Frailty: The Darkshine(15)

She held her breath as she waited for that moment when their lips would lock. She could scarcely breathe as she anticipated when she would finally feel his mouth on hers. He suddenly looked around, all attention to her mouth gone.

“We must go. I shouldn’t be distracted. It isn’t safe for you out here, even with me here to protect you.”

She let him lead her away, her whole body still zinging from the near experience she knew could have happened. A dark, very flashy Bentley sat on the stretch of deserted road once they broke through the tree line. He pulled her gently her toward the car, gripping her hand tightly, as if he thought she were about to run. He opened the Bentley’s door for her, all black smooth leather waiting to greet her. He gently helped her in and she instantly sank into the butter-soft leather. He closed the door—nothing more than a soft click next to her ear. As he climbed inside, he gave a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Do you like classical?”

Nodding, Helina smiled as he turned on the stereo. She leaned back in the seat as the soft notes of Bach played through the car. “I love this song.” Helina said it more to herself, but as she looked out the dark tinted window, she could see Gaijryc staring at her, a smile on his face. They drove in silence, nothing more than the classical music filling the silence.

The ride seemed to last forever, but then he turned off onto a small dirt road. “I don’t mean to sound like a child, but are we there yet?” The side of his mouth quirked up and he pulled to a stop in front of a small cabin. It was pitch black outside, only the moon and the Bentley’s headlights showing her much of anything. “Is this where you live?”

“No. It’s where you live, now.”

“What?” She turned and looked at him, not even trying to hide her surprise at his words. “What are you talking about?” He got out of the car and walked around to open her door. Helping her out, he led them, hand in hand, toward the front door of the cabin.

“I can’t stand to have you living in that cave. This is safe and secure, I promise you. No one will ever find you here.”

He walked in front of her and opened the door. He held his hand out for her to enter first. Helina was a little apprehensive as she eyed him and then the dark room beyond the door.

“Why are you scared? You should know by now I would never harm you.”

“I trust you.” And Helina did, with everything inside of her, but still it was the unknown. She let him take her hand again as he walked in first, leading the way.

“I promise you this is a safe place.”

He switched on the light and a soft glow illuminated the room. She let go of his hand and felt her eyes grow big. From the outside the cabin looked so quaint and small, but as she walked into the center of the room it was as if she stood in a king’s quarters.

The kitchen sat off to the side, all natural hardwood covering the flooring and counters. The countertops shone brightly under the lighting, and every appliance from big to small reeked of brand new. Stainless steel and chrome showed her reflection as she walked into the kitchen and let her fingers run over everything. Opening the cupboards, she saw every single one of them was filled with food, plates, and cups. She walked out of the kitchen and back into the living room that held a loveseat and couch, both of them soft leather and the color of snow. Off to the left stood a Chinese style screen, also snow white in color, with delicate pink flowers stitched into the screen. Behind that sat a huge bed, petal pink silk sheets and a matching comforter atop it. Everything from the paintings on the walls to the thick rug in the center of the room screamed feminine sophistication. “What is all of this?”

“This is yours, where you live now.”

Helina looked at Gaijryc, not knowing what to say. “I can’t stay here.” The smile on his face fell and she instantly felt bad for saying anything, but there was no way she could stay at the cabin. He turned around and walked to the picture window.

“I’ve made this place safe for you, I promise you that. If you’re worried or frightened about staying here, don’t be. Nothing will harm you; I won’t allow it.”

Helina didn’t move, not knowing what to do or say. She felt weird staying at this place. She was experiencing two completely different creatures. Two beings that acted totally different.

There was the monster that had killed her sister, and then there was Gaijryc—the vampire, the DarkShine creature that had shown her nothing but compassion. She stared at his back, his muscles bunching under his shirt and standing out.

Arousal washed through her at the sight of him. Running her now sweaty hands on her thighs, she willed herself to be calm. The longer she stared at him, the more she felt herself get wet, and the harder her nipples became under the lace of her shirt. As if he knew, as if he had sensed her arousal, he turned toward her, head tilted to the ground, eyes on her. Helina swallowed again and felt her throat tighten with dryness. He walked toward her, stalked her like the predator he was.