The Heir - Blood Secret : The Chosen One - Secret Heir, page 3
An arm looped around me, saving me from colliding with the floor.
“You’re safe.” A soothing voice said.
I glanced up and opened my eyes. My vision was still blurry, and I was only able to make out a man holding me. He wasn’t the owner of that harsh tone before and my body seemed to melt into his grasp. Almost like an antidote was emanating from him. I calmed a little and felt as though the poison that froze me was pushing out of my veins. Soon, he came into focus, bit by bit.
His darkish hair was pulled into a high knot, his beard long but neatly groomed. He scooped me up into his strong arms. Tired and exhausted, I wrapped my arms around the stranger’s neck, breathing in his scent, it was musky but with notes of patchouli.
I couldn’t do much, I was still too weak. I burrowed into him seeking comfort, for all I knew he was a serial killer. However, I wasn’t in a position to fight back. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to. Something about him was familiar, like I had known him for a very long time.
I found myself questioning why I would have fainted, it was not something I did often. In fact, come to think of it, I had never fainted, at least not to my knowledge. Surely, I’d remember that kind of thing.
As the haze melted away I could see more clearly. I peered up from being held, as we entered a large room. The brick walls had the same dancing flame cones from before. The ambiance of the fire that was crackling at the back of the room was warm and cozy, it began to calm the trembling nerves inside me, as it reminded me of home.
The stranger gently laid me down on the four-post bed. My hands skimmed the red silk sheets, as I allowed myself to relax, his face was only inches from mine as he unwrapped me from his hold.
I gasped in horror, the color of his eyes had me scrambling on the bed.
Red eyes! Holy crap!
My nails dug into the sheets, grasping tightly, they sucked the moisture from my palms as a cold sweat traced over me.
I couldn’t have paid much attention before, maybe if I concentrated on his eyes and not on his perfect hair and beard, I would have seen that thing was holding me.
I didn’t know if it was fear or adrenaline, but I was quick to my knees on high alert before I knew it. The ruby jewels of his eyes swung towards me and a twitch flecked in his body. He was just as surprised by my reaction as I was.
He threw his hands up, unsure of what I was going to do next. He stalked closer, one step at a time. It was as though he moved in slow motion, gliding with the grace of a ballet student but with the power of a lion stepping towards an elk.
“It’s okay, I’m not going to hurt you!” He said, reassuring me, but it was too late I screamed as loud as I could, piercing the air.
“Help...someone please help me!” I screamed at the top of my lungs. He leaned on the bed, on all fours and edged closer to me in an attempt to try and calm me down. I knew what he was doing but my mind didn’t register right away. I backed up, the wall closing in on my back.
I kept my hands up, in front of me in hopes he wouldn’t come any closer.
“Back off!” My lip trembled. “What are you?” I asked. “What do you want?” I added.
“To keep you safe” His words meant nothing to me.
I glanced around the room, trying frantically to look for anything I could use as a weapon. I panicked, there was nothing but the large four-post bed and a mirror in the corner of the room.
No other furniture what so ever.
Nothing!
The bedroom was bare. Even hotels were less sparse.
Who lives like this?
I dashed over the bed making a run for the door.
I didn’t know where I was, but I wasn’t prepared to wait around to find out. My bare feet thrashed over the dusty concrete floor, it was cold as ice and twice as hard.
I looked down.
My shoes. Where in the hell were my converse?
That was the least of my concerns but when you’re that scared, the details are the things that stick out. Those are like the hooked thrones on a rose that latch you to a moment.
My hand gripped the gothic latch, and I pulled, within a split-second, it was banged shut with brutal force.
I faced the door with my breath catching in my throat. My hand was still wrapped around the latch. I looked slowly over my shoulder to find the stranger standing behind me.
His cold breath trailed down my spine covering my body in goosebumps. The chill snaked down and slithered between each vertebra, each one freezing in place and making movement hard.
His large, masculine hand stayed flat against the wooden door.
I turned slowly, keeping my back firmly against it. My heart began pounding so fast it began to hurt. If he moved a centimeter closer it was sure to shatter through my ribs and rip its way right out of my chest. I tried to calm my breathing but I couldn’t.
Irritated at my childish behavior he spoke again.
“If you want to stay alive, my advice is to stay with me,” He snapped.
Frozen with terror, I glanced at him timidly.
He was young looking, maybe early twenties, I couldn’t be sure. He spoke like he was from a different era, a gentleman yet stern. Everything here seemed like that, so ancient and yet so fresh. He was like his bedsheets, classically styled but neat and straightened to perfection.
A small swallow ran down my throat, dragging its way down along with a few of my chills. I was finding it hard to comprehend everything.
Stay alive! Oh god, he’s kidnapped me. I’m going to die!
I knew I should have taken the long way back from work. All of this started because I couldn’t be bothered to take an extra ten minutes. Now, I’ve only gone and got myself kidnapped, or worse, I was sure of it.
But there was something about him, something so luring like a fine perfume. Speaking of perfume, there was that patchouli musk again. It was so delicate, so refined. I couldn’t figure it out.
I hoped he wouldn’t harm me. There was something about him I found intriguing.
