Chapter 7:

Tw: Non-con and disturbing themes.

Hey guys, just to let you know. This will be a little darker chapter, so fasten your seat belts. It's gonna get rough. You have been warned.

Aleksander

He had watched her for hours now. She slept like an angel, long eyelashes against rosy cheeks. Soft breaths, falling from pouty, plump, red lips, in stark contrast, to her milky, white skin. Her dark-brown, curly hair, cascaded down slim shoulders. She murmured things into the skin of his chest, as she slept. Everything she did, fueled his longing for her. Like, something akin to a cosmic pull, that he couldn't explain. The strength that it took, to keep himself from kissing her, was unexplainable. He took everything to stop himself from ogling her lips when she spoke, or touching her hand as she pasted.

At first, he thought she was annoyingly cute, in an amusing way. But, when he touched her, she melted into the most amazing creature, he had ever seen. Sure, he had kissed already and daydreamed about touching her. But, something about actually touching her, seeing her bathed in pleasure. Pleasure, that he was giving her. It changed something, like a switch being flipped in his mind.

It was just, supposed to be about proving that she had powers. He knew that, she didn't agree out of lust or affection, but because she had to. Even with knowing that, he couldn't help, to be drawn in by her... He wasn't sure, what he was thinking, anymore.

She was really into it, too. She was glowing like a star… He thought, a smile tugging at his cheek, unable to force it back down. Dragging, his fingers lazily, up and down her arm, as she snuggled back into the nook of his arm, the top of her head resting under his jaw. At the very least, I know she finds me attractive. He signed, frowning down at Alina's perfect lips, slightly parted by soft moans, her brows furrowed. Who am I kidding, she still hates me. But, then again..

He glanced down, admiring the angelic, sleeping face beside him. When flashes of memories played behind his eyes. The same angelic face, beautiful and writhing, mouth wide, as moans fell from her kiss-bruised, lips.

He tried to blink the images away, but failed, remembering her glowing skin, shinning with sweat and sunbursts. Her eyes rolling back, as her orgasm exploded like a dying star.

He waltzed his fingers across a dainty forearm, that she had draped across his toned stomach. The movie reel continuing to spin, as he lost himself in her softness.

He recalled paintings of veins. Like pure, golden sunbeams that bursted from under the same skin. Spreading down her neck, to her cleavage. Looking more like tiny lightning strikes, crawling over the hilled curves, of her barely covered, breasts. Rising and falling, restricted against her dress, as she panted and moaned. He smiled, remembering the her taste on his tongue, the tugging of his hair. Her breathy moans, framing his name so perfectly.

He was powerless to his mind. He couldn't stop thinking about her. Even worse, he could sense himself, slowly giving up, even trying at all. He was infatuated with her, to the point that it was obsessive. He fixated on her, studying her. Unable to control his wondering thoughts. The more he tried to fight it, the worse it got. He noticed everything.

Every movement, was curious and new. Everything she'd say, either sent fire up his spine, or confused him, to the point of humor. Yet, he enjoyed every word, like a mystery box. He never knew, what she was going to say next. Was it going to be an insult or something thought provoking?

He didn't recognize himself around her. He felt less ruthless, less angry at the world around him. She was starting to make the darkness in his soul, fade. If only a little... She was taking away his shadows, bit by bit. She was bighting, his lonely corner of the world. And he had no idea, how he felt about it. She's young, full of life and hope. And, he…

He was dark.

He use to feel nothing. He did, as he did, because nothing else mattered. He was a god, that lived among pesky ants. Ant's couldn't kill him, but sure as hell, could hurt him. So, he resigned his feelings towards them. Regarding humans, as nothing more than the pawns, in a very predictable game of chess. Humanity's only use, was to be a stepping stone for people like himself. The second, that a person lost that ability to aid in his plans, he was done with them. He felt nothing towards them, because they were pawns, meant to be sacrificed.

The same pawns, that tortured him. For no reason, other than, he was different. They had tried to kill him more times than he could count. Alina was raised as a human. She's supposed to hate him too, just like everyone else. At least, that's how he treated her. He treated her, like someone who wanted to see him pay for his sins. Sins, that other's only assume, he committed. They treated him like a villain, so why shouldn't he act like one. So, he did. He couldn't control his temper. Even as much as he tried not too, he always ended up, snapping at her judgements. Anger use to well in his chest, every time she flinched away from him, or acted afraid.

