I was expecting him to get offended by my question but as he finishes his mouthful he seems no more bothered than if I'd asked him about the weather. “You'll feel that in different variations from any of my kind. It's why I'm so confused as to why you agreed to tonight in the first place. You should be running from me and yet...” He leans forward and runs his fingers though my hair. He lowers his voice to a purr. “You seem just as drawn to me as I am to you.” His hand brushes down my cheek to my chin. His touch making me shiver. Nevertheless, I lean into his touch and watch as his face moves in closer to mine.
I jump as my phone rings loudly from my bag. I groan inwardly and check who it is. My mums face lights up the display. Typical. I get up from my chair. “I'm sorry I have to take this.”
Alistair nods at me and smiles as he lounges back in his chair, draining his glass. I smile back then answer my phone as I try to find the toilets and desperately attempt to calm myself.
“Hey Mu-”
“Where are you!” Her voice is panicked.
Instantly I'm on high alert. My eyes land on a sign saying 'ladies' and I push open the door. The room seems empty and the two cubical doors are open.
“I'm just on a date didn't Cassey tell you?”
“Yes, she told me everything! You have to get away from him! Where are you? I'm coming to get you!” I can hear her getting her shoes on with Cassey in the background swearing.
“What?”
“Listen to your instincts Krista! He's a vampire! They reek of death and decay!” The front door slams down the phone.
My blood runs cold. Alistair's a vampire?! Slowly pieces fall into place. The compulsion, the way he disappeared in the changing room that time. I was putty in his hands just moments ago and all he wants is to drain the life from my body. The hurt and betrayal makes me feel sick. How was I so stupid!! My mums right I should have listened to my instincts. Alistair said himself he's shocked as to why I wasn't running a mile. For fuck sake! Tears fill my eyes making my vision blurry. My mums voice yelling down the receiver snaps me back.
“I'm in the car. Tell me where you are so I can come get you!”
“We're in town. It's a restaurant that's also a book shop.”
“Kitty's. I know the one. Now listen to me. Get outside and straight ahead you'll see an alley way next to a bakery. Go through it and there's a park surrounded by trees across the road. I'll be there in 15 minutes. Wait 5 minutes, then run. If he follows use your powers to protect you. I know you’re strong enough.” My mums voice is all business but her worry is thick in her tone.
“OK mum. I love you.”
“Love you too baby.” The phone cuts off.
I stare at myself in the mirror as I run through in my head what my mum told me. Somehow, I think I had started to put the pieces together about what Alistair is. That doesn't make the shock of it any less hard to swallow. He isn't attracted to me, he just wants to turn me into dessert. The champagne has left my head a bit fuzzy so I splash cold water on my face to help clear the fog. I can do this. Just get to the park.
I stare at myself in the mirror as I try to calm my nerves. I need to think clearly and not panic. I picture the lay out of the restaurant in my head. Alistair shouldn't be able to see the toilets or the front door to the restaurant. From our table in the cosy alcove all you can see is bookshelves. That should make it easier.From there I just need to sprint down an alley and to the park where my mum will hopefully be. Checking my phone, I see 4 minutes have passed. I gingerly open the door and peer outside. The coast is clear. I try my best to look calm as my eyes scan for any sign of black hair and grey eyes. I gracefully try to power walk out the door.
Fresh air and fine rain hit me and I take a deep breath. Stage 1 accomplished. The road is clear and I leg it faster than I've ever run before. My stilettos tap tapping on the pavement echo around me but it's too late to take them off now. I run across the road and see the alley tucked between two buildings. As I reach it I glance behind me and see nothing but an empty street. As I turn back I hit a brick wall directly in front of me. Except it’s not a wall.
Strong arms wrap around me pulling me against him. His chuckle makes my blood run cold.
“I thought our date was going well.”
I try to wriggle out of his grasp but he's too strong.
“If you want to call it a night, I'm more than happy to give you a ride home.” His smirk is back as he runs his fingers through my hair.
“Go to hell!” I bring my knee up as hard as I can. It hits home between his legs. He groans and lurches forward. I fall out of his grip and scramble on all fours away from him. I get to my feet and once again take off running. I hear him laugh behind me as I reach the other side of the alley way. I don't see my mums’ car anywhere. The road is dead quiet as I set my eyes on the park several meters away. It's small. Only a slide, swings and a metal climbing frame. Without stopping I run. The rain falls harder and I struggle to hear anything around me. I reach the grass and thankfully my stiletto heels don't sink into the soaking wet ground. I feel the energy of the trees around me and let itflow through me. It gives me confidence as I turn and see Alistair standing the other side of the road.
“You can't outrun me. Come back inside so we can talk.” His voice is softer than before, almost pleading, but I refuse to fall for his games any more.
“I'm not coming anywhere near you!” I let the power build up within me. Using my anger and hurt to fuel it further. “I wasn't going to sit around and wait for you to decide between the Eton Mess or my Jugular for dessert!”
“Yes, I heard your little chat with your mum on the phone. I assure you, as perfectly delectable as your blood is surely to be, I have no intention of drinking from you.”
Even from across the street I see his eyes darken at the prospect of draining me. In a flash, he's gone quicker than my eyes can follow and before I can react, he's pinning me to the cold metal slide. His weight and strength making it impossible for me to move.
“This should have been your reaction to me from the beginning.”
I'm surrounded by his dark aura suffocating me with its heavy feeling of death. Despair fills me as I struggle to feel past it to the power I desperately need. His lips are barely touching my own as he speaks in a whisper that's smooth as silk.
