The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

KATALEYA -

"May I speak to you later?" I ask Jose. This isn't right... Enrique is still upset with him and I don't like that he is not by his side, but I also want to further discuss the image he showed me.

"Of course," he says, giving me a small smile just as Marie climbs up the steps, looking up at the packhouse building. She glances at Jose before giving him a smile.

"Nice tattoo." She says, pointing at her cheek. I glance at Jose's tattoo as he politely lowers his head to her.

"Thank you," he replies formally. She flashes us a smile before she is led inside.

"She's nice." I remark softly.

He looks away, frowning slightly, before glancing back at me. "I'll meet you in the back, near the pool," he says quietly. I nod, just as Carlos comes over, not giving me much time to wonder if he disliked Marie for any specific reason. "Sorry, Señorita Rossi. Alpha Enrique wishes to see you in his office," Carlos says politely.

"Oh... ok, I'll go see what he wants," I respond, giving them both a smile.

I don't like the way Alpha Luis' eyes are lingering on me and I am happy for the excuse to disappear.

On my way up to Enrique's floor, my mind goes to Marie. She's a lovely girl ... but if Enrique plans to have me mark him yet make her his official luna, she should at least know what she's signing up to. I'll talk to him.....

He's been avoiding me. Ever since that kiss... my heart squeezes and I press a hand to my chest.

Love hurts... it really does...

Why does it have to hurt?

I knock on the office door, feeling a sudden rush of unease.

That darkness... I can feel it again.

"Enrique?" I call sharply.

No answer.

My stomach twists and I turn the knob, slowly opening the door. Ready for anything.

Peering inside, the seat behind the desk is empty; it takes me a fraction of a second to realise where he is and I spin around just as he tries to grab my arm and I back away, my heart thundering.

Why did it feel like I didn't sense him?

I'm breathing hard. There are rare people who have such excellent skills and it takes years to perfect. Some sentences are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on FindNovel.net. Visit FindNovel.net to read the complete chapters for free. My case is entirely different. The best I know who is a trained tracker and excellent at this technique is Rayhan, my cousin.

My sudden move doesn't faze him and he grabs my arm, tugging me away from the open door and kicks it shut. My heart skips a beat when he turns the lock in the door, his gaze fixed on me.

My eyes widen as he pushes me up against the door, my heart thundering.

"Enrique..."

His cold gold eyes are burning into mine and I stay quiet. He called me here... but why?

"That necklace was in this office, in a locked cabinet. How did you get it?"

"I unlocked it." I answer softly, as if not wanting to awaken the beast, but I couldn't lie.

He clenches his jaw, his eyes back on me, "You are forbidden from going through my things...yet you think you could look through my things?"

I sigh softly. He can't have my necklace, it means a lot to me. "Well, I didn't nosy in anything. I only searched for and took what belongs to me."

"Without permission! You went through my office without permission. You will be punished for that, Princesa-"

"You need to tell Marie your plans. She's lovely, strong and would make an incredible luna." I suddenly blurt out, even if thinking of her as his luna hurts. I'm so silly...

He glares at me, clearly irritated that I changed the topic.

"You are not off the f*****g hook. As for her, she won't refuse this engagement, I assure you, there's too much at stake."

"Good. Then please tell her." I insist gently.

He clenches his jaw, those dreamy eyes glaring back at me. It's weird... they can be cold yet still so... beautiful...

"The head chef told me you helped make the dessert for the guests. Do I need to have a word with her?" he asks, snapping me from my thoughts. His hand is still tightly gripping my arm. Oh, I hope he doesn't ban me from the kitchens!

"I'm the one who asked to be allowed. How can you blame them for not refusing me when you keep me in your room? Sofia is a lovely lady, and she means no harm. I just wanted to welcome them as you had wanted me to," I explain hurriedly.

I know all the kitchen staff by name now, and they love having me around too.

"So let me get this straight... you cooked for the woman who will my official luna right?" he mocks me.

I tilt my head, observing him. Didn't I just clarify that? "Yes, you wanted me to be hospitable, and that's all I did. Why does that make you angry? I'm confused. What do you want from me, Enrique?" I ask softly.