But now, something was different. Sure, she was scared at first, but that faded. Way too, quickly. Most people never get past it, but she was only spooked by it for about a day or two. She was very unusual.

She doesn't act scared of him at all, now. She yells at him, calls him names, hits him. Hell, she even tried to kill him, while everyone else would have, just tip toe around him, until the angry mob showed up. But, she wasn't a push over. She thinks for herself. She has to come to her own conclusions on every, annoyingly small, thing. She always acted, like it would physically kill her, to simply agree with him. She was rude, loose tongued and chewed like a damn chipmunk. She drove him to madness and anger, more often than not.

Yet, all of the things that annoyed him about her, were the same reasons, why enjoy being around her. He felt seen by Alina, more than anyone else. Both of them have been shunned by the world, but she doesn't act like he did. Because of that, he was finding himself in uncharted waters. She thought completely different from him, and she willing to fight for her opinions, and values.

She was the only one he had met, that had enough courage to stand up to him. Someone, who could easily kill her. So, in a odd way, that's why he wanted her to like him, to want him. Because, she wasn't pretending. He could have anything he wanted, by force. But, companionship, love, kinship, all of those things, couldn't be granted through violence or fear. For the first time in a long time, he was making an effort for her affections. It felt so foreign to him, now.

He wanted to impress her. To protect her in some way, shield her from all the horrors of the world. Keep her as an untouched flower, forever admired and cherished. He wanted to spoil her with riches and everything that she would want. He wanted her to choose him.

Aleksander reached down, pulling a strand of hair away from her parted lips, resting his finger on her chin. He couldn't believe that her beckoning emotion was pleasure. The same emotion, that he was desperately, trying to avoid. Guilt wrecked him, as he scanned his eyes over her sleeping form, lovely and soft.

I should have never touched her. His inner voice condemned him. She was young and innocent. Her purity was a spotlight, on his own horrible deeds.

I'm going to hell.. He thought, as he slowly wiggled out from under her. A deep, weight on his chest, no longer feeling allowed to be touching her as he was. The more he cared about Alina, the more guilty he felt about touching her, soiling her. Despite, wanting nothing more, than to taste her.

He tried his best not to wake her, as he lifted her just enough, to crawl out of bed. Once standing, he rested her head on one of the goose down pillows that were strewn across the bed. His heart raced, hearing a mumbled whine. While, Alina snuggled back into a comfortable position, tucking her hands under her chin, and pulling her knees to her chest. As he signed in relief, once she settled.

He swept his eyes over her. Alina, bright and beautiful in extreme contrast to the dark, silk sheets and black dress that still clung to her frame, wrinkled and oversized. She looked so bizarre, compared to his dark, gloomy room. He scanned around him, walking around to the front of the bed and frowned, as he leaned against the foot-board. Dust covered the random décor, like vases, statues, and books. The walls were black, with white pillars, that was the only thing that broke up the perpetual darkness. Murals on every scared wall; His room was a direct reflection of himself. She looked like the only angel that was allowed in hell, to him in that moment.

"My angel."He cringed at himself, feeling disgusted, that he even whispered that out loud. The devil's angel, is more like it.

To him, a 400 hundred year old man, Alina should have felt like a child. Sure, she felt immature to him at times, but her personality over weighed that issue. But, he knew that shouldn't be the case. She was 17, almost 18, but he never should have touched her, the way he did. He knew that it would take years, for her maturity to catch up to his own. He couldn't believe that pleasure, would be her beckoning emotion. He would never have gone that far, if it wasn't for that. Even more so, when he already felt awful about kissing her against her will…

He exhaled a long heavy breath, turning around, as he grinded his palms into his eye sockets. Trying to push away the useless thoughts. He gritted his teeth together, glance out the window in front of him. Seeing, the sun just starting to set, bathing the room in warm orange light. He studied the melancholy, dusty blue sky, overflowing with orangey-pink clouds, that drifted by.

Why did she tempt me so much, anyways? He sighed annoyed, he couldn't pull himself from thoughts of her. To the point, that he couldn't control himself when she was around. It must have been for the simple fact, that she has powers. There was no longer a speck of doubt in his mind, that she was in fact, a Grisha. So, it only made sense, that the issue was a biologic pull.

