Laying down the rules

Emma finished her bath feeling energised and refreshed.

While bathing she had mulled over everything that had happened in the last 48 hours. First, she had realised that her boss had a dangerous obsession with her, to the point of attempting to have her kidnapped. Then she had witnessed two grown men being ripped to pieces. And finally she had been forced to change even her most basic perceptions of the world, being confronted with the fact that such things as immortals and shape-shifters didn't just exist in novels or TV dramas.

The latter had been difficult to accept as a scientifically-minded aspiring medical professional. And to be honest she still didn't quite believe it, even after witnessing it with her own eyes. But at the same time there was something fascinating and exciting about the possibility, and to her surprise once she got over the initial shock, Emma felt strangely accepting of the concept of something ethereal and spiritual existing outside the mundane life of mere mortals.

Still, there might be another explanation, Emma thought, sighing heavily as she pulled on a fresh t-shirt directly onto her wet skin. She might also simply be going insane. Or possibly she was stuck in one of her vivid and surreal dreams.

That made her pause for a second. She had forgotten that she had in fact dreamt about Ying before they even met. The one were they were being quite intimate with each other...

Emma blushed remembering those hot kisses. Her body flared with lust as the images from the dream flashed in her mind. She forced herself to calm down, splashing some cold water on her face.

"Pull yourself together," she whispered, looking sternly at her own reflection in the mirror. "You have too many problems on your hands, this is no time for you to be lusting after an immortal dog-man!"

Additionally, if Emma was being honest with herself, there was a part of her who believed Ying to be a clever delusion conjured by her stressed and tired mind. And knowing that she had dreamt of him before, seemed to corroborate this theory. With her being in such a desperate situation, it didn't seem that far-fetched that she was hallucinating a strong and handsome protector to come and rescue her.

Despite the whole concept being unbelievable and fantastical, she had decided to accept the wierd addition of her 'guardian spirit' to her plans for now, even if he might turn of to be a figment of her imagination. While she still didn't fully trust him, she thought that having a lethal shape-shifting immortal on her side was sure to be advantageous. Still, she would be on her guard for any more suspicious behaviour.

As she exited the bathroom, dressed in her trusted black jeans and leather boots along with the fresh shirt, Emma almost walked directly into Ying, who was lurking outside the door.

"Have you been standing out here the entire time?" Emma questioned, trying to distract herself from what seemed to be her body's instinctive reaction to Ying's presence.

Ying nodded gravely in reply to her question, like he had fulfilled some sacred duty, and not lurked outside the door where a young woman was taking a bath.

Emma sighed, rubbing the spot between her eyes. Had she been thinking about a strong and handsome protector just now? Her earlier thought that he might be somewhat simple-minded seemed more credible.

"Come over here for a second," she said, all business, leading Ying over to sit on the floor in the middle of the spacious living room.

"I have some practical questions about this whole 'here to protect you' thing," Emma began.

Ying nodded, looking at her attentively.

"Does it mean that you are going to follow me around from now on?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied without hesitation.

"All the time?"

"Yes."

"Do I have the option to refuse?"

Ying grinned at her. "No."

Emma sighed. "I thought as much."

Ying's grin widened, and Emma felt that she could practically see his tail wagging excitedly.

She rubbed her temples, frustrated. "Ok... Then if you're going to insists on following me around, we have to set down some basic rules."

Ying nodded seriously, leaning in closer to Emma.

"First rule," she said, laying a hand on his chest and pushing him backwards and away from her. "Don't come so close to me. It makes me uncomfortable." Actually, what Emma felt uncomfortable about was how her body seemed to be yearning to be close to him, but she didn't say that. "You have to keep a respectable distance between us."

Ying opened his mouth to protest, but Emma cut him off.

"Second rule," she said firmly. "If there are people around you will stay silent, and let me do the talking."

Ying raised an eyebrow. "You are very domineering," he commented.

"Third rule," Emma said, ignoring him, "No ripping people to bits."

Ying scowled. "But if you are being threatened, I will-"

"Not rip them to bits," Emma said firmly, cutting him off.

"What about ripping out their throats?" Ying countered.

"No!" Emma snapped. "In fact, no ripping of anything! Or killing! Or seriously hurting people! That is final!"

Ying crossed his arms. "Fine..." he grumbled, looking sullen.