Chapter 27: .•10•.

Diana's body still shuddered so violently after every sob and hiccup, even as she finally stepped into that hallway, her bare feet rapidly padding over the cold flooring. She desperately ran away, her mind too much of a muddled and shock-addled mess. She was reeling. Entirely failing to process what just happened to her. What was still happening.

Her boss was a... He's a red-eyed monster, with sharp fangs and unnatural reflexes. He's a... a...

She suddenly started to laugh so hysterically, running down the stairs. It would seem like she'd just slipped into a fantasy story. A horror movie, where she were just about to get mauled by a deadly handsome, and totally non-human creature. A-

She let out another horror-filled shriek as soon as she felt that terrifying presence trail right after her, about to try and open the front door when an audible slam suddenly resounded from right above her head. She whimpered, freezing on the spot. Heart slamming so wildly inside her chest as she timidly rose her gaze, noticing that tattooed hand pressing up against the door.

She whimpered yet again, bringing her hands close to chest. Trying to make herself as small as possible as she remained pressed up against the door, facing it.

"No...please..." she quietly begged, big fat tears rolling down her cheeks yet again. Shoulders softly shaking as she sobbed. She really didn't want to die. She was so scared, she swore that she was going to pee herself the very moment that he touched her again.

"I can cure your mother's illness."

She-

Her brows furrowed, her sobs abruptly ceasing. Wondering if she'd just imagined him saying those crazy words to her.

"Permanently."

She remained unmoving, her hands still balled into fists as they rested between her ample bosoms. What kind of sick joke was this? Was he trying to be funny or something?

"Look," she swiftly turned around to face him,

"If you're going to kill me, just do it, but don't you..."

The words suddenly died out on her tongue as soon as she looked up into his eyes, his normal-looking dark brown ones, noticing that solemn look glinting in them.

What... She blinked with perplexity for a moment.

"So you're dangerous and crazy. Wow..." she lightly shook her head with disbelief, wiping away at her tears.

"What a combo. Not only do I get to be murdered by a monstrous fairytale creature, but he also happens to be a stalkerish psychopath," she deadpanned, earning the male's narrowed look.

"Lucky me."

"I'm serious. My blood has healing properties," he rebuked with a serious and grave tone, arms crossing over his broad chest.

The girl fought not to gulp and shrink under his unforgiving stare, her body trembling as she momentarily reminisced what she'd just been through. What he almost did to her.

"And w-why would I believe you?"

Her eyes widened as soon as she noticed him express the smallest of movement, growing so incredibly scared. Her back pressed against that door as soon as she watched his hand move as if to try and grab her, mere seconds before those fangs popped out from between his lips. Making her violently startle.

She whimpered and pressed herself so painfully hard against that door, watching as he placed his thumb under one of those sharp-looking fangs. Giving it a quick prick.

She felt almost inclined to let out a terrified scream when his hand suddenly cupped her jaw, his bleeding thumb softly rubbing against her lower lip. Smearing it with his blood.

She abruptly stopped as she could immediately feel that tingling sensation right where that cut on her lip was supposed to be, her eyes so wide and unblinking as she stared up at him.

He was still holding her jaw, his fingers cupping the side of her face so tenderly. As if all those frightening moments from earlier had never even existed. As if he'd never even tried to hurt her.

"Why?" She found herself softly asking after a moment. Why tell her all this? Why the sudden change? Didn't he just tried to murder her?

"It's pretty simple, actually," he said in reply.

"Your blood for my own,"

Wait. What?

"I donate some of my blood for your mother and cure her illness, and in return you will let me feed from you, for a certain amount of time,"

What? But this didn't even make any sense!

"Why?" She couldn't help but ask again. The m... creature, only gave her a flat and uninterested look in return.

"Why not just kill me, and take it now?"

Wasn't that actually easier?? For him at least?

Nicholas' dark brows furrowed.

"Do you actually want me to do that?"

She blinked, heart starting to pump faster once again as she stared up at him with fearful eyes.

"N-no..." she swallowed.

"Good. Then it's settled. I will cure your mother and in return you will continue to live here, keep your mouth shut about all of this and give me what I want. Willingly. Do you understand?"

She blinked again. Peering between his dark brown eyes, completely bewildered by what was happening once again. What he'd just told her.

"I said, do you understand!" She suddenly startled at that hint of anger and impatience lacing his tone, the girl being quick to nod, albeit still stunned and reeling.

What...just happened? Wasn't he actively trying to murder her mere moments ago? What changed?

"Damn...Fucking slow humans..." she heard him mumble under his breath as he abruptly let go of her and stepped back, allowing her to finally breathe.

"You should go and change. You look like hell," he bluntly said after a brief and scrutising look over the length of her body, making her lips part with surprise.

"Oh and don't bother disturbing the covers of your own bed. Starting from tonight, you're sleeping in my room. I don't want you getting any interesting ideas or trying to escape," He swiftly turned around to leave after that, the girl stupidly staring at his retreating back, stunned into silence.

"Wait, what? N-no! Absolutely not!" She squeaked out after a moment's worth, vehemently refusing. How could he even dare suggest such thing! She-

She let out a sharp and short scream as he was suddenly standing right in front of her, those dark eyes regarding her so dangerously.

"You will sleep in my room. And that is the end of it. Otherwise the deal falls, and I will kill you and everyone you love in return," he coldly uttered. Giving her one last dangerous look before he turned around and left again.

She finally let out that breath that was previously lodged into her throat, her chest convulsing as she started to quietly cry again.