CHAPTER FOUR

It was the beginning of everything and anything that was bound to happen when the present he had prepared reached its owner. She was exquisite, the perfect candidate. She was a ticking time bomb and he was the one who had made her into one.

He smiled triumphantly as he watched her from the covers of the shadows, stealthily -as if anyone could deduce that he was there. Yes, everything was in place. His brilliant plan was getting more and more closer to being achieved.

The first thing she noticed when the door opened was the eerie darkness that came from the darkness. He was darkness in form, tall, dark and haunting in that thick black cloak that veiled all of him including his face. She saw nothing of it. She found herself stepping backwards out of something that felt like fear but wasn't as he took a small step forward, into the thankfully oil lamp lit corridor. It was slight awe, the feeling that wasn't fear.

The man halted after that step and stood staring at her. She knew that he was staring at her because she felt his gaze on her. It made her feel uneasy, the intensity of eyes that she could not see. She had an inkling that this man wasn't human. He could not be. If he was, then she was a lesser animal. He moved then, stepping slowly back into the darkness that he had emerged from as if he knew that his presence was starting to scare her. She nearly sighed softly in relief when he did so.

'My Lord,' she said to him respectfully. 'I have brought you the meal that you asked for,' she said to him, presenting him the cloth covered tray of snack. He nodded and made a small sound with his teeth and tongue before speaking to her.

'I was just about to go and get it myself,' his deep voice came, surprising her by how sweet it sounded.

'I am sorry for the delay. I apologize if it has brought any inconvenience upon you my Lord,' she found herself apologizing. It was something that came unconsciously to her because she did it out of habit.

'There is no problem with that. Give it to me or bring it into my room,' he said softly, turning slowly away from her and beginning to head into the dark room. She stood there, caught between the devil and the red Sea. She didn't feel comfortable to going into the room and being alone with this eccentric stranger. But, it was her job. She had to deliver this to his table, had to do just that.

'Alright My Lord,' she answered him in a small voice and yet remained where she was, fixated to the spot, totally unmoving. He turned to her then with a small chuckle.

'Come in lady. It is not as if I will bite you if you do so,' he told her. 'Besides, I wish to speak to you.'

'You wish to speak to me?' she asked looking up at him. He nodded at her question. 'Why? If you mean something else, I am not available. There are girls who are interested in such. You can find them four houses away,' she said describing the way to the brothel down the path. He shook his head at her.

'I do not wish for that. Besides, your kind cannot please me in my bed.' His words made her eyes widened considerably. Had he just said her kind? He was most definitely not a human being!

'Then why on earth do you wish to speak to me? I know you not Mr stranger,' she blurted out without thinking. He chuckled softly at her choice of words.

'Yes, you do not know me. But I do you. I saw you the night before, but I wasn't able to speak to you. But since fate has brought you to my door, then I shall have to do so. I have a few questions that I need to ask you.'

'And what may that be?' she said. 'That is always the excuse of men who prey on unsuspecting women.'

'You are scared as well as curious,' he observed. 'Well, like I said, your kind do not usually bring me satisfaction in bed. Another thing, I like to have my women willing.'

'I see,' was her only reply. There was silence for a while before he spoke again to her.

'Come in,' he invited. 'I wish only to talk to you Lady Nine,' he said. The mention of her name had her more surprised than earlier when he had said her kind. She couldn't stop her mouth from standing agape no matter how hard she tried.

'You know my name?' she asked him as she shifted the weight of the tray unto her other hand.

'Yes I do,' he said to her, staring into her eyes. He resumed walking, coming to her.

'How on earth do you know that? Oh! You must have asked around. I am pretty easy to describe.'

'Yes, think just like you want,' he answered standing before her. 'Come in Lady Nine and I will answer all of your questions, even the one embedded in the deepest part of your heart. The ones yet unsaid and still without answers.' He raised his hands and removed the hood.

His face came into view, gloriously beautiful. His eyes were a blazing green, sharp as fresh wet healthy grass. She found herself staring into the beauty of a man, seduced on the spot. She had no doubt whatsoever on the fact that whoever was standing before her was no human. He must either be a demon, a lycanthrope, a vampire or a mage, right? But no, mages didn't have this lovely yet lethal aura and werewolves didn't like to be inside on a night of the full moon like that one. He was either a vampire or a demon.

'Who are you?' she asked him. 'No, what are you?' she quickly rephrased the question. His small red enticing lips curved into a very impressed smile that made her heart stop for only a moment. He didn't reply her, lowering his gaze to her hands and took the tray out of them.

'Do you want to come in or not?' he simply asked her with a nonchalant expression on that face. And without waiting for her answer, he turned and went into the room. She stood there for a while contemplating. He had just promised to answer all of her pestering and bothering questions. It was a tempting offer, one that she could not find just anywhere. And, she chose to take it. She didn't need anymore urging on the matter. She followed him into the totally dark room with her heart beating loudly in the ominous fear of the unknown and her broad mind open to the curiosity that was threatening to eat her up alive and whole.

OmaPhinaPhire🔥