Chapter Six

As our lips met across the table, I instantly had to control my natural urges. My body raged at me to make her my own to ensure her safety. She had come into such close contact with a vampire... and lived without so much of a bite. She was so strong, even when times would have condoned weakness and it got me thinking about what in her life had shaped her into such a strong woman. Any man would be so lucky to have her, and none deserved her. Especially not one such as I. My people's demands and that of my body were not something I wanted to expose her to, but I kissed her anyway. I kissed her helplessly, as if I had no idea of what to do without her mouth.

Suddenly, she tensed and pulled away. Taking a deep breath, I let it out in a forlorn sigh. I had forgotten about her boyfriend.

"I'm sorry. I should not have done that, please forgive me. You have a man already, I respect that." I stated sincerely.

She looked puzzled for a moment, then realization dawned on her.

"Oh, Kristoph... thank you for the concern, but Michael and I are no longer together." She explained, looking apologetic.

I tried not to look too pleased.

"I hope that I had nothing to do with it." I stated, yet meaning the opposite.
"No, no. We discovered that we both had major trust issues. It went down hill from there." She replied, looking as though she knew I had not been telling the truth.
"Then why did you pull away?" I inquired, stroking her cheek lovingly.

She blushed lightly.

"There are people watching." She stated quietly, looking through the side of her eye.
"Let them watch." I whispered, leaning in for another kiss.
"Kristoph," She said softly, putting a finger to my lips, "I just broke up with him. I'm not about to start anything with anyone else. Especially since it would look as though I broke up with him to go out with you. I still need time to recuperate."

I didn't like it, but I nodded and sat back. I understood that she needed time. She was a loyal woman and women like her didn't just get over a break-up quickly. She needed time... and perhaps some comfort and coaxing when the time came. But even though she said that it was her break-up that was holding her back, I knew better. It was what her attacker had said to her that had made her hesitate. He had touched her and nearly taken her blood and dared to command her to not allow me not to touch her. Rage pulsed through me like I had never known, but I did not allow her to see it in me. She glanced at me then, worry lacing her features.

"Is something wrong, Kristoph? You suddenly became distant. . . I feel anger coming from you . . . are you angry at me for some reason?" She inquired, hurt slightly lacing her features.

Instantly, my anger dissipated as I looked into her beautiful eyes.

"No, it is not you. I could never find myself angry at you. I am just brooding over tonight's unfortunate events. You will find that I am not quick to anger, unless one I care for is endangered." I stated, reassuring her that I was not angry.

She looked away in thought, her eyes distant.

"Why do you care for me, Kristoph? What could I have possibly done to earn such attention from you?" She asked, looking rather confused.
"Earn my attention? Is that what you said? My dear lady, you did nothing to earn my attention. One look into your caring eyes stole my attention. I consider myself lucky to even have your attentions returned." I replied with a raised eyebrow.

I could not allow her to think me the better of the two of us. She had too low an opinion of herself and I was going to have to change that in her. There was always a time for modesty, but one of her stature should never hide behind what she thought of herself. Especially when the reactions of all those around her contradicted her thoughts.

She blushed slightly at my words, something I was starting to become very good at making her do.

"You flatter me, Kristoph, but that does not answer my question. You say something of my caring eyes? What do you mean by that?" She asked.

I sighed lightly before explaining.

"I have seen more years than you." I stated, trying to explain, "How many more, is not something we will discuss here. In all my years of living, I have seen things, most of them terrible. . . few of them good. When I look into your eyes, I see true light. . . the light of one who is truly good. I am not saying, however, that you are without seeing the evils in this world. I see it in your eyes that you have seen terrible things as well, things that you should never have been exposed to. I blame part of that on your job of choice, but I do not condemn you for it."
"Hold on a minuet, job of choice? You make it sound as though I have a terrible job. I'll have you know, it pays quite well and I have to pay for tuition and costs of living. And how do you see these things? Am I such an open book that you can pick things out of my past like that?" She inquired, sounding distressed.

I brought my hand to rest on her face, my thumb lightly brushing across her cheek in an attempt at calming her.

"I understand your hardships; do not think that I don't. Don't be so distressed, little one, it breaks my heart to see you this way. On the contrary, you are quite hard to read. Let's just say that I've picked up a. . . talent for reading people through their eyes. You are quite an unusual woman, Katana. I have noticed subtle changes when you are around others. You seem to withdraw from the world when you are in a crowd. I often sense a distance when you are around too many others. I suppose that I should be the one flattered that you do not withdraw from me." I stated with a small smirk.

