Chapter 4 - Year One

(Paradise POV)

It has been one whole year. A year since I met Emrick and a whole year since Angie left me. Emrick and I are now dating and everything seemed just right. He told me about him being a vampire and I believed him, for some reason I knew.

Emrick also told me about Angie or Angeline and what she really was... That was hard to believe. My best friend, a demon, who literally tried to kill me. At first, it hurt in ways I could not describe and for a long time, I couldn't sleep. Emrick has been so supportive and understanding, and I'll always be nothing but grateful.

I knew that in three months I would have to return to his kingdom with him. Once there we would mate and he would turn me. I prayed that everything went as planned, and I hoped that Angie could find it in her heart to forgive Emrick for whatever he did. For some reason, he chooses not to tell me. Every-time I bring it up he'd always change the subject. So, me being the type of person that I am... I tried to find ways around it, but it never worked. So, most of the time I just gave up. Eventually, he would tell me and when he did, I would be there to listen and hold him if need be.

Surprisingly, my dreams were not as bad as they used to be. Every now and then I dreamed about that little girl, and the path as well as the bloody tree, but it was not as bad as it used to be. Emrick said they would pass and it was just side effects from Angie trying to kill me in my dreams, but for some reason, I felt like it was more than that. I don't know why but that's what I felt. I hated being the kind of girlfriend that had to know everything, but I hated being left in the dark.

"Paradisee!! Come on or we are going to be late." I ran down the steps as fast as I could, maybe too fast, because I tripped on the last three steps and fell. Well, I knew I tripped, but the falling part was out of the window. Emrick sped across the living room so fast and caught me right before I hit the ground.

"Now, I wonder. What would've happened if I wasn't here to save my delicate flower." He placed me on my two feet gently and headed for the door. I followed silently, stopping briefly to lock and close the door behind me. I couldn't help but feel nervous, I mean for the first time in forever we were going to see my parents. "My Queen, I can feel your nervousness. Close your eyes and take a nap. It'll make you feel better." Emrick rubbed slow circles on my thigh, comforting me in a safe way while behind the wheel. His touch gave my heart the drug it craved, peace. So, I closed my eyes and did exactly what was asked of me to do.

(Emrick's POV)

I knew her parents were long gone. When she mentioned a bad childhood, I would've never guessed it was that bad. I had some guards check on them every now and then. From what was reported to me, they disappeared five months after Paradise and I got together. I didn't know how to tell her, I didn't even know if they had taken off or disappeared. All I knew was that I had to do whatever it took to protect her, even if it meant keeping something as big as this away from her. I decided that I was going to take her to the house and let her decipher whatever she wanted for herself. Whatever helped my queen sleep at night was all that mattered to me. I hope she never finds out the truth. Maybe my guards could figure out what happened and fix it before the truth decided to reveal itself. I know she'll hate me for it.

Well at least I think she would but you never know with Paradise. She's so different, gentle and so much more. I would've never thought that something so delicate could be the mate of a beast like me. I guess it really shouldn't matter. My biggest fear though was losing her because of the things I've done in the past.

I wonder what she would do or say when she finds out why Angeline hates me so much. Ughh, I would try my best to keep it from her. I always avoided the question or changed the subject when she asked, only because I cared about her and some things were meant to stay in the past. However, Angeline couldn't keep it that way, and now I feel as if I am going to have to get a little mean. I gripped the wheel at the thought of Angeline creating more mess than what was already here.

I pulled my car into the driveway that lead to her parents' house and took the keys out of the ignition. I decided to take a look around before waking Paradise just to be on the safe side. You never knew what could happen when you were messing with a demon, especially them demon girls. Always thinking with their hearts and not their minds. I gently closed the door and used my vampire speed to check the house. Empty, Just like my guards said. I went back to the car and carried Paradise in the house, for some reason I didn't want to wake her just yet. I just wanted to watch her sleep a little bit longer.

A beauty, oblivious to the fact that even herself is capable of talking in her sleep. At first, I thought it was temporary, maybe arising from stress and sleepless nights but it was getting worse. Sometimes she would say something like 'Where are you?' or 'I promise I'll help you, just tell me where you are.' I'm not worried though, I know for a fact Angeline is not that stupid to try and pull the stunt she did a year ago. I would travel to hell and back myself to settle the score once and for all if I felt that my mate was in any type of danger.

