I peeled my eyes open to stare up at a ceiling, my vision becoming more blurry as I squinted my eyes, trying to adjust to the new lights. What happened?
With a painful groan, I sat up, ready to get up from wherever I was but froze when I noticed Dexter staring right at me, causing me to gasp before I crawled back on the bed. Wait, bed?!
“What-” my breath hitched as I stared at the unfamiliar sheets on my legs before I darted my eyes around the familiar room. No, no, it can’t be. “How…” at this point, I could barely say anything and Dexter just sat still on the chair, right in front of the bed I was sitting on, his elbows firmly resting on his lap as he cocked an eyebrow at me.
“It was about time you returned back to me, don’t you think?” his cocky attitude somehow pricked my nerves and I sent him a deadly glare, trying to remember what happened. All I remember is him backing me into a corner and then what happened? Did he drug me? Compelled me? When did I black out?
“You won’t get away with this.” I finally hissed at him, anger bubbling inside of me at the sight of his calm behavior. Dexter only tightened up his interlocked fingers and slightly brushed his thumb against his lips before narrowing his eyes at me in both amusement and suspicion.
“But I did,” he suddenly leaned back against the chair and I shot him a million daggers. “Twice, might I add.” He tilted his head to a side, humoring himself in the process and I scoffed at his bold statement.
“You really think you can get away with this, don’t you? The hell is wrong with you?! Why are you doing this to me?!” I started snapping, grabbing the nearest pillow and hurling it towards him but he easily caught it and let out a sigh, dropping the pillow on the ground before standing up. The moment he straightened his figure, my confidence crumbled to pieces and I could feel myself slowly backing away as he started taking slow, painful steps towards me, almost making my blood freeze.
“Oh sweetheart,” his sickly sweet tone only made me tremble more but I stood my ground, gripping the bed sheet as he placed a hand right next to my waist, leaning closer to my figure as I pressed myself against the headboard. “Because it’s you, I am doing this.” He finished, placing his free hand on top of the headboard, gripping it tightly as he closed in and at this point, I just glared right up at him, hoping it would somehow intimidate him and cause him to back off but then again, this wasn’t just any guy we’re talking about.
“Draven’s going to find me.” My voice was now cracking and I could feel the hot tears burning in my eyes but I held a firm gaze as Dexter gave me the most fake surprised look before he let out a chuckle, shaking his head in pity.
“Funny how you keep depending on that one person you were dying to get away from.” His words seemed to get to me somehow but I decided to ignore them, knowing very well that he was just trying to tick me off. 
“Move.” I started to push him away, ready to slip past him when he spoke again, this time, his breath hitting the back of my neck.
“You wanted me to help you get away from him, don’t you remember, sweetheart?”
“I said move!” I snapped, giving him another push but stopped to let out a huff in frustration when he didn’t budge, instead, a grin crept up on his face and his amusement only caused my anger to rise up.
“You didn’t say please.”
“Fuck off.”
“Guess you’ve grown quite an attitude now, haven't you?”
“I learned from the best.” I hissed at him one final time before slipping right past him, ready to take off but stopped to think. Why should I even bother running away again? He’s never going to let me leave anyways, and wasting my efforts trying to outsmart vampires was never my plan A.
“Why? Not going to even try running away?” I turned to face Dexter and frowned at him before turning away.
“I’m hungry.” I finally said bitterly, folding my hands across my chest.
x-x
“At least she can eat now. Last time she came here, she wouldn’t even look at us.” I heard Francis say from across the table as I took another bite of my pasta, ignoring Zavier and Cony, who simply chuckled at his statement.
“Think Draven’s taught her a thing or two about toughening it up a little, hunh?” I almost stopped chewing on my food but continued, trying my best to ignore them. Okay, let’s be honest. I might be putting up a brave face in front of them right now, but god knows that I am shitting in my pants right now, considering the fact that I was surrounded my psychotic vampire killers. God knows what they could do to me. I was lucky to be alive till now.
