Willow opened her eyes carefully, her mind still groggy from the sleep. She feels like she has been sleeping for ages. Her mind is suspended between reality and sleepiness.
She turned and her eyes landed on the male sleeping beside her. Still, out of sorts, Willow took her to fill as she scanned him from top to bottom.
If anyone could look powerful at the same time vulnerable then it's him. His battered body doesn't hide the regality with which he carries himself. If she doesn't know any better, she would say he is the most powerful vampire she has come across.
In one sleep, he has bulked out. Filled those spaces that have been starved by the lack of blood. He still looks rundown but way... way better than the pile of bones she rescued.
His aura also took a subtle change. She can't still pinpoint his category- newborn, master, or elite, other than that he is a vampire.
She remembered her eyes before everything had gone black; they are the most beautiful ones she has come across. They are not dull brown or dark brown. It's a balance in between which can only be described as the color of honey. Honey brown that is so light she could see the specks in his eyes.
And the effect he has on her body. Willow groaned lightly. In her 23 years of life, she has encountered many vampires both at the guild and as rogues but none of them had made her feel like this. That told her everything she should know. That this vampire is different... dangerous to her system.
What is it about him that made her do things she never considered before? How can he pull her heartstrings without even uttering a single word?
His eyelids fluttered before they slowly opened and locked on hers as if he was the hunter and she was his prey. She squirmed which is unusual for her, but his gaze is doing funny things to her body.
Her heart gave a flutter as if pleased by his attention.
Then the reality slowly dawned on her. Not completely, but enough for her to scream at him.
"What the hell do you think you are doing on my bed?"
"I didn't see your name anywhere. Nor is this your room," Lothaire smirked, his hands folded behind his head, his left leg over his right one.
Her ears twitched hearing the deeper, richer timbre.
Willow pressed her lips in a thin line. She didn't want to do this, but he didn't give her a choice. Turning to face him properly, she bawled her fists and punched his face. The sickening crunch resonated around the room, making it clear that she had broken his nose.
"What the fuck woman!" Lothaire cursed as he cupped his nose, blood trickling from it.
Willow glared at the hunched vampire. Her lips snarled.
"That's for sucking me dry," Willow said with a clenched jaw.
"Oh". Willow's anger rose at his casual response.
"Do that again sucker and I will make jewelry out of your fangs"
"You don't look like the type who wears jewelry," the vampire countered, wiping his nose with the bedsheet. Gross. His nose is already healing from her assault.
"That's not the point and you know it. Stay away from me vampire," Willow said as she scanned the room, she is in. It seems like a typical house. Not dwelling on its residents or what might have happened to them, she rummaged the closet and picked some clothes.
After what she has gone through last night, a shower sounds like a good idea to her. Without acknowledging the vampire or his frown at her, she slammed the bathroom door on his face.
She did her business, took a shower, brushed her teeth, and changed into clothes. They are tight and short. Willow sighed as the t-shirt rode up leaving her belly open. The shorts are no better.
Whoever's clothes were short. Very short. She can see her ass hanging out of the shorts. She felt uncomfortable displaying all that leg but beggars can't be choosers and other than this, all she saw were dresses. And Willow will cut off her fingers before wearing a dress.
This must have to do. With a sigh, Willow exited the bathroom, her mouth opens to rip him a new one but it stopped when she saw the heat in his eyes.
"Don't get any ideas, vampire. I hate to kill you just after saving you," Willow said over her shoulder, her voice giving nothing away. She bit the inside of her mouth to stop the lusty thoughts overriding her mind. This is not the time, she chanted as she bent and pulled her boots.
A hitch behind her made her know that the vampire got an eyeful. Groaning, Willow then armed herself with the weapons that lay beside the bed. The vampire must have taken them out when she was off.
Thinking about his hands on her body, searching for weapons made a heated pool at her core. Willow gritted her teeth in frustration.
