Because I am feelin' good!

     Chapter 4

 Nia woke aching and sore but she couldn’t remember why. She heard a soft rustle in the bed beside her and looked down at the scariest man she had ever seen. Even in his sleep the sight of him frightened her to her very core.  The night before slowly crept back to her.  This man next to her murdered her family. The realization hit her hard, She couldn’t remember anything. Nia slid from the bed, and glanced around at the large dark room searching for a way out. She looked down and realized that she was no longer wearing her own clothes but instead she was wearing a silk night gown that was much nicer than anything she would have owned. She made her way towards the door praying it was her way out, but as she walked closer to she began to feel a sting around her waist. The closer to the door she got the stronger the pain. She looked down and saw nothing there. She needed to get out, no matter what, she took a few more steps and when the pain continued she turned, She turned at the sound of his voice.

“It will tie you to me.” the deep voice frightened her, but she refused to show it.” You will only be able to go as far from me as I let you.” His voice was cold and unfeeling. She kept her eyes on him, even though she felt herself shaking, she refused to let it show.  She had to get away from him.

“You killed my mother,” she said even though the pain seared through her, taking her breath away., “and my brother…” She thought for a moment then realized what was so wrong with what was happening here. “You killed me.”  The pain made Nia want do whatever it took to make it stop, but she could not give in. He took everything from her. So instead, she fought the pain and stood her ground, ignoring the feel of fire around her waist.

“Yes,” he said casually rising from the bed.

Nia, determined to distract herself from the burn, examined the man in front of her. He was wearing only boxers that hung low on his hips. Had she felt anything for this man but hate she may have been embarrassed at the display.  He was a very handsome man, Nia could not deny that. He walked to her and as he walked closer the pain faded, until it was almost gone, but not quite. There was just enough pain to make her feel dizzy.  

“I can make it stop.” He said only a foot away from her.

Still, Nia refused to give this man what he wanted. She took a step away from him. He laughed to himself and closed the distance between them in one step. He slipped his hands around her waist the burn around her stopped abruptly.

“Why did you do this to me?” Nia asked. Proud her voice did not betray her pain or fear. “What do you want with me?”

      “You’re part of my plan..” He began casually. Darian walked away from her and she braced herself for the pain to return. It didn’t and he continued his speech.  “You see, I really wanted someone to have around when I needed. If you like you can think of yourself as a trophy wife, in a way . Now you want to know why, am I correct? Well, you just worked out so well for my purposes and Since it wasn’t what you would call a mutual agreement, I needed a way to make sure you could not get away..”  He stopped and turned back to face her “Step one step back.” He said.

“No.” She said stubbornly.

“Do it!” he yelled.

“No!” she yelled back. He glared at her and without movement from either of them pain shot through her again. Nia doubled over in pain.

“You see?” he asked with mild amusement. “I can change the distance you are allowed to go however I want, whenever I want. As much as your adorable defiance amuses me, you cannot win.” Darian walked into a closet without saying another word and came out moments later wearing a pair of fitted jeans and tight green shirt. He lounged in a recliner across the room from Nia.

He began again; “before I died I was only part human. I was what some would call a wizard.  The woman that changed me into a vampire didn’t actually mean to do it. It is very dangerous and rare for a wizard to become a vampire. Dangerous for others, I mean.” he stopped and smiled slightly.  Then continued his story. Nia watched as he spoke, so casual and free, like nothing was wrong with what was going on in that room. When In reality there could not have been more wrong with what this man was saying.

“Lucky for me, unlike those before me, I kept all of my wizard abilities and conveniently gained the ageless strength and eternal life of the vampire.  So that, my dear Nia is how I have the power to create such a neat device, the answer to a question I know you wanted to ask.” 

Nia’s mind raced, “How long?” Her voice sounded weak now and she cursed herself for it. “How long will I have to stay here, with you?” 

The smile that spread across Darian’s face said it all. She would never leave this man. He got up from his chair and walked over to her.

“You are mine.” he said sweetly, “We will be together forever, because the chain that binds us together can only be broken by death, either mine or yours.”  Darian’s hand was placed softly against hers cheek. “And now you wonder why I would share that detail because it gives you a way out. I share it simply because, in the instance of my death, the chain will be broken, yes, however, the instant the chain is broken, you die. I added this, of course, to prevent my untimely death.. However, until that happens you will do as I say. I will show you to your room and you will stay there unless I come get you. When we are around anyone you will act as if you love me and I will pretend that I love you. You will do what I say, when I say it. And you will not tell anyone.”

Nia couldn’t image forever with this man, but she saw in his face that he was not lying. She would have to find a way to live.