11 Chapter 11 When one strays..

I found myself tired after last nights activities I sighed as Don guided the Ox lead covered wagon with more attention than before.

" Why are you so tense?" I blurted out my thoughts before I could stop myself. Settling back against the inside of the wagon I didn't expect him to answer my question.

But with a huff Don began in a cold voice.

" About last night; I did and said something I shouldn't have; and I just wanted to be clear with you." He stopped the wagon and turned to look me in the eyes.

"The events last night in no way mean we are dating or that I like you." He stared at my face as the silence stretched between us. I already knew all this so why was he bringing it up?

I looked at him with a dull stare then said dryly.

"I'm aware." Don blinked many times before he turned around and started the Ox forward. There was a long silence before He spoke again "I was sure you'd argue with me. Claiming I should take responsibility for doing what I did." His voice seemed a bit lost. What kind of unreasonable woman did Don hang around with? Maybe he was..No he is a Hero but maybe.

" Perhaps, Don do you fancy children?" I said it half heartedly but it was enough to get Don's full attention.

"What the hell is wrong with you?! Just because I said I didn't like you doesn't mean I'm-" I cut off his sentence with.

" Only children would force you to take responsibility for their bodies; after all they aren't old enough to understand they aren't anything special." He shut his mouth and glared at me, Then continued;

"I'll have you know all the woman I keep with me are beautiful ladies. Much cuter than you." I snorted at his suddenly childish attitude and retorted sarcastically.

"Oh no my feelings are so hurt; the great and terrible Don doesn't like me. Real mature; can you move the wagon now?" I laughed inwardly as I stared at him with empty eyes. This I was accustomed to; I don't think I had encountered a decent man I would call a partner ever. As if the reality of it hit me my blood ran cold and I suddenly wanted nothing more than to find the darkest corner on earth and sit in it. Was I going to always be this alone?

Don for once seemed unsettled as he gazed at me; he once again blinked a few times and went about guiding the Ox. Every so often he would irritatingly begin to speak only to stop.

"When did you become so chatty?" I said it with a hint of annoyance and he shot me a dirty look.

"We will never get along." He said it with finality and I could feel a small mischievous smile stretch across my face.

"only time will tell." I said it ominously and he looked back at me looking a bit concerned; I wondered if I had unsettled him.

After a while we could finally see the first village on the horizon and the day was slowly waning into evening. I felt myself relax at the idea of a soft bed and the possibility of a decent breakfast.

Don and I had said nothing to each ever since our conversation in the wagon.

" One room please and 2 breakfasts" Said Don breaking the silence and pulling out 15 gold coins. I shot him a disapproving look; The receptionist giggled and took the coins with a wink in my direction.

I angrily grab his hand and pulled him to a corner of the room.

"What in Samhain do you think you're doing?!" I hissed in a hushed voice; For once I think I saw A smirk on Don's face.

" I'm not sure what the problem is. I've already seen everything your body has to offer haven't I?" He said it casually as if he was commenting on the weather. I knew I wasn't anything special but I sure as hell was not going to let him sit there and act as if my body was completely worthless.

I smiled coldly while placing my hands on his broad shoulders; I got up on my tippy toes and said into his right ear.

" If I recall Don, not everything. After all I'm the one who is still virgin." I pulled away and watched as the emotions processed in his eyes. Surprise, Anger and something else I couldn't place; ether way before he could say anything I left; giving him a pat on the back.

The night was hot as I walked down a dirt path through the village; My mind wandered to my future. All I wanted to do was become a tamer and see amazing things.

"Even if I am alone" I said quietly.

"Who said you're alone?" I quickly looked up to see a face that haunted both my nightmares and my fantasies. I gasped as a mix of terror and excitement settled into my guts; I immediately turned to escape only to see the Vampire standing 2 steps in front of me.

"Leaving so soon? " He said it with a tilt of the head while wearing an indecipherable mask of indifference. I'm not sure why but my instincts were telling me that this person was angry, very-very angry in fact. I backed away only to find myself backed into the shadows of a corner. He stepped toward me until our face were only inches apart.

My stomached churned as his unsettling red eyes flared to life at me. like a whirlpool; Once it sucked you in you couldn't get out.

"If it's about your proposal I-" he put a clawed finger on my lips shutting me up instantly.

" My subordinate showed me something quite displeasing last night." My mind went instantly to the lake and my lips parted with remembrance. embarrassed I could no longer meet his gaze.

"You seemed to have really enjoyed yourself." I could hear the anger in his voice now and a cold chill ran down my spine. RUN was all my instincts were telling me; but before I could even find an exit one of his clawed hands were around my neck raising me off the ground. I felt dizzy from the lack of oxygen; my feet kicked futilely in retaliation.

He brought my face close to his and a sad and pained look painted his impressive features.

"Did you enjoy his touch so much?" He released me then and I fell to the ground coughing. I felt a mix of anger, shame and indignation all at once.

"I was planning to take you away tonight; but I don't feel like it anymore." He said looking down at me with an evil grin.

" bad wives should be punished and disloyal wives should be cleansed"

Wife?! Who was his wife?! Not Me!

"I think you're mistaken Vampire!"

I said using the wall for support to get to my feet. He continued ignoring my comment.

" You have 2 choices." He said it playfully with a scary smile on his face. My temper beat out my fear and I raised my voice.

"Vampire!" I screeched and only after the words left my lips did I wish I had just kept my mouth shut.

"Amos." He said darkly. His voice was to calm in the sudden silence.

"Not vampire." He stared me down until all I could do was nod. "Wife you have 2 choices: You'll let me taste you as repentance for your disloyalty; until I'm satisfied.. naturally; or you can let these villagers pay the price in blood for you." Where was Don at times like these?

" you'd be asking to die." I said my brain kicking it's self for a solution. One of his hands slowly wrapped around my neck, pulling me forward he then slammed me against the wall. The air left my lunges and the claw from his thumb needled at my chin causing me to look up at his face and into those hypnotic eyes.

" And why is that? Is it because you think your precious hero will stop me? Don't make me laugh." He brushed one of my stray hairs to the side with his other hand.

" I have plenty of tool at my disposal. How many lives do you think my army can take before your precious hero can kill 10 of them? How many lives will be lost before he finds me? How many people will die while we fight?" He pressed me harder against the wall while tightening his grip on my throat; I winced as he began to kiss me; his eyes drilled holes in my own. I couldn't bare to look at his handsome face anymore and shut my eyes tightly. Smooth and luminously white with angelic features that look like they belong on an angel rather than a devil. My mind began to fry as he played around with my tongue; the lack of oxygen eat at my syrength. I couldn't even fight back and I moaned thoughtlessly.

"I'll take that as your answer." He said pulling away. With a snap of his fingers 2 black armored knights arose from the shadows at my feet. They each grabbed one of my arms and pulled them slightly above my head.

" what is this?!" I said wakened from my stupor. He smiled evilly and said with a sickeningly sweet voice.

"The beginning of your punishment of course."