Involuntarily

Caroline cried as she saw them jumping at her like they were possessed by something and the man that she had commenced trusting was amongst them too. She felt betrayed.

They all leaped at her and without a weapon but for the stones that were now far away as she had used up the ones near, she crossed her hands over her head to protect herself.

The only thing she got was the light scratch on her hand and soon everything became calm and serene. No movements and no sound. Her closed eyes opened to see and peeked at the ' who ' that had saved her, but her efforts turned futile as large arms encompassed her and she was flying again with the person whose name she knew not.

They were leaving from place to place. He, for the strong arms she felt, was a vampire and a faster one at that. Another vampire saved her. What of the others?. Were they dead?.

This time they did not take as much time as she and that eye-patched man had taken. And as they leaped without halting she closed her lids tighter. Soon their feet were on the ground again and she got her footing.

They staggered, Caroline, the reason as she feared she might fall. The cold air around them hit her skin. Though she had worn a dress of thick cotton, it was of short sleeves, protecting her less. The arms around her like a blanket were peeled off and she was, but for herself standing on whatever land they arrived.

She opened her eyes to see the black cloak that flooded down. His back was turned to her and a hood was pulled over his head.

" Didn't I tell you to cover up that wound? ". She heard him speak and the voice she recognized, for it was the voice of the eye-patched man that saved her and it was quite hoarse. Pained, she would describe it. It sounded starved and ragged.

Bewilderment covered her face at the familiarity of the voice. He saved her. Her enemy in savor clothing did save her. Again. " You... ". She managed to say before her tongue fell tired. The words stayed on the tip of her tongue.

" I hate it when my instructions are disobeyed and not taken seriously ".

Caroline gulped the words back. The irritation in his voice would have, if it as added more fierceness, flinch her out of position.

" I did— ". She said as she slowly regained herself. " —I did tie it, but in between leaping and leaped, the wound bled ". She summarised, hoping that she did not with her words, crucify herself.

And as she did hope, his back turned to her, hid perfectly the smile that lit his face.

Edgar, saw the vampires leap at her. Though he was almost spellbound by the intoxicating aroma of her blood, he surged and saved her. He was left with no other option than to leap with her again, forcing his mind to work properly and against his body that thwarted to drink of her blood. He was a vampire after all.

There was something very delicious in the scent of her blood. Something that even the most powerful vampires could not resist. She was of great beauty but if her blood was to be spilled, the beauty would be ignored and for her blood, she would be kidnapped to be killed in a short period. And there and then, the need to protect her came on him. She was without someone in the world and her killer would not care to think.....

" What is your name? ".

" Caroline Mangrove ".

And yes, he had heard her name from his comrades, but to build her trust in him, she telling him her name was necessary. Her safety depended greatly on the trust she had in him.

" Edgar Shears is my entitlement ".

Caroline could only sigh in relief but not entirely. They, knowing each other's names meant that he was not with any intent to sever her head or dig those sharp things into her neck. But he was among the vampires that had rushed at her, and he could change at any time. She feared.

" What did you do with the others? ". And if she would bank on him, he had to be truthful. Saving her without the men following could be suspicious.

" They still live ". He replied hastily and reached for the hem of his cloak before tearing a part of it with his teeth.

Caroline saw him stride toward her and she moved back. To say she did not think the piece of clothing was a blindfold, she would be lying. She took another step back when he neared her, but Edgar was faster. Her throat worked, ready to scream, but he held her wounded arm firmly and stripped the wound of its dressing. And when she did scream, his free hand covered her mouth.

" Stay inert and it will be less painful ". His hand on her arm lessened in its hold and he blew into the wound.

The blood had seized to flow. And with the wet cloth, he cleaned the wound and wrapped the black one around it.

The precision, the care, the less pressure— her eyes welled at his tenderness. He handled her like he knew the job and like...

" There is an infirmary in the next village. We will get you there and get your wounded treated. For now let's hold with this ".

Caroline was speechless and the tears that streamed down her face came from her heart. She remembered her mother. Those good days.

Edgar who was head bent even when he spoke to her, lifted it to look at her when he was done.

He was worried when he saw those tears. " Hey! Why are crying? Is it hurting anywhere? ". He attempted loosing the cloth a little to relieve her of the pain.

" No, I am okay. I am not hurting at all. I just.... I am very much better. You're done? ". She winced

Edgar saw those tears streaming down her face and very involuntarily, he reached for the trails one by one.