The Shadow

Startled awake, Maya bolted upright and frantically looked around the room. The beating of her heart felt as if it was going to explode out of her chest as she stared at the candle burning on her nightstand.

“What the hell?” she whispered as she stared at the flames dancing in the jar. What the hell was going on? The room was pitch black when she fell asleep a few hours ago. Who lit the candle?

With that thought, her heart thumped like an overworked engine. Placing her hand on her chest did little to calm her nerves. Leaning over, she turned the lights on and grabbed a shoe, needing some kind of weapon.

Walking into the bathroom, she scanned the room and felt better that the room was empty. Leaving the light on, she walked down the hallway and turned on the lights in the kitchen and living room.

Nothing was out of place, and no one was in the room. Quickly, she opened the closets to inspect them as well.

Satisfied that no one was in the apartment with her, she walked back to her bedroom and froze when she looked at the bed.

Stepping backward, she turned and ran into the bathroom and locked the door. Sliding down, she sat on the floor, wrapping her arms around her knees. Maya whispered, “This can’t be happening! This can’t be happening! I must be losing my mind!”

What in the hell caused the depression in her bed? No one was in the apartment! Who fixed her blankets while she checked out the rest of the house?

Maya sat paralyzed for an hour, trying to work out a rational explanation, but she couldn’t make sense of it. Deciding to open the door, she peeked into her bedroom and slammed the door.

There were rose petals scattered across her pillow and her bed. Resting her head against the door, she silently screamed. Obviously, there was an intruder in her apartment, but she couldn’t understand what they wanted from her.

Snapping out of her frozen mental state, she ran to the closet and grabbed the scissors. She needed a weapon to fight back once they decided to reveal themselves.

Putting her back against the wall, she stood watch, hiding her scissors in her folded arms. Another hour passed as she tried to develop a plan to escape. Perhaps, if she ran across her bedroom, she could climb onto the fire escape before the intruder stopped her.

Turning the lock as quietly as possible, she opened the bathroom door again and breathed a sigh of relief when the room was empty. Walking softly across her room, she bumped into something cold and icy. Stumbling backward, she fell to the floor bewildered before she came to her senses and tried to crawl away.

A voice rang in her head, “You’re mine! There’s no escaping!” His vile laugh ricocheted through her mind.

“Go away! Whatever you are! Go away!” Her voice cracked as the fear left her. How could she fight an invisible foe?

Icy hands grabbed her and tossed her on the bed before he said, “Sleep!”

Within moments, Maya fell asleep as he watched her chest slowly rise and fall. Shifting from his shadow form, he appeared and stood above his sleeping beauty.

It was time to get to know her. Lying beside her, he slipped into her dreams and brought her into his world. When their eyes met, he watched her body shutter.

Maya somehow recognized him, and she was ready to bolt. Stepping in front of her, Vincent said, “Don’t run. We need to talk.”

Shaking her head, she said, “Talk! No, I don’t think so! You’ve tormented me for hours! There’s nothing for us to talk about.”

Vincent smiled at her and ordered, “Maya, come here!”

Holding her ground, she refused to move.

Frustrated at her defiance, he flicked his hand and muttered a spell. Her body propelled toward him, and he wrapped his arms around her. Pulling Maya into his embrace, he kissed her sweet lips before she could protest.

Trying to pull away, he held her tightly as he sank his teeth into her neck. Drinking her blood began their unearthly connection.

“Stop! You bloody monster!” Maya protested to no avail. He was stronger than her and would win this battle. Regardless, she fought back, pounding his chest and screaming for help.

Help wasn’t going to come!

Before he could own her, she needed to drink his blood. Slitting his wrist, he pulled her mouth toward it and growled, “Drink it!”

Sealing her lips, she desperately tried not to drink his blood, but he forced her mouth open.

Moments later, she keeled over and lay on the ground, writhing in pain. His blood was flowing through her veins and turning her into a monster.

Looking up at him, she said, “You’ll pay for this! You bastard!”

Vincent knelt next to her and said, “When you wake up, you'll forget your life before your turning, and we will be mated for life.”

He faded from the garden and left her alone to turn into a monster on her own.

When she wakes, will his words ring true? Will she love him or hate him?

Hello Readers,

I hope you enjoyed this story. What do you think Maya will do when she wakes from turning? Will his powers draw her to him, or will she hate him forever?

Thanks,

KA Stefana