The Heir - Blood Secret : The Chosen One - Secret Heir, page 4
How can he move so fast?
Again, he was stood in front of me, blocking my way.
“Move out of my way!” I demanded, glaring at him.
“Sorry, no can do” He smirked, then scooped me up and over his shoulder. My ass was literally in his face.
I fisted my hands and banged on his back.
“Put me down!” I screamed, hitting him some more. I kicked my legs, only he secured his hand around my ankles, locking them down firmly.
“As you wish” He threw me down onto the bed. I crash-landed onto the soft mattress. I swiped at my hair that smothered my face. He just stood there looking down at me.
“You’re an asshole!” I hissed.
“And you are staying here, do I make myself clear?” He said in a curt manner, not in the least bit amused with my attitude.
Who does he think he is!
I raised one eyebrow back at him.
“I don’t care who you are. Don’t manhandle me or I will show you my specialty!” I warned, I knew how to defend myself from drunks, I was sure I could handle a Halloween fanatic, no matter how fast he moved. Everyone has a weakness.
He smirked, “I doubt that very much.”
I glared at him, burning into his eyes and refusing to back down. The memory of them calling me ‘girl’ surfaced and my fists clenched.
“Whatever” I muttered “Oh, one more thing! I take orders from no one, do I make myself clear?” I added, standing my ground, reflecting his strength back at him.
He sighed, shaking his head in annoyance.
“Get some rest, I’ll be back shortly.” He walked toward the door.
Hell no, no chance was I prepared to be left alone, I had no idea where I was! And I certainly wasn’t about to sleep near a den of creeps all on my own.
“Please, don’t go!” I shouted the words before I had a chance to even think about what I was asking from him.
In a blur movement, he took his position by my side once again, his eyes bore into me, almost as if he was trying to search for my answer from deep within me.
“What do you need?” He asked in a concerned tone.
“For you to stay with me” my face heated “Please” I whispered pleadingly.
I didn’t know him from Adam, yet I wanted him to stay with me. The only thing I felt sure of was that I could trust him. He took a long unsteady breath in, clearly unsure if he should. It was almost as if he was scared to come to close to me again. Were there other rules in their weird group I wasn’t aware of? I still didn’t know who he had been talking to. I didn’t know anything.
I shuffled over, and pulled the covers over me, not expecting him to come under, just needing him close by to be reassured.
“Please,” I pleaded once more. He wasted no time in giving into me. He took his leather trench coat off and laid it on the bottom of the bed.
I lay face to face with Anton, hugging the red silk pillow, allowing myself to sink into the softness, not only that but sinking into his eyes too.
“Thank you for saving me,” I whispered softly, I didn’t know him, but I was thankful he brought me to safety.
Bossy or not, he did save my life.
I closed my eyes, unable to stop the tiredness from sweeping over me, the cold touch of his hand as he moved strands of my dark brown hair from my face had me drawing closer to him, grateful for his touch as the room had become stifling. I wasn’t sure if it was from the fire that crackled from the other side of the room or if it was my body reacting to his touch, but it was hot…so hot.
He had a touch that was surprisingly tender.
“Your safety is my responsibility,” He told me.
I tried to think as to why.
Who am I to him? Who asked him? He said elder, but who is that? He didn’t flinch as I snuggled further into him, allowing myself to have comfort from a total stranger.
It was wrong, he was a stranger but something inside of me wasn’t warning me away from him, if anything I was drawn to him. I was starting to find a gut feeling, a remnant of one at least, and it was letting me know it was okay to trust him.
I yawned “I don’t understand,” I finally said.
This whole situation was more confusing by the minute.
My body began shutting down as tiredness swept over me. I wanted to fight against it but it was too strong.
“You have been oblivious this whole time that I have been protecting you, I’ve watched you for so long, I know you sensed me. I would watch you, waiting in the darkness, you would stare out your window, looking around as if you were aware of someone watching you. You have no idea how special you are to me, let alone Armacey. I will always be here for you, one day you will be mine.”
I lay drifting into a slumber, too exhausted to comprehend what Anton had whispered.
Coldness touched my cheek.
“I’m cold” I whispered tiredly.
If I had to make a wild guess, I would say it was cold lips that had touched my skin.
1
THE HEIR - BLOOD SECRET
Chapter three
The intense aroma of coffee saturated the air, it had me opening my eyes, in desperate need of my morning caffeine fix. That was the best part of the day, the first taste of coffee was like getting up on Christmas morning.
Or at least for me, it was.
I stretched out trying to shake my tiredness off, surprised to find my back wasn’t hurting from my attack.
I was confused, as I recalled how painful it was at the time. I suppose that I got lucky, at least about one thing from that night.
I lay staring at the crumbling ceiling, frowning.
I tried to figure out where I was, this wasn’t my bedroom. I bolted upright, silk sheets dropped in a messy heap around me. It took a few seconds to comprehend I was still in the creepy room.
It all started to flood back.
