A Dark Temptation (6)

Her mother lay on the floor, pale and unmoving. Just then, something burst through window, shattering glass everywhere. Cassandra covered her face.

She looked into the face of the intruder and looked into Eric's eyes. It was wrong somehow, as if it wasn't really him. 'Eric' grinned and took her mother in his arms, smiled and, 'poof' he was gone. Cassandra sat trembling, reviewing over what happened. It had happened so fast.

She dug into her mother's drawer and pulled out a hand gun. She tucked it into her bag and headed for school.

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She went to the front desk.
'Um, excuse me, but may I have the address for Eric Sinclair? My teacher wishes me to give him the assignment.'
"Oh course.... Here it is... he lives at 42 Oliver Place."

Cassandra stared. Wasn't that where all the mansions were located?
"Thank you,"

She hoped into her car and drove of to 42 Oliver Place.

Cassandra pulled up just in front of the gate. She gave a low whistle. Man they must be rich. The mansion was huge, with large windows and a great big garden that would past more for a field.

She entered and knocked on the door. A young man opened it. Probably in his early thirties. He was shockingly handsome. Bleach white hair, white skin but green eyes.

"Yes?" he said
"Is Eric Sinclair here?"
The man looked slightly taken aback.
"Yes he is my name is Charles Sinclair, I am his father. He's in the library."

He gestured to the long hallway, "Last door at the end."
"Thanks" she said.
As she walked, she saw a couple of people all around a table, looked like they were playing chess. There 3 older guys, around 19 or 18 and two younger girls, one probably 12 and the other 18.

They stared at her as she walked past. She gave them a weak smile and continued on her way. The last door at the end of the hallway. It was huge. She pulled on it with some force and closed it. She was faced with a huge circle room, with bookshelves placed tightly against the wall. Four shelves were placed on either side of the room.

Eric was sitting down at a large wooden desk. Reading intently.
He looked up and looked startled to see her.
But he smiled.

Cassandra pulled out the gun and pointed it to his head, "Tell me what the hell is going on. Where is my mother?"
She had never fired a gun and would probably miss at such a large distance. But he didn't know that.

Eric chuckled, "And here I thought you came to tell me that you have fallen in love with me. Well happy thoughts no less."

Cassandra was not going to be wavered. Eric's eyes narrowed. "What's wrong?"
"Well aside from the fact I came home only to see my mother lying half dead on the floor and someone smashed the windows took her, and vanished into thin air, I am doing just fine."

Eric rolled his eyes and walked towards her. She took a step back. Keeping one hand on the gun, that was now shaking badly, she pulled out a cross. "Stay... Stay away from me."

Eric stopped. He straightened. "So you know what I am."
Cassandra nodded. He continued to walk to her. She backed up until the wall stopped her. But still he came closer.
He flicked the gun out of her hand.

He smirked, "Crosses won't work." He leaned in and skimmed his nose along her collar bone.
She pushed him away, "You. Explain. Now."
He sighed and tousled his blond hair. "What would you like to know?"

"What are you?"
"A soul eater."
Cassandra raised and eyebrow.
"We eat souls." he said
"No duh. I guess that's where the name 'soul eater' comes from? Meaning they eat souls, I'm not dumb."

Eric sighed again.
"How does it work? Are all soul eaters the same?"
"We eat souls by mouth to mouth or by veins. It's like vampire only less messy. Vampires drink blood, but we can use our teeth to prick their veins but instead of drinking their blood, we drink the vitamins that are in it.

All soul eaters are different. Take my family for an example. We hardly eat souls, but when we do, we usually track a serial killer or someone like them. So we aren't bad. Well... not entirely."

"Exactly how many families are there?"
"Millions, but the family sizes vary. There may only be one or two in each family. Each family will have an area, like a land they own. For example my family owns this part of America. If a 'land' is not owned by anyone, they can take it. But if they want to own a 'land' that is already owned, they have to fight with the owners. If they win they get the land. Or if they want to live under a family, they must get permission to live under their radar. The head family who owns the land is responsible for deaths or any threats. To mark a land, a soul eater has to run around the border so that it is covered with their scent. That way others will know the land is taken,"

Cassandra was hyperventilating. Eric walked over to her and put his arms around her. He rubbed his hand along her arm. A soothing gesture. He was gentle.
"Wait," she said. "What about my mother? What have you done with her?"

"What are you talking about?" he said
"You took my mother,"
"No I didn’t."

"He hasn't, he has been with me ever since he came back from school," said a deep voice.

They both turned around to see Eric's father standing in the door way. "I think It's time I told you everything."