Vol.1 Chap 10: Take me there! By your side!

My eyes fluttered open, pupils hazy and mind a mess, my lips slightly parted as I woke up from my slumber. Ropes binding my fragile form, struggling to break free, their binds only tightening around me the more I struggled. 

The weird feeling of warmth took over my body, feeling the fire I sat right next to its orange light bouncing off of my half-lidded crimson eyes and pale skin, their attention soon turning to a man with brown hair styled in curtain bangs, he held a book in his hand, the same title as mine.

His hair hanging over his eyes so I couldn't tell their hue, he seemed desperate, sad even. I couldn't work up the courage to say anything my heart pounded in my chest from fear of the sight, A human, an actual human sat right in front of me. I pulled my legs in close to me as I scooted away trying to make as much distance as possible even though I couldn't move much.

His head raised at the sound of me struggling, his emerald green eyes staring at me through his glasses. His lips turned down a bit as he saw my distressed gaze. 

"Where is it," He muttered, getting up from the log he sat on, the light from the fire giving him an appearance that was most eerie, I cowered under his shadow, my hands tied, my eyes shut bracing myself for what punishments he might have in store. 

"S-stay away from me," I said under my breath inching even more, his hand reaching for the binds of my ropes, pulling me in closer.

"Where're my books?" His voice got slightly more serious, his eyebrows furrowing over his angry gaze staring into my crimson eyes filled to the brim with tears, "Well?!"

"I don't know," I whimpered, my eyes unable to look into his.

His gaze softened, letting go of me with a sigh, my face collided with the floor my eyes closed shut from the impact before I looked up at him, he started to push his hair back, one hand on his hip as if he was calming himself down.

His sharp features, and his silky hair, I found myself noting on all of it, who knew humans could be so, so.

"Ok, what are you really?" The man asked, looking at me, with a look of concern mixed with anger, his hands balled into fists. "You're body was extremely cold when I dragged you here and your skin is really pale, those fangs too,"

He muttered getting a closer look at me causing me to back away, my eyes stuck in his, his hand on his chin as he pondered.

"Well, I could make a wooden stake right now," He muttered to himself, causing a shiver to go down my spine.

"Do you know who I am?! I'm Ellisa! The princess soon-to-be queen of the vagabond family if you touch me there will be hell to pay!" I shouted defensively, there was nothing else I could do in this situation, I'm not as strong as most vampires, even my brothers are stronger than me, on top of that my vampire abilities, such as flying and hypnotic powers are subpar at best I can't even keep a rat entranced.

I bite my lip in anticipation, waiting for a response from the human, a smile creeping up on his face clearly amused with the situation.

"So you are a vampire," He muttered, getting up from the ground, I felt like I'd made a mistake.

He left towards his bag, picking up a shiny object, as I peered over to see what it was I saw a silver knife, my blood ran colder than it already was looking up at him as he approached me.

"Hold still," He muttered, grabbing my shoulder, I closed my eyes, shutting them tight as the knife slid down my body and freed my binds. 

"H-huh?" I said as the ropes fell down my body, colliding with the dirt floor. My gaze turned back to him, immediately stepping away to gain some distance, baring my fangs at him to get some sort of dominance, but he paid me no mind, picking up the pieces of rope that lay scattered on the floor.

I thought it would've been more of a fight but since he's just letting me go like this I started to walk away and take my leave.

"Hey, princess," He called out, his tone almost mocking. 

I shivered at his words, turning back with a slightly irritated face. 

"What?"

He smiled, getting up from the ground, and looked at me, his ropes held tightly in his hands.

"If you see anyone with the books marked Theo Graystone, please bring them back to me," My eyes widened at his words, he was THE Theo Graystone, the man who wrote all those novels I read long ago, the man who helped me through my boredom.

I hesitated for a while, keeping my cool before turning away from him.

"And why should I help a human?" I inquired, trying to sound as irritated as possible, but his smile only got warmer, 

"I'll owe you one," 

"Really?" I turned around, slightly intrigued by the situation, my hands to my chin, thinking about the idea, this could be my chance to see the book I've been wanting to for so long. I grinned to myself, before finally giving my response.

"Ok, deal, I'll do it," I said, my hands on my hips with a determined smile, my dress following my movements as I turned, "But when I'm done getting all of your books, you have to take me to a human village!"

Theo was slightly taken aback by my request, his smile never fading to the point it was irritating! yet... 

"Ok then, we have a deal," Theo said nodding in agreement, his pinkie stretched out to me.

"What are you doing," I said with a hint of disgust, looking at his pinkie finger in confusion and furrowed eyebrows.

"A pinkie promise, that's how we humans make deals, and you can't break it," Theo said his smile just as determined as mine was a few seconds ago.

"I know what a pinkie promise is!" I snapped folding my arms, "That's so childish, you're a grown-ass man why are you-"

"So you don't want to go to the human village," He interrupted my rant, causing me to look at him in disbelief, my mouth slightly agape at his audacity. 

"Ok, fine I'll humor you," I muttered stretching my pinkie out to him, tying them together, and shaking on it, "This is so degrading,"

If anyone saw me doing this I'd for sure be laughed at, and with a human no less exile might come next, but I can't help it, a warmness spread through me whenever I interact with him, a feeling I never got with other vampires, even the ones I loved so dearly, It felt right, It feels...

"So addicting."