A Dark Pursuit (2)

‘’’’I was running through a dark alley way, the hunters were after me. I looked back and I could just see their shadows on the side walk. Faster and faster I ran. It was a cold wet night and I could see my breath in front of me. Suddenly, I was in open air. I saw a great mansion up ahead; I couldn’t see any lights on. I could loose them there. I kept running, my legs growing weary with each step I took. My hair fanned out as I ran. It was dangerous here, so dangerous. Up the hill to the mansion I ran, it was huge. I went round to the back. I looked for the nearest door and tried to open it, but it was locked. Fumbling with my hair, I pulled out a pin and began picking the lock, finally, the door opened and I slammed it back shut again, praying I didn’t wake anyone up. I didn’t get paid enough for this I thought. Looking around the dark room, I could just make out some pieces of furniture. Carefully, making my way around the room, I stepped into a long hallway. It was pretty plain, only a few pictures hung on the wall and a cabinet was on one side. I heard voices, the door at the end was closed, but I could see the light shining through the bottom. I heard more voices, ones behind me. It couldn’t be! They had followed me into the house. I was trapped, if I left the hallway, they would see me, but if I didn’t…… Thinking quickly I opened the cabinet’s bottom doors and managed to squeeze through them, huddled, I closed the door, only opening it a crack so I could see what was happening. The footsteps and talking grew louder, my heart thudded in my chest. They were so close… I heard a door open.

"Oh, my apologies, mi’ lords, have you seen a girl, about this height? Brown hair, with dark eyes?" they said.

I heard a masculine voice, mumble something in reply. They stepped further into the hallway, footsteps stopped just outside the cabinet. I looked through the gap between the cabinet’s doors, I stifled a gasp, hazel eyes met mine, but quickly flashed away. Damn! I was discovered. I clutched myself tightly, waiting for him to hand me over to the hunters.

"I am sorry, but there is no such girl in my home," but the hunters already began to protest.

"Perhaps, if you could do a full search?"

The hazel-eyed man stepped closer to the hunter, menace in every step he took, "Do you question me?" he asked. How could his voice be so beautiful, yet so threatening at the same time?

The hunter bowed his head in defeat, "Of course not mi’ lord, but if you do see her… she is dangerous,"

"I can handle any situation, thank you for your concern," with a quick nod, the hunters left in a hurry.

More footsteps came closer, "What was that all about brother?" another voice said. So they were brothers?

"You’re about to find out," he paused, "You can come out now," I froze. Surely he wasn’t talking to me right? I heard him sigh, "Look, just make things easier on yourself and show yourself, or I will personally drag you out." I couldn’t move and before I knew it, light flooded my vision a hand grabbed me by the front and hauled me up.

As, my eyes, got used to the light, I gasped when I saw my captor. He was like an angel, so beautiful yet so dangerous. Dark straight hair that stopped at the nape of his neck, broad shoulders, with muscles covering his arm. He had the classical looks, straight nose, firm jaw with the hint of arrogance in them. I saw three other men standing behind them, they also had the same blinding beauty as my captor had, but lacked that mystery about them.

He was tall, really tall. My feet were inches of the ground, and I just stood eye to eye with him, I couldn’t escape his gaze. His eyes widened, but his grip remained steady. I was struggling, kicking aimlessly, while trying to breathe.

"How did you find her Kier?" one of the brothers said.

"I smelt her," he replied. So my captor’s name was Kier…. Sounds familiar. "Who are you?" he asked, in that sweet melodic voice of his.

"Uh…buh…bruth…" I said, and okay, I knew I was incoherent, but it wasn’t my fault.

"Oh, sorry," he quickly put me down. I gasped for air. I knew I had the lead, using all of my might, I punched him in the face, bruising my hand severely. Knowing I had the lead by a few precious seconds, I ran. I went this way and that; the rest of the house had no lights. I looked behind me, terrified that he was just a breath away. But I saw nothing.

Before I knew it a heavy object was thrown at me and pinned me to the ground. I struggled with all my strength, but knew it was hopeless. Giving up, I let my body relax and faced my captor named Kier. Even in the dark, I could see his hazel eyes glittering dangerously.

"What’s your name?" he asked me in that tempting voice of his.

I deliberated as to whether to tell him my real name, or make one up. He seemed to read this on my face. He moved his body, so that I had all of his weight, wrapping his legs around mine so I could barely move an inch. My eyes flew wide at the intimate contact.

"Your real one," the corners of his mouth were turned upwards. I grunted, how could he find this amusing? I gave in.

