Enslaved

Chapter 4

Standing behind her stiffly with eyes trained on the ground was a man completely different from the one I saw collapsed on the ground in the market, earlier today. Gone was the dirt covered skin and bearded face. Now, standing before me he looked regal with his chestnut locks cut short but long enough to fall on his eyes and his pale skin starkly contrasted with the black shirt he wore. I knew he was clean shaven but I couldn't see his faced as he had it bended towards the floor.

" Thank you Sofia, have his food sent here and then you can retire for the night. " I shifted my eyes to her and smiled.

With a curtesy, she left after murmuring a soft goodnight.

" You can look up you know, no one will punish you. " I softly spoke to him, making him even tenser.

Slowly, he looked up, once again putting me under the spell of his green eyes. They were hard as if made of real emeralds. The shave gave a perfect view of his sharp jaws which were firmly clenched showing his discontent at the current situation. His straight nose added to the regal air he carried, if his eyes and jaws didn't express his displeasure then the thin line in which his firm pink lips were drawn, clearly brought home the message.

His defiance made me smile and I could see the annoyance build up in those eyes. Annoyance at the fact that he couldn't do anything about it. He didn't like to follow orders or bow to anyone, that much I had gather from our first encounter. Together with his spirit and his looks, he could easily pass as royalty. Only, I could hear his heartbeat and smell his blood. He was human.

" You have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. " I gave him a big dimpled smile.

That seemed to throw him off, his annoyance got replaced with confusion and his whole deficient aura flickered.

" You don't intend to stand there and brood all night, do you? " I raised my brows dramatically, gesturing to where he was standing making him frown a little.

He opened his mouth to speak but shut it once he realized he couldn't think of a reply. Uncertainly, he shook his head making me want to give him a victorious smirk but I refrained knowing that it was probably not a good idea.  Instead I simply raised an eyebrow at him,

" Well then what are you waiting for? Sit down already! "

He went and sat on the opposite reading chair, his eyes darting between me and Raph cautiously, expecting either of us to pounce at him any moment. Few seconds passed, when he saw that Raph didn't stir from his sleep and I didn't move an ounce from my seat, some of the tension left his body but not entirely. He set his eyes back on the bigger threat between two of us, me.

" Not fond of our kind are you? " I tilted my head when he stared at the fire answering me with silence. And silence spoke enough, it was quite obvious.

" Thought as much. " I muttered under my breath enough to catch his attention but not enough for him to understand.

He sat there taking in his surroundings and the two vampires with curiosity concealed behind weariness. While I silently tried to read into him as much as I could, it was hard as he had many layers of guard, hardly giving away anything.

" Name? " I enquired gently.

Staring into my sapphire eyes, he contemplated for a bit.

" Dorian. " His rich baritone rang through me ears, making an involuntary shiver run down my spine.

This was odd.

" How old are you, Dorian? " I tested his name, making him sit straighter.

" Twenty four.... I think. " He added uncertainly.

Nodding at him, I once again said come in before the door could be knocked. This time Ella walked in with a large platter of food carefully balanced in her right hand and a bottle of water in another. She walked with her eyes trained on the floor and her hair hiding her face. She wasn't carrying her blanket of chirpiness like she usually did. Setting it on the small table between us, she stood near the door hesitantly. Looking at her I frowned, " What is bothering you Ella? " That seemed to do it.