612In a coven of vampires, she's been taken as concubine for easily the most attractive…and irritating vampire there. But maybe, she isn't suppose to begin to like him. There's a thin line between love and hate.
The Thin Line
It seemed to be just a normal night for sixteen year old Marina Hughes. Winter time brought an earlier night, which was why she was walking home alone from her high school, carrying a large load of books in her hands.
It was bitterly cold out, and between that and lack of sleep and stress, Marina was weaker than normal, which is why she couldn't fight them off.
Throwing her up the side of the building, hitting her head on the bricks, Marina felt drowsy and dizzy. The person hissed at her, and then something else, or someone else.
"She's mine." Marina's attacker growled at the other person, who Marina recognized as another man. Weak and dazed, she got on her hands and knees, she tried to crawl away, but reached no avail. She was too tired to move.
"Not anymore, she isn't. we ancients get what we want, and that girl is my mate!" The other man hissed at Marina's attacker. Marina, beginning to regain consciousness, stared at the man defending her. He was beautiful, with deep dark hair and what appeared to be black eyes and porcelain skin. She must have been hallucinating. No one was that undeniably striking. "Look! She's awake! My pretty, pick who you want to leave with. The one who attacked you, or your defender?"
Marina turned to face her savior, biting her lip, drawing blood. Both her attacker and savior winced when they saw and smelt her blood, licking their lips. Lifting her weak arm, Marina pointed to her rescuer, before falling into unconsciousness.
"The girl has spoken." The dark haired man said with a smirk on his face, baring his fangs. "Come near her and I'll bleed you dry." He said as he leaned down, scooping Marina up in his arms. "She smells delicious; a young girl's scent."
"Lucky leech." Marina's attacker snarled at the man holding her in his arms. "Mark my words, parasite, watch your girl. She might just be swiped up from you." With that said, the attacker sped away with speed no human or light could argue.
Grinning, baring his fangs again, Marina's knight in shining armor cradled her close in his arms, listening to her soft breathing. Her blood smelt sweet.
"Such a pretty little girl; what were you doing out so late?" He asked as he brushed a stray hair from her face. "Ludivine won't like me bringing a mortal home, but sometimes, the rules need to be broken."
It was so warm in the bed, with luxurious silk sheets.
Wait…
Marina opened her eyes to find nothing but complete darkness as she sat up, rubbing her head. She had a blinding headache as she rubbed her head, feeling a bump. She groaned and rolled her eyes, fumbling around for a light.
"You won't find a light." a voice in the dark said to her. Jumping, Marina hid under the covers, terrified. She heard a chuckle and could hear footsteps looming closer to her. Suddenly, a dim light came on, but Marina could tell it was a candle. "Don't you know the myths? Lights are too bright for our sensitive skin."
"I don't want to die." she groaned into the sheets, holding them close to her face. "I'm far too young."
"Well, what would you do if I told you I know a secret so that you can never die." the voice whispered to Marina, like it was sitting right next to her. This made Marina cling to the silk sheets even more.
"I'd say you're crazy." Marina whispered, as the sheets were pried from her hands and her eyes met a pair of angry black eyes.
"I may be a lot of things, Marina, but I am not crazy." he hissed as she began to recognize him as the man who saved her in the alleyway. "Besides," he began as he placed his icy hands on her arm, making Marina shiver. "You were the one who was alone, late at night. Apparently you aren't very good at staying alive. Stupid mortals."
"I am not stupid!" Marina hissed at the man as she sat up, no longer holding the sheets for protection. "Who do you think you are?"
"I know things that you, little girl, could only dream of." He said as he placed his hand on Marina's face, caressing her soft, warm skin.
"Did I say you could touch me?" She said angrily, smacking his hand away. "Who are you anyway?"
Grinning widely, so Marina would notice his fangs, he began to speak.
"I have many names, but I go by Tristan Aldridge, and you, my lady love?" Tristan asked Marina in a sensual tone, massaging her with the silk of his voice.
"Marina Hughes. Can I leave?" Marina asked as she stood up from the bed, beginning to walk over to the door. With the speed of light, Tristan sprinted to the door, blocking her way.
"I'm sorry, Marina," with her name rolling off his tongue, "but I can't let you go. You know too much."
"I know your name, asshole. I don't know anything else. I can't even call a taxi." Marina said as she tried to shove Tristan out of her way. "You're strong." she remarked as Tristan stood as hard as stone, taking Marina in his arms.
"I want you to know something, and after I tell you, you won't ever be able to leave." Tristan whispered in soft voices as he took her hands in his. "Before you die, you see the one for you, I guess you could call them your soul mate. Well, before I died, I saw you." Tristan said in a perfectly serious voice.
But Marina busted out laughing; her smile, in Tristan's eyes, was brighter than the sun.
"Hate to break it to you, but you aren't dead. You're as alive as I am now." She said, rolling her eyes.
"I have a body, like you, but a heart that does not beat. There are no blood in my veins; I'm as barren as a desert. Barren, till I saw you." Tristan said to Marina as he led her back to the bed, with her completely entranced by him.