"Rose," I sighed.

"Mmmm…." he thought. "Your name reflects greatly on your character. A rose, so pretty, yet one with lethal thorns. Did you know, Rose, that you treaded on forbidden grounds? I had put a spell on this place so that no one but me and my family could enter here. I understand that the hunters could forge a spell to let them in here. But no one else is powerful enough to do so..," he brushed his thumb over my lips. I stared at him, eyes wide, his voice was husky, close to desire, but yet so enchanting at the same time.

I could smell him, his scent filled my nostrils, it was spicy, yet cool, with the air of mystery, "…so I am wondering how you got into this place. Will you tell me before you pay the price?" at the last word, I saw his teeth extending, to sharp points. He raked his fangs lightly on my neck, causing me to shiver. My breath hitched in my throat,

"You’re a vampire?" I squeaked.

He chuckled darkly, "No, I am ‘the’ vampire," he leaned close to my ear, his voice dropping to a whisper, "I am the vampire knight," My eyes widened, impossible. My breathing quickened when I realized the amount of danger I was in. What had I gotten myself into? Kier’s head bent closer and closer to my neck, his white fangs glistening in the moonlight until- ‘’’’

I sat up gasping. I touched my forehead, it was beaded with sweat. Now with Kier back, I was bound to have more dreams about the past with him. That was the first night I met him, my first time with a close encounter with a vampire…. I felt so lonely, my arms so empty. I cried, I cried for the sense of lost, I cried for what could have been, I cried for myself. I looked at the clock, it was 3:00 am.

That’s when I realized something on my bed-side table, something that hadn’t been there before. Sniffling, I gently picked it up. I could barely see it in the moonlight. It was a rose with a tag tied to it. I got up and went over to the window, drawing back the curtains to let more moonlight in. In bold cursive script it read;

‘’’Rose, my little flower – forgive me…""
I read it over and over again. Perhaps he did care about me, maybe…maybe he-. No. I mentally shook myself, reminding myself of that dreadful revelation. Kier was not to be trusted. But no matter how many times I told myself that, I couldn’t help feel that sense of strong attachment to him. I lay down on my bed again, the rose in my hands….. I slept……

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I woke up stiff, with my eyes puffy. It was still rainy, like the day before. I hadn’t forgotten my encounter with Kier the other day. My mind snapped at the thought. The rose. Where was it? I rummaged through my blanket, only to see it on my bed-side table, the first time I saw it.
I hopped out of bed, my eyes still groggy and got ready for work. A waitress at Jurleys restaurant. To be honest, I had always wondered why they called it a restaurant. It definitely wasn’t as classy as a real restaurant and clearly wasn’t as big. Instead it was a small corner dinning center. Tying up my hair, I put on my uniform, a red shirt with a red and white striped skirt.

I went downstairs and looked around my empty house. It had been two years ago since I realized I was a guardian, two years ago when my parents were killed. A guardian was rare, at least one was born per century, making us extremely hard to find. I had powers, of course they escaped me every now and then but Kier taught me all about how to control them.

"It’s not the force it’s the emotion…" he had said, back when he had still loved me of course.

Shoving the memory aside, I moved over to the mirror. I touched my collar bone, tracing the symbol Kier had marked me with. It was a red mark that showed a snake twining around an apple with its fangs sunk into it. It was slowly fading, once I was rid of the mark, I would be free.

My forehead was creased with worry lines. That’s when I realized I was frowning. My golden hair, tied in a pony tail. My mother used to call me her princess, for I looked like most of the princesses described in fairy tails. Blue eyes, full lips, golden hair. I smiled at the memory. Straightening my name tag I went to work.

"Hey Rose!" Jenny, my boss said. I gave a weak smile and signed in.

Work went as usual, but near the end of my shift, a figure walked in.

"Rose…"

I looked up from the counter. It was Gabriel, Kier’s youngest brother. Back when well… me and Kier were together, Gabriel had been my closest friend. But things had changed since then. Gabriel was really handsome, but to me, Kier was still drop dead gorgeous. He beckoned me to him.

"I’m taking my break now!" I called out to Jenny.
I sat in the chair opposite to Gabriel. Him and Kier had some resemblance, the same nose and the same arrogant jaw. I shifted, I didn’t know what to say.

"Come back Rose," he said.

I blinked at the blunt statement.
"Uh… No." I said.