"Emrick?" Paradise low raspy voice called out. So caught up in my own thoughts, I didn't realize Paradise had woken up. "You don't have to watch me sleep you know. Besides, why didn't you wake me up and tell me we were here?" She sat up and ran her fingers through her soft curls as she headed towards the stairs. "Wow, I feel like it's been forever since I've been here." She shook her head and tried to hide the pain in her eyes.

I silently followed her. I knew that this was what she needed and I wanted to be the one to give that to her. I could feel sadness, sorrow, and regret flow from her body. I wanted to hold her, let her know that everything was going to be okay, but she needed this so I continued to follow her with the distance between us. She walked to the first bedroom on the left. It had a blue door with Thomas the train all over it and some superheroes. Gently, She pushed the door open and walked slowly into the room.

"Sometimes I wish I'd never left. I wish I could've protected you more than I did. I really should've stayed and fought it out longer. I really could've if I tried, I really could've." She spoke to the little boy smiling in the picture and then she laid a simple kiss on his forehead. "I'm so sorry little bro, I'm so so sorry. Things could've been so different. I wonder where you are now? I'll find you." She shook her head while staring at the picture one last time.

The smell of tainted salt filled the room as she quickly sat the picture down and wiped her eyes. She walked past me with a look of longing and remembrance in her eyes and continued to walk down the hallway to the next door. I could tell by the smell of roses and cinnamon that this was her room or her old room you could say.

I watched her as she touched the hole that was in the wall and stuck her hand through the hole in the closet. She shook her head and picked up a picture of a little girl that resembled a younger version of her. "You're one brave girl you know that. How could anyone expect you to survive in a house filled with constant war and yet you even had the courage to still smile.

The people who snapped the picture couldn't even see through your mascaraed. If only one of them would've moved your hair to the side, and caught a glimpse of the black pool that settle there then maybe things would've been different." Once again, she shook her head almost as if she would turn back the hands of time and follow through with the spoken aired promises.

She turned around and headed for the last door at the end of the hallway. I could smell years and years of poured blood. Blood that seeped through the carpets and became one with it. Paradise gave the door a little push and walked right in.

The room was a mess and everything was thrown everywhere. There was dried up blood in different parts of the room. As if someone went to war in this room every single night. Paradise scanned the area, smiling, fighting emotions, fighting herself. She grabbed a bat that was in the corner of the room and smashed everything in her sight. Unsaid words were now spoken and revoked feelings now expressed.

"I should've never left." she whimpered and fell to her knees. I speed to her and cradled her in my arms.

"I hate you. You monster. You imbecile. You monster."

She screamed at the house, the past... she screamed at the pain. This was needed.. she needed this and I needed this, we needed this. I was going to stay with her as long as I needed too, she never had this before, she never shared this with anyone before. She needed me and I was going to be here with her every step of the way.

After getting herself back together we headed back downstairs to the living room. Instead of sitting on the other couch across from her, I decided to sit right next to her. I needed her to know that I was here now, and when she was ready to talk I would be here ready to listen to everything she had to say. She grabbed my arm and laid down with her eyes closed.

"When I was younger my father would beat my mother. He would beat her until she couldn't cry for help, she would just lay there...until the pain was gone. There were women of all sorts coming in and out of the house and she allowed it to happen. I don't know if she was afraid of him or if she'd just given up but she would never say a word. No matter what she allowed, I always felt the need to protect her and Johnny. I couldn't let anything happen to them, and I refused to let anything happen to them. I would never forget a particular thing that changed me forever."

She kept her eyes closed and took me to a dark memory..hand and hand.

**11 years ago**

"Paradise? Babygirl? what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

Jennifer gently grabbed Paradises' face and lifted it.

"It's just your period baby, you're becoming a woman. Think of it like this. You're one step closer to getting out of this place. Don't cry my precious baby girl, everything will be okay."

She gave Paradise a washrag and pad and walked out of the bathroom.

"Clean yourself up baby and take some medicine. I'll call you when dinner is ready."

Paradise looked towards the door as she herd her mother's footsteps heading down the hall. The pain she felt between her legs and in her stomach was different. Worse than a stomach ache, a feeling of womanhood blooming in the worst way possible. Paradise, even at her age knew what becoming a woman in this house meant...