It wasn't her attractiveness, not meaning she wasn't pretty. Her features and body were nothing astounding. Yet, she was a tantalizing, uniquely beautiful painting; ineffable, was the only way to describe her. But, he had been around many good-looking women and never before had he become, dry mouthed and tongue tied in their mere presence. None of the women before Alina ever made him nervous.

But, it could be that something in me knows, that she can't die, like me. So, if she ever chose to stay with me, she would be by my side, forever. He racked his brain for any logical reason why his heart quickened when their eyes meet, or his hands trembled when he touch her.

He was broken from his inner dialogue, when a small pained, groan, drifted from behind him. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion, snapping his attention back to Alina. He tilted his head, as she curled her knees into her chest, sheets locked in her vice grips.

Nightmares, again. He reminded himself, walking over to her and very carefully sat on the edge of the mattress. He reached over, softly running his fingers through her incredibly soft and curly hair. He shushed her quietly, just stroking her head. Till eventually, she started to loosen her latch on the sheets. He sat there for a long moment, just allowing her some kind of comfort in her sleep. He understood the frustrations of dreams, and the horrors they could bring.

He recognized Alina's nightmares instantly, from the time she passed out in the meadow, he knew. She was mumbling the name of that boy, as she laid in the grass. He was surprised, she didn't wake up during the nightmare, let alone the 20 minute horse ride, back. She was holding on, so tight to him as she slept, that it was almost uncomfortable. Then, last night when he got back from town, she was having another nightmare on the bathroom floor. He wished he could just make it disappear for her. He wanted to hunt down every demon, monster, or foe -every last thing, she feared- and make them, cease to exist.

But, he couldn't make himself cease to exist, not that he hasn't tried. But, he quiet literally, can not die.

He sighed, watching as Alina started to scrunch her nose up, and her thin eyebrows, furrowed. She was falling back into a nightmare again, he could tell by her breath quickening. He tried to continue rubbing her head, but her discomfort remained unchanged, growing almost worse. Aleksander wondered if he should just keep trying to sooth the dreams away or simply wake her.

He decided on the later, shaking her slightly.

"Alina.." He whispered, cupping her face, as she broke out into cold sweats. She groaned tiredly, bring her tiny palms up to cover her eyes, falling back into her dreams.

"Come on, Solntse.."

"Aleksander.." She slurred out, still drunk on sleep.

He instantly felt ice run through his veins, at the mention of his name. So, I am the monster in her nightmares, of course. He felt his lungs burn as he took a shaky breath in, shaking her harsher this time, gripping her shoulders tight.

"Wake up, Alina." He barked out, as Alina flinched awake, as her eyes shot open, darting around the room, before landing on him. She remained wide-eyed, while locking with his stoic gaze.

"The hell.. Why'd you wake me like that?" She grumbled now fully awake, running delicate, slender fingers through her wild, curly main. "Nearly scared the ghost, out of me."

Aleksander felt his mouth go dry, as he watched her lips move as she spoke, unable to push the thought away; That he was her monster. "You were having a nightmare. Honestly, you should be thanking me for waking you." He scoffed, pursing his lips into a confused smirk, letting go of her shoulders.

She rolled her eyes, shoving off his chest, sitting up. She leaned against the head board, with a huff. "How did you know that?" She mumbled with a yawn.

"You were talking in your sleep. You said my name, in fact." He couldn't hide the hint of bitterness, in his otherwise flat tone.

She snapped amber eyes, towards him. A guilty gleam, radiated behind the golden brown pools, as she just stared blankly. He cracked a small smile awkwardly, before drawing away from her gaze, decided he needed tea immediately.

Damn it.. He inwardly cursed, as he poured two cups of tea.

"Oh.." A meek voice rang out around him, as he stirred milk into her tea.

"I get them too. Nightmares, I mean."

"I know."

What. He paused, studying the waxy-brown table, were the teacups set. What did she say?

"You know?" He asked tilting his head. Finally, turning around with a slow blink, teas in hand.

She was sitting crisscross, as she leaned a shoulder against the headboard. Her long hair tussled and untamed, bounced around her as she fell. He felt a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips, but instantly tried to force it back down, failing.

"Tea?" He asked.