“May I be excused now?” I finally said, looking at Dexter, who simply shrugged as I stood up. Reluctantly, I made my way outside and without even thinking straight, I started heading towards the main door, putting all my final hopes on a miracle.
“Going somewhere?” Francis appeared out of the blue, ruffling up his hair a bit as I gave him a pleading look.
“Just…out?”
“But you just got here.” He raised a brow and I was surprised as to why we were even having this sarcastic conversation.
“Look, Francis, just let me go? It’s only a matter of time before one of the Ardelean brothers finds me and-”
“I still haven’t forgotten what Draven did to me because of you.” He shot me a deadly glare and I took a step forward, ready to apologize when he hissed at me. “Don’t put on that face with me. Last time you did that, I almost lost control.” He said with no emotion and I just stared at him in confusion before turning around and bolting back to the room Dexter was forcing me to stay in.
x-x
“We’re moving so get ready.” Dexter bolted inside the room with a bag and I instantly jolted up in my position before frowning at him.
“It’s 8 pm right now and what?!”
“Your prince charming is onto us, and I wouldn’t want him to find you so soon now would I?” he questioned, opening the wardrobe and I noticed a bunch of clothes inside them. Were they for me?
“Wh-what do you mean? Where are you taking me?!” I suddenly started to panic and shook my head when Dexter started stuffing the clothes inside the bag.
“Somewhere very far away, Adriana. Now be a sweetheart and help me pack now, yeah?” my eyes widened at his words and I could feel my pulse racing at thought of moving away. If he manages to take me far away, there’s no chance of Draven ever finding me again.
“Hurry up and-”
“No…” I choked out and before Dexter could turn around, I sprinted towards the door, opening it and ready to start running when a hand slammed it back so hard, it caused my ears to ring painfully and my whole body to tremble in fear.
“Darling, don’t do this right now. I promise to play nice so let’s co-operate and-”
“No…” I choked out, turning to face him as he let out a sigh, his eyes piercing right into my soul. “Please, anything but that. You-you can’t take me away! I’m not going anywhere with you! You can’t just take me away from my home, you can’t just do as you please!” I started snapping, tears rolling down my cheeks as I started hitting his hard chest repeatedly and Dexter just stood still before letting out an exasperated sigh.
“It’s not fair, why are you doing-”
“Life’s not fucking fair, sweetheart, get the fuck over it and shut the fuck up already!” he suddenly grabbed my wrists, jerking me closer and I gasped before going silent, swallowing in another sob as I stared up at his cold eyes. “I don’t have the fucking time to babysit you, Adriana. So either do as I say or I’ll compel you into doing what I want. That way you’d shut up at least.” He hissed and I shook my head, my eyes widening at his words. If he compelled me, there was no chance for me to escape. Literally, no chance.
“Good, then be a good girl and get ready,” he tightened the grip on my wrist. “Because we’re moving, am I clear?” I lowered my eyelashes helplessly and went silent as he closed in the space between us, causing me to press myself against the door but I didn’t dare to rip my gaze from the ground.
“Did I scare you?” his voice suddenly softened and my breath hitched when two fingers gripped my chin before lifting them up to meet his eyes. I stared right into his eyes, hoping to find any hint of sympathy and guilt but to my disappointment, there was none. He was nothing but just heartless and cruel. My heart dropped when I noticed his eyes flickering onto my lips and I could feel my body trembling when his own lips starting inching closer to mine. My movements froze for just a few seconds before I turned away, causing his lips to brush against my cheek instead.
“You said that we have to go…” my voice was barely audible now and I could feel Dexter’s heavy breathing against my neck before he took a step back, making me sigh in relief.
“Of course.” He smiled a little and disappeared out of my sigh as I exhaled deeply. That was too close.
x-x
“How far are we going?” I asked softly, staring at the black jeep as everyone started getting inside.
“As far away from here as possible, darling.” Francis looked at me as he buttoned up his shirt and I looked at Dexter, who was about to get in the jeep as well.
“Dexter, please.” I suddenly felt desperate and found myself grabbing his upper arm. He stopped to look down at me and I clutched harder as he raised a brow at me.
