"Let go of me!" I exclaimed for what felt like the hundredth time. The man seemed to be growing weary of my objections, but I didn't care. I had no idea where we were going, and Caleb and Nick were taken in different directions.
They split us up once we got into the cars. I'm freaking out right now because I have no idea where I'm going, and what's going to happen to me. My stomach is churning, and I'm pretty sure the guy holding me has given me a huge bruise.
He seems anxious to get to the destination, judging by how tightly he's holding me. I think he's fearful of what would happen if I got away. If only I could. I don't know if Caleb or Nick are alright. Caleb was knocked out when we got taken, and I don't know how Nick is.
I just need to think of some way to escape. But how?
"Where are you taking me?" I demanded to know, as I wiggled in his grasp. He jerked me tightly back into place, and I let out a groan. "Ow, you're hurting me you asshole." The man snickered.
"I could care less about your feelings. All I have to do is get you to Jace, and I'm done." I froze as he said this. Great, so that is where I'm going. "Once that happens, I get my reward."
I narrowed my eyes. "Oh, and what's that going to be?" I questioned rudely.
He smirked. "None of your concern. But I should probably be thanking you, you're about to make me a very wealthy man." He stated, as I narrowed my eyes at him. This seemed to amuse him. "Ah, don't be like that. I'm sure Jace will keep you alive longer than the others. You seem important to him."
As he told me this, I felt a lump in my throat. Keep me alive longer than the others? Oh dear god, what is this man capable of? And do I really want to find out? Where's Caleb and Nick? I'm starting to get scared.
"Wait---is Jace going to kill me?" I dared myself to ask. My heart seemed to be thumping harder and harder in my chest.
The guy chuckled. "Well, not right away. I mean, killing someone who looks like you would just be a waste. Jace is a very smart man. Although I'm not sure why he wants you so bad. You seem of importance to him, so maybe he'll keep you around a while."
I gulped, as I let the information soak in. So....he may or may not kill me. Well that's reassuring. But I mean, it doesn't make much sense for him to. He's spent so long looking for me, so there must be a reason. I just wish I knew what that reason was.
"Are Nick and Caleb going to be okay? Please don't hurt them. They were just trying to help me. I don't want them to be punished because of me." The guy laughed at this, as if what I was saying was funny or something.
"Listen sweetheart, Jace does whatever the hell he wants. He killed a guy once because he messed up his favorite shirt. Drained him dry, and made sure he felt pain. So I'm not sure he'll be too forgiving to your little boys. And those two hid you from him, so obviously he won't be happy."
I could feel the color draining from my face. My palms got sweaty, as I licked my now dry lips. "What do I have to do to---" The car we were currently driving in came to a stop, and I jerked forward. "Oh no, are we there?"
I felt myself growing panicked, as the guy chuckled. "Sorry sweetheart, time to meet the boss. And I get my reward. So come on." He reached out for me, and immediately I pressed my back against the car seat to get away from him. "Don't pull that crap."
He attempted to grab me once more, and I fearfully kicked at him. He sighed, rolling his eyes. Before I had the chance to do anything, he grabbed onto me tightly, jerking me out of the car. I let out a scream, as I dug my heels into the ground. "Let me go!"
"Knock it off!" He barked, as he began to literally drag me forward. My eyes widened when I saw what he was taking me too. It was a mansion. The first thing that popped into my mind was the game Clue. It looked like that house. The place was huge, and was painted a dark brown that did not look welcoming in the least bit.
I screamed once more, as I desperately tried to get away from him. "I SAID STOP IT!" He growled, as the door opened and he shoved me inside. I slammed to the ground, cursing as I stumbled to get back up. "You're not screwing this up for me." The guy spat, as he grasped the back of my shirt to restrain me.
I looked up, and saw that we were standing in a large corridor. A chandelier loomed above us, and paintings masked the walls inside. It was also a little dim inside, and dark hardwood floors lined the ground.
I gulped, as I wiggled against him. At this same time, the doors flew open once more, and Nick was being pulled inside as well. I took a sharp breath when I saw Caleb being dragged in, still unconscious. I felt a little relief when I saw him, but not much. He could be hurt! "Don't fucking touch me!" He exclaimed, as he jerked his arm away from them. "I'm not going to run."