She nodded, rubbing sleep from one of her eyes. He gave up and let a little chuckle fall from his mouth. To him, she seemed like a fairy, blunt, mysterious and confusing, but adorable, none-the-less. It was hard for Aleksander to focus on anything serious, when she was surprising him at every turn.

He held out the teacup to Alina, before sitting across from her with his back to the wood of the bed. He side eyed her, as he sipped his warm caffeine.

"Something funny?" She asked calmly, but confused. Resting her hands, and cup in her lap.

"No." His lips twitched, as he barely held back his grin. "You surprise me, is all." He shrugged, as she took a long sip of tea, slipping her eyes closed.

"So, what do you dream about?" She mumbled, obviously enjoying her sweet beverage.

"More questions?"

"Less answers?" She retorted, with a lazy glare.

They set their for what felt like forever. Till he finally, set his jaw and rolled his eyes, landing them forward. Staring at a landscape, painting across from his bed. Pushing back, the reluctance to share, because she had a point. He didn't want her to know, certain things about him. If she knew, she really would think him a monster. You can't live for, as long as he has, without picking up a few demons along the way.

He glided his eyes, over the black and white painting, with pops of red, brush strokes, forming leaves, of the white trees. He had to tell her though, or she will never fully know him. They will have eternity together. She was going to find out everything eventually, he thought, and I don't have to tell her every detail, either..

"Fine." He sighed, breaking the silence. "I have the same dream, every night."

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Alina

Alina remained silent, just listening. Her eyes were half-lidded, temple still leaning against dark oak, gaze fixed on his profile. As, he continued looking forward, avoiding eye contact. She waited with baited breaths, not wanting to make a sound, less it caused him to stop speaking.

"It's a memory, but distorted." He finally spoke up again, his black, glossy orbs burning holes through, the panting before him. She focused on his long lashes, as he blinked faster, now.

He blinks faster, when he's uncomfortable. Interesting…

"I was still very young, not much older than you, when I was burned at the stake. Do you know how long it takes a person to fully burn?" He croaked out, before clearing his throat. Twitching his jaw towards her, as he asked.

"No.." She whispered honestly.

"For humans, it takes an hour or two to fully burn, but lucky for them, they die with-in 15 minuets. While, I endured the flames for 12 hours, before I passed out. Assumed dead, they buried me." He spoke monotoned, and flat. His perfectly cut jaw, clenched tight, was the only indication of any emotion. Even his eyes seemed, almost blind, blank and reactionless.

"Do you dream of the fames?" She whispered without thinking, fully engrossed in his graveled words.

He finally turns towards her, sorrow and anger pulling at his features for a flash. Then, it was gone. "No, I dream of my lover watching me burn." He placed his head against the headpost, with a thud. "I see her face go from a crying, blubbering mess, to one of pure disgust. It's all I could think about, as I sat in my coffin for 10 years."

Alina felt a sinking in her heart, making her eyes prickle. She pulled herself from his gaze. Staring, at the same painting, as he turned his attention back to it, as well. He was the Black Heretic, she knew it. He was burned at the stake and the princess watched him burn, before disappearing. But, she also wanted to tell someone about her dreams, they've haunted her for years. She felt so much empathy for him, that she wondered; if he would feel the same, if she shared.

"Mine is a memory too." She started with a shaky breath, both of them remaining still, sipping their tea. "It was the day, that Mal was taken from the orphanage. I really scared my feet, running down the gravel road."

"Was it the look on his face, too?" He asked grunted under his breath like a whisper.

"Yes, But you've been showing up too. He kneel in front of me, and tilt my chin up. It's scary, but not because of you. I don't understand why though." She whispered, the room feeling too quiet, the air too thick.

"So, I wasn't the monster?"

Alina felt his eyes on her, as she swallowed. "This time, no. This time you kissed me." It was the truth, but she hated to admit it. Aleksander reached his hand over, turning her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. He lazily raked his eyes over her, as he rested against the bed.

"What do you think of me, Alina." He asked with narrowed eyes, like he was trying to piece something together. "Now, that we know for sure that you have powers, that is."

She took a deep breath, moving closer to him, letting her knees brush the side of his thighs. She hadn't really hadn't thought about the next step, but she knew she had to stay on her toes. She did have abilities, so at least, he wasn't lying about that. But, she still had to get out of this, really the worst possible thing could happen. Because now he thinks, she'll remain here from a longer amount of time.

