Bound

Chapter Twenty Six

The  moment she heard the sound of the detective's car pulling away Brianna's courage crumbled.   She swayed away from him,  wanting to scream, wanting to cry for help, but  knowing she was lost.    Her flowing skirt tangled about her legs and she stumbled against the couch.     She put distance between her and the reason for her distress.  

Gareth watched her, watched her retreat.   He allowed her to move away from him, gazed at her with unfathomable eyes.   She had shown him, at last, that she could obey, and that she could be magnificent.  He had known she could be, but now it was clear to him.   She was perfect for what he'd needed for so long.   Smiling, sharp teeth glinting he spoke.  "Now my dear, you shouldn't run away.  It's been a long day for you.  Sit at the table and I will bring you a meal"

Brianna raised her eyes to his, swallowing hard.  How could he think she was hungry or would want to eat in his presence?    Although her eyes flashed she kept her retort in check and replied as meekly as she could, "Yes sir, thank you sir."    She made her way warily to the imposing dining room and took a seat.    She focused her gaze on the table in front of her and kept her face impassive.   She felt him move closer to her, smelled his strange scent.  Her skin burned as he drew closer and she gripped the arms of the chair in which she sat.  

He bent closer, breathing in her delicate odor.   Murmuring close to her ear he said simply, "You are powerless to me.  You are drawn to me like a moth to a flame, it is as old as time itself.  Humans cannot avoid us, we are designed to charm you, to draw you in.  I am giving you your free choice to accept me, but I don't have to."

Shivering at his words she kept silent.   More of them, how many of these monsters roamed the Earth?  He stepped away from her and again she fought the urge to run, to scream.   She had to be smart.   If there was any way at all to escape she had to think clearly.  Being near him clouded her mind, she suspected it did have something to do with his supernatural abilities.    Brianna looked about the room, eyes resting on the heavy drapery.    Of course!   Behind them lay her potential saving grace.    If lore was correct, he would be unable to withstand the rays of the sun.   A real smile played upon her lips, there had to be a way to use daylight to her advantage.  But in order to do that, she would have to play his game, no matter what the costs.

Grimly she waited for his return to the dining room, her mind whirling.  As sure as a candle in the dark the flame of hope sprang up in her heart.  There would be opportunity, she just had to wait for it ,and be ready.   

As he placed the plate bearing her dinner on the tray Gareth hummed to himself.   Before too long Brianna would be his eternally, and he would have no need of this mundane task.  He smiled, imagining them hunting together.  Licking his lips he picked up the tray, expertly carrying it to the dining room.   What a sight to behold she would be, bringing her prey in with her beauty and grace.  How he would enjoy watching her kill her first victim.   

Setting the tray before her he allowed his fingertips to trail her graceful neck, stopping where the two punctures hid beneath her clever makeup.    Very soon he would complete her initiation and she would be his forever.    

Brianna shuddered underneath his cold touch.  Soon she thought,  soon she would effect her escape from this monster.   Simultaneously they both smiled......