Chapter 38

He had appeared with her in his arms; blinking and confused at how quick they had gotten there.

She frowned. He did not fly.

He gently tipped her chin up to look at her.

"Are you alright?" He asked as she shivered some and stumbled slowly out of his arms.

She gave him a quick nod and stood firmly on her own.

"Hannah?"

She looked up at him.

"Is everything alright?" Concern grew over his features as she lowered her head and nodded.

He wasn't convinced but all the same he did not want to upset her, pushing for answers.

He remained quiet as she pulled away from him and slowly turned away.

She stood in awe of her surroundings.

He stood back and let her walk forward into his lair.

His safe haven.

Deep in the mountains, far away from civilization where he could be at peace.

She took in the dark tranquil space illuminated with a few candles. The little light bathed the cavernous structure in an orange hue. It was homey; complete with a living room, dinning room, bedroom and balcony.

She turned towards the sound of water trickling down from a wall in the corner and made her way slowly towards it. She watched as it's crystalline path led to a beautiful pool.

"You're more than welcome to use it if you want to freshen up." He said softly.

Her presence in his sanctuary both excited and worried him.

He observed her as she playfully dipped her toe in and gave a satisfied nod.

Frozen to the spot, he watched her discard his coat and step in to the pool. He could do nothing but admire her from afar. Enjoy the vision of her partaking in the luxury of the water lapping at her skin.He looked away cursing himself for doing so. He couldn't indulge because it would lead to nothing. It couldn't lead to anything.

He quickly retrieved a towel and a pajama top of his finest collection and turned in time to see her slowly walking towards him naked and dripping wet on his most expensive Persian rug. That, oddly enough, if it were any other he would have drained them dry without a second thought.

He swallowed forcefully at the lump forming in his throat as his gaze locked on the one single droplet of water gliding down her skin.

Jerkily he handed her the towel.

"Dante?"

Her melodic voice pulled his attention away from where his towel roamed over her skin to look at her innocent gaze.

"Why were you in the forest?" She asked.

His gaze darted everywhere nervously; unable to explain how, for the last couple of weeks he has been watching her train. Her warm fingers reached for his, clammy and cold ones. They were always clammy and cold.

"I have been watching you, " he said staring at their entwined fingers.

"Watching me?" She frowned.

His lips thinned with a bit of embarrassment as he admitted to it. She lowered her head.

"And why not come say hello to me?" She held his gaze for an answer.

One he could not give.

"Come, " he sighed and gently tugged her close and led her towards the living room sofa.

They sat and he turned to face her.

He stretched his arm along the top of the sofa at her back an leaned back some. Trying to relax and he began to explain.

"I am not welcomed in Maddoxs home, " he said.

"Why?"

"Because I'm a threat and the enemy."

"But how, what have you done?" She inched closer, her gaze filled with worry.

He shook his head and raised his finger up to glide it against the softness of her jaw.

"It is not because of what I did. But because of what I am."

She searched his gaze.

"I am a monster, " he shook his head with a laugh that barely reached his eyes.

"No, " she gasped.

"I'm a Vampire, Hannah. A dark being that preys on the innocent."

She remained silent. Waiting for him to continue.

"I'm an abomination."

"That's not true, it can't be true, " she edged closer and caressed his cheek leaning closer to him.

He lowered his gaze out of shame because deep down he was telling her the truth and that somehow made him feel unworthy of being in her presence. Her gaze alone of Angelic purity, quizzical and aloof to the very idea that if she were anything other then a celestial being, he would have mesmerized her, toyed with her, subjugated her to his depraved sexual play...then drained every last ounce of blood from her body.

He shivered with the thought and guilt for his past offenses invaded his conscience. He frowned. He was never supposed to feel this.

Never supposed to feel the guilt of all the sorrow and pain he has caused.

He tried to pull away but she would not let him. She caressed his jaw urging him to look at her but his internal struggle for this creature of goodness and light was lost.

"I don't believe that you are a monster, Dante, " her voice soft and sweet, called to him. A sirens song of the best kind. He drew in a deep breath and relaxed some, leaning forward until their noses touched.

