Time.
Time seems to either speed up or slow down when you feel the presence of danger staining your life.
For me it is the latter.
It slows down.
It churns to a stop, and suddenly wheezes by as if the presence of continuing in the steady trickle of seconds to add up to minutes has suddenly become to much of a burden to the world.
Time stops.
And in it's place, I feel the Moon take a hold of me.
I sit there, in front of the door, silently meditating. It was a ritual I had done every day back at the temple.
Then again though, I had been bless with the scents and offerings to give to the Moon.
Here I had nothing but my devotion and faith.
Time stood still, and I waited.
For what I did not know, but I could feel the gathering of the clocks ticking and the churning of the wheel as the minutes passed.
Because as much as I wished it- time might have stopped for me- but for the rest of this dark world, it continued on.
"Little star."
He said my nickname within intervals. Almost to remind me that he was still there.
Though I did not need the reminder.
I knew.
Until suddenly, time sped up.
"My King."
The sound of Jonaus's voice makes my body involuntarily stiffen.
I sit there, breathless, as I wait for him to continue.
"Leave Jonaus."
There is a pause on the other side before Jonaus speaks, "Think of the flower."
"I'm aware of your story Jonaus. But it's irrelevant to me."
"Think of what her blood can do to you."
There is a soft hiss and bang. I jump when I hear Jonaus cry out in pain.
I stand there, numb in front of the door, my hand reaching for the handle yet at the same time, holding back.
"I say this because I am concerned for you. Because I want to protect you Maddox."
I gasp and the sounds of fighting stops.
"Little Star."
Maddox. The King had a name.
Why had it never occurred to me that he would have a name? Or better yet, why had it never occurred to me that no one seemed to know it.
"She knows now Jonaus."
"You can't kill her."
I hear laughter on the other side.
"So protecting her then? That just makes the hunt so much sweeter."
"Please she....,"
The King growls, "You are beneath begging Jonaus. I hate seeing this side of us."
The door shakes and before I can scream, yell or run away and hide- it opens.
And there they stand.
Jonaus looks at me, his eyes wide and red as the King stands next to him.
They are complete opposite of the other.
One is light, the other dark- the only similarities they share are those eyes.
Those red eyes that now glare out at me. The King looks at me with desire. Yet something more. Something purely predatory as his tongue darts out.
"Damn," he hisses and to my horror, easily steps over the cobweb barrier of the door.
My one shelter gone.
Now I stood before him exposed.
Blood dripping down my legs.
"I can't...Jonaus It's to much...how did you control yourself in a carriage with her, without even taking a taste." Those red eyes turn to look at Jonaus with awe, "I would not have punished you for it. You know I wouldn't have."
Jonaus stands still, frozen on the spot.
His eyes wide as he looks at me.
That's when I realize that he is no better.
I can see clearly the fangs surfacing within his mouth. The red in his eyes growing darker. The cloud of desire, want, need, slowly coming and consuming his mind.
So this is how I die.
I look up at the ceiling, wishing I could be transported back to the gardens of the Temple. I wish I could have been able to see the Moon for one last time.
The King takes a step closer, and closer.
Until our breaths are one, and the heat of his skin is combined with the burning of the repressors.
I don't move as he slowly, slowly, sinks to his knees.
"Jonaus, leave."
The order comes out as a prrr. It reminds me of the sound of a cat.
Or better yet- a Lion.
A predator.
I look at Jonaus. I know he is gone. I know he cannot help me. I don't even know why I call him in the first place. And true to my thoughts he turns away, his mind already numb and invaded with the shadows of the King's power.
I look down and meet his red eyes.
And watch as he licks a falling drop of blood.
The effect is immediate.
His hands shoot out, gripping my thighs as he drags me down to the floor with him.
I hold back my scream. I don't dare scream.
Because if I do Oceane might come out.
And if she comes out while those red eyes are blazing in such a way- no. I don't scream.
Instead I fight and push back, thinking of all the pure things that the Moon holds within me.
Chanting blessings within my mind and daring against all hope that the effect will reverberate off my skin.
I kick back. The King stumbles and I take the opportunity to run out the door. Down the hall.
I know it's making it worse. Making me his prey only fuels the desire within him.
But I had to get him away.
I had to get him away from the others.
So I run.
I don't make it far.
He grabs me from behind, encircling me in his arms and creating a cage like grip.
Then he is panting in my ear, his hot breath rolling onto my skin, "I have never tasted blood such as yours. I've never felt this effect." He pushes himself against me, letting me feel, just to confirm his words.
"You are mine," he hisses, the words holding no love or affection. Only desire. Only pure lust and possessiveness as he lifts me and drags me down the hall.
I continue moving- lashing out and trying to be free of his grip.
I have fought the dark ones before. But he was different.
Maybe because of the one drop he had tasted.
But I could feel the strength of his power pulse into my very skin- weaving into my frame- letting me know that I could never win against him.
He opens the door to a room, and throws me upon a soft surface.
My fear only heightens when I realize it's a bed.
I quickly turn to him, raging on the inside that I should be treated in such a way.
He laughs as he takes in my hard face.
And then he slowly stalks towards me, his eyes shining and black hair freely falling in loose curls around his face as he stands before me.
"You will not touch me," I whisper. He smiles, and reaches forward, showing clearly that he can defy my words, but before he makes contact I am on my knees yelling.
Yelling the ancient words of the Moon, and hoping against all hope that the power she gave me still could be penetrated within this desolate place.
His smile falters and he jumps back as my skin begins to glow pure white.
This time I am the one smiling.
We both watch each other from the doorway.
He with wary eyes and me with one full of triumph and victory.
"Do not forget my own title, King."
He hisses, the sound abnormal and deadly, "I have tasted you little star. I intend to do so again."
Despite his words though he walks out, closing the door and locking me in.