A chuckle behind her told her the vampire is enjoying the show.
"Why are you still here?" Willow asked with sass, her hands on her hips.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Lothaire countered innocently.
"If you haven't noticed, my job is done. You are free. Now go, leave. Shoo," Willow made a shoo-ing gesture with her hands.
"Not possible tinker bell"
"What do you mean not possible?"
"Because I can't remember anything other than the place you picked me from"
Willow scrunched her nose. How is that possible?
"You lie"
Lothaire's eyes blazed in a warning.
"Why would I? What will I get out of it?"
This is totally not going as she planned. Anyways, she doesn't have time to sit and chat with every supernatural being she rescued. She will pass him on to the Fae king like others.
"Who knows? Vampires are weird like that," Willow said with a bite.
"I'm not like others. I'm unique," Lothaire announced as if it's a given.
"Keep that attitude and I will squash you like the bug you are," Willow said, getting irritated at his arrogance.
"Careful woman, I can break your neck just as easily"
"Oh... I'm quaking in my boots," Willow searched through the place for food.
"Can't you at least raid a supermarket? I'm starving. There is nothing edible to eat here"
"Oh sorry, I didn't realize I should go grocery shopping while taking cover from the sun. How silly of me to overlook that!" He grumbled, thinking why is he keeping up with her?
"Keep your smartass comments to yourself. God, I'm starving"
"Really? What a surprise? I would have never guessed from the thunder rumbling from your stomach"
"If not for some sucker almost killing me, I wouldn't be in this condition," Willow said, throwing daggers at Lothaire with her eyes.
"I... I..."
"There there, no need to sniffle. I can understand your emotions"
"Watch it, tinker bell. If I don't know any better, I would say you are flirting with me"
"God, you are delusional too. They sure messed with your brain. You are good to look at until you open your mouth. And yes, pun intended "
"Is that a praise I hear? As far as I recall, you liked it when I opened my mouth," he smirked. A blush crept over Willow's cheeks. How dare he bring that up?
"Now don't go pining over me. You won't get to chomp this," Willow pointed to her body and continued, "ever again," Willow said, her eyes narrowed.
"Never say never"
"Try it and you will be resting in The Coffin... forever"
"Now who is throwing an attitude?" Lothaire snickered, enjoying the banter more than he should. It's been so long since anyone talked to him as if he was normal. As if they don't care who he is. A frown appeared between his eyes. Now, why would he think that? Has he not been a normal vampire?
Before he could analyze some more the woman started walking to the front door.
"Where are you going?"
"Don't worry daddy, I know how to fight the bad guys," Willow threw the remark over her shoulder as she sauntered.
The word "daddy" from her pouty lips did things to his body.
"I'm coming with you"
Willow turned suddenly making him almost slam into her.
"Look bones, I didn't sign up for babysitting. I have things to do. Places to go. As far as I know, I have done my duty with you. Now go live your life. You are free. My path is different and I don't want any chains around my neck to slow me down"
Lothaire curbed the anger mounting inside him with difficulty. How dare she talk to him like that?
"Bones?"
"Yes. A pile of bones. Suits you. Don't you think so?"
"You will not speak to me like that. You will obey me," Lothaire commanded with force.
Willow pinched her nose in frustration. She really didn't want to do this, but he gave her no choice. She has successfully completed this mission, but this is not what she entered this kingdom for. She has to find the vampire king. She has to kill him to avenge her parents. Then... Only then can she concentrate on the rogue issue.
And rescuing this vampire only to take him within reach of the powerful vampire circle is not the way to go.
Heaving a sigh once again in his presence, she bent as if accepting his dictation only to take the dagger from her left boot and plunge into his stomach.
His eyes widened; his mouth parted in shock as he looked at the blood spilling from his wound.
"You don't know one thing about me so I'm making this clear to you. I hate when someone forces me to do something," Willow said, pulled the dagger out, and walked outside without a backward glance.