"It isn't possible to be living without a heart that beats." Marina said out loud, sounding rather stupid. The statement made Tristan chuckle.
"I haven't been alive in over 200 years." He said simply, grinning again and showing off his fangs. "The taste of blood keeps me alive."
That declaration made Marina jump away from Tristan in an instant.
"You're lying! You have to be." She whispered with terror filling her voice. "Vampires don't exist!"
"I guarantee, love, that I do exist and I am a vampire. But I mean you no harm. You're the only mortal who can hear that said. Relax, love, the others know you're here." Tristan said nonchalantly, ignoring the look of terror in Marina's eyes.
"Others?" she replied gravely.
"Yes, others. We're a coven, you see. Ludivine, a lovely woman, is our leader, and it's her daughter, Chrisina, and my brother, Braden." He said as he took Marina's hand again, pressing his surprising warm lips to her flesh. "Fresh." He mumbled.
Yanking her hand away, Marina scowled.
"Why am I here, anyways?" She asked in an annoyed tone. "I haven't done anything to you, and you said yourself that you wouldn't hurt me."
"Well, I wouldn't dream of harming my mate." Tristan replied as he laid back on the bed, purring like a cat. He didn't notice as Marina's eyes widened in fear.
"Mate?" She almost stuttered as she too laid back into the bed, next to Tristan. "So, you want to suck my blood?"
"Of course I do; your blood shall be the sweetest to touch my lips. But there is always a catch. Since you're my mate, I can't just pounce like you were my dinner," Marina winced at that comment. "I have to make you fall in love with me, so you'll willingly give up your blood to me, and spend the rest of eternity with me."
"And what if I refuse?" Marina asked as she looked at Tristan, not sure if she was still frightened of him or just plain curious.
"Believe me, you will not refuse. You mortals, weak." Tristan said with a chuckle.
"You were once mortal. How can you think so low of a species you once were?"
"You don't know me, so don't try to act like you do. I suggest you get some sleep; it's almost dawn and I need to sleep." Tristan said, his tone was loud and testy.
"Where's your coffin?" Marina asked presumptuously.
"I don't have a coffin. I sleep in this bed. With the curtains closed, no sunlight comes in. Besides, this bed is so much more comfortable anyways." Tristan said, making Marina smile slightly. "I made you smile. I think I'm getting under your skin."
"I think not. You want me to sleep? Where shall I sleep?" She asked as she began to run the tips of her fingers over the silk bed sheets.
"Why, here with me of course. Ludivine, Chrisina and Braden aren't your mates, and I'm sorry to say that I believe it has been awhile since their last meal." Tristan replied with a smirk on his face. "Your survival here and out there depends on me alone. A pretty little mortal like yourself, now cannot fathom the creatures after you since I've told you who you are."
"Who would be after me? You said it yourself, I'm just a pathetic little mortal." Marina said, scowling as she stared at Tristan.
"Gee, perhaps the other vampire I saved you from earlier. You still haven't thanked me for that." Tristan said in his matter-of-fact voice that was slowly becoming very annoying to Marina.
"You hit my head on the bricks! Should I thank you for possibly giving me a concussion? I think not! And you said I'm stupid. At least I'm not an arrogant as hell vampire!" Marina hollered at Tristan, who just snickered.
"Oh you poor baby! That's the last time I save you. Now go to sleep, you annoy me. I hope eternity won't be like this." Tristan said which made Marina roll her eyes.
"I hate you." she mumbled.
"The feeling is completely mutual."
"Oh fuck this and fuck you!" Marina yelled at Tristan as she stood up from the bed, and began to walk out the door.
"You can't leave!" Tristan said quickly as he too got up from the bed and ran after her, getting to her quite fast. Grabbing her hands, Tristan pulled Marina back to him, pressing his body against hers. It seemed to be the first bit of warmth he felt in so many years. She looked so scared, with her big, brown eyes wide in fright and she had no idea how much she was puckering her lips at him. Tristan felt his fangs begin to fully descend from his gums, as the need for blood seemed pertinent to him. Especially Marina's blood.
A sharp pain rang through his body as Tristan heaved over, gripping his stomach in agony.
"Get in my room, Marina, and lock your door." Tristan said in a ragged whisper as the pain he felt increase. Her heartbeat must have increased. "Get in, they're coming."
"Tristan? Are you alright?" a female's voice rang out. "You have a mortal here!" she screamed out again. Marina looked at Tristan before she took off. Running back in to Tristan's room, she slammed the door shut and locked it with all six bolts. She could still hear Tristan screaming in pain as three more voices filled the room. They must had been Ludivine, Chrisina and Braden.
"He needs blood." One said, one of the girls.
"That girl was his mate, no wonder he's lost it." the male voice said this time. "You can smell her from here. If we weren't in this coven, we'd kill her right now."
It seemed to be the beginning of a long night…
Hope you liked the first chapter. I've been having dreams about this story, so I needed to get it typed out! I'm hoping to have this story have the same "witty" banter from Our Room, in the main couple of Marina and Tristan. Speaking of 'Our Room', it is almost done and I'm hoping to post the chapter soon. Can't wait to read your reviews!