If she answers wisely, this could be the first real step towards her goal, of making him trust her enough to let his guard down. Then, all she'll have to do is convince him that she can make trips into town on her own. She'll disappear from his life forever. Everything that happened with Aleksander will feel like a bad dream. Alina sipped her tea, buying her more time to think.

"I think you are mysterious," She started not wanting to butter him up too much, wanting a realistic reaction. "interesting, but kind.. Which, is more than what I can say about most people. So, I'd like to to learn about my abilities, if you don't mind teaching me. I want to control it, now that I can use it."

"I see." He mumbled with a nod, releasing her chin. A smile tugged at his lips, going back to studying his large painting. "You don't hate me."

She continued to scan his sharp features, as he ran his tongue over the bottom of his teeth, behind his forming smile. "I don't hate you." She confirmed. "What do you think of me?"

He glanced back at her, smirking. "I think your interest, and frustrating." He purred out.

"You're frustrating too." She rolled her eyes, with a scoff. She lightly smacked his arm playfully, a feeling a little sting in her chest. She hadn't know why, but she wanted him to more than just find her interesting.

He grabbed her hand. Lacing his fingers with hers, making her breath hitch, before he captured her lips. He drew her bottom lip into his teeth, nibbling at it, before pulling away. He ran the pad of his thumb over her lips, breaking the string of saliva, that connected them. "I know." He smirked, letting his hands fall back to his lap.

"How can you do things like that, so casually?" She mumbled under her breath, as a blush creep over her cheeks. "You barely know me."

"I know enough to find you attractive, appealing." He shrugged, "People don't have to know enough other well, to find pleasure in physical touch."

"That's sad.."

"Why is that?"

"Because, you would think, that if you really cared for someone, you would want to take them seriously." She scrunched her eyebrows together, placing her tea on the nightstand. "Have you ever loved someone?" She asked, glancing back at Aleksander.

He thought for a long moment, before lifting a single, think brow. "Tell me more about Mal, first. Then, I'll tell you my story. Deal?"

"Why are you curious of Mal? Plus, the last deal I made with you, didn't end in my favor. So, I'm a little nervous about taking another one." She giggled slightly, truly wondering why he was interested in Mal, or anything, about her past really.

A lopsided grin grew across his face, propping an arm on the bed, dropping his head onto it as he shrugged. "I don't know, just curious about why you like him."

She narrowed her sights, and cocked her head. She didn't understand why, but she allotted. She shocked herself, as she also realized, she was enjoying the conversation. "Well, you're going to think I'm silly."

"Never." He gave a small laugh as he moved closer, stretching out his leg, enclosing Alina between his knee and the bed's headboard.

She sighed, shaking her head. "It was his personality. He was bright and loyal, with messy, curly hair, but it was his kindness, that drew me to him. I just wanted to protect him."

He chuckled, rubbing his eyes, resting his hand against his cheeks. Covering, most of his face, as if he wanted to hide from her. She felt irrigation burn behind her eyes, pursing her lips. "I thought you said, you wouldn't make up of me." She snapped, crossing her arms with a huff.

He gathered himself and place his cup down on the table, before moving back to his spot on the bed. "I'm not poking fun, I just thought it was rather.. Adorable." He exhaled with a toothily grin.

She deadpanned, plaining challenging him. "Fine, then what about you?" She grumbled, shaking the hair away from her face, glaring down on him. "Are you so much better?"

His smile faltered, taking a deep breath, before exhaling. Aleksander sunk deeper into the bed, resting his shoulder again the wooden bed as he enveloped her. Till, her crossed legs, over lapped his one curled knee, while his other leg, laid limp at her side. She melted, allowing him to wrap his arms around her, dropping his head to her shoulder. She shivered at the hot breath, that ghosted over her neck.

She flustered, before realizing something.

"Hey, are you trying to distract me, so you don't have to answer?" Alina hit a fist softly against the strong man's chest.

"Is it working?" He smirked against her neck, making vibrations shoot across her skin, as he rubble out a low, warm laughs.

She tried to fight the giggles that rolled from her bell, but just couldn't, busting out into laughter. Her eyes even started watering, as she struggled to breath.

"God, for such a darkly mature man, you act like a child!" She laughed out, as she shoved him off of her, revealing at his disheveled, handsome smile.

"It got you laughing." He grinned smugly.

