Roses Wither: Into the Darkness

Chase

Okay, so now I knew how to get her vampire going without beating her into a bloody mess, but that wasn’t going to work either. I couldn’t allow myself to be that close to her again.

I couldn’t believe how impossible this need was. I never lost control and I almost claimed her right there in the woods.

I knew that I had to get away from her to calm myself and when she chased after me, I almost lost it again.

I made it to my quarters, slammed the door behind me and locked it, leaning against it for support. I could feel her presence on the other side. She had followed me, and it was eating away at me.

I swore under my breath when she leaned against it as well. These doors needed to be thicker, I couldn’t contain myself very well as it was.

“Drinking? Isn’t that a sin, even for The Guard.” I turned to see Matthias standing at my mini bar, pouring himself a glass of wine.

I had been so wrapped up in her presence that I hadn’t noticed my brother standing right behind me, in my own sitting room.

“Stop calling me that.” I hissed.

The name had been given to me 200 years ago, when I was Nico’s weapon of choice on the battlefield, and it would take more than a few centuries for people to forget. Unfortunately.

I threw my coat on the chair and glared at him as I plopped down in it next.

“Why are you sulking?” He sighed.

I gave him the signal to silence and he ran to the door, peaking out, as I felt her presence subside.

"Missed her." He sighed, "I suppose I will meet her later though."

“Why are you here, Matthias?” I asked, finally able to breathe again.

When he walked close enough to me I pulled the glass out of his hand, taking it for my own and finishing it in one gulp. Nico’s drink was strong, but it barely effected me, unless I drank a lot of it.

“You said that the witch was here. I wanted to make certain you weren't under her spell.” He moved back to the bar, grabbed another glass and poured it for himself.

"I am under no spell." I glared at him, speaking in the tongue of the ancients.

“You, my brother, have never thought of anything other than your duty. Ever.” He seemed amused as he examined my eyes, “You have never been known to watch a woman strip in the woods and groan at her appearance. You barely notice them when they are naked and on top of you, because they do not hold a weapon. Nico may kill you for fancying his daughter and tell the witch to off you once and for all, so I am here to save you.”

“She's doing things to me,” I spoke the same, familiar language through gritted teeth, "I can feel it. Everything is different."

“Everything? Like opening you to things you have never noticed?” His tone was gentle, his words weighted.

“Do you know what her prophecy entails, Matthias?” I downed the glass and began to pour more as I spoke, “She is strong, I have felt her power. It is amazing, but she fears it. None of this makes sense.”

“Before the vampire, you were a warrior. You still are.” He gave a slow nod, “If anyone can help her, it’s you. Maybe that’s why she is your bound. She needs you to keep her safe.”

“I’m the one she needs safe keeping from.” I paused to take in more wine, tasting the flavor for the first time as it rhode down my throat. This was my first time tasting this drink, “We were in the woods today, I had a new tactic to get her to bring the Goddess forward. She did, but I nearly lost control. Again.”

“How so?” He mused.

“I was behind her and close to her neck and my need took over. Before I could reign it in, my eyes fully silvered and my fangs extended.” I motioned to my face angrily, “This time, it wasn’t even part of a spar and I didn't have time to gain control before she saw me.”

He began to laugh, “I wouldn’t picture you as premature-efangulator.”

“Seriously?” I glared up at him.

“You feel the pull.” He shrugged, “From what I have been through, it’s only going to get stronger until you do lose control. Let’s hope that by the time you do finally snap, her father isn’t around.” He winked at me.

“I don’t think-” I started, but then I felt a change in power around me again and held up a hand to shut him up, as if she could hear us through the door.

"Is that her I feel?" He grinned.

“She's still open." I hissed, going back to the door, "Does anyone know you’re here?”

“Yeah, Impaler Junior welcomed me with a warning not to cause trouble. The guy had nothing to say. His hands are as filthy as his father's.” He winced, wiping his hands on his shirt.

“All of us are sullied. Let’s not cast judgement, brother.” I glanced out the peep hole and saw Rosa practically running down the hall with the witch. Once again, only in a pair of sweats, no shoes.

“She’s going for a run again.” I hissed, “Nightfall hasn’t even hit.”

“She is a person, she’s allowed to come and go as she pleases.”

“No she isn’t. Her father doesn’t permit her to leave the grounds, let alone shift. It's not helping her embrace the Goddess. You know that. I think the witch is encouraging it.”

“Which one is she?” He asked as though he could see the ladies through the door.

“You know the witch, I'm sure her looks haven't escaped you, brother.” I glared at him. I needed to at least try to stop her, but I couldn't face her again today. Not now.

"You are right," An ecstatic grin hit his face. One that I had noticed over the past twenty years, had a hint of something sinister in it, "Shall we ask them what they’re up to then?"