Someone that looked like a servant entered, their eyes huge. "Um...I'll j-just go and get m-master J-Jace." He stuttered nervously, and immediately I felt sorry for him. Having to live around all these...well, monsters.
"Hurry up, I'm not a patient man." The guy holding me barked out. The servant scurried off, obviously worried and fearful.
I exhaled sharply. "Are you okay Melinda? Did they hurt you at all?" Nick questioned, his eyes digging into mine. Slowly I shook my head.
"No...but he is right now by holding me so tightly!" I spat, as I finally tore my arm away from him. "Thank you!" I snapped, as I rubbed the bruise that was now forming on my wrist.
Nick tried to take a step towards me, but the other men held their guns up to him. He raised his hands up cautiously. "Calm down, I'll stay put." I furrowed my brows in confusion.
"Guns? You guys are vampires. Can those really kill you?" I asked allowed.
Nick shook his head. "They're not normal guns. They're full of stakes." I swallowed hard, as I nodded my head. "Just be good. I'll get us out of here somehow, and then help Caleb. I promise, if anything happens, we'll come back for you."
I could feel myself shaking slightly. "Nick I'm scared." I could feel the tears stinging my eyes. I could tell my words caught him off guard. He looked worried.
"Don't be, Caleb won't let anything happen to you, and neither will I." He murmured, and I was about to speak, but the servant returned.
"Master Jace wants you to take her to his study. Immediately. As for the other two, take them down to a cell for the night. He'll deal with them later." I froze, as the guy grabbed onto me once more.
"No! Please! Nick! Caleb! Somebody help!" The man began to pull me down a hallway, and I could hear Nick shuffling behind us.
"Let me go! Don't you fucking touch her!" His voice slowly drowned out, as we grew further and further away from him. I began to panic, and a nauseas feeling overcame me.
"Stop it, it's too late." The man said, as we came to a door. Loudly he knocked, as he pushed us inside. I felt myself stumble inside, as I trembled. Facing the fireplace, I could see the back of someone rather tall, with very dark hair. He looked very built, and also familiar.
It was Jace. The guy who was in my dream. I just know it.
"Sir, I have her. The girl." He began, as he cleared his throat. Jace turned around, and I held my breath as our gaze locked. He had a piercing stare, and though I hate to admit it, he was very handsome. I mean, handsome is an understatement, he was well, kind of beautiful.
He was quiet for a moment. "Good work Franklin, you will receive your reward tomorrow. Now leave us alone." Jace said, well more like commanded. His voice was silky, yet held danger within it.
Franklin shuffled slightly, as if he was debating on whether or not to say something. "Well Sir it's just that---well I thought I would---"
"I said tomorrow." He replied chillingly. That seemed about all what Franklin needed to hear. He booked it out of the room, closing the door behind him quickly. That just left Jace....and me.
I didn't move a muscle, and barely even breathed. I was scared about what was going to happen. What he was going to do? Or say? He just stood there silently, as if taking in the situation. It made me feel even more nervous.
"So....you must be Melinda." He finally spoke, as his gaze deepened. I gulped, as I slowly nodded my head. I couldn't talk even if I wanted to. "Well, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. I've been looking for you."
I took a deep breath, and slowly released it. "S-so I've heard." I mustered up enough courage to say.
He chuckled lightly, as he cleared his throat. "But you haven't been very easy to track down. What with being adopted and Caleb keeping you from me." Jace stated, as he slowly began to walk around the room. "That was a rather sneaky thing of them to do."
My eyes stayed focused on him, as I kept my mouth shut. "You are very important to me Melinda, you just don't realize how much quite yet." Confused, I licked my lips.
"W-what do you mean? How could I be important to you? You don't even know me. I don't understand." I said carefully, as I shook my head. "Why am I of such value to you?"
Jace sighed, as his eyes flicked in my direction. "Melinda you're much more special than you give yourself credit for. And you'll find out what I have planned for you in due time, don't worry." I furrowed my brows as he told me this. "I mean, I wouldn't have spent nearly 18 years looking for you just to say hello."
I swallowed hard. "Okay, then why did you spend 18 years looking for me? I don't understand. You--you're the king of the vampires. And you can have anyone or anything that you want. So why would you go after a human girl?"
