her roll her beautiful hips over his again and again. This dance of hers was far more primal than the one she performed around the fire pit and it set him on fire.

Grabbing the laces of his leggings, Anaya loosened them enough for Gordric to roughly push them down and discard them. Using his vampire speed, Godric then flipped her onto her back and plunged inside of her. His fangs immediately popped out at the rush of ecstasy it gave him. He grabbed a hold of her long golden hair then and willed himself not to bite her yet. This was exactly where he wanted to be in this moment. Anaya cried out in ecstasy as she wrapped her legs tightly around his hips. She quickly caught on to his rhythm, lustfully bucking her hips up to meet his powerful thrusts. She couldn't get enough of him.

Anaya raked her nails down his back leaving red marks over his sea serpent tattoo as he fiercely moved above her. They were now racing towards completion. Godric leaned down and passionately claimed her lips. His fangs scrapped against her flesh, drawing blood which he feverishly licked away. His little Anaya was now shaking beneath him, so close to release. He drove into her with purpose now, each thrust bringing her closer and closer to orgasm. Anaya moaned and twisted beneath him, her body's muscles strung so tightly she could barely breathe until finally her orgasm came crashing down over her. She cried out in pleasure as she gripped onto the muscles of Godric's back, wave after wave of ecstasy rolling over her.

Godric grinned in satisfaction as he continued to thrust deeply within her, not having finished yet. His body soon tensed up, his hips thrusting in and out of her seemingly of their own accord now as he felt his own orgasm hit. Godric growled loudly as Anaya met his hips movements with her own, drawing out his pleasure. His movements slowed and their panting became one as Godric leaned over her. Their lips met in a slow, exhausted kiss. Anaya twined her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Godric put his fangs away then as he continued to kiss her.

Lying beside her only moments later he wondered how he was going to tell her what he really was. Surely she knew now that he was something other than what he had told her before; that he was more of a bringer of death rather than Death itself. Surly she'd know that Death would not have made love to her as he did, have craved her presence or have laugh and danced with her.

Anaya curled up behind Godric who wrapped his arms protectively around her thin middle then began to close her eyes. Not even a moment after she shut them she heard something strange in the distance. It was a disturbing, human sound that seemed a lot like shrieking. Godric sat up immediately to listen closer, having heard the noises start before Anaya did.

"What is that?" Anaya asked with an air of trepidation in her voice.

"We have to go," Godric said, quickly grabbing up his leggings and putting them back on. That's when Anya heard the distinct and clear sound of terrorized screams coming closer to the woods. She instantly pulled herself together and began sprinting as fast as she could towards her village, leaving Godric behind. He saw her running and immediately took off after her; swiftly coming up behind her. "Allow me," he said picking her up in his arms and using his vampire speed to run back into the village.

Anaya had no chance to fully register Godric's power for what she saw before her was pure pandemonium and horror. Flames licked high into the sky from the center of the village only it was not from the pit but rather their meeting house and several other buildings surrounding it. Panicked screams and cries erupted from all ends of the village as did the sound of clanging swords. Anaya looked around desperately for someone to explain but there was no one. Godric stood by her side with a grim expression, his eyes had grown dark as he stared at the flames in the sky. It seemed as if he had some idea what was happening but would not voice it aloud. Suddenly a tribeswoman ran out from among the houses, her clothes were smeared with blood and she was limping slightly.

"Gods," Anaya gasped in shock, unable to quiet her thoughts, "What is happening!" she cried out to the older woman.

"They've come from the south!" The woman panted as she ran past the two.

"Who?" Anaya asked, grabbing for the woman's wrist to stop her.

The woman halted only for a moment, "I… don't know. Run into the woods girl… you too boy… it's your only chance… they'll kill you."

Then the woman disappeared into the trees leaving Anaya and Godric standing alone once more, the horrible sounds of slaughter persisting from the village in front of them.

"I must find my family," Anaya said. Godric nodded in understanding.

"I will come with you," he told her, knowing that she would need his protection among all this chaos.

AN: Hey! Thanks so much for continuing to read my story. Let me know what you think of this chapter, I'm intensely interested to know what you're all thinking.

Sneak Peek for Chapter 5: My Name is Sorrow:

"I can take the pain away," Godric told her as he held her tightly to his chest. "I can give you a new life free from the agony of this one. Let me do this for you Anaya."

"How?" Anaya asked, not believing that a future without this pain was possible.

"I will make you what I am," he said, stroking her hair. "Then you can walk through the night with me, blessed with powers you couldn't imagine, and never be harmed again."