Chapter 4

I flattered my eyes open and sat up straight, darting my eyes around the room as I tried to remember everything that happened last night.

“That’s right, I was chosen.” I murmured to myself before clutching the pillow close to my lips. “Did I fall asleep later?” I wondered, getting out of bed and walking into the toilet. After washing my face and taking a quick shower, I headed up to the wardrobe, opening it and picking out a casual white and pink summer dress. As soon as I wore them, someone knocked on the door but before I could give them permission to come in, the door flew open and in came the girls, each one of them wearing a stunning outfit with matching heels.

“Come downstairs to eat.” Ferra ordered and I slowly nodded before grabbing the black slippers, quickly slipping them on.  

“Julie, go tell them we’d be down there soon.” Ferra instructed and one of the girls nodded obediently before rushing out of the room. I’m guessing that Ferra’s the boss now and we’re all supposed to kiss her ass? Normally, I would have at least said something back but I figured that although they can’t see it yet, we’re all in this together and at the end of the day, we needed each other to survive here.  

“You missed the event last night.” Ferra sneered as I tied my hair into a ponytail and I looked at her in confusion.

“Did something happen later? Because-” I paused when I noticed the peach patches of bandage on the girl’s neck as they rolled their eyes. My eyes widened and I stared at each and every one of them in disbelief.

“You let them…?” I trailed away when Irene walked up to me, flipping her hair to a side as she cleared her throat.

“You’re not even ashamed. They were all expecting us last night. We were supposed to welcome them.” I heard her say but her words seemed unclear to me as I reached over to touch her neck. She scowled, making a face in disgust and took a step back but I couldn’t help but feel sorry for this poor soul.

“Does it hurt? It must have hurt” I spoke softly and heard the three of them scoff before Rihanna walked up to me.

“Not everyone is a cry baby like you. Stop pitying us and worry about yourself!” She started, raising her voice and I stared at her in surprise. “I don’t know why Draven even bothered to give you a chance.” She finished off with a scowl, giving my shoulders a hard push as I stumbled backwards.

“Is there something wrong?” A voice interrupted us and we all turned to look at a vampire, whose name I didn’t know of.

“Vincent!” The girls exclaimed together and I looked up to meet his gaze as he smiled at me and then at the girls.

“We were just inviting her for breakfast.” Ferra lied and I didn’t bother to fight back. I don’t want to cause any trouble. I watched Vincent nod before averting my gaze back on the floor, hoping he would leave us alone now.

“Am I the only one who didn’t let them drink my blood yet? What if I’m next?” My thoughts started to bubble up and I was about to turn around when Irene grabbed my hand, yanking me back.

“Let’s go,” She ordered in a sickly sweet voice before giving me her sweetest smile and I faked a smile before shaking my head. “Oh, don’t be so difficult, you’ll get used to it.” She insisted, clutching my wrist to the point where it started to hurt and I was about to brush them away when she started dragging me out of the room.

“How come you didn’t show up last night?” I heard Vincent say before Irene and I came to a halt in the middle of the hallway. We both turned to face him and I hung my head a little before fiddling with my finger nervously. 

“I-I fell asleep.” I stammered a little and he simply nodded with a warm smile, which made me feel a little better. Maybe this guy wasn’t so bad?

“Now go eat.” He smiled and I was about to say something when Irene started dragging me away again.

As the girls guided me into another room, I noticed Edward and Raymond sitting on a sofa, next to some other male vampires as they all talked and joked around.

“You’re here? Eat.” I heard Edward say before pointing to a small coffee table full of muffins and pastries. I didn’t even bother to smile or utter a word. Instead, I stood still in my position before a hand grabbed my wrist and started dragging me towards the sofa.

“No, I’m not hungry.” I almost whined, jerking my hand away and Vincent turned to look at me before sighing.

“I get that you’re uncomfortable but at least eat something.” He said softly and I shook my head, glancing at the girls and then the guys, who were now staring at me. I noticed that Draven was missing and it relieved me beyond words. God knows how much I feared that monster.

“Just have something.” He insisted and I gave him a quick look before rushing towards the table and grabbing a chocolate muffin. As soon as I took a bite, I took a few steps back, making sure to keep a safe distance between me and the vampires, which didn’t seem to please some of them. The guys studied my every move and some of them chuckled while the rest rolled their eyes at my disrespectful behavior.

“This honey, is how it’s done.” I heard Ferra say before she walked up to a guy and sat on his lap while the other girls followed her lead, doing the exact same thing. Usually, I would have gagged in disgust but in this case, I was worried for them. What if they decide to feed on them again?

“See, it’s not that bad baby girl, come sit.” I heard Edward say and my eyes widened before I shook my head.

“You don’t have a choice.” I heard another guy say before he bolted up to me, grabbing my hands and jerking me towards him. I dropped the muffin and immediately tried to brush him away when he shot me a glare, causing a shiver down my spine.

“Danny, go easy on her. She’s just shy.” I heard Edward say and I quickly used this chance to jerk myself away from his grasp.