Jace stopped, looking at me intently. "Well, I am particularly interested in you, because of what you have to offer, not because of who you are." I waited for him to continue. "You sure do have your mother's beauty. She had the same eyes as you. And you have your father's wit."
I clenched my jaw. "Was it these same eyes that you took the life from? Murdered them in cold blood? All because they hid me from you?" I couldn't help how sharp my questions came out.
He didn't even seem phased by this. "Melinda, your parents and I had an arrangement. They knew the risks, and they knew what I am capable of. We had made an agreement, and they double-crossed me. I am not in the wrong Melinda, not in the least bit. Think what you want, but it's the truth."
I glared a little. "You took my birth parents away from me, so no, I don't think you're in the right at all. I can't believe someone like you even exists. I want to go, please just let me go." I tried to turn away, and I let out a shriek when I felt Jace grasp onto my wrist.
"That would be a very bad idea Melinda." His voice held edge within it, and I could tell that he was serious.
I slowly glanced over at him. "Let. Me. Go." I found the courage to say. "You have no right just, kidnapping me like this!"
He chuckled lightly. "I have every right to do this. Now don't make me angry, I have a very short temper."
I gulped, as I dropped my arm. "Okay...I won't try to leave. But I have to ask, when are you going to tell me why I'm special to you? I have a right to know why my life is being interrupted, and I think it's only fair that you tell me."
Jace's dark eyes fixated on my own. "You will find out soon enough. That's all I can say." He retorted smoothly, as he kept hold of my wrist. "You know, you have very soft skin. It's so warm."
I was caught off guard at this, as I stared at him strangely. "You're more beautiful than I imagined possible. I hope that Caleb didn't warp your mind with lies. I'd hate to see something like you become spoiled." I inhaled sharply, as he took a step towards me. I backed up, and my back hit the wall. He continued to hold onto my wrist.
"You have no idea how long I've been waiting for you. And now that you're finally here, I couldn't be more pleased. Franklin did well." I exhaled, as I slowly took a deep breath.
"Please, if you won't let me go, let my friends. I beg you. They don't deserve to be punished. They were just helping me." I said quietly, as I watched annoyance flicker in his eyes. I was shocked as he pressed himself harder against me.
"That will not be an option. I'm sorry Melinda. You belong to me now, please don't forget that. Your "friends" betrayal will not be taken lightly. So I advice you to let that go." He stated smoothly, as my eyes widened.
"W-what? No! Please don't hurt them! I beg you! What are you going to do to them?" I exclaimed, fear evident in my voice.
Jace sighed, as he brushed the bangs out of my eyes. "Well, quite simply, I will kill them."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"How the hell are we going to get out of here?" Nick questioned, obviously pissed off and upset by the situation. "This is complete and utter bullshit. We need to get out of here Caleb."
I sighed heavily, as I shook my head. "I don't know, but we need to find a way out soon. I need to get Melinda. Who knows what Jace has done to her." I retorted, as I paced back and forth in my cell.
Nick was sitting down, leaning against the wall of his own cell. "I'm going to killer that son of a bitch." He spat. "I tried to help her man, I did. But fucking Jace had his men waiting outside for us. It was useless, I couldn't do anything."
I swallowed hard. "I'm sorry, if I hadn't got knocked out then we might not be here right now. Melinda might be safe at my house."
Nick chuckled. "Dude, not your fault one of Jace's minions drugged you up. They played dirty, just like they always do. So don't harp on yourself. And Melinda seems like a tough chick, I'm sure she's alright."
Nervously I ran a hand through my hair. God I hope she's right. I don't know what the hell I'll do if anything happens to her. I promised her father I would protect her, and that's what I intend to do.
No matter what.
"We need to come up with a plan, fast." I spoke up, as I glanced around my cell. Knowing Jace, he'll be sending one of his men down to torture us. Which, as pleasant as it sounds, doesn't seem very appealing at this moment. "I'm going to get Melinda away from that bastard." I exclaimed, as I grabbed onto the bars.
Nick stood up, as he moved towards his own cell bars. "Alright then, I'm all for that. So...what's the plan?"
I licked my lips debating. "Well, how far are you willing to go to help her?"
He looked at me hesitantly. "Ah shit, we're about to do something crazy, aren't we Caleb?"
Oh yes, yes we are.