I turned to face him, studying his features. Was this the mischievous smile or the trouble causing one? I really didn't need either right now.

As I studied him, Matthias pulled the door open and marched out, as if he were running a patrol.

“Fuck!” I hissed and closed the door behind him.

I couldn’t face her again today. There was no way. I was a warrior. I didn't lust after women. I protected them. Only, she didn't seem to need protecting, not after the power I felt from her today.

Rose

Clara and decided that I needed to blow if some steam and the easiest way to do that, was go for a run. If, "by Clara and I" meant me.

I decided for both of us, while Clara kind of went through the stages of; We need to follow the rules. To; I need to support my friend. Which was followed by; I need to go along with her to keep her from running too far.

“Excuse me, your highness, but where are you going?” A blonde man, taller than sin, suddenly marched beside me as I walked down the hallway.

I went into defence mode, but Clara pulled me back and I was able to regain what little of my self dignity I had left.

My eyes would not shift back to normal after what happened in the woods. I was highly acute to my surroundings and I could feel Chase watching me from behind his door. It was like his body was calling to me. I had to get rid of this floating energy and get back to my wolf, before I did something I knew I'd regret.

I examined the guard that had stopped is, as he and Clara glared at escort momentarily.

This guy, who I had never seen before, didn’t look anything like my father’s typical guard and his accent was way off, but very familiar to one I had become accustomed to in the past few days.

Then, I began to look at the similarities. He was extremely tall, a thinner build, blonde hair that was almost white.

“Who are you?” I squinted at him.

“My name is Matthias,” He bowed, like one of those old time bows from the 1800′s, but it was odd looking in his modern day clothing, “At your service. The Guard hired me to keep an eye on you and your...” He paused, glaring at Clara, “Friend here.”

The way he said friend did not sound like he liked her being here.

I angrily decided that he looked like the male version of Barbie. It had to be a policy with Chase, he only turned the pretty ones. Although, this guy didn’t feel like a vampire. As a matter of fact, I couldn’t feel him at all, but I could still feel Chase and knew he was in his quarters. His energy called to me.

I decided I needed to focus and it was on the Ken Doll in front of me. I had heard of other nightly creatures, witches, warlocks, demons, but he this guy didn’t fit the bill of any of them.

“Well, you can tell The Guard that Clara and I went for a run then.” If he was sent to watch me, I was pretty sure Chase would have told him I wasn’t allowed to shift.

“I don’t think-”

“I don’t think The Guard, or his merry men, have the right to tell me what to do.” I snapped my words like a whip, “Did my Father approve of this?”

“He does, if it is for your safety, Your Highness.” He gave a slow nod, looking from Clara to me and somehow I knew he wasn’t lying. But, it was more like he was just omitting some facts to get around lying. My, he was as cunning as a vampire even if he wasn’t one.

“Witches aren’t exactly safe.” He eyed Clara again, “Especially that one.”

“It's been a long time, Matthias.” Clara glared at him.

"Yes, it has." He grinned at her and I cringed. Something about it was terrifying.

“Look, when The Guard returns from behind his door," I pointedly looked at the door to Chase's quarters, "Tell him I went for a run, with my female guard, who happens to be a witch.” I snapped, “I will talk to him tomorrow, at training.”

“Do you feel him?" His smile turned teasing as turned back to me.

“Look at my eyes, Smitty...” I got on my tiptoes and still wasn’t up to the guy’s chest, “If I don’t blow off some steam, I’m going to snap! I need to go for a run! Who knows, if I don't get to go maybe I’ll kill an entire dinner party, or pillage the town.”

“Pillaging is for pirates, not vampires.” He tried to hide his laughter.

“Look, Blondie, go back to your coward of a boss, I don’t need you or anyone else watching me.” I snapped, looking around Matthias to Chase's door, "I already have one peeping from behind doors!"

“You’re a little cranky right now, aren’t you?” He mused, his blue eyes full of laughter, "I know someone who would love to make you feel better."

“I am so close to beating the shit out of you and your boss.” My Romanian accent, from my father's upbringing, kicked in and I was ready to kick this guy's ass.

“Oh?” He grinned wickedly now, "I am pretty sure it's not beating his ass you are interested in."

I took a step toward him and Clara pulled me back by my arm.

“As you can tell,” She pulled me toward the back of the castle, “Now is not a good time.”

“Are you sure this wolf is your mate, Miss Rosa?” He licked his lips and smiled as he asked, “Because I’m guessing, by your eyes and your scent, that he isn’t your destined.”

“We need to go!" Clara pushed on me now, as I tried to dive after the guy.

“I like your spice.” He was still grinning stupidly at me, “A redhead too..." He began to shake his head and chuckle, "I’m pretty sure, he’s met his match with you. Carry on, I will inform my brother of your absence.”