“For how long? If she keep causing trouble then our reputation will start to go down the drain!” He snapped, rolling his eyes and I pressed my lips together into a thin line.

“Just leave her be for now.” Another guy muttered and I stood still before biting the inside of my cheeks.

“She’s going to have to let us taste her sooner or later,” I heard Danny coo, causing goose bumps to rise all over my body. No, anything but that.

“Maybe it’s about time she respected us.” I heard someone say before Danny grabbed my hands again and I gasped before shaking my head.

“Stop! Let me go!” I yelled, trying to jerk my hands away but he was a lot stronger. His grip started to get a lot stronger and a whimper escaped through my lips as I struggled to free myself from his grasp.

“What’s going on?” Draven’s voice caused everyone to freeze and I turned my head to look at him enter the room before appearing in front of us within seconds.

“She’s being difficult again. We can’t even continue this meeting.” Danny muttered, releasing his grip and I went silent, my stomach turning ice when I realized Draven was now burning holes through my face again.

“What’s she done now?” He questioned, softly yet harshly and Irene immediately explained how I refused to sit with any guy. I just kept silent as I stared at her, finding it hard to believe that she’d rather take a vampires side rather than her own kind.

“Sit. With anyone you want to.” Draven ordered, sitting down on the sofa and I glimpsed back at him before giving a quick glance across the room. I could see Edward pointing his index finger towards his face as he kept mouthing the words “pick me” but I ignored him and stared at each and every one of them.

“I don’t want to sit with anyone.” I chose my words carefully, hoping it wouldn’t annoy or piss of Draven but of course I was wrong.

“Just sit! We’re already late because of you!” I heard him snap but I didn’t turn to face him. I couldn’t.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” I heard him mutter at my silence before two large hands grabbed my waist, pulling them down. I squealed and landed on his lap and turned to look up at him as he wrapped an arm around my waist before shooting me a glare.

“Stop, I feel uncomfortable-” I said quickly, trying to brush his hands away when he grasped my upper arm before giving them a tight squeeze, causing me to whimper in pain.

“Stop-resisting,” He whispered into my ears through gritted teeth and I went silent before nodding, feeling weak and helpless. “Begin.” he instructed and everyone nodded before the so-called-meeting began.

After half an hour or so, I started to have this sick feeling in my stomach as Draven kept going on and on about some special meeting with the humans. I’m surprised I wasn’t shaking as much as I expected myself to.

“If only I picked Edward or anyone else rather than-” My thoughts trailed away when I felt Draven’s hand trail down from my hands to my thighs before he started running circles on them with his fingers, causing my breath to hitch in fear. I glanced at him but he was still talking to the other guys, completely ignoring my presence. Was he doing it unintentionally?

I started squirming in my position uncomfortably and was about to say something when I noticed Ferra scowling at me as she mouthed the words “you’re dead”.

It’s no surprise that the girls were mad that of all the people, I got to sit with Draven. But it’s not like I wanted to.

“So we hold a meeting and ask the girls to give a speech-”

“Um-” I interrupted Draven, who stopped to look at me before his eyebrows furrowed together in annoyance.

“What?” He muttered and I looked down to stare at his right hand that was still placed on my thighs. He followed my gaze and stopped to stare for a few seconds before going silent.

“Why? Does this make you uncomfortable?” He finally asked, squeezing my thigh softly and I gasped before grabbing his hands to brush them away but he held them firmly, making sure that I wasn’t able to move.

“Yes!” I said, raising my voice a little and I watched him frown at me before speaking. “If you don’t want my hands to move all the way then I suggest you stop-moving.” He whispered into my ears, emphasizing the last two words and I blushed slightly before turning away. He wouldn’t dare…would he?

“The meeting will be tomorrow or within this week. Tonight we go out.” Draven continued and

everyone agreed with a nodded. I watched all of them get up and was about to stand up as well when Draven grabbed my upper arm, holding me in place.

“I suggest you don’t do anything reckless today.” He leaned closer to warn in my ears and I shuddered when I felt his lips brushing against my earlobes. Little does he know that I was planning to escape tonight. 

“Yeah” I said shortly, hoping he’d let me go now but apparently he had something else to say as well.

“If I catch you doing anything stupid, which I have no doubt you will, sooner or later,” He started, sarcasm dripping in his words and I held back the urge to roll my eyes. Perhaps if he wasn’t a blood-thirsty, creepy and ill-tempered vampire who I was not afraid of then yes, I’d probably show off a lot of attitude. “I’ll make sure you regret it.” His voice turned dead serious within seconds and I gulped softly before nodding again. Draven released me from his grip and I quickly rushed out of the room, ignoring some guys and girls calling my name as I stormed away.  

That night, I paced around the room, biting the tip of my fingernails as I tried to come up with the perfect plan.

“Oh god, who am I kidding? The only way out for me is through the window.” I muttered, turning to look at the window that was now wide open. Tonight was my second night here, which means that I’m going to have to let at least one of those vampires have a taste of my blood before I go to sleep. Like hell I was going to let that happen.

“Dinner’s ready, are you coming down?” Vincent’s voice caused me to gasp as I turned around to watch him walk inside my room.