"You still have to tell me." She giggled, whipping a tear from her eye. "We made a deal."

"Nope."

She looked at him like he was crazy. "Yes we did!"

"Didn't shake on it." He joked, a smirk tugging his lips, mischievously.

"Ohhh, you better tell me! Or I swear, Alek. I will fight you, and now I have power." She threated, with humor lacing her harsh words.

"Power, you can't use yet." He pointed out, before she swiftly punched his arm, as he laughed. "Okay, okay." He held up his hands, taking a deep breath, fading back into a serious expression.

She settled down, satisfied at her little victory. She smiled to herself, waiting for him to start.

"She was kind too," He relaxing against the oak headboard, smiling up at the murals on the ceiling. Observing, the painted women, in their white robes and flowing hair, that danced around them, as they floated through the pink skies.

"Much like Mel, she was shy, yet brave. She cared so much about me and everyone around her. I felt indebted to her, in way.. she saved me." He almost drifted into his own little word, as he reminisced. "I wanted to protect her, too. But, I didn't love her. I deeply cared for her, yes. Because she was the first one, to treat me kindly. But, sadly I wasn't interested in her, the way she was about me. I was attracted to her, even enjoyed being with her. Yet, something was always missing."

She frowned, as he glance back at her. She couldn't help, but wonder if he was talking about the princess, or Luda. She figured it was Luda, judging by his journal, since he said that she was the first person he cared for. She thought that meant, he loved her, guess not.

"So, you've never been in love?"

How could a man sleep with so many women, but never fall in love? She thought.

"What's that look for?" He chuckled, tapping her nose. "Surprised?"

"I'm just figured, you would have falling in love at some point. Since, you're four hundred and something." She shrugged.

"Well, I've been with many women, but only two of them stood out. They were still merely human. They all aged, and died, while I continued living on, unaffected by time. So, It's hard to have a connection, when you know it will never last." He mumbled, "I learned that lesson, when she died. Did I really love her, if I was able to move on? I don't know." He spoke, lost in thought.

Oh, he had to be talking about Luda.

"You can't just sleep with someone you care about, and not feel love towards them. I'd say that you loved Luda, whether you knew it at the time, or not."

Aleksander flinched as soon as the name left her lips. Slowly, He casted down his sights, scrutinizing Alina confused. His features becoming stone, as a heaviness fell over them, like a blanket of sparking tension. The air becoming sticky, as sweat beaded on her upper lip. Gears immediately jumped into action, as she watched his features being more detached, as surprise faded away.

"What did you say?"

She instantly realized her mistake, covering her mouth, his words still lingering around her. She slipped her eyes closed, refusing to see more of the flat expression, the broken words had come from.

"Alina. How did you know that name?" He asked after a burst of silence, snatching her arms. He forced her hands away from her face aggressively, as she gasped, her wrists threatening to snap under his presser. "Where did you get that name?!" His voice grew deeper, louder.

The room grew dark, as she frantically flicked her eyes around her, black smoke closing in around them, as confirmation of her situation. The violent electricity, crackled as he contemplated. She croaked out a whimper, as his grip tightened around her slender forearms, his fingers bruising her pale skin.

"Speak!"

"I read your journals!" He raddled the words from her lips, as he shook her violently, making the words sound, rushed and clunky. "I didn't-

He cut her words short, shoving her ruthlessly away from him, sending her tumbling backward. She sprawled across the bed, with horror dancing behind amber pools. He stood, tugging frustrated fingers, through dark locks. Body stiff, and jaw rolling. A twisted smile, starting to grow across his cheeks.

"You haven't believed me, this whole time."

His lowered tone sending dread, coursing through her like wild fire.

"I believed you at first.. But, you lied to me! You said, all the rumors and stories, were made up, but that's not true! Is it, Aleks, or should I say Black Heretic?" She pressed out his other name through trembling lips, gathering the little bravery, she had left.

He chuckled darkly. "Alina, you know nothing. How dare you read little bits of my own personal, private thoughts, and just assume the rest." He shook his head, his upper lip curling in disgust, as his breathing started to speed up, making his chest raise and fall rapidly. "I thought you were better, than that..."

His expression cut her deeper than any knife. Splashing bright, red paint over, any hues of inky black, fear that remained. Knew better? Her inner voice repeated growing more vicious, her face burning. Was he really trying to say, I'm the bad one, after he kidnapped me, and forced me to play house with him?

