Chapter 3 - Emrick

(Paradise POV)

I don't remember if I had a dream or not. I do know that for the first time in forever, I slept in peace. I did my regular morning routine and stopped by Angie's room. Her door was wide open so I walked in.

Honestly, we were always about privacy but in some cases, we would let ourselves into each other's rooms before heading out. Safety checks and things of that nature. However, her room was empty so I decided to leave, even though we were best friends I still liked the word privacy.

"What are you doing in here, shouldn't you be going to class or something?"

Angie looked at me with some kind of hurt shining through her eyes. As if a moment of despair was to come and it provided her with an alternative of life or death. In this case, it almost seemed like I was already picked to be preyed on.

I knew she didn't mean it and I knew something was on her mind so I left it at that, and walked away besides, she was right I did have class. On another note, I did not want to stick around to prove that my hypothesis was right.

I wanted to live another day in the humor of my mind. Of course, if this strange distance continued I would eventually pull her to the side and get to the bottom of all of this. Maybe she was going through some things pertaining to school and her personal life. Time was all she needed and I was sure she would come to me first.

(Angies POV)

What did he see in her? I paced back and forth. Almost unable to control all of these questions bombarding the new set of demonized neurons sprouting throughout my brain.

I was pretty too. I did not understand it. Yes, she was this innocent girl but what about me?

Maybe I wanted a prince charming too, maybe I deserved her prince charming. Who the hell was I kidding though, he was no prince charming and far from what the hell he was perceived to be. However, if being in love with prince charming was what I had to do to get what I wanted then so be it.

Besides, she does not even know that he is a vampire. Paradise is beautiful, yes, but she's just not good enough for a vampire. Well, maybe a regular vampire who was once a human but a pureblood, no.

My thoughts were so shambled causing creations of old memories and scenes I did not want to remember but needed too, to arise. I could not talk down on her because this was her fate but a girl could simply always ask "why"?

She would never be good enough for a pureblood vampire. We've been friends for years and I still haven't told her that I was a demon. I tried my best to keep her away from all this mess.

Paradise is beautiful and very smart but for a world full of supernatural creatures, she is simply useless and more so liable to get herself and others killed. If only I could convince myself that somehow those words pouring out of my heart were true, but maybe it was for the best if this would have never happened to her.

I figured that a weakling like her wouldn't last. Yet, Emrick comes around and shows interest in her. Now, these dreams of hers will actually start to manifest their true meanings. Paradise is interesting indeed, with her crazy ass dreams that so happens to come true every now and then or relays a message.

When I first met the girl I thought she was crazy but then crazy things started to manifest after her dreams. Yet, I have never truly come in contact with any supernaturals like her so I just classified the mess occurring around her as a human phenomenon.

I tried to kill her, I really tried. Somehow, my powers didn't work on her. I could kill any human I wanted to in their sleep, but I couldn't even kill my own best friend. I can't let her have him or maybe let him have her, either way, one should want to put it.

They cannot be together. I did not care if they were just friends now or acquaintances. Eventually, he was going to fall in love with her and she would fall in love with him. I cannot let that happen, I just can't.

Meet me at my house NOW, I'll be waiting!

I threw my phone on my bed and started to look out my window. The message or the intentions behind the message must have caught his attention. Someone who he had yet to hear from in years is texting him with urgency. Did he think I found a lead to his atrocities or does he think I know his motives behind Paradise?

"You didn't even respond back to my text, you came right over." I started to laugh.

"You didn't even knock or anything of that matter." I started to walk from the window slowly. Every word slowly dripping out of my mouth like thick fudge being poured onto a cold sundae.

"You just came walking in this house and up these stairs." I walked over to the bed and sat down, waiting for Emrick's next move.

"You and I both know she's too weak for you. Her name, and then the forest, now dinner. Emrick, this is not acceptable."

I watched him carefully, even though I was a demon and capable of many things, killing a vampire of his age would be impossible.

"She's my mate Angeline and you and I both know how finding a mate can be. Are you really that bitter to even consider me leaving her alone? After all, who knew she was my mate or that I even had one."

He paced the room for some time as if he was still trying to come to terms with himself that he too, had a mate and that things in his life were about to completely turn around.

I watched his every move. Of course, I knew what he was talking about. I knew that feeling all so well. The feeling of being happy and having someone there for you no matter what. However, I also knew the feeling of deception, despair, pain, misery and so much more. Caused by who should we all ask?

I was such a broken demon when I met Paradise and I truly and will always love her. I just could not sit around and watch her get caught in a world like this. A place where a weakened soul like hers did not belong.

"Remember what you took from me Emrick because I'll be back to collect what's rightfully mine. Watch over Paradise, she'll need the extra attention. I have a feeling that hell will be coming to earth real soon."

I smiled. Each layer of my words ready to be peeled like an onion holding a deadly disease with every piece revealed.

The earth beneath me opened and I let it swallow me while sending another warning his way.

"I have never forgiven you for what happened centuries ago, so believe me when I say that I don't plan on you to forgive me either." I winked at him and let hell swallow me once again.

After what seemed like forever. I was finally going home. Truly not prepared for what was to greet me down there but it was more than time. Hell was to see my face, the home was to remember their queen.

Emricks POV

Fuck ! I punched the air as I tried to gain control of thoughts that shot through the air and into every part of my body.

How could I let this happen? It's not like I knew she was going to be my mate. I ran both of my hands through my hair as more thoughts of "could've, would've, should've" came shooting towards my back.

