Chapter Two

A steady, rhythmic beeping pulls me from the darkness.

My body feels heavy, my limbs sluggish, as if I'm sinking into the mattress beneath me. The air smells antiseptic, faint traces of alcohol, and something else — something too clean.

Hospital.

The realization settles in just as I try to move, but a dull ache pulses through my body, sharp enough to make me wince. My throat is raw, like I've swallowed a mouthful of smoke — because I literally did. The fire. My apartment. 

Panic surges, but before I can sit up, a cold hand presses against my wrist.

"You're awake."

The voice sounded familiar, too familiar, causing my heart to skip a beat. I blink against the harsh overhead light, my vision adjusting until a figure sharpens beside me. 

My eyes grew wide as saucers and I felt my heart stopped beating. "Breathe Aurora. Can't have you dying on me, I just treated your injuries"

I was tongue tied. Yet here he was, speaking like we were good friends. I didn't know who he was or what he wants from me. He was like a shadow I couldn't avoid no matter how much I try. My eyes searched his througly for answers but there was nothing in those dark red eyes of his that seemed to have a magnetic pull, and looked like an abyss.

Dangerous. This man screamed danger. 

"W-What happened?" 

"You tell me" He leans back in the chair, arms crossed, but there's tension in the way he exhales. "You were nearly burned alive in that apartment."

The memory rushes back; the smoke, the heat, the jump from the balcony. Everything fades after that. I wet my cracked lips. "Salem —"

"He's fine." He licked his teeth and rubbed his temples before looking at me again. "Unlike you."

I let out a shaky breath, relief washing over me. My body still aches, my mind hazy, but at least he's safe. I glance at him again, "What are you doing here? I thought you left me for good" 

A sly smirk appears on his face, his fangs in display along with look of amusement. "When ever did I say such?" 

"You left without saying anything, and its been a week so I came to the conclusion that you finally listened to me and left me the fuck alone. To think I was finally getting my life back" 

"Do you miss me?" 

"What? No!" 

He hummed, "Sure felt like it" 

"I was happy-" 

He suddenly appeared in front of me, his hands on my neck as he lowered his face to look at me in the eye. "I'm going to say this one last time. You are mine, Aurora. You always have been and you always will. There's no place in this earth you would be that I wouldn't find you. Get that thought of me leaving you alone out of your pretty head because things are getting more crazy from here onwards sweetheart"

I visibly gulped, "What do you mean by that?"

Satisfied with his way of instilling fear into me, he relaxes and let go of me, running his hand through his dark red hair which looked like silk. 

"I can't leave you alone anymore. You have been sniffed out and your life is in danger. The only way for you — to be alive, is to stay within arm's length around me at all times. Do you understand?" 

"You're just coming up with an excuse for your unhealthy obsession of me" I narrowed my eyes. Obviously I don't believe a word he's saying. I've been sniffed out? What the fuck am I? A sandwich? 

"Darling I don't need an er — excuse to get close to you. I can get close enough as much as I want, wherever I want and not even you can stop me. I'd love to explain why but you don't believe a word I say at the moment and time is of the essence" He grins and I felt my stomach churning. 

Is he able to read my mind? He is a vampire and I've seen him freeze time multiple times. Mind reading is a bit of a stretch…is it? 

"I want to go home — to my parents"

"You can't" 

"Why not?"

"The moment you make any physical contact with them, they will die. Listen Aurora — your apartment didn't just combust spontaneously. A spell was casted by a witch and the flames were after you. It wouldn't stop burning until it consumes you. The same thing will happen to your parents or anyone else you come in contact with because they are always watching you" 

Well isn't that lovely? 

I sighed and threw myself back, staring at the ceiling, lost in thoughts. What am I supposed to do now? Where do I go to? What happens to school? My whole life has turned upside down ever since I laid eyes on this vampire. I know damn well the reason I'm being hunted by fire breathing witches is because of him. 

"Not all witches can conjure up such a fire, just a few. I would have to begin my own hunt to find out who did this and why…but I take you with me from now onwards. No more leaving you behind. You'd die the moment you leave my sight" 

"Yeah sure because you're 100% fire resistant" I scoffed with an eye roll. 

I'm sure he was grinning at that remark because his tone came out less stern, "What if I am?" He is the definition of narcissism. 

"You must be hungry — your best friend brought you…" I sat up immediately at the mention of Whitney. How did she find out about the fire? Where is she? Is she alright? How come he didn't say anything about her right from the start?!

I shot death glares his way and he had the audacity to tilt his head in confusion with a raised brow, "What did I do?" 

He might be fire resistant, but he definitely isn't wood resistant. Just one stake to the heart, that's what it takes to kill a vampire — right? 

"How did Whitney find out about the fire?" 

"How am I supposed to know? I wasn't in the scene till after you jumped from the balcony. I dived right after and saved you. You were unconscious immediately we hit the ground" 

"But there were so much happening, you couldn't freeze time — you revealed yourself…because of me?" 

He didn't say a word, only nodded in response. 

"And now, the people after me will come for you as well. They now know you're with me…they would do anything to get to us" 

Another nod. 

"Which means, we do have to stick together in order to stay alive. At least until we — you, find a way to get rid of those after us" 

Yet another nod. 

It felt like I was talking to myself at this point, "Why aren't you saying anything?" I was getting frustrated.

"It's amusing seeing you repeating the things I've already said and I'm glad we've come to a mutual agreement. Don't worry about your friend. I sent her home after she dropped these — I told her I was your fiancée" 

"You're joking" 

He shrugged, not caring if I believed him or not. I eyed him suspiciously as he opened the food tray brought by Whitney, placing it in front of me and handing me a spoon. He was probably joking.

If only I could scoop out his eyes and add it to this broth. I bet it would taste as bitter as he looks. I sighed inwardly and turned to my food. Whitney had packed a nice meal of chicken soup, rice with lots of veggies and fruits. She also left a note.

"I'll see you tomorrow!"

-Your BFF who loves you very much. 

The note brightened my mood a little, but it was gone as soon as it came. We would probably be leaving right after this meal, it wasn't safe to stay at one place for long when you're being hunted down and its safe to say we had been at the hospital for over 12 hours. 

The witches must've already found us by now but are waiting for the right time to strike. Since they know he's with me, would they act rationally? He looks dangerous, anyone could see that. He's more than just a narcissistic vampire with an obsession. 

"Can you read minds?" 

His eyes pryed open, bloodshot red staring right at me. It would take a while to get used to such eyes. The corners of his lips tugged upwards, revealing part of his fangs. "Why do you ask?" 

I swallowed, "Well…since we're going to be partners. I think it's best we know more about each other. I don't even know your name — we're practically strangers"

"Azrael and yes, I can read minds…" 

That was his name? Azrael? Now that I think of it, it does suit him — way better than the names I came up with in my head. 

"…on certain conditions" 

"Like what?" I asked hurriedly, causing bits of rice to fall out from my mouth. He looked annoyed at the sight of me spilling food and I mutter a low 'sorry', chewing silently. 

He cleared his throat, "And we're not strangers. We have been seeing each other for over a month" 

The spoon fell from my hand to the floor with a loud noise and I stared at him like he has lost his marbles. Which he probably has. 

In what universe does he, breaking into my house every night unannounced to tormet the living daylights out of me, means that we're seeing each other?

"You're crazy" I muttered lowly but the grin on his face showed that he heard be loud and clear. Of course he can, he has super sonic hearing. 

I wonder what other supernatural abilities he has. Can he fly? Move objects telepathically? 

"I need to change…get out"