However, she did as her mother said and joined everyone for dinner after she was finished in the bathroom. The first person to make eye contact with her, holding a serious yet malicious intent behind those eyes was nothing but George, sitting at the head of the table smugged and ugly in face and demeanor; poisoned with a dirty look on his face and rotten in character.

"Your mother tells me you got your period. You're becoming a woman now and with being a woman comes a lot of responsibilities. You and your mother can discuss what your part will be in this house, but no woman will live in this house and not give her part."

George looked Paradise dead in her eyes and smirked at her.

"Do you understand me, girl?"

He stabbed the plate in front of him as if to put more force and authority behind his injustice sayings. Paradise lifted her head and whispered,

"Yes, sir."

Her mother smiled hesitantly and looked at Paradise with eyes full of apologizes she would most likely never get.

"I'm sure we could figure something out. Everything will be just fine. Now you two finish your food and get on up there to bed. You two have school in the morning and I bet you two would not want to be late."

Jennifer stared at her two children and smiled.

The next few days went by like normal. My period went off and all the pain from it went away. That Saturday my mom knocked on my door and told me to pick out my cutest dress and take a nice hot bath. I was excited because I thought she was going to take me and Johnny out somewhere nice but that wasn't the case.

"You look wonderful, my precious baby girl is growing up."

She stood me up and ran her hands through my curls.

"Ahhh. There you are. Look at how good mommy did your make - up."

I smiled at myself, not understanding the true meaning for me actually looking just like a princess.

"Remember what George said Paradise. No woman will sit in this house and not do their part. I love you but this is the only way you'll be safe. It was you or Johnny and I know you would do anything for him, Right ?"

I grabbed my mom's face and kissed her cheek. "I'll do anything to keep you and Johnny safe, I promise."

She gave me one last kiss and told me to behave myself.

Thirty minutes later a man came in and locked the door. He smiled at me and told me to come to him. I was scared but I remembered what my mother said, so I did what I was told and went to him.

He touched my face and said I was beautiful and then he kissed me like George would kiss his women. This was wrong... No, this is wrong. I was young but I knew this was wrong, so I did what I thought was right and slapped him.

He threw me in the corner and ripped my dress to pieces almost having his way with me. I kicked him where my mom told me to kick any guy that made a move on me. I got up and ran to Johnny's room and that was where I stayed. Hiding under his bed until everything died down.

I went to my room later on that night and cried myself to sleep. Johnny stayed with me that night and watched the door until that morning. I was almost battered, almost destroyed by the hands of a man determining my fate for me.

** End of Flashback**

Her face was covered with tears and yet she felt nothing. She shifted herself to get more comfortable.

"The next morning, George beat me like he beat my mom. She did nothing while he did that to me. She kept her head down the whole time and walked out near the end. Before George left he told me, that no woman could live in this house and do nothing. I guess not eating was a part of my punishment too, because no one told me to come down or no one came up to get me. Johnny brought me food every now and then but that was it."

She sat up and smiled at me.

"I got a job when I was old enough too and saved enough money to leave with Angie.. Maybe one day I will tell you the long story of how we met."

She sighed and laughed again.

"I knew they would leave this house one day but not like this. Everything is still here but a few pieces of clothing. I really don't care about the whereabouts of the two, but Johnny's with them and I need to find him. Maybe he could come with us or something when all this is over, you know."

She looked at me pleading with her eyes, hoping I would allow her brother to come and start this new life with us. Yet, she already knew I would allow it. Who in their right mind would not want their mate and the family that makes her happy together? I picked her up and carried her to the car.

"It's been a long day and very stressful for you. Get some rest, Paradise. I'll wake you when we are back home."

She hummed at me and laid her head to the side. I gently closed her door and walked to the other side. Paradise had a very long day and she needed all the rest she could get.

(Paradise POV)

I should've known better than to think Emrick would wake me up. I looked to my right and realized that I was back home in my own bed. An aroma seeping under the cracks of the door from downstairs danced in front of my nostrils. I slipped on my bedroom slippers and headed to the kitchen.

There in all his glory stood Emrick with his shirt off and only some sweat pants while chopping up some vegetables. Even after a year... he still had this effect on me, this man was something else.

"You like what you see babycakes?" He chuckled deeply and winked at me. My breathing started to increase as I gave him a slight smile back.

