~*~EMMETT~*~

Appeal of the Forbidden

By: Lucas McDrake

Chapter 12-Tangent

I could feel the haze coming over again as I stared at Keiran.

Hadn't I been a guinea pig enough, for once? I lifted her blanket, set her down and tucked her in before much else could happen, forcing myself to become alert.

I was about to open the door to take my leave when I heard Keiran whisper, "What happened...was nothing."

Was she talking to me?

I turned around, and looked as her as she continued, "You promised..."

Promised what?

"You promised...that you would stay."

Stay? I was about to leave...

She increased in volume slightly as she muttered, "You can have my soul... It's yours already."

All speech on the lower floor came to a halt.

Tremors racked Keiran's body, her teeth gritting for a few moments before she stopped all of her movement.

"You...don't...want me?"

What was she dreaming? Could she be having another nightmare? Her voice sounded as if she were actually conversing with someone, maturity and sorrow revealing itself.

"Don't."

Don't what?

Her breathing ceased for a full five seconds, then resumed. Her breathing came normally, at first, but became faster, and faster. She was hyperventilating! She shook uncontrollably, and started to whimper. Reaching a climax, she shrieked, "Emmett!"

Without hesitation, I jumped into the bed, taking her into my arms.

Immediately, the room melted away to reveal a sloped meadow, overlooking the distant ocean. Keiran, now reaching her prime, shifted away from me. Why did I say what I just did?

I noticed a tear trail down her cheek. Wordlessly, I transferred the tear to my finger, examining it closely.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

She didn't answer, instead staring at the tear on my finger.

Touching her chin with my damp finger as to lift it, forcing her to look into my eyes. An amazing jolt ran through my being as I did so.

"Tell me," I stated.

She seemed shocked beyond belief. Did she feel it, too?

"I knew I shouldn't have fallen in love with a vampire," she started, then, realizing what she said, stopped.

"I'm listening," I whispered, coming slightly closer.

"Especially with a vampire sealed to another in matrimony, but-" Again, she stopped.

I hoped with all of my being that she was about to say what I was assuming, but reasoned with myself that it might be something different entirely. "You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to," I stated, looking away from her eyes.

"I've fell in love with..." she continued.

"Yes?" I breathed, my eyes attentive once more.

"I..." Taking a deep breath, a few more tears fell unnoticed. "I...have hopelessly fallen in love with..." She hesitated. Closing her eyes for a moment, she uttered the last word. The word I anticipated, though without my knowing.

"You."

I felt that I'd explode. Why had I ignored my instincts in the first place? So much desire, it so unbearably burned!

I took her face to mine, caressing her soft lips.

"Emmett," I heard Keiran's voice in the distance whisper.

"Not now," I breathed, air wafting across Keiran's face. Suddenly, she disappeared into a breeze of color, floating out of my arms.

What was going on?

"Emmett!"

Coming to consciousness, I stared into Keiran's eyes blankly, the desire still burning at a lower rate.

"Emmett."

The tears that I could hear in her voice slightly jolted me. "Are you okay?"

"Could...you let me go?" She seemed very...reluctant.

It took me a second to realize that I should let go. The lust instantly repulsed the idea. Never before had I denied my primal instincts. Why now?

That was when I realized.

She's only eight.

Shuddering, I dropped her onto the mattress, shifting away slightly as I imperceptibly shook my head. "Sorry," I started, looking at the door. For once, I was ashamed of my thoughts.

"It...it..." She couldn't seem to spit it out.

I gazed back at her. "Yeah?"

"Just... Could you just...go?" she whispered, looking away.

It took me a second to process what she was saying, and another to ignore the tears I heard again in her voice. "I'll go."

I needed some fresh air, anyway.

How did I let it get this far?

~*~KEIRAN~*~

As he disappeared from my bed, I let the tears flow freely, a soundless wail escaping from my lips.

My desperate option came from the dream.

The only way to stop the attraction...

~**~

Sorry that I made it sound pervy... It's the "aftertaste" of the dream, so to speak. It fades away. Also, it was sorta neccessary in order to continue the story like I want to.

I hope you forgive me...

^_^

(Cue for reader to press the review button, and give at least one word summarizing their thoughts on the above chapter...please? With an Emmett on top?)