“You should have your coffee first, that’s a favorite among your generation of humans, I have come to notice” A strained and husky voice stressed from the side of the bed. For a fraction of a second, my chest constricted, but then I remembered that I was in safe hands, or at least I thought I was.
My head turned so swiftly, my neck muscles gave a cracking sensation.
“Ouch,” I mumbled. My hands strayed over the back of my neck, easing the knots from having turned to quickly. It was the guy with the red eyes, the guy that was in my dream or at least I think it was a dream, the nice one, not the thing from the woods.
He was right about one thing, I do need caffeine first thing in the morning, but it was the words that followed that had me on edge.
My face screwed up in confusion.
“My generation of humans? What does that mean?” I asked as a shiver trembled down my spine.
Why on earth would he say something like that? That’s just... eerie.
I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. I had no clue what to say or the desire to run for my life. My body felt as though it was rooted in the bed, pinned down by something outside of my control.
He made a rapid movement toward my side of the bed.
I flinched!
What the hell! Why does he keep doing that?
He didn’t answer me, instead, he encouraged me to drink and eat with a sweep of his hands and silvery tones to his tongue. He was a charmer. That much was true.
He sat sideways on the bed staring at me.
Holding up the takeaway coffee and a brown paper bag he eyed me with the near unreadable, red gaze. It was not even the color of his eyes that confused me, there was just something so peculiar about him.
“It’s okay, it’s just coffee and a chocolate muffin I believe.” He assured, holding it closer.
I shuffled back trying to put as much space between me and this thing that looked like a man but was obviously something much more. I was starting to believe it then, but it was hard to part dreams from reality.
“We don’t have food or coffee here. I retrieved it from the coffee shop, you stop off at regularly in the mornings.” He added. He wasn’t fazed by the fact that I was close to falling flat on my ass on the concrete floor at keeping my distance from him. Nor, did he seem in the least bit bothered that what he was saying was outright stalkerish.
How does he know where I get my coffee from? It was kinda creepy. Has he been following me? He had said something about one day you...Oh, what was it that he said? For the life of me, I could not remember.
I was unnerved at how much this stranger seemed to know about me. I had never seen him in my life! A part of me was over the whole surreal experience. I had no clue as to what was going on. I just wanted to go home. His bed was comfy enough but I missed my bed, my life, and my friends. I almost missed Darcy…. Almost.
The other part of me that craved a little danger from living in a small town where nothing exciting happens, had me more intrigued than ever. I had an overwhelming urge to know more.
I accepted the hot drink he held out for me to take, not caring for the chocolate muffin, feeling less hungry and more anxious.
Unsure where to look my eyes flickered around the room. I sipped the rich-tasting coffee. Mmm, it was delicious, it tasted just like my morning fix after all; Colombian beans, double shot for that little extra pick me up. I licked my lips savoring every mouthful. It was beginning to do the trick. The details were astounding but as freaky as it was, I was glad to have the right blend. At least one thing was normal. I was slowly beginning to come around from my morning grogginess.
My eyes narrowed.
“Anton, right?” I asked, needing to clarify that was his name. I felt like I knew it but I couldn’t trust what I knew right then. My world had been flipped so far around that I felt like Alice tumbling down a rabbit hole and fast losing the light of the day.
Nodding “Yes,” He answered.
“Have you been following me?” I blurted out. Suddenly regretting the words. I should have been running for the hills but I wasn’t, I was eager for him to answer my questions. I could have phrased it better though.
His eyes were the same bright blazing red as before, his flawless porcelain skin as pure and perfect as a sculpture. It was rude of me but I found myself unable to pull away from staring at him. I had so many questions, real genuine questions I needed answers to. It took some serious self-control to search for them though as I found myself distracted. His looks were beautiful, his aura drew me away from my thoughts.
Hoping he wouldn’t carry on with lies, I proceeded to keep going with questions until I got my answers. I needed him to stay focused, long enough to get the truth from him.
I held up my coffee cup for him to take.
“Well? Have you?” I asked, giving him a quick glance. Anton took the cup from my hands and put it on the floor.
I made my way out of the surprisingly comfortable bed and began walking around the large open space room, my hands skimmed over the reddish brick walls.
“Yes, I’ve been following you,” He admitted, “But I’m not a stalker.” He was quick to add in a tone I could not quite work out. Was he informing me? Offended? Irritated? Maybe all three or a combination of a couple?
I couldn’t figure him out. Was that a bad thing?
The large bay window to the far left of the room was tinted, the sun was shining in and casting a rainbow effect throughout the room and dust particles swirled within the beam of light.
I looked at Anton with a wry eye.
“Following someone kinda does make you a stalker.”
“Hmm. Debatable. Not all things are as clear cut as you would like to think.”
Ignoring him. “Regardless, you know stalking is not good, right?” Surely he knew that was wrong!
Anton glanced to the floor not meeting my stare. He traced his tongue along his lip slowly.
“It was...necessary.” He said, hesitating.
I swiftly made my way over toward the fireplace. The ice of the place had worked its way into my bones. The chill was deep. Maybe that was why he was so cold? Despite the cold, in my veins, I wanted to touch him again.