“Please what?” he asked impatiently and I bit my bottom lip, trying to find the right choice of words to say.
“Let’s stay here? I’ll be good, I promise. I’ll help around at the mansion, I’ll even cook and clean. I won’t even try to run away so please,” I paused when he let out a sigh in annoyance. “Please don’t take my away.” I barely said out loud and stiffened when a hand caressed my cheeks.
“Sweetheart, I wish you’d beg like that when you’re sleeping with me.” With a glare, I roughly brushed away his hand and watched him chuckle as I balled my hands into a fist. Okay, I take it back. This guy-this guy deserved the award for being the biggest asshole in the world!
“I’m not going.” I said softly yet harshly and before I could turn away, a hand gripped my wrist before practically dragging me towards the jeep and hurling me inside. My knees grazed against the floor as I picked myself up and glared at Dexter as he closed the door on my face, causing my heart to pound loudly against my chest.
“Stop! Dexter, please! No!” I started yelling and screaming, punching the nearest window but it wasn’t long before one of the boys grabbed my shoulders, yanking me back and forcing me to sit down. I fought back the tears but only for some time and soon, I was back to being a mess. My eyes were swollen red, my hair was a ruffled out, my whole body was shaking and as each second passed by, I realized how far away we were really going.
“Cony…” I finally look up at him and I watched him open his eyes slightly to look at me.
“Yes, my pet?”
“Can you please tell Dexter that I feel car sick? My head really hurts.” I said softly, clutching my stomach as Cony frowned at me in both worry and suspicion. He gave me a long look before tapping the glass behind him and I noticed Dexter glancing back at us from the front seat. Cony did some hand signs and I watched Dexter turn the wheel before the jeep came to a sudden stop. I noticed Dexter slipping from his seat before getting out and opening our door and I gulped softly when I noticed him frowning at us in displeasure.
“What?”
“Adriana’s feeling sick.” Cony pointed at me before closing his eyes again and I watched Dexter let out a sigh before motioning me to get out. Hesitantly, I got off the jeep and gasped when he grabbed my wrist, already dragging me towards the woods. Where the hell were we? Were we already out of town?!
“Dexter, stop! I feel even worse when you do that-” I stopped, clutching my stomach as the bile rose up my throat and without warning, I gagged, throwing up on the ground. I could feel myself lacking oxygen as I struggle to inhale deeply but with every small breath I took, the gag reflex would trap the air between my lungs, making me feel suffocated instead.
“Relax, you’re okay.” A somewhat soothing voice made me quiver in disgust as Dexter pulled my hair back before rubbing my back gently.
“Stop-”
“Get me some water!” I heard him yell and it wasn’t long before the boys appeared in front of us with a bunch of water bottles. I watched Dexter pour some water in his palm before he “helped” me wash my face and mouth.
“I don’t need your help.” I spat with so much venom and growled when he wrapped an arm around my shoulders before using his other free hand to motion Cony to pour water again. Just as he was about to rinse my face again, I spit on his hand angrily and he stopped to let out a huff in frustration.
“I’ll let that one slide,” he said softly, yet gripped my shoulders so hard that I almost whimpered in pain. “Since you’re sick.” He finished off oh-so-sweetly, loosening the grip on my shoulders before grabbing the bottle of water from Zavier and washing his hands.
“We’re camping here for the night.” He muttered under his breath before taking a sip out of the water bottle and hurling it to the ground. I jumped a little and noticed Francis wrapping his arms around my shoulders from the back before guiding me back to the jeep.
It was 1 am and I was still awake, trying to take any comfort from the little fire Dexter had set up for me. Cony and Zavier were already asleep inside the tents they had set up earlier, while Francis and Dexter were still awake, staring at me intensely the whole time.
“I wouldn’t…I can’t run away. So stop staring at me like that.” I hugged myself tighter, edging closer to the fire and stopped when the leaves crunched under my legs.
“But we enjoy staring at you.” Dexter plastered a grin before sipping some more out of his blood bag. I made a face and turned away, pulling my knees up.