I didn’t dare look at him for too long. Instead, I kept my eyes on his amulet that hung low over his chest.
I stared, admiring the fine piece of jewelry.
“Why am I here?” I finally asked.
He raised his hand slowly and brushed a strand of my loose hair behind my ear, the touch of his manly hand was comforting. So comforting, that I closed my eyes for a lingering second. I wanted to feel his breath again, feel the delicate touch of his hand tracing my skin.
“I brought you to safety, you don’t have to run from me” He whispered, with words as soft as a dove's feather caressing naked flesh.
Panicked, I looked down “That doesn’t answer my question” I choked out.
He tilted my jaw so I was forced to look him in the eye. “No” he agreed “but in time everything will make sense”
He held my gaze “Just know that I will keep you safe”
My eyes strayed, ignoring what he just told me, I couldn’t help myself, like forbidden fruit, I reached up and brushed my fingers over the emerald-colored stone that lay within the beautiful piece of jewelry. His hands grabbed mine, forcing me away from his amulet. I gasped loudly at how tightly he held me, both of us locked eyes with each other.
Flames of rage reflected in his eyes as tears of fear brimmed mine.
“You’re hurting me!” I whimpered. My teeth clenched, as I tried to stop the pain from making me cry out.
“Don’t touch, what doesn’t belong to you” He warned with lethal calm. After a short time, his grip loosened, and he just stood towering over me with his blazing red eyes staring down at me. His hands stayed holding my wrists but with less pressure, no doubt wondering if he should let me go.
Who is this man?
A little on the dominating side, yet so captivating he had my undivided attention for all the wrong reasons. He shouldn’t have been so alluring, but he was.
My fears began to ebb away like the tide drawing back and revealing warm sands. Something stirred within me, he wasn’t going to hurt me, I was sure of it. I always went with my gut instinct and it was telling me nothing.
Not a thing.
I frowned, confusion washed over me.
“What’s wrong?” He asked, searching my face for answers as he stood watching me. He sounded genuinely concerned, but his beautiful features didn’t show it. I was more confused by the second. He was almost doll-like. He looked nothing like one of course but the way he looked so flawless and gave such emotion was eerily like one.
“I know I should be scared,” I admitted with a pause, “But I’m not. I don’t understand.” I tried to gather my thoughts, trying to make sense of what I was seeing with my own eyes. None of this made sense, I was sure it was a bad dream, or at least it would have been if it weren’t for the dull ache leftover from that push in the woods.
From his intense red eyes to the creepy looking building I’d been brought to, I couldn’t understand just why I wasn’t screaming and running for my life.
Why was I not freaking out? I should be.
Not taking his eyes off me but letting my hands-free from his hold.
“My name is Anton,” He said introducing himself.
I didn’t dare touch him again, I let my hands drop to my side.
The moment was fleeting but it had been worth it.
I could feel the heat radiating from my body, but not his.
“My name is Fra...” He cut me off before I could introduce myself.
How rude!
“I know who you are. I was chosen by my elder Armacey, to protect you.” He was not making sense to me in the slightest, but the way he explained he was chosen to protect me had me even more muddled. Clearly, he assumed I understood by the matter of fact way he spoke, but I didn’t. I made my way to the bed, needing to sit down before I passed out again.
Anton was behind me, I didn’t need to hear his footsteps to know that, there was an icy chill in the air that seemed to follow him.
“Wait...what?” I asked in a daze. Maybe it’s just a case of wrong identity or a dream. That’s it! It must be a dream.
I looked up and stared at Anton.
“This is a dream, right...? Like one of those dreams, where you think you’re awake but you have to keep pinching yourself, to wake up.” I rushed the words, not making much sense myself and nipped at my arm, keeping my eyes firmly on him, and waiting for all of this to be a figment of my imagination.
My fingernails pinched again, much harder this time at my arm in a bid to wake up!
How hard can it be?
WAKE UP ALREADY!
It was no good. It was doing nothing apart from causing pain. I wasn’t waking up from this weirdness.
Shaking his head “It’s not a dream” He sighed. That reaction seemed mild, as though he was used to such a reaction. I watched as he turned and walked toward the bedroom door, opening it enough for him to see out, but not enough for me to contemplate running. I wasn’t sure if it would do me any good anyway.
Did I want to run? Yes, of course, I did. I couldn’t stay in this madness!
“We’re fine. Leave us!” He ordered whoever was on the other side.
That’s strange, I never even heard a knock.
No doubt it was someone to see why I was screaming like a lunatic, it could have been my chance of getting someone to help me but I didn’t want to. I was more curious than I had ever been in my life.
I had so many questions.
Why does he think he was sent to protect me? From who or what? How presumptuous.
Maybe another crazy wacko. Lord knows I had my fair share of them from working in a bar. At least there, I was on my terrain, and I knew where all the exits were.
Anton turned and walked toward me, his mouth curved into a half-smile. He was dressed in black, everything he wore was black. How boring!
His Doc Martin boots were the only up to date fashion he wore. Everything else looked like it was bought from a gothic shop, but he wore the style well. Very well in fact.