“You should’ve knocked!” I blabbered out and he raised a brow before taking a step forward.

“I did, several times actually. You didn’t respond.” He pointed out and I blushed slightly before turning away and remaining silent.  

“I’ll be downstairs soon.” I said and Vincent nodded as I took a deep breath.

“By the way, there is going to be a meeting with the humans tomorrow. You’re to give a little speech about our hospitality.” Vincent explained and I gave him a look of confusion before nodding, trying to get rid of him as soon as possible so that I could come up with an escape plan.

“Everyone’s downstairs already, except you and Draven so make sure you come down before he arrives okay?” He advised, fixating his light blue eyes into my brown ones and I nodded again before he walked out of my room.

Wait, if everybody’s downstairs at the dining room, does that mean that I have a chance to escape?

Without even thinking straight, I found myself rushing out of the room before tiptoeing down the stairs, silently praying that nobody will notice me.

“What am I doing?!”

Panic stricken thoughts started to flood through my mind but I quickly shut them out as I glanced around the mansion and sure enough, nobody was about, not even the butlers.

“It’s now or never Adriana.” I whispered to myself before tiptoeing up to the main door and grabbing the handle. I started to open the door when suddenly, Edwards’s voice echoed through the mansion, making me freeze in my position.

“Adriana? What are you doing?” I heard him ask out loud and without warning, I burst open the door and started running outside.

“Hey! Adriana’s on the run!” Edwards screaming almost ripped my heart out of its place but there was no turning back now and I was aware of that. I ran across the lawn as fast as I could and a sudden relief lifted from my chest when I noticed that the main gate was still opened. Just as I bolted out of the gate, my face connected to someone’s chest, causing me to stumble back and gasp as I fell on a sitting position. I looked up and my heart dropped dead when I saw Draven standing in front of me, his eyes not wavering for even a second, as if he’s already seen my little plan coming.

“Tsk, tsk-” Was all he could say before I picked myself up and started sprinting to the other side. I don’t know why I even bothered to waste my energy, thinking that I could outrun a vampire, because the next thing I knew, Draven appeared in front of me and I squealed before taking several steps back, fear rushing over my face as I tried to calm myself down and think of a way to slip past him.

“Don’t move,” He suddenly snapped, grasping my shoulders before I could turn around and I stiffened in my position, my breath hitched in fear as I stared into his fierce blue eyes.

“Don’t move.” He repeated softly, his eyes growing a shade darker and I gulped softly. My hands began to tremble when I realized that he just used his compulsion because now, my feet refused to move and they were glued to the very spot. Why the hell did I make this stupid choice? I should’ve known that this would happen.

“Adriana, why…” I heard Edward’s voice groan from behind me but I didn’t turn around to face him. I couldn’t.

“She’s practically begging for punishment.” Draven’s cold voice caused a shiver down my spine and I started at him, plead filling my eyes as I tried to find the right words to say.

“It probably won’t happen again-”

“I don’t fucking care. I warned her!” Draven cut off Edward, raising his voice as he inched forward, decreasing the space between us and at this point, I begged for the compulsion to break so that I could at least take a step back.

“It-it won’t happen again. I was just-”

“Killing you would be too easy. How about we make it a little more interesting?” Draven cut me off and I opened my mouth to apologize when he spoke again. “Your parents-” He started and I stopped to look at him in fear, the color on my face draining away within seconds. “Perhaps hurting the two people most precious in your life is the best way to teach you a lesson.” He finished and my heart dropped dead at his words. He was definitely a sadist, because upon seeing my petrified expression, a cold and sadistic smirk appeared on his face which caused tears to glisten in my eyes as I came to realize exactly what he was capable of. This man, this monster was threatening to kill my parents and was dead serious about it now. 

“Please don’t, it won’t happen again!” I started pleading, trying to take a step forward to convince him but due to his compulsion, I was forced to stay still.

“Beg some more and maybe I’ll consider it.” Draven taunted and his cruel words boiled anger inside of me but at this point, I was more desperate than angry.

“Please, I’m sorry! Don’t bring them into this, I’m begging you-” I started pleading before tears started rolling down my cheeks but I quickly brushed them away, knowing that crying wasn’t going to get me anywhere when it comes to Draven Cruz.

“Draven, consider it.” I heard Edward’s voice before he let out a sigh. I almost forgot he was even there now. I fixated my brown eyes into his blue ones as another drop of tear rolled down my cheeks, praying he could see just how sorry I was. If I knew that he would hurt my parents, I would have never done this.

“Please…I’m sorry-” I choked out, clutching my dress and he stared me down with his cold, merciless blue eyes. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I stood there helplessly, gazing down on the ground, praying that he would find it in his heart to forgive me just this once. My breath hitched when he suddenly tangled his fingers around my hair from behind as he leaned his lips closer to my ears. A heavy sigh escaped through his mouth and I shuddered when his lips brushed against my earlobes before he uttered the words that caused my heart to drop.

“Apology not accepted, doll face.”

xxx

Comment your opinion about this chapter. I would love to hear them!

Much love, 

Kathy