She withdrew then, remaining quiet, and I sensed her retreat into herself. My senses immediately drew a blank as she did so, and I found myself completely lost. Alarmed, I grabbed her hand, letting the warmth of her skin seep into mine so that I knew that she was real. I stroked her cheek with the back of my other hand.

"Do not do this, mí amora pequeño, do not withdraw from me. I feel completely adrift when I am unable to sense those around me. Do not hide yourself because you are scared. Please don't fear me." I pleaded, bringing her hand to my mouth and placing a kiss on her knuckles.

She gave me an alarmed look and returned her aura to normal. Instantly, I was relieved to feel her again, my senses, again, sensing something other than empty space.

"An interesting choice of language, Kristoph, I did not know you spoke mine. 'Little love' is an intriguing endearment." She stated, her eyes glinting, "I am sorry, I did not know the extent of your. . . 'talent'. I didn't mean to cause you any discomfort."
"It is nothing. I should be used to it by now, as you are not the first one I have encountered with the ability to withdraw emotions. But it seems that you are a different case. Though, in any case, it is getting far too late for us to continue this discussion. Come, I will walk you to your motorcycle, as you are not likely to allow me to take you home and leave it behind." I stated.
"Not on your life. I would never leave my baby behind. I was my mother's before she died." She said, grabbing her jacket and looking at me as though I was crazy for even suggesting it.

I gave no reply but a nod, and paid the cashier. I walked her to her motorcycle, keeping all senses on the ready. I could sense her natural tenseness, and I wondered what had happened in her life to keep her always ready for a fight. It was unusual for one to be always on the alert as she was... not even knowing that it was so.

Shaking my head, I gave a light sigh as she mounted her bike.

"I have never quite understood the draw to such a mode of transportation. It's a less comfortable ride then a car or truck and much more dangerous. What is it about this little thing that compels you so?" I asked, eyeing the bike.
"Well, for one, it gets way better gas mileage than any other vehicle. And, two, it is the closest feeling to actual flying that one can get without spending more than their life's-worth. When I'm on this thing, it's just me and the road. I can out-maneuver any car, and get just as much power as any truck. It's complete and total freedom and it's the wind that feeds my spirit's wings." She stated, revving up the engine and letting it growl, "I'll let you see what I mean when it's not quite so late. For now, I must say good-bye. Until we meet again... if we meet again." With that she blew a kiss as she drove away, picking up speed at a near illegal rate.

"Until we meet again." I whispered to the dull roar that was her fading silhouette, "And next time, perhaps, I will show you what true flying really is."

There was naught but the night to answer me once she was out of earshot. Taking my cue, I shot into the sky, now in the form of a night raptor, and followed the little spitfire home, making sure she arrived untouched. And in-so-doing, finding out the location of her residence. Ignoring my need to feed, I sat outside her balcony window well past dawn, to make sure she was safe. Only when the sun was at its highest peek, and nearly impossible to bear with the little amount of sleep and blood that I had, did I return to my home and into the comfort of my room in the basement. I lay out on the bed, once again in my human form. My last thought before I fell into the deep sleep of my kind was that I wished Katana was next to me so that I knew she was safe... then, darkness took me.

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It took my entire being to wake up in time for my second class that day. I shouldn't have stayed out that late with Kristoph, but there had been nothing to do about it. I had been so shaken up that it really hadn't been a good idea to ride my bike anyway. But even so, enough was enough. It was time I started listening to the rational side of my instincts. I wasn't going to see any more of Kristoph. He was too smooth, as though he had much experiance with the works of women and knew too much about me in such a little time. I would get hurt again with a man like that. A woman could only go through so much heartbreak and, though he was quite charming, the act would only last so long. I knew that once he got what he wanted, he'd dispose of me. Just like the ones before him. There hadn't been many that had gotten past my heart's barrier, but those were the hurts that scarred. So, right then, I made a promise to myself. I wasn't going to let myself be drawn to this one. Not this time. If I ignored him long enough, he would move on to his next victim.

The rest of the day passed, I came home to a message on my answering machine from him. I deleted it without listening. Another day went by, and I found a note on my door. I threw it away without bothering to read it. Next was a beautiful letter in my mailbox. I shredded it. The nicer side of me told me I was being harsh, but I ignored it. He had to go away eventually.