His nearness did not repulse her. And that surprised him. But not as much as it surprised her. She did not understand why she felt this emotional pull to him.

"Dante?" She whispered as the oddest sensation settled low and warm in the pit of her stomach. She was mesmerized and distracted by the reddish hue of his eyes getting brighter, and then his lips were on hers.

Gentle and sweet, warm and provocative. His hands glided through her hair, cupping the back of her head and deepening the kiss for  a better taste and drowning in her essence in the process. She did not resist when she should have. Confused, she succumbed to the allure of his touch. Melting in his hold like the most decadent silk as he followed her back on his couch until he lay above her.

His control was slowly slipping with her intoxicating scent of heady desire, leaving him weak with need. His body rippled and flexed as it melted over hers in sweet abandon. His gums itched and he could feel his fingernails extending.

"Dante?" She moaned as she fought for control as his lips glided over her ear and kissed it, then descended down her neck. The echoing throbs of her blood in her veins sung in his ears. It called to him.

He shook his head of the haziness this was creating. He looked down at her. As beautiful as the most exquisite Lotus Flower blooming for him. Her gaze fogged with desire held his.

"I love you, " he whispered and he wasn't sure if her lust induced mind understood him. It did not matter.  He buried his lips against her neck, caressing every inch of her as his fangs extended on the brink of piercing her honeyed skin. Dipping his hips in the sultry way of old world lovemaking, he felt her shudder and cling to him. He cursed his clothing. The barrier. Cursed his body for reacting. He needed to stop but he couldn't.

Then suddenly he felt it. The burning sensation of his skin as he slowly pulled away and noticed her slowly glowing. But the gorgeous light hurt so bad. Stark fright made him pull away as he sped to the darkest corner of his lair. He watched as she shot up in a sitting position.

Afraid and confused, shaking and breathless. Her gaze searched for him as she dimmed and her light was gone.

"Dante?" She called out to him.

She stood slowly on wobbly legs the moment she caught sight of bright red glowing eyes in the far corner of the lair.

Her eyes filled with tears with what just happened. A part of her knows what she did was wrong.  But it felt...right.

You will endure temptation of the flesh and heartache.

It burned in her mind. It's what Metatron meant.

"Danté?" She sobbed unable to control the shaking.

The growl that came from him in the distance did not stop her from getting close. The predator in him was too strong to control. He fought and fought so hard but it was too late. She was a scent of sadness, confusion and fear his natural instincts could not refuse.

He wasn't himself as he slowly stepped forward. He wasn't himself as he stood before the one thing that could end his life with a blast of her light. He was drawn to something much stronger and it was tearing him in half. He needed to leave. But when he looked down at her trembling in tears and so delectable, it was too late.

She did not struggle and he did not have to mesmerize. His fangs extended.

Her inner wolf lay dormant in her mind.  She was frozen to the spot unable to move. Her bodies reaction was not her own. He wrapped his fingers gently around her waist and pulled her close then pressed his lips to her neck.

The jugular there, was inviting as her skittishness only increased his need. Then...he struck without warning, slicing into the lush softness of her skin, her blood filling his mouth, his stomach. Heat and life of the most coveted kind filled every inch of him. He wasn't doing this for nourishment. This was far from it.  He took long indulgent pulls, relishing in the sheer sweetness of her. Until he felt dizzy, drunk and something more.

Suddenly the euphoric feeling sent him into a haze of worry. Pain of the worst kind. He drew back and looked down at her and let out a sob. She lay limp in his arms not moving.

"Hannah?" He held her and shook her.

He didn't understand. He did not draw much blood. Did he?

"Hannah, please wake up, " he begged.

He dropped to the floor and spread her out in a panic and pressed his head to her chest. Her heart gave faint pumps he could barely hear.

He looked around and gasped then stumbled back. Everything looked so vibrant. So clear. What was happening?

Tears clouded his vision as he crawled to her and gathered her up in his arms. He wept. He did not know what to do.

For the first time in centuries....

He did not know what to do.

******

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Say it ain't so. Say it ain't so..

Here we go and the drama begins.

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I'm thinking plot twist...of epic proportions then a battle show down to end this all nicely what do you think?

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