Stalked (complete)

5

Of course Micah couldn't just have one nice car; no, he had many, many nice cars all of which were black and unbelievably shinny. He chose the Range Rover because we would be moving things. At least, that was his logic behind it. I wondered if he could tell how uncomfortable I felt at how he didn't bat an eye using a vehicle that would take five years of pay from an average person. I never grew up with extras. I usually wore hand me downs from my older cousins and I had the same backpack at least four years in a row. I worked and helped support my younger siblings so they could have the extras I never did growing up. I paid two of my sister's cell phone bills and I paid for my youngest sister to be on the competitive dance team she worked so hard to audition for. I figured I didn't need anything more than I currently had so why not spend my extra money on them? They were good kids, they maintained their grades and rarely fought with my parents. They deserved a few extra things.

"What are you thinking about so intensely?" Micah asked, successfully pulling me out of my thoughts.

I half smiled at him, "Just my family."

He nodded, "They are being taken care of as well, Em."

I cocked my head to the side, "What do you mean?"

"I know how important they are to you and I have already ensured they are beyond comfortable for the rest of their lives. Your parents will never need to work again."

"How are you able to do all this?" I asked slightly amazed.

"My family is very, very old and we have always been royalty. You wouldn't believe the amount of things we have acquired over the last ten thousand years."

"I want to know about them," I said as my eyes gazed over his perfect features.

I watched as his lips tugged upward ever so slightly, "What would you like to know?"

"Everything. Start with the first vampire in your family."

"You really want a history lesson on the last ten thousand years?" He asked with a laugh.

"I happen to enjoy history. I bet I'll already know half the story," I challenged playfully.

He laughed, "I don't doubt that. Well, the first vampire in my family was not the first ever but she was shockingly close. The first vampires came to be through what we now know is a genetic mutation. Back then, they thought the gods had cursed them. They were banished to islands off the coast of Greece where they started a sort of kingdom. My ancestors beat out all other families for power and we have held the throne ever since with very little push back."

I nodded, "I see. What about everything that's supposed to hurt you?"

"Sunlight, yes to a point. We must be very careful. Silver is an absolute death sentence. If it doesn't kill us, it will destroy the mind. Sometimes, we can come back from it but it is a very difficult process."

"What about garlic?"

"No. That just smells awful to most people," he laughed.

"What about religious paraphernalia?"

"Absolutely not."

"Can you read minds?"

"Mmmm...yes and no. We are able to sense emotions. There are a handful of vampires that have full kinetic abilities but they often go mad with power and must be stopped."

I thought for a moment, "Wouldn't you want to harness their power and use it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Build an army of them."

"See, Emma, you'll do fine ruling," he said with a proud smile, "About two hundred years ago I started training camps specially designed to control their power. Every kinetic vampire is required to attend for a minimum of ten years and once they are finished they can decide whether or not to join the elite wing of my military."

I nodded in acceptance, "I see. What if they don't want to go to the camps?"

"There is no option. Without the help of control, they will get out of hand."

"So what if they refuse?"

"They will be put to death," he said plainly.

I froze for a second. I knew death was an unavoidable subject but I wasn't sure I was ready to broach it just yet.

"Um...oh."

He sighed, "I know it seems harsh, Emma, but it is a necessary evil. With vampires, a leader must have strict consequences and follow through without favoritism. I want you to know just how serious your role is but I also don't want to scare you off," he trailed off seeming conflicted.

I suppose he was right; I should know my role in detail and I needed to accept it because clearly, there was no turning back.

"I want to know."

He glanced at me, "Okay. So if this war breaks out and something happens to me, I have already formally stated you as the heir to the throne. I need to know you will enforce the laws I have put into play because they are there for a reason. Our race has never been more powerful or more efficient and I would hate to see it crumble."

"I understand but I don't know if I can kill someone..."

"You don't have to. You will have advisors and judges that will make those calls for you and executioners to serve the punishment. The only time you will publicly put someone to death is for treason. It's only happened a few times since I've been king but the possibility is still out there."