My eyes locked on the flourish of flames dancing among one another.
I paused, then held my hands up, allowing myself to get lost in my thoughts, analyzing everything, or trying to.
Nothing made sense. There were so many questions.
I decided to challenge Anton head-on. I never had been one for playing the waiting game.
“If you’re a vampire, then why is there light shining through the room? Doesn’t it like, turn you to ashes or something?” I rolled my eyes sarcastically. Vampire my ass.
Maybe he’s mentally disturbed, living in this fantasy bubble that he believes to be true.
If he was indeed disturbed he was doing a good job at surviving through the mental issues. All be it gothic and sinister-looking the lair he had me in must have cost a fortune.
It was stunning.
I moved closer to the stained-glass window, allowing the rays of the morning sun to beam over my skin. Light poured through the facets of color and danced in rainbows across my face.
I closed my eyes, basking in its warmth. Between that and the fire, I was beginning to feel like my blood was running through my veins again.
The eerie sense of someone standing right behind me had my eyes dart open. The hairs on my body prickled from adrenaline surging through me.
They were there, right there. I was sure of it.
I turned my head slowly and my whole body shuddered, caught off guard to see Anton standing directly behind me. So, close I could feel his cold breath on the back of my neck.
“You have to stop doing that!” I warned, giving him a stern telling off. I had no idea as to how he was doing it, but it was starting to become a problem. Normal people didn’t move like that, they couldn’t.
His hand reached over my shoulder, allowing the sunlight on his skin. Instinctively, I pushed his arm out of harm’s way, thrusting it into the shadow to protect him from bursting into flames.
Somehow, finding myself believing his story.
Vampires...Sunlight...Ash…Yeah okay, Francesca. My inner bitch scoffed but she was pushed to a corner by another voice. I would have liked to call it logic but that didn’t seem right either.
Anton almost broke into a laugh as he had barely moved an inch from my push.
“I’m protected by my amulet” He informed me. The way he said it made me feel like I had done something stupid. He made it sound as silly and churlish as wondering why a kettle wasn’t boiling when it was not plugged in. He took one step closer, just one, a little too close for comfort as his soft lips brushed against my ear.
Not fazed at invading my space at all.
“So, now you know.” He whispered.
I turned to face him before it got any more awkward for us both. I’ve never seen a man with such long hair but he suited it. I had the urge to run my fingers through his beard, it was the same darkish brown shade that matched his hair. After some thought, I decided against it. I didn’t know how he would react to me touching him again, after all, he nearly crushed my hands when I touched his amulet the night before.
I pinched the bridge of my nose “So, let me get this straight,” I said “You’re a vampire and this is…what? Your layer?” I watched him, curiously trying to catch him out from any hint of him lying, he would surely need to drop the act soon, or was it an act? If it was, then he deserved an Oscar nomination for his performance.
I had begun doubting myself. Ever since I stepped foot into the woods last night, nothing had made sense, and yet, everything felt right, like it had fallen into place like a piece being clicked into a puzzle.
“Yes and no.” He said, having answered my question before proceeding to go on “Our castle is home to all vampires.” His eyes stayed locked on mine, as he studied me. I got a distinct feeling that I was not the only one trying to process it all. He too had things to work out. Behind that perfect presentation, he was as confused and complex as I was. I didn’t look away, instead, it gave me time to admire his chiseled cheekbones. He truly was breathtaking. His flawless skin had no sign of aging, no wrinkles what so ever. Even his red eyes didn’t have me fearing him at that moment.
I was freakish that way, more drawn to people that were different, like a moth to the flame.
Then it struck me. Castle? There are no castles in Pennsylvania I was sure of it.
I blew out an exasperated breath “I’m pretty sure I would know if there was a castle in my hometown.” Shaking my head at him, growing bored with this charade he was so insistent on keeping up. I couldn’t believe that a few moments before I had been engaging in this charade.
Anton smirked “It would surprise you what humans don’t know,”
Surely, he could not be serious, how could I believe vampires are real. They simply are myths.
I cocked my head “Please, just tell me why am here”
Looking at him with pleading eyes.
He held my gaze. Two long heartbeat seconds passed before he answered “My elder put me in charge of your protection, I have been watching you for quite a while, making sure the breachers couldn’t get to you or hurt you in any way.” He answered as if I was understanding everything he was telling me. He should have learned before that the expression on my face meant it wasn’t sinking in.
I made my way back toward the bed, needing to hear more.
“What are breachers?” I asked curiously, it truly was something that was out of this world, what he was claiming to exist.
I was convinced he must be role-playing a character from a horror film or a book. A book! That’s the only reasonable explanation as to why a grown-ass man would play dress up. I bet he was one of those kids that would read scary books before bedtime, the type who would sneak under the bed covers with a torchlight in tow, at the fear of the bogeyman lurking in the shadows. I bet he played Dungeons and Dragons as a teenager while all of the other students were illegally drinking and getting laid.
It was weird. He was weird.
Then again, he believed he was a vampire, so how much weirder could it get.