“You want something to drink, love?” Francis teased, holding out his blood bag and I went silent, a lump forming in my throat as I hugged my body even tighter.
“That’s enough, you shouldn’t bully an innocent girl like that Francis.” I heard Dexter say but I didn’t even turn to look at him. A sudden warmth coated my body and I turned to look at Dexter in surprise as he wrapped a sleeping bag around me before sitting down right behind me.
“You’re freezing.” He simply said before wrapping half of the sleeping bag around him as well and I frowned when I noticed him inching closer to my body from behind.
“Don’t touch me.” I hissed bitterly and was about to get up when he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me back down.
“I’m seriously not giving you a choice right now, Adriana. You’re going to freeze to death-”
“Thanks for your “concern”, Dexter, but I would rather take comfort from the dead.”
“You’re lucky I’m not dead then, hunh?” he pulled my body closer and as badly as I wanted to just jerk away, my body couldn’t resist the warmth of his skin. I could feel his breath hitting the back of my neck and oh-how badly I wanted him to just back away now. Everything about him was disgusting and him touching me and hugging me like this was simply the worst of the worst. My thoughts suddenly stopped when I felt something soft and warm press against the exposed skin on my shoulder and I instantly jumped up, my whole body quivering in both disgust and fear. Why the hell does he keep trying to make a move on me?!
“Can you stop?!”
“My bad, I couldn’t help it,” he suddenly breathed in my scent and I could feel my heart racing faster at his words now. “Your blood just smells so fucking good, it’s driving me insane.” I started to panic and my jumbled up thoughts caused me to stiffen in my position instead.
“De…Dexter, can I ask you something then?” I backed away before turning to face him and my heart raced in fear when I noticed that his eyes were now filled with both lust and hunger. I have to change the topic.
“By all means.”
“How did you know that Draven and the Ardelean brothers had taken an herb that night?” I inhaled deeply, mentally giving myself a pat in the back for asking such a bold question.
“Ah, now that is an excellent question,” he rubbed the side of his jawline and I noticed how good looking he really was. His fixed jawline, his bright blue eyes that looked so good with his disheveled brown hair. He was just another one of the breath taking masterpieces that came from the vampire families. However, his looks could never comprehend that cold, heartless personality of his. No, he was far worse than most of the vampires out there and-
“There was someone helping me from the inside, obviously.” His words snapped me back to reality and my eyes widened in disbelief.
“What-what’s that supposed to mean?”
“You know exactly what I meant, sweetheart. How else would I have known?” he grinned, showing of his pearly white teeth and I gulped softly, my eyes still gazing into his. He was lying. There was no one who could be helping him from the inside! Unless…it was Lianna?
“You’re lying to-”
“It could be Edward or Kevin, for all you know,” Dexter started in a teasing tone and I could feel my eyes welling up in tears. “Maybe Finn or your kind hearted Vinc-”
“Stop.” I said sharply, my fingers beginning to tremble at the mention of his name.
“Ah, now that would a shame now wouldn’t it? To assume that Vincent was helping me with all this?”
“You’re lying. You’re trying to play with my head. I already know it’s Lianna who-”
“Why would I lie? What could I possibly benefit in lying to you right now? Well, apart from seeing you petrified like this-”
“Dexter.” I said in a warning tone and he simple raised a brow at me.
“What, you don’t think it’s possible that it could have been one of the Ardelean brothers behind this? It’s not impossible for one of them to be on my side you know? After all, I was pretty much like a brother to them, once.” I went silent at his words and just stared at him before turning away to face the fire again. He was lying. That was all he was good at. Lying and more lying and I am not going to believe a word he says!
“Tell me, sweetheart?” he whispered into my ears and I froze to listen. “How are you going to live inside that mansion again, knowing that there is a betrayer amongst one of you?”
“Just stop talking and shut up already, Dexter.” I said with no emotion in my voice and I heard him chuckle darkly at my threat.
“Guess you’ll never know though."

xxx