Somehow, he got the number to my cell phone and tried to call me there. I recognized the last name on the caller id and didn't answer. This went on for nearly a week. Until, I supposed, he had had enough. I got through an entire day without a single call or note. I figured he had finally given up. I was wrong.

I was sitting on a desk in Shakespeare 101, a class I had taken for fun, when I found out just how wrong I was. The teacher hadn't shown up for longer than the first fifteen minuets of class. Most the class had bailed, but the other dedicated ones and I decided to tough it out for a little bit longer. I was talking to the owner of the desk I was sitting on, about our last assignment, when he paused in the middle of his sentence. I turned to see what he was staring at and my gaze was met by a familiar pair of obsidian eyes. My breath caught in my throat and my legs went weak and numb. I was grateful that I had been sitting, otherwise I feared I might have melted to the floor under his gaze. He broke eye contact shortly to glare at the others around the room, telling them to get out. The guy I was talking to looked like he was about to object before Kristoph got a fiery look in his eye when he looked in my classmate's eyes. He stood up quickly after that and skirted out the door. Kristoph place each hand on the desk on either side of me, and leaned in real close.

"Do you enjoy torturing others?" He asked, his voice no more than a deathly whisper, "Or is it men that you seek to hurt? Is that it? Is this some sick revenge on the opposite gender that you're trying to dish out because of what was done to you in the past?"
"Kristoph, I don't know what you're talking about..." I started.
"Don't play innocent with me, Katana. I can see right through it. Answer the question or give me some other explanation as to why you completely disappeared from me." He demanded, a vicious growl very audible in his voice.
"Kristoph, what has gotten into you?! I don't know you anymore. You're acting like some sort of monster!" I stated, looking very much alarmed.
"Monster? You know nothing of monster..." He replied, grabbing me and pulling me to him.

There was an odd sense displacement, and the room faded away. I closed my eyes to keep myself from getting sick, and when I opened them, we were in his home.

"How..." I started, looking around in startled awe.
"Like you said, I'm a monster. I can do many things that your human mind can't comprehend." He stated, cutting me off.
"I didn't say that, Kristoph, and you know it. Don't put words in my mouth." I said, instantly becoming annoyed.
"But that's what you meant, wasn't it. You're afraid that I'm just like that creature you encountered in the alleyway, just because of the way I reacted towards you in the diner." He stated, his face inches from mine.
"Now you're just paranoid." I replied, my own growl lacing my voice.
"Am I? Or are you just too scared to admit it?" He accused, his growl rising to match mine.
"Bite me!" I spat at him, my annoyance breaking through to anger.
"My pleasure." Were the last words that came out of his mouth before he grabbed me again and pulled me harshly against him.

I should have screamed when he sunk his teeth deep into the junction of my neck, but I didn't. I went limp in his arms, my mind scarcely able to believe what was happening. My body reacted strangely, much like with the stranger in the alley, but this time moving closer for the feel of it. My hand, on its own accord, reached out and rested on the back of his neck, nearly pulling him closer. But the worst part about it was, my body was actually going to let him do it, and I could do nothing about it. I accepted that he would probably kill me, and closed my eyes, unable to think of a way out of the situation. It wasn't until I heard a strangled gasp, did I open them again. Kristoph released me immediately and I sunk down the wall to the floor, holding my neck.

I looked up at him, the glaze slowly fading from my eyes. Then I suddenly comprehended what had just happened. My eyes must have gone wide with horror, because I saw hurt slowly shimmer in his eyes. With strangled breaths, he slowly backed away, looking horrified with what he had done. Taking a deep breath, he braced his hands against the wall, forcing his breathing under control. Acting on rash impulse, I flew from my spot on the floor and out the door. I had the impression that my feet didn't quite touch the ground as I ran until I was well past the front gates. As soon as I had rational thought back, I called out mentally to Justice.

'Justice! You gotta come get me. I'm in a big mess right now. Please hurry.' I called out.

'I'm in the middle of a sculpture; my hands are a mess. I'll send Rachel to you, just hold on.' She answered back, sounding slightly alarmed.

'Ok, I'll try.' I replied, giving her the directions of my whereabouts.

She transmitted them to Rachel and then she was gone, leaving me to my thoughts. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't conceive it. All this time... and I hadn't known. Kristoph was what he said he was. But Kristoph was not just a monster. He was . . . vampire.