I nodded still unsure if I could actually sentence someone to death. I wasn't sure I could do it but I knew at some point I might need to.

"When you said silver can destroy the mind..."

"Yes, it can. If it doesn't kill us it will ravage the mind usually wiping all recent memories. It is quite sad, really."

I bit my lip and watched as we approached my apartment complex. The giant brown buildings no longer looked inviting or felt like home. I just wanted to get the rest of my things and leave as quickly as possible. Daniel shouldn't have been home but as my luck would have it, I spotted his car out front.

I sighed but unbuckled. It's not like I could just forget my stuff; I had school supplies and most of my wardrobe in there still. I wondered if that girl would still be there. An overwhelming sense of disgust washed over me as I thought about how she had sex with him in my bed. I honestly thought I wouldn't care one bit judging from my reaction last night but I did care. How many girls had he brought here? How many girls had he had sex with then turned around and told me he loved me?

"Micah?" I asked quietly.

"Yes?"

"How many other girls did he have here?" It took everything in me to keep that question together but it still came out fragile.

"Em, don't do this to yourself. He is no longer a part of your life."

"We were together for six years though. How could he do this to me?"

"If I knew that answer I would tell you but sometimes people become wrapped up in their own lives and forget their actions will hurt others."

I shook my head sadly, "That shouldn't matter. Even though I work over forty hours a week and I go to school full time I never would have disrespected him this way. I mean, after six years....didn't he care about me at all?"

"Yes he did. As much as I don't want to admit that, he did care about you. He never wanted to hurt you but at the same time, you were never meant to be together."

I mulled over that statement for a second before deciding he was right. This thing that I felt for Micah, I knew I would never feel for anyone else. I never felt this close to Daniel even though he had been my best friend for six years. I thought I loved him but clearly that was a confused emotion. Micah was right; Daniel and I weren't meant to be but Micah and I, on the other hand, I knew I was meant to be with him. I just had to let myself be open to a fast paced relationship.

I laughed a little as I picked at my nail polish, "You know, it's funny that all you need to do is tell me everything will be fine and I instantly feel better."

He reached over and squeezed both of my hands in one of his alabaster hands. His skin was so smooth and silky. I couldn't wait to feel those smooth hands-

No. I needed to end that train of thought before it gained any momentum. That type of thinking was dangerous and even though I was opening up to a fast pace with him, I wasn't going THAT fast.

It took me almost a year before I slept with Daniel and he was my first. I wondered if Micah hated that I had been with someone else. I certainly did not relish in the fact that he had probably been with more women than I could count but that was the past and I didn't need to go there. Naturally I was curious and eventually I would ask but it wasn't the time or place to do so.

"I'm insane, aren't I?" I asked absently.

"Probably."

My eyes darted to his amused expression as he gently rubbed little circles on the back of my hand.

I couldn't help but laugh a little even though I didn't really feel like laughing. He somehow brought it out of me.

"Let's get this over with," I said as I moved to open the door.

He nodded once, "Stay there."

I was confused but stayed seated as he came around the car to open my door.

"I have two hands, you know," I joked. Even though it had never been done for me, I found the gesture sweet.

"I am well aware. My mother would kill me herself if she found out I wasn't a perfect gentleman though."

I couldn't help but smile at that. I wondered if I would meet her or what would happen with my family. Perhaps I was getting ahead of myself. I just wanted to deal with getting my things out of the apartment and getting work over with.

The more I thought about work, the less I wanted to go. I spent so many years slaving away there and what had they done for me? I barely made minimum wage and I constantly had to work overtime off the clock. Half of my bosses were rude and condescending and had attempted to make passes at me even as a minor and the other half just looked the other way.

"Micah?"

He laughed, "Yes, Emma?"

"I don't think I want to go to work today."

"I would prefer if you didn't go."

"So you don't think that makes me a bad person for not doing a proper notice?"

"I could never think you were a bad person, love. You are completely perfect."

"I wouldn't go that far but...I don't think I'm going to go."

He nodded in acceptance.

"Do you think I should go?" I asked, starting to second guess myself.

He laughed, "Do whatever will make you happy. I want you to stay home but do what you want."