"I know, you seduced women to get whatever you want. I also know, you use people for personal gain, through fear and manipulations." She snarled out, springing from the mattress. Leaping towards him, pointing a stern finger at his chest. "You wrote yourself, that you would rather be feared than loved. So why should I believe a word you say?" He smacked her finger away harshly, before griping her upper arm.

"If you really thought of me as monster, then why in god's name, do you think it wise.." He hoisted her up to his level, shaking with rage, as he whispered brutally, directly into her ear. "..to speak to me, as you do?

"To disrespect me, as you do?!" His voice, growing into guttural shouts.

"You can't kill me, and I can't kill you. I'm not human, you can't push me around like you did to all those other girls, Shadow man!" She challenged.

"I'm not going to kill you. I can, however, control you, just as easy, Alina." He purred like a lion, dangerous and terrifying, with a note of amusement. Like a cat playing with a helpless mouse.

"Fuck you, Aleksander!"

"With pleasure."

She squealed, as he finally snapped, callously slamming her down, to the unforgiving floor. Promptly, pinning her limps to the cold stone, before she could even react to the sharp burning, that shot up her back. The familiar, sensitivity of a burse, forming on her side. Where she first make contact with the slick, marble.

"Shit!" She screamed out, starting to kicking her feet. He squeezed her neck with one large, veined hand. While, his knees painfully ground into her thighs, trapping her. His much heavier body, crushing her ribs against his muscular torso and the flat, harsh surface under her.

"Get the hell off of me!"

"Such bad words, for a young lady. I should wash your mouth out."

He just crackled a sickening chuckle, that made Alina's blood run cold. Something about him right then, didn't resemble a man, but a demon. A charming smile, mixed with his emotionless voids, left a twist forming in her belly. He tightened his long fingers around her throat, making her feel light-headed, as he leaned down placing a soft kiss on her lips.

She clamp her mouth closed and froze, suddenly more terrified, than she had ever been in her life. Was this, how he planned on getting her back? Tears welled in her eyes, as realization hit her, like a punch to the gut. Her face started to tingle, calloused hands cutting off her blood supply, creating a numbness on her lips. It was difficult to even feel the feather, light kisses against her cooling lips.

"Wha-what are y-you doing?" She shuddered, as he hiked up her skirt, tugging the loose fabric around her waist, leather pants scrapping against her espoused skin.

"Fucking you, as you asked." He sunk his teeth into her lip, tugging on it, just hard enough to sting, but not hard enough to really hurt her. "You wanted to know about how I can fuck someone without caring. Didn't you want to experience it, first hand?"

She turned her face, to keep from him kissing her, only opening her neck up to be claimed back his hungry mouth, as he bit and sucked at her skin. Letting her neck go, he rammed her arms over her head. Scratching her shoulders, past the point of discomfort, using his other hand to start ripping at the back of her dress.

He tore at the buttons, sending them flying, rain down around her. She gasped, her eyes shooting open, instantly thrashing and growling. Doing everything she could, to get out from under him, but she was no match for his strength. As, she was reduced to a blubbering, frantic mess, snot even falling from her nose.

"Stop, Aleksander! Don't do this. I'm begging you!"

Hot, burning tears fell from, red rimmed amber, but he ignored her pleas. Man handling the beautiful gown, ripping it viciously from her limbs and chest, piece by piece. The sound of snapping threads, and tearing fabric, drowning out her wailing.

"No! Alek, please! Plea-"

He pressed a searing kiss to her lips, smearing her tear over both of their faces, mixing saltiness into his cruel, kiss. Little hiccups, bleeding into Aleksander's mouth, as he yanked the final shred of the dress, complete off her.

He wrenched back, dragging his cold eyes over her crumbling, broken structure. Her round, milky beasts in full view, her pink nipples standing tall, raising and falling as she sobbed. Tears streamed down her face, unprotected and vulnerable. Cold air driving home just how helpless she was, still twitching and fighting to cover herself. Unable to make the man above her, even budge.

Alina coughed out, as more sobs wrecked into her, making it hard to even pull in oxygen. Aleksander slowed, drinking in the sight of her, only making her weep fiercer.

"Don't look.." She whimpered, her heart sinking so deep, that strings tugged at her throat, making her voice crack painfully.

