Alice found out that Blood had injected Alice and Julius both with needles to keep them out cold. Then he had tied Julius up and locked him in the wardrobe. Then he had carried Alice back to his mansion and into his bed.
It made her head boil just thinking about it. She wanted to snap his neck. How dare he do this to her and Julius? Why couldn't he just move on?
"Can't we send the police after him?"pleaded Alice.
Julius sighed. "There's no laws against stalking or kidnapping in the country of hearts. And I doubt the police could do anything against blood."
"So we are helpless then,"despaired Alice and she threw her arms in the air.
"Not helpless. You guys have me," said ace with a cheerful smile. "I'll always keep you safe Alice. Unlike Julius here who couldn't do anything."
"Ace!" snapped Julius his cheeks reddening.
"No! Don't get mad at him!"snapped Alice, glaring at Julius. "He's right. You couldn't do anything to protect me. You promised you would protect me and then you let Blood kidnap me! I would still be there if ace hadn't saved me!"
Julius's eyes twitched. "Then why don't you run into ace's arms."
"Maybe I will!"hissed Alice.
"I wouldn't mind that!"grinned ace and opened his arms welcomingly to Alice. "Come on, don't be shy Alice. I'll make you forget all about Julius."
Alice looked at him. Then said in a monotone voice, " never mind." She sighed and then turned back to Julius. "I love you, Julius. I'm sorry I got mad."
Then she hugged him. For a moment Julius froze but then he hugged her back.
"Don't run into ace's arms,"he whispered. "Forget I ever said such a thing. I'm sorry I didn't protect you."
"It's okay,"Alice said back quietly into his chest, " how could you have known blood would stick a needle in you and knock you out while we were sleeping?"
"True,"Julius chuckled softly, "But I'm still sorry. I won't let blood ever take you away again,"Julius said softly, into her hair.
Alice smiled.
"Aw, look at you Julius! Being so manly!"laughed ace.
"Shut up,"Alice and Julius said. They continued hugging each other long after ace finally left.
The next day Alice bustled around the kitchen, preparing coffee and breakfast when she realized they were out of coffee beans. The blood drained from her face.
She glanced at Julius who was still asleep. She couldn't wake him up just to go into town with her. He rarely ever got enough sleep.
I'll be back quick as a flash, Alice thought. She was just about to leave when she remembered blood. She shivered. No, she couldn't risk walking alone. She would wait until Julius woke up and then tell him about the lack of coffee beans. She only hoped a catastrophe wouldn't occur.
Later...
"What?! There's no coffee beans?!"yelled Julius in disbelief.
"Eep! We forgot to buy a new supply when we went into town last time!"
"This is a catastrophe! Come on Alice, we're going into town!"
Julius began marching out of the tower, Alice close on his heels.
On the trail to town Julius kept mumbling about coffee beans and catastrophes. Alice giggled and Julius looked at her, his face turning pink.
"I- I'm sorry Alice. I'm being over dramatic," Julius sighed.
"No, you're not. It's cute," Alice said happily. "I love it when you get all nervous and flustered and worried."
"Do you?"asked Julius, turning red.
"Yes, I love it," Alice said, smiling at him.
"Alice..."Julius whispered and then before Alice knew what was happening he had her pinned against a tree, leaning his weight on her as he stared into her eyes with an intensity that made Alice's heart begin beating wildly.
She didn't want him to ever look away.
"Alice,"Julius said again and then he leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips.
Alice's eyes widened. It was so rare when Julius kissed her. That's why whenever he kissed her it made the kisses more special and precious.
Closing her eyes she kissed him back.
"Well, well what do we have here?" Alice and Julius broke apart in shock to see Blood smirking at them.
"Clockmaker, you better stop touching what is mine,"continued Blood casually and there was a threat in his eyes.
"I am not yours!"Alice growled. "Seriously Blood leave me alone and move on."
"Mm, are you sure you want that?"Blood's voice was as smooth as chocolate. "Didn't you say you loved me last night as I held you in my arms in bed?"
"Alice would never say that,"hissed Julius.
"Hmm, I wouldn't be so sure about that!"drawled Blood with a smirk. "Alice is just a player. She makes it a game to steal hearts and then return them broken. Isn't that right, young lady?"
"Not even!"hissed Alice.
"But what about Peter? What about me?"
"It's not my fault you guys like me and won't accept my feelings,"
"Oh so you do have feelings for me?"
"Yes, I do. Hatred,"hissed Alice.
As Blood opened his mouth to retort Julius said quietly,"that's enough now, hatter. Leave Alice alone."
Blood glared at Julius. "Don't order me around, clockmaker,"he sneered. " does Alice even know the truth about what you do?"
"What do you mean?"asked Alice, looking up at Julius curiously.
Blood's eyes widened in surprise and then he began laughing. "Ah! So you haven't told her. What a honest man."
"Julius, what is he talking about?"
Julius glared at Blood and said nothing. "Alice does not need to know."
Blood smirked. "Maybe, maybe not. But I didn't come to chat with you, clockmaker. I have come to take back what you stole."
"Julius didn't steal me!"snapped Alice and all Blood did was raise his eyes brows at her. Then without another word he raised his gun and shot Julius in the chest.
"Agh!"gasped Julius as he stumbled backwards and leaned heavily against a tree. "This is against the rules, hatter,"Julius managed to groan.
" I don't care about the rules. All I want is Alice back,"Blood said coolly.
"Julius!"Alice cried and just as she reached his side Blood raised his gun and shot again at Julius.
"Ergh!"huffed Julius as he fell.
Alice sat by his side, weeping.
"Alice..."Julius whispered but before he could say anything more Blood kicked the side of his face, knocking Julius unconscious.
Alice opened her mouth to cry out Julius's name but Blood yanked her up roughly by the arm and slammed her back against a tree.
He held her there with his body and arms as she struggled.
"You are mine, Alice," Blood told her and then roughly kissed her.
Alice squeezed her eyes shut, unable to do anything but endure it. But when Blood forces his tongue into her mouth she bit down sharply.
Blood hissed in pain and drew back, glaring at her as she glared back. Then he smirked. "I'd rather you bite me in other places, young lady."
"Screw you, blood!"hissed Alice.
"Oh that sounds nice. Are you offering?"Blood asked with a smile and then he leaned down to kiss her again. But this time Alice jerked her head so that her forehead crashed into his nose. While he leaned back and clutched his nose, Alice brought her knee up sharply into his groin.
He let out a hiss as he backed away from her and immediately Alice began running. It didn't take long for Blood to give chase and she screamed when she felt him grab her and pull her back.
"Young lady, I'm getting tired of this mouse and cat game. Stop playing so hard to get. Just come back home with me,"Blood said.
"My home is not with you! It's with Julius!"
"Not anymore. Didn't I just kill him?"
"No you didn't," said Acce and Blood and Alice both whirled their heads to look at him.
He was smirking, using his weight to support Julius who was moaning.
"I'm faster than you, hatter,"Ace continued.
"Is that supposed to mean something?"growled Blood.
"Yes, it is," then ace dashed toward, quickly dodging the bullet blood shot at him and grabbed Alice. Holding Alice under on arm and Julius in the other ace ran off, dodging Blood's bullets with ease.
The end of another chapter. Thanks for reading! Sorry that I updated so late. Never enough time for anything these days it seems lol.