I can sense the turmoil from him. It's like a powerful ball of rage and darkness festering and breeding into something darker, bigger and more sinister with every passing day.

I place my hand on his arm, wanting to ease the storm within him for him, but he tenses under my touch. His eyes glimmering with hints of ominous orange.

My breath hitches, but I don't show my fear as I make myself smile gently, hoping to dissipate his rage. His grip on my arm tightens and a sharp zing of pain rushes through it, making me feel ill.

"What do I want?" he whispers sinisterly.

The darkness is surrounding us again.

"I want to destroy you. To tear that arrogance and confidence from you. To break you and your heart. To f*****g destroy you in every f*****g way and then when you are nothing more than a shell of the woman you are right now. I'll toss you before your father's feet when I'm f*****g done." He says, making my stomach twist, a powerful ache settling into my chest.

His words sting, but this is not the man I kissed in the water, it's like a switch has been tripped. His eyes are fully orange now and when he releases my arm, I can still feel his touch burning me up.

He grabs hold of my chin roughly, forcing me to look up as he searches my eyes.

"Does it hurt?" he whispers seductively, but there's an underlying chill to it. "No." I answer firmly.

"Tell me... was that kiss in the water your first?" There's a mocking taunt in his voice as he rubs his thumb across my lips roughly.

"No." I lie.

His lips curl. "That's a lie. I can see it in your eyes... see? One by one I'll take it all from you, and you will let me...

"I wo-" I'm cut off when his lips crash against mine in a painful bruising kiss, as he yanks me closer before pushing me back against the door roughly, a spasm of pain rushing through me.

For a second, I feel the tingles that I always get from his touch, but then it feels as if my entire body has gone cold. My heart palpitates and I'm suddenly immobile.

There's a smoky, stale darkness beginning to swirl around me, biting into every inch of me, and I feel as if I'm being pulled away from Enrique. I can feel his brutal dominating kiss against my lips but it's almost.. like a memory.

And once again I'm in that eerie crypt where the Crawler lingers, biding his time.

No... not again.

I can taste blood in my mouth as intense pain rushes through me...

What's happening?

The whimper of my wolf makes me blink.

Focus Kat... Focus...

The kiss. It's this kiss! There's something wrong with it! I need to break free.

With all the force I can muster, I search in my mind for the control of my body and push him away. The moment I do; my heart thunders as my aura blazes. I'm yanked from that dark place and Enrique staggers back, wiping his mouth, his eyes flickering in surprise. "What's wrong? Not enjoy..." he trails off, as he blinks, and his eyes are back to hazel as he looks around the study, almost as if confused before he seems to realise something and turns his back on me. "Get out."

I don't respond, obeying willingly, and I turn towards the door. My entire body is burning up, and with a trembling hand I frantically reach for the door handle and struggle to unlock it before I stumble into the hall, pulling the door slightly behind me, but it doesn't click and I'm far too exhausted to try to reach behind me and shut it.

With every step I take, my body is getting heavier. I cough, covering my mouth, my heart skipping a beat when I feel the coppery liquid splash onto it. I move my hand away from my mouth and stare down at my blood. What happened?

My vision blurs and I stop, grabbing onto the wall.

What is going on?

I feel the shift in the energy around me and I find myself looking into the crypt once again, my blood running cold when I see the evil Crawler sitting in the corner, watching me as if he was waiting for me.

My heart thunders when I realise he doesn't look surprised... it's almost like he knew I'll appear.

His mouth widens in what might be a sinister smile, but only makes fear envelop me.

No, don't be afraid, he can't touch me unless...

I'm too weak... what...

I'm falling. He doesn't get up simply licking what looks like blood from his teeth.

This time when he speaks, his words are crystal clear. 'Ah sha za... sa..... the kiss of darkness has worked!'

With every ounce of willpower I have left, I focus on the light, my wolf and everything I hold dear, feeling myself being pulled away, but I'm too tired...

"Kataleya!" Someone's calling me, but I'm not sure who and I can no longer hold on...

My head drops backwards, giving into the extreme exhaustion that shrouds me...