Ch. 7 The Monster In My Room

The morning sun on my face woke me. My neck was stiff from sleeping at my desk, so I decided to take a hot bath. I filled the tub and eased myself into the bubbles, sighing. 'If I have to leave, I'll miss bubble baths!' I had never been a "prissy" kind of girl, but bubble baths were the one exception. As I lay back in the water, I closed my eyes. I felt the tension of the last twenty-four hours melt away. I tried clearing my mind, focusing only on the warm water and the sound of the birds outside my window. I sank even lower, submerging my head under the water. The quiet was heavenly- my temporary escape from reality. But reality had other plans.

Suddenly, I was lifted out of the tub, my lungs filling with water on the way up from my sudden gasp. As I coughed, I tried to make sense of what was happened. Eirik was there, pulling me into his arms and covering my mouth with his hand. I tried pushing him off to cover myself, but he was much stronger. Fear turned me feral, I began clawing and swinging at Eirik until he shook me. "Listen. You will keep your mouth shut and stop fighting me, or I will let them have you!" He hissed in my ear. I froze, confused. Keeping us away from the window, Eirik grabbed a towel and wrapped it around me. Putting a finger to his lips he motioned for me to follow him back into my room. "We only have a few minutes. Put something warm on and grab only what you can't live without," he whispered.

Terrified, I did what he said. Something about the look on his face told be to behave for once. In the distance, I heard the yelling of men and the clashing of steal. 'Are we under attack?' I quickly grabbed my journal and my sketchbook, along with my box of writing and drawing supplies. I picked out my winter boots, a pair of thick jeans and my coat. He turned his back to me to allow me some privacy to put on my underwear and bra, before becoming inpatient and grabbing clothes out of my closet. "You really have a death wish! Here, put these on. It got cold last night. Hurry up." He handed me a long-sleeved shirt and a thick wool sweater. As I dressed, he grabbed a bag and shoved some of my underwear, bras, socks and an extra pair of gloves inside. Raising an eyebrow at me he gestured to my pile of things on my bed. "This it?" I nodded my head and he added them to the pack. As soon as the clothes were on my body, he grabbed me around the waist. "Stay close. Don't make a sound, understand?" I nodded, but whispered "What about my mother?" Hearing a noise in the hall, he pulled me to a crouch behind the door. He placed his lips close to my ear. "She is safe, but you are not. I need you to trust me." I nodded, wide eyed.

Eirik scooped me up and threw my on the bed, his body coming down over me. My heart hammered in my chest. "What the hell?!" I asked, before his mouth covered mine. It wasn't exactly a kiss, but a way to keep my quiet. I laid under him, terrified for my life. A moment later, we weren't alone in the room.

"Give me the girl," a deep voice echoed through my room. Eirik shifted to turn his head, still keeping my body tucked under his. "You are too late. I've already taken her." His voice dripped with possessiveness. I opened my mouth to protest but he squeezed my hand in warning. "As you can see, we are busy. As it is our honeymoon, I'd rather not entertain company," Eirik said, keeping his voice calm. The man at the door came closer, wary of Eirik's every movement. "I want proof. Show me and I'll let you be. Lie to me and I will make you watch as I-" Eirik interrupted him, his voice going icy cold, "Touch her and I will rip your head from your neck." He sat up, pulling me with him. I didn't say a word as he pulled me into his lap protectively wrapping his arms around me. The man took a step closer. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears. Sweat moistened my palms and I shuddered. Something about that man sent warning bells off in my body. He was somehow familiar. Seeing my fear, one side of the man's mouth curled up. "Such a sweet emotion, fear. It makes you look absolutely delicious!" He smiled to reveal a set of very sharp canines. I felt a Eirik tighten his grip on me as the air in the room seemed to get chillier. He shifted us so that he was between me and that monster in front of us. "Leave now. She is mine, I already marked her. Your master won't want a sullied bride, would he?" My eyes snapped to Eirik. 'What is going on?' I thought.The man with the canines glared at Eirik. "Show me proof and we will let her be." Eirik shrugged, like he was giving in to the man's request. Turning towards me, he pulled me into his arms. Before the man could react, Eirik threw me over his shoulder, scooped up my bag and sent my bed flying toward the man with impossible speed. My head spun and I tried to catch my breath as I opened my eyes to see we were no longer in my room, but in the field by the village gate. Eirik set me on my feet only for me to wobble and fall. Whistling for his horse, he shoved my bag into my arms and lifted me up onto it's back. Quickly climbing up behind me, he grabbed the reins and we were off. "That won't stun him for long, he'll be on our trail in a moment. I'm sorry I didn't have time to explain. Once you are safe, I'll tell you everything." Eirik urged the horse to go faster before we heard a howl in the distance. I struggled to keep a hold of my bag, leaning into Eirik's chest to stay on the horse. He wrapped and arm around my waist and pulled me tighter to his body. Tears stung my eyes, fear and exhaustion finally getting to me.

"I don't think we can outrun him by horse," Eirik stopped the horse, before encircling me in both arms. I looked up at him, confused. Eirik's face changed… his eyes darkened from his bright blue to black. His lips twitched and pulled back to reveal sharp fangs- real fangs! Before I could register what was happening, Eirik sank his fangs into my neck, holding me still against his body. I felt the pull from his mouth, taking my blood into his throat. I shuddered; my eyes wide with fear but unable to move. The excruciating pain lasted for only a moment before it was replaced by a floating sensation. I relaxed in his arms, giving in to the blissful feeling. After what seemed like forever, Eirik pulled back, lapping at the wound he made on my neck. I swayed, trying to regain the ability to think and move when he bit into his own wrist and shoved it against my mouth. I sprung back, suddenly aware of what was happening. He growled and pulled me back to him, crushing me against his chest. He took a sip from his own wrist and forced his lips against mine.

I struggled, as he forced my mouth open with his tongue and pushed a mouthful of his blood into it. I choked, gagging at the thought of blood in my mouth. He continued to kiss me until he was certain I had swallowed his blood. Leaning back, he gave me some space without completely letting go of me. "Now you are mine. See if those Lycan bastards dare to get anywhere close to you now." I shook my head, completely lost. I was about to ask him what the hell was happening, but he jerked his head away to listen to the rustle of the leave in the trees. "He's here, stay next to me." His voice was lower and rougher, and his eyes had stayed black. He kept and arm around me and plastered a threatening smile on his face.