"I guess you do since that brown skin of yours is red and your body temperature is higher than normal."

I looked up to see him standing right in front of me. Damn that vampire speed.

"The effect you have on me never seems to fail, but do I have the same effect on you? That's the question."

He used his vampire speed to turn the stove down, put the rest of the vegetables in the pan, and carry me to the living room.

"My love. The effect you have on me is more powerful than the effect any woman has on any man. Don't ever doubt yourself. The power you have over me is internal and intense, it is there. "

He gently grabbed my face and whispered.

"Your wish is my command, "

while slowly leaning in to place a kiss on my lips, I urgently responded back. I needed this and he was willing to give it to me. I needed to feel his love for me and he gave it all to me in one passionate kiss.

Of course, my stomach decided to growl at the peak of my mountain.

"You're hungry my love. I'll go finish cooking."

He gave my lips one last peck and headed back towards the kitchen. Instead of following him, I decided to find a movie. Ahh, perfect "Twilight Breaking Dawn, Part 2". I loved this movie so much and their love for one another was nothing but just amazing.

I know, I know, I was 23 years old and still hung up on Twilight. However, in all honesty. It was not the movie I was hung up on but the love within the movie. I have never really been given unconditional love, so I love watching movies that show it. Even though it was a movie I still believed that one day, I would be given the unconditional love Bella and Edward gave each other.

The movie was almost over and I was already on my second plate. Instead of judging me Emrick just watched with admiration. After my second plate, I laid back and rubbed my belly.

"Your food was amazing. I don't know why I ate so much, it's like I couldn't put it down."

Emrick walked over to me and lifted my shirt revealing my stomach and stretch marks with continuous motions of rubbing them. I tried to push his hand away but it wouldn't budge.

"How can you look at my stomach and not say anything? How can you look at me like this? I have stretch marks and a oversized stomach. Don't act like you haven't noticed."

I sat up and tried to push him off but he flipped me around and pinned me down.

"Your body is the reflection of a Goddess. Those stretch marks do not bother me and your weight is fine."

He smiled at me and kissed me.

"We are going to work or your confidence young lady because this talk just won't do. I'll tell you every day just how beautiful you are, and kiss every inch of your body until you believe me."

He pecked my lips and smiled.

"You will love my way, it's better than your down talking my love. I promise you that."

I blushed and made more room for him to lay down. I guess I had dozed off because I felt him lift me up and carry me upstairs.

"Go to sleep my love, I'm just going to take a shower and I'll join you in a few." He walked into the bathroom and gently closed the door.

What was Angie doing here? Why was she smiling at me like that?

"Paradise. I thought I warned you about his kind. You promised me. Remember? Remember? Now you leave me no choice! "

Angie transformed into the demon I saw in my dream a year ago and pulled out the same sword. This time I ran. I kept running and running but it seemed like it was no use. The ground beneath me crumbled and opened up and hands started to pull me in.

"You can run my little Paradise but you'll never be able to hide."

I turned around too late. She was already taking the sword out of my body.

"Heed my warning child. Next time, I will kill you." She pushed me further into the pits of what resembled the story of hell.

"Paradise. Wake up baby girl, it's me."

The coldest hands yet softest carried me to a comfortable place. I opened my eyes and took in as much oxygen as I could.

"Angie, she was here. She stabbed me, she stabbed me."

I looked down at my stomach where she stabbed me and sure enough, there was a cut that was starting to heal. I looked at Emrick with such urgency and fear.

"Where did all this blood come from? Was that from me? Did she really do that to me in my sleep?"

I started to check the rest of my body as my heart rate increased. Emrick used his vampire speed to pack all my personal items and clothes.

"Paradise, not right now sweety."

He dressed me and then carried me to the car while grabbing my bags along with his, slamming the door behind him.

"Where are we going?"

I asked while looking back at my campus house as its size grew smaller by the distance waving goodbye. Frantically, I searched the area around us whilst making sure all doors were locked. His grip on the wheel seemed to tighten while his knuckles grew whiter and whiter.

"Paradise. I am taking you to the castle, now please do not ask any more questions. I am highly pissed that your life was just threatened and I am trying to keep my temper at bay."

I looked at him for a while, huffed, and kept my mouth shut for the rest of the ride.