I did like his long leather trench coat though, his style was very much the grunge style, and it matched the dark and dangerous look he had oozing out his pores. I had to consider that maybe he was in a rock band or something? No. He wouldn’t need to put on this strange show then kidnap scared women.
I was doubtful he even had pores, he looked flawless even in the minimum light. He was perfect, like those filters, Darcy put on her photos every time she felt the need to post on her social media accounts. He was a bit scary looking, but I could appreciate his style. He looked to be the type that didn’t care what others thought, if you haven’t figured it out yet. I like people like that.
He did look more Viking with his long hair and beard, but I found myself actually being attracted to him. He was like a glorious, gothic Viking.
Now is not the time Francesca!
I closed my eyes trying to force myself to think of things to ask and not distract myself on how good looking he was.
However, he was too distracting. Just too darn drawing.
“Your heart is beating extremely fast, I can hear the blood rushing, pumping through your veins.” His words caught me off guard.
How can he tell if my heart is beating fast? I was sure it was faster than average, the noise did hum in my ears. But, how on earth could he hear it too? I repeated his words over in my head before replying, unsure if I heard him correctly.
I frowned “What do you mean you can hear my blood pumping through my veins?” Even saying the words out loud had me feeling silly. I was sure that he had to be messing with me.
Like anyone could hear that! Also, what was with the red contacts? Halloween was three months away. His whole scary persona wasn’t fooling me.
He walked toward me until he stood directly in front of me.
“Francesca, I was the one that came to your rescue, you’ve looked into my eyes. I’m anything but human. What do you think I am?” He asked with a smug look to his face. He folded his arms, waiting for my response.
I raised a self-satisfied eyebrow playing him at his own game.
“If you can hear my blood rushing, why don’t you tell me what I’m thinking! After all, if you can hear my heart, what’s the difference between my thoughts?” I mocked, unable to believe I said those words in a sentence.
He dropped his hands, and straightened up, rather amused by me.
“Unfortunately, for me, I don’t hold that power. It’s not in the vampire gene pool, that’s more of my elder’s forte.” He calmly replied with a smirk teasing his lips.
I looked at him and I laughed without humor.
“Vampire gene pool. Now, that’s funny!” I was grown more confused and wondering how much longer he was going to play along. Wow, I wasn’t sure who helped me in the woods, but he was coming across like a complete nut job right now.
I stood up, standing in front of Anton and looked up at him, his eyes just as bright red as before, with only the hint of a pupil in the middle. Even as he looked so smug he was dashingly attractive.
“If this is a joke, it’s not a funny one!” I snapped, trying to find a logical explanation for why his eyes were the color they were. If they weren’t contacts maybe he was an albino. His skin was pale enough. That didn’t seem right. Humans don’t have red eyes!
I edged closer, on my tippy toes trying to see if he was wearing colored contacts, but they looked real, much to my confusion, even his lips were pale. Unsure if I should, but not being able to stop myself. I slowly reached the palm of my hand to his cheek.
“I just wanna touch” I whispered, hoping he wouldn’t grab at my hands.
I gasped in shock and stumbled backward.
His skin was ice cold. Frozen! Almost.
Anton grabbed me protectively around my waist and yanked me closer to him.
Dominating me with his gaze, he smirked wickedly and said “Try and not hurt yourself. I wouldn’t want you to spill any blood.” He leaned closer and his lips touched my ear, his breath freezing over me as his voice became a purr.
“I wouldn’t be able to resist you.” He added.
A blush swept over my cheeks, not only from his words but from being held so close against his chest.
His woodsy scent was intoxicating.
“I don’t understand,” I whispered, unsure of what else to say. I nervously nibbled my bottom lip. My head was spinning. If this was, in fact, a joke, it was a very well-orchestrated one.
“Once more, because some of us don’t have all the time in the world. My name is Anton. I was chosen to protect you from the orders of my elder,” He said, repeating the words from before.
Shaking my head, I wrestled free from his hold.
“Why are you saying the same thing over and over?” My hands rubbed over my face. I was exhausted and needed to rest.
It had been a long day, now all I wanted was to go to sleep in a bed, my bed and for it to go away. I was becoming overly annoyed that he wasn’t giving me any information. Anything that would have explained everything I had seen and heard.
“Why did you bring me here?” I demanded, cutting him off with more words as he had done to me “Who was that other person in the woods that attacked me?” I tried to think of what else I had to ask, but it was no good.
“All your questions will be answered but right now you need to rest.” He walked around the bed and pulled the red silk sheets down.
He said he can’t read minds, yet he got it right. I was tired and achy. I wasn’t sure if he was ordering me to bed or encouraging me. He was bat shit crazy if he thought I would calmly just go to sleep in a stranger’s bed.
It was not going to happen.
I stood and crossed my arms, agitated at his forwardness.
“I’m not staying here, I need to go home, now!” I demanded, pressuring the last word, and shaking my head in disbelief. He was by my side in a split second.
I flinched at how fast he moved, unable to say anything, my hands dropped by my side. I turned to get away from him as my body began to tremble.
I was sure I was going to faint again.
Please...not now, keep it together! Never fainted in my life and there I was, about to go for a second time. My knees were barely holding me up.