Ugh. I should've been more careful with my appearance. I shouldn't have come on too fast, I should've just watched from afar like before. I knew there was something different about her, but I would've never guessed that she was my mate. How could I pull such a lovely girl into the life of a sinner? I don't even have a soul for fuck sake.

Shit, I know Angie and I know what she's capable of. Those damn demon girls, Always thinking with their hearts and not their minds. I could easily kill her if she even tried to hurt Paradise. I would end her. Fuck!

Could this day get any worse? I needed to go to Robert, I was sure that he would know what to do. There are not too many fortune-tellers like him around these days. Most of them left when the witches left, so of course, I befriended Robert. I will protect him with my life. He should be out of class by now and back home.

The perks of being a vampire involve the lack of needing any vehicle. I could practically run anywhere I wanted to reasonably and not get tired. I was my own travel vehicle and I loved my natural speed. Before I knew it I was at the front of his house walking in the door.

"Robert!!!!!!!!." I could hear his heartbeat. I followed it to the dining area. "Why didn't you answer me when I called?" The old man sipped his tea once more and closed his book slowly.

"You and I both know that where ever I am in this house you could find me. Whether it's from my scent or my heartbeat, you'll know. So, what's the point in answering you, when I can just wait until you find me. You know an old man like me, needs all the energy he can get, and calling out "Here I am" sure does take a lot of me." He chuckled and took another sip of his tea.

"What brings you here? Don't you have a date in an hour or two?" I pulled out a chair across from Robert and looked him dead in his eyes.

"Paradise.. she's my mate." He simply looked at me and said, "I know, I knew from the first time you saw her. Out of everyone in my class, you asked for her name, and you smiled at her before you walked out. My question for you is, what are you going to do about Angeline." He shook his head and started rubbing his long beard.

"I'm an old old man and I've too had my share of demon women. All of them think with their hearts and not their minds. You did something to her in the past, and now the time has come for her to get her revenge."

He sipped his tea once again and stared at me. I wish they knew why I did what I did, I wish they knew. I can't tell anyone or it could cost me my existence. Robert looked at me with a knowingly look.

"What happened in the past, happened for a reason. I did what I did to protect the kingdom and the ones I love." I used my vampire speed and headed to the bookcase. Somehow, announcing that I did it for my family still seemed like a cold lie escaping from a dead one's throat.

"She was young. She would never understand and for that reason alone, I spared Angeline her life." I want you to talk to Paradise for me, let her know she can trust me. That's all I ask and in return, I'll leave you with a warning. Leave this university. I don't know what Angeline has planned, but I have a feeling that things are going to get real nasty."

I sped away and headed towards Paradise house without a second glance.

I decided to take her on a picnic. First, we would walk this beautiful trail with petals on it, and then we would reach the candlelight picnic I set up. I didn't want to move too fast but I was pretty sure Angeline just couldn't keep her mouth closed about Paradise.

Once word gets out all my enemies will be after her. I just needed to get her to accept me for who I was and as her mate. That's the easy part, however, getting her to leave college and go with me back to the kingdom would be the hardest. I have to tell her tonight though, I knew we wouldn't be together this fast, but as long as she accepted me then fate would do the rest.

I was so caught up in my own thoughts that I didn't realize she was standing right in front of me. Her gorgeous dark brown curls and pecan skin just made me want to take her where she stood. Those red and brown lips, so full and kissable. Oh, those brown eyes with a hint of blue around them and that smile showing off her high cheeks bones.

My mate, my mate was true, a site to see and all mine, hopefully.

"Are you ready to go?" She reached out and grabbed my hand, and walked with me to the car. Her hands were so soft.

The sparks that shot through my body gave me all the recognition a vampire would need. This woman would be all mine and would be mine forever.

"You've been silent ever since you picked me up. Is something wrong? Did I not dress for the occasion ?" I pulled into the parking lot that leads to the trail and shifted my body towards Paradise.

"My dear, you look amazing tonight. Your natural curls fall in just the right places, and your fitted t-shirt with those jeans is nothing but perfection. You are the true epitome of a Goddess." She swallowed as if that was the only thing she could do. Her breathing hitched every now and then and she stared off into space.

I picked her up and carried her to the trail. I guess she finally realized what was happening because her breathing went back to normal and she started to wiggle free. I gently placed her back on her own two feet and created some space between us. If I didn't I would've claimed her right here and right now, and I knew I would regret it. Not for my sake but for her own sake.

We walked in silence and I was okay with that. I knew she was thinking about something, so I decided to give her the space she needed.

Once we reached the candlelight dinner, she started talking more. I could tell just by that, that she loved it. I watched her close her eyes and eat the last strawberry while humming a beautiful tune. I guess she loved chocolate strawberries.

I watched her for another minute or two until our conversation drifted into the water of discussions about each other. I asked her simple things, nothing too pushy. I learned that her favorite color was purple, she loved chocolate strawberries, she was obsessed with the supernatural world and of course, her friend Angie told her to grow up.

That's not surprising at all. I learned that she also has a family, but she doesn't see them too often. Something about a not so good childhood and freedom. I did not bother to ask any add-on questions when it came to her family. Certain things were personal, I would be the person to know that all too well.

When she's ready, I'm sure she would tell me more. Paradise also told me that her friend Angie decided to leave, and said she wouldn't be back for the next two years. Great, that would give me enough time to mate and get an army together. After that everything else would fall into place, I could feel it.