"Well...I mean, I don't want to go but do you think I should? I should, huh?"

"For someone so strong you are certainly having an issue with decision making."

I groaned, "I don't know! I don't want to go but I feel like I should!"

"Will you regret not going?"

I thought about his question for a minute. Would I feel guilty? Maybe for a day. I could deal with guilt for a day.

"I really don't need to work? Are you sure? I mean-"

"No you will never need to work," he cut in clearly amused by my panic.

"Okay. I'm not going," I decided.

He laughed lightly, "Okay."

We made our way down the walkway to my former apartment. Well, here goes nothing. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. I knew he would be there. I just didn't know if his fling would be. How awkward. What if he asked me about Micah? What would I say? I wouldn't have to say anything because it was none of his damn business. He cheated on me in the most disrespectful way possible. I didn't need to appease him!

Within seconds, Daniel pulled open the door. My first thought: why was I ever attracted to him? I mean, he wasn't totally aversive but compared to the perfection that was Micah, I couldn't imagine ever wanting Daniel.

"What the fuck is this," Daniel demanded.

My eyebrows raised in surprise, "Excuse me?"

"Who's this, Emma?!"

"Mind your business, that's who," I spat back. How dare he question me!

"Have you been fucking around?!"

"Again, mind your business, Daniel. I'm pretty sure you have been fucking around enough for the both of us so don't you dare question me!" I finally snapped. If he kept pushing me, I was sure to go over the edge.

"You're a fucking brick wall, Emma! All you care about is school! We haven't had a fucking conversation in three years because all you do is homework and study!"

Jesus, this was humiliating. I didn't want Micah to see this and I certainly hadn't expected it. I expected him to let me get my things and leave but apparently he wasn't making this easy.

"I don't know what you want me to say. I just want to get my stuff and leave."

"Fuck that! You wanna act like a fucking whore then I'll treat you like one!"

"Do not speak to her that way," Micah stepped in, all authority present. I noticed Daniel waver for a moment but look pissed nonetheless.

"She's my girlfriend. I'll speak to her however the hell I want," Daniel retorted.

"No, you won't. You will not disrespect her," Micah responded calmly though I could sense his anger almost as if it was my own.

"Move," I said to Daniel.

"Fuck you," he said and slammed the door in my face.

I stood, stunned at his behavior. I couldn't believe he reacted like that when HE cheated on ME.

I looked to Micah in shock but he only looked mad.

"I will get your things back, Emma. Go to the car."

I bit my lip, a little nervous to leave him alone with Daniel but complied. I looked over my shoulder to see Daniel open the door again and Micah enter.

I sat in the car shaking my leg and waiting for Micah to return. I couldn't help but be anxious. What was happening in there? Would they fight? Would Micah kill him? No...I didn't think he would do that.

Finally, I saw Micah carrying five large bags which probably contained most of my belongings. He also carried my backpack and some books with him which I was thankful for. I needed to study.

Micah placed my things in the trunk and got in the driver's seat. Without another word he reversed and started back to his house.

I wasn't sure if he was upset with me or the situation but I could understand both.

"What would you like to eat?" He asked suddenly.

"I'm not hungry."

"You need to eat. You didn't eat dinner and it's almost one. Where do you want to go?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. I don't like eating out."

"Ah, yes. I'm sorry, I forgot. We can go home and Allan will make you something."

The way he so casually said go home sparked something in me. This wasn't going to end; he was the real deal and we were going to be together. That was...thrilling and terrifying at the same time. I wanted him; I wanted to be with him but he knew everything about me and I knew hardly anything about him. He was so hard to read and I kind of felt bad for not knowing him.

"So...this is really happening?"

He glanced over at me slightly confused, "It's not a big deal...Allan was turned so he knows how to cook..."

"Ugh no! I mean us!" I said with an exasperated laugh.

He joined me laughing at the miscommunication, "Oh, that! Yes we are really happening as long as that is what you want."

Though he showed nothing but confidence in his voice I could tell there was a hint of uncertainty.

"That's what I want."

He half smiled at me, "Good."