Gabriel sighed, "Please Rose, I miss you, especially Kier, he hasn’t… well he hasn’t been the same since you left,"

"Well, he should have thought about that before he betrayed me,"

"Rose, please. If not for Kier, then come back for the people. We managed to overthrow our father. Since Kier is the oldest, he is now ruling. But ever since you were gone, me and my brothers have heard him yelling in his sleep, crying out your name,"

While my heart fluttered at the thought of Kier missing me. I couldn’t believe him, more like I didn’t want to believe him, "How do I know that this isn’t a ploy?"

Gabriel ran his hand through his blond hair. He looked me in the eyes and placed his hand on mine. We instantly connected. When you’re a guardian, you can penetrate any thoughts around you, any memories, any hopes and any dreams, I opened my mind to Gabriel and let him in.

I closed my eyes and let the images overwhelm me.

I saw Kier in our-his chambers. He was beautiful, even in his sleep, but something was wrong with this picture. He seemed more agitated, a crease between his brows usually meant he was annoyed with something. Kier twisted in his sleep, his eyes still closed, mumbling something I didn’t understand. That’s when I heard him say my name.

"Rose," he mumbled, he grew more agitated by the second, his actions becoming more forceful. He twisted and turned in his sleep.

"Rose! I don’t….It didn’t mean anything! Rose!" he yelled. My stomach twisted at his words, I had never seen him this way before, it was almost as if…..
"Rose! Please… I-!" Kier turned again, his hands desperately clutching the blankets. Slowly, he became still.

"Rose forgive me…" he mumbled. "I love you…."
The images faded and I opened my eyes, only to see my cheeks wet with tears. Maybe he did love me….maybe I was wrong…

Gabriel gave me a sad smile, "Please Rose, he needs you, now more than ever. He’s got to govern his people and he wants you by his side. Please.."

I opened my mouth to reply to tell him that I would talk to Kier, but before I could, I saw Gabriel eyes’ change.

"Look out!" he roared. Before I knew it he flung himself over the table at me. I couldn’t react, it happened so fast. The chair went over, taking me with it, the window smashed into millions of pieces, something flashed behind Gabriel. Screams and shouts rose from all around. I was terrified. Gabriel was still covering me, his warm weight pressing down on me. We were on the floor, surrounded by glass, I looked underneath Gabriel’s arm my eyes widened. A long arrow was sticking out from the counter.

That arrow, was that, meant for me? Gabriel got of me and helped me up.

"Are you all right Rose?" he said.

I nodded my head. Gabriel went over to investigate the arrow. "What do you see?" I asked.

"It’s a wintow, a wintow arrow. The same arrow, my father used,"

I stiffened. When me and Kier had been on good terms, we were plotting to take over his cruel father. He and his brothers had won slain him. But then how could….

"I’m calling Kier," Gabriel said as he pulled out his cell-phone and punched in some numbers. He waited for a moment.

"Kier? Yes it’s me I –" he threw a glance at me, "No, she- I’m with her. That assassin we are after- yes, I think he’s targeting Rose, I’m with her right now and the assassin took a shot at her," He paused, I could hear an outraged voice on the other end, "Yes Kier we’re at Jurley’s restaurant, I-" Kier hung up.

I was watching Gabriel curiously, "Well what did he say?"

"He said-" Gabriel began, right before he was cut of from the door of the restaurant being torn of it’s hinges. It was Kier, his hair messy, his eyes full of anger.

"What the hell just happened here!" He yelled. I cringed at his loud voice, hiding behind Gabriel.

"Where is she? Where’s-" he spotted me. Stalking over to me he hugged me with such a great force, it knocked the breath out of me.

"Rose…my beautiful flower.." all of his anger was gone. His sudden mood swings always left me dazed and confused. I beat at his shoulder until he let me go, I wasn’t about to forgive him that easily. His smile was apologetic.

He turned to his brother, angry, "How could you let this happen Gabriel?" He shouted, "I-"

"Stop!" I yelled. Kier was fiercely protective of me, "look, don’t blame him, ok? Calm down and don’t fly of the handle with this!"

Kier turned towards me, "Very well then, I shall not as you say, ‘fly of the handle,’ " he said in a much more calm voice, "You shall stay with me until we find out who did this,"

I started shaking my head before I was even done, "No way! I don’t know what scheme you have that involves me, but I am not taking part in it! I’m not staying with you"

His beautiful face looked slightly pained for an instant, but brightened just as quickly, "Sweet Rose, my beautiful flower, when I said you shall stay with me, that was not a suggestion," his eyes glittered with amusement and seduction,
"it was an order."

I warily backed away from him. Oh boy, not again…..

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