EXCERPT From the corner of my eye I could see a dark figure standing watching me.
The silhouette was covered by the low hanging branches of the trees and I could
barely make it out.
I froze.
Holding my breath, I looked around me, trying to get my bearings. I knew
I had to make a run for it, but the damn dress was so tight and even in bare
feet I probably would not be able to outrun whoever it was.
Fumbling around me in the darkness, my hand found a lump of wood. I
grabbed a good tight hold of it and got up on my feet.
I frantically tried to control my breathing.
Come on, Giselle, get it together!
I studied my opponent. I could not make out his face but he was
definitely male and he looked so much bigger than me, although the distance
between us was too much for me to be sure. That was when I made the worst
mistake of all: I ran like a scared little child. Hitting the overgrowth of the
trees with my bare arms, I could feel the sting from the cuts, and in error I
looked down to examine the damage, trying to catch my breath.
Big mistake.
He was right there in front of me. He stood like a tower over me. I
could not believe my eyes.
“Alex!” I yelled, flinging myself into his solid chest. His arms wrapped
around me, holding me tight.
Right then, in that moment, I felt completely safe.
“How did you know where to find me?” I cried into his chest, sniffling as
I looked up into his deep green eyes.
Brushing the hair from my chin, he smiled down at me.
His voice was smooth and calm. “Because, I always know where you
are.”
I did not see the need to question him, and instead I closed my eyes
tight and relaxed in the embrace, unable to let go. Alex always had a way of
calming me. In whatever situation, he would come and rescue me. He was what I
needed right now. I wanted to forget about the drama of Marc and Evie. I hated
them both. They had hurt me in a way I did not think was possible; well, not
possible from the guy who claimed to love me.
My heart broke.
“You know, I can take all your pain away.” Alex spoke softly.
“I don’t think even you can do that.”
“Giselle, I can safely say that I can change the course your life
takes.”
“Alex…”
He grabbed a hold of my hands and looked hard into my face.
“If you come willingly, then yes, all the pain and heartache will go.
And in its place you will have peace,” he sighed, looking down at his feet. “I
have waited so long for you. You do not know how many times I wanted to tell
you the truth, to come clean about who I am.”
“What...? What do you mean? Alex, this is all a bit too dramatic, even
for you.” I looked at his face. It was hard and serious.
From behind, I heard whispers and movement. I looked around and saw
three men I had never seen before. They wore black, and each had a mark
tattooed on his face.
“What’s going on, Alex?” There was panic in my voice.
“It is time, Master,” the tallest of the men said as his eyes blazed
red.
Alex smiled down at me. His eyes gleamed in the light of the moon.
“Please, Giselle, come quietly and it will be over quickly.”
“The moon, Master. It will enter the second phase and you will have
failed.”
I had to be dreaming. Jesus, I mean after all I had been through it was
possibly my mind playing tricks on me.
“Quiet!” Alex raised his voice. “Giselle, I have chosen you to be by my
side. It is you who will redeem my bloodline. But you must come willingly. I
cannot force you, but if you decide against me then I will have to destroy you.
We have only a few minutes until the moon changes and our window of opportunity
will have passed. Please, I implore you, oblige and you will feel no pain. I
do not want to harm you.”
“Oh my God, you’re all crazy,” I shouted.
Trying to back away from the edge of the trees, I made a run for it. It
seemed impossible, but Alex moved with stellar speed. I was seriously no match
for him, but I gave it my best shot. I hit him hard in the face. He did not
move, and in a blink of an eye he was behind me with his warm strong hands
around my waist, holding me close to him.
“Why are you doing this?”
“Because I must awaken you. Giselle, you do not have a choice.” His
breath was warm on my neck.
“I don’t understand,” I whimpered.
“Say yes, and all will be revealed. I promise you there will be no
pain.”
“But… I can’t. I don’t want to die.”
“You will not die. You will be reborn.”
“But... Alex, you’re scaring me.”
“Giselle, please. I am running out of time and it is you who must join
me.” His voice became harder.
I did not want to give in, but the power of his grip and the three men
who stood before me told me that I would lose whichever fate I chose.
“Okay... No, I don’t know… Okay,” I whispered, nodding my head in defeat
as tears streamed down my cheeks.
His breath was warm and velvety as he brushed his lips along my neck. He
gently kissed and caressed my throat with his tongue, and the sensation sent my
skin into overdrive. I was completely spellbound. I found it hard to
concentrate and, before long, I was lost in the warmth of his touch. Moving his
mouth over mine, I kissed him back. I never imagined his mouth would be so
electrifying. His breath was sweet and intoxicated every inch of my body.
His lips left my mouth and found their way down my neck. He opened his
mouth wide and bit down into my neck. At first, the pain of the bite burned,
but I soon found myself lost in its burning pleasure.
It was my first experience of ecstasy, and then it was nothing; just
complete blackness.
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