"Tell me, Solntse." He leaned down, placing chase kissing between her breasts, drawing his lip across her sternum. "Why is it that you accuse me of manipulation, when it's you that has been lying to me this whole time?" He whispered darkly, moving up, tracing the shape of her jaw.

"Please stop. I'm begging you, don't do this.."

"Why should I?" He spread her leg, settling between them, nipping at her ear lobe. Fresh tears, fall down her cheeks, as his leather covered, stiff member, brushed her exposed lower lips. "I'm enjoying this."

"Because, if you do this. You really will be the monster in my dreams and I'll never forgive you." She croaked out, between gasps. "Aleksander, please. You don't want to do this."

He dropped his hands, releasing her, as she flinched a back instantly, his face faltering, revealing defeat lingering in his eyes. She quickly covered herself, pulling away, far as her chain allowed. She didn't respond, just shying away as, he looming over her coiled form.

"Thank-

"I'm not stopping for you, Alina.." He paused, glancing down at her, as if she was nothing more than an ant. A pitiful smile, tugged at his lips. "

"I'm still going to break you, but this,-" He spun a ringer around her. "-isn't how I want to do it." He snapped his fingers, plunging the room into pure, darkness.

"When, I figure out how I want to do that, and it will be much worse than this, I promise you that."

Then, She heard the loud crack, the slamming of a door. As everything began falling away, giving into the echoing, silence.

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It could have been hours, that turned into days, or only a long afternoon, She had no idea. Alina just remained lost in the darkness. The night seemed to wrapped around her, like a suffocating cloth; So tight she couldn't see, couldn't breathe.

She was starting to lose track of time, seeing figures move in the lighter shadows, that she knew, didn't exist. Because, there was no light shadows. The room was just as thick, and ink black as space. Simply, void of light. She squinted out into the dark, as she started to recognize colors like lights, materializing into glowing patterns. She laid on the bed, waving her hands blindly, trying to touch the art that floated around her. The lights remained unaffected, just fading in and out, as she focus more on the colors.

She wasn't sure if she was awake, or asleep. The dark had begun to play tricks on her psyche, even Malyen's voice called out to her. Just as familiar as, his voice in her dreams. She darted her eyes around, but saw nothing. Not even, streaming colors, like before. Just inky dark, once more.

Her mind, drifted back to Aleksander. The blackness, coating any sound that passes through it, weighing it down, drowning it out. She swore, she could feel his presence, even smell his cologne, but he wasn't. She felt his eyes on her, but perhaps that's what he wanted. She thought absently, Maybe this is, his way of torturing me. He's going to wait, till I fully go crazy.

Hot tears, burned her eyes, before over flowing and streaming down her cheeks. Letting out all of the pent up emotions, unable to hold back anymore. The hollow pit ached deeper, tearing a sob from her throat. She squeezed her eyes closed, as more wales burst from her lungs, sending a wave of tears to fall. She choked out insults, between gasps, screaming.

She screamed towards Aleksander, towards the world. Towards, everyone. She insulted god, and the world, for doing this to her. She bit out bitter, insults. She blamed the orphanage, for selling Mal, then trying to sell her. The law makers for forcing her out. Her parents, that left her to fend for herself, and Mal, who never came back for her, and just disappearing.

Yes, she even blamed Malyen. Because, deep down, she knew that if Mal wanted to see her again, he would. Children, were allowed to leave the work force at 15, but he never came back. She pitied herself, for the first time, she saw how truly, blind she had been all of her life.

She use to have hope. It was the only thing that picked her out of bed in the mornings, and lolled her to sleep at night. The hope that things would get better. But, she hoped to see Mal again, hoped to be free, hoped to escape.

She coughed, unable to catch her breath, as her guttural groans filled the dark. Clawing at her hair, choking down, truth after painful truth. Everything starting to make sense, the second she stopped hoping.

She wiped her tears, staring blankly into the dark, before her.

"Is this what you realized? That hope in people was hopeless." She cried out to the nothingness, directing her words at her capture.

Because I'm starting to believe you, now.

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Hello beautiful people,

I'm so sorry this took so long, I had a lot of mental heath things come up, but I'm doing better now. Despite, a very angery darkling, I hope you liked the chapter. Let me know what you guys think.

-Katt=^.^=