Rixas de Sangue, Part 4
“I could have sworn I saw him lick his lips before his radiant eyes fell back on me. The second man, Solon, inhaled gently, his eyes growing darker than they were moments before. The first man eyed me inquisitively, his gaze lingering on my arms; he must have pondered the marks that marred my flesh. When he spoke his voice was thick.
“‘You are quite appealing…’ He moved slightly closer to me, his hand lifting to touch my face and the terror that evaded me before seeped abruptly through my veins, my heart trembled in chest. I flinched- my previous courage had gone missing. I knew he wasn’t like the soldiers- no, he was entirely a different kind of danger. This action seemed to offend him and he hesitated, angry. He pulled his hand away.
‘What are you doing here?’
“That woke me; finally, from the dense trance I had been walking in for who knew how long. I knew I couldn’t possibly hope to subsist- even had he meant me no harm. In that moment, I made a decision; one that went against everything I had been taught, all my beliefs- even my very nature. I relaxed my posture, hoping to seem willing. I looked him in the eye.
“’The Kauket Temple was attacked.’ I told him. His face faltered slightly as he glanced again at my skin. ‘Odjit-Ka advised me to find you.’”
“His tone was dubious when he asked me who held the assault.”
“’The Menesians…’ I answered promptly. His quick intake of breath told me of his condemnation. His lips pulled back to reveal his glistening teeth. I closed my eyes – half expecting death.
“Solon spoke for the first time, his voice much more soothing than I would have thought. ‘Emil…I believe Odjit-Ka has made good on her promise.’ My eyes flashed open and I stared at the stout man questioningly. I looked back at the first man. His copper eyes glowed more fiercely, suddenly brighter against his features. He seemed to be deliberating.
“Suddenly, he smiled; a comforting kind of smile. Then, he spoke again quickly waving his hand dismissively.
‘It matters not,’ he said. You would have thought that truly it didn’t.
‘I am Emil, welcome to my home.’ He gestured around him- showcasing the grandeur that surrounded us. ‘And this is my good friend Solon.’ Faster than I could see he was next to the other man and his arm settled gently on his companion’s shoulder. ‘Come… follow us inside.’ They both turned, as if everything had been decided, and started to wander back towards the cavern that slithered between the rocks.
“I was incredulous. This was not how I had envisioned this going in my minds eye moments before. But, I had had no plan beyond telling them what little I knew and then provoking them into killing me. What kind of fiends were these two anyway? I stared after them not knowing what to do with myself. I looked down the trail that stretched down behind me. I couldn’t go back; I had nothing to go back to. I felt defeated briefly. I heaved a sigh and followed the two men into the darkened cave.”
I stopped my tale. I could feel the sun rising, not that it mattered; I could stay up for weeks if I needed to, but I always felt a difference in the atmosphere and it exhausted me.
“Are you going to need a place to sleep?” I asked Bendis, she looked momentarily confused. After a moment she realized that I was done for now.
“Uh,yeah.” She answered meekly.
“So, do you sleep in a regular bed? Or do you need more…secluded…arrangements?” I had both. Though I never needed the casket, it was a good thing to have on hand.
She smiled. “No …a bed is fine. You have heavy curtains, I presume?”
“Of course.” Crap, now I would have to sleep on the couch. How inconvenient. I stood. “Ok, well, the bedroom is this way.” I motioned for her to follow me.
She was beside me in an instant. This unnerved me, although I knew she was part vampire, she had not demonstrated any typical attributes beyond the corporeal.
I was really off my game with her around.
I could feel the energy that passed between us charge in the air again. What was that about? Her scent was churning in my throat again. I couldn’t stop myself from inhaling deeply; my eyes rolled up in near ecstasy. Unexpectedly my fatigue was replaced by irritation. I spun on her.
“What is that?” I demanded. “Why do you smell like that?” I hissed through clenched teeth.
Astonishment dawned on her face. “Smell like what?” She spoke cautiously.
“Like…like…” I huffed out a sigh. “You smell…scrumptious, like spicy honeyed chocolate. I…” I moved away from her. I needed to put some space between us again. “I find it very unsettling- it is hard to think of anything else.” I was embarrassed by my honesty, I was still irate.
A mischievous smile spread across her face as she shrugged. “I am a blood witch.”
As if that explained anything! I tried to give her a look of persuasion but I was sure that exasperation was all that could be read on my face.
“I don’t know why I smell that way to you, no one has ever told me I smelled like anything before.” She continued teasingly. “But, my blood is said to be - stimulating.” She moved closer to me, a moth to a flame. My hands went up defensively and my heart began pounding again as the electricity heated my hands.
I stiffened.
She stopped- thankfully.
“I am sorry.” Her features softened, she pleaded. “I…” She sucked in a deep breath. “I don’t know what this is,” she motioned her hand to point between us- Ugh! That moved the air that seemed to be connecting me to her. I swallowed uneasily. “It is definitely impressive, and, I feel it too.”
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©2010 N.M Faria
Tags: N.M Faria, RIXAS DE SANGUE
July 9th, 2010 at 12:30 am
Now were talking. The hooks are coming…