Sebastian woke with a smile on his face, but when he realized he was smiling he laughed. What was happening to him? He just wanted to know who the woman was that had touched his mind and left such an impression on him, that's all. Once he knew who she was and what she was about everything would go back to normal. He would have his happy content life back. He sat up. Content? Is that what he was? Happy? Was he even happy? He frowned, and then shook his head hard. Tonight he would go to Elsie; she was bringing Amber to meet him and all of this craziness in his head would be over.
He left his room to go lay on the swing in the warm night air. Opening the door he stopped short. Slowly he shut the door behind him and walked to the figure lying in his swing. She was exquisite. Her golden brown skin was without flaw and her full lips called to him.
"Well, this evening is starting off very nicely. At least I don't have to worry about looking for someone to feed from this evening. I can feed early, return this woman to where she belonged and then go to see Amber," he muttered and moved the long strands of hair away from her eyes smiling. "I may even make love to this one."
He gently reached out to touch her mind. The shock of the connection moved him back a few steps rocking his whole being and his eyes popped open.
"It's her," he whispered urgently. "What is she--How did-"he stopped in mid thought and starting pacing again, kicking her things out of his way. Stopping by the front door, he took a deep breath and went back to her, grabbing her shoulders.
"Amber, wake up."
"Hmm." She stirred slowly, then her eyes popped open. At first she was entranced by the marble like ebony eyes that were looking back at her, then she screamed and pushed him back. "Who are you?" She jumped to her feet looking around. "Where am I?"
"Ok, calm down. I don't know how you came to be here, but you're at my house. You were asleep on my porch when I came outside. I'm the one that should be angry at you for invading my space."
"Your house?" She looked around again, holding her head. "You live here? I had no idea anyone even lived here. I found this house a few weeks ago. I've been coming here ever since to have a picnic on my days off. It was all boarded up, so I thought it was abandoned or something."
"Well, it isn't. I live here. I don't come out during the day. If you come here during the day to have a picnic, why are you here so late?"
Her eyes lowered and she sat back on the swing. "Well, I, I guess I fell asleep."
"Yes, I guess you did."
"You don't have to be so snappy. I apologize for trespassing, but I didn't know anyone lived here. I'll just get my stuff and leave you in peace."
He watched her as she gathered her things and stated pacing again. He couldn't tap in her mind and bend her to his will; it was forbidden to do so to the one who would be your wife. He had to stop her, make her fall for him on her own. She was almost done and he paced faster, then stopped and took a deep breath.
"Amber, you don't have to leave," he said gruffly.
She turned to him with her arms full. "You don't have to use that tone with me, you know? I did apologize for disturbing you. I didn't hurt anything or break your swing. You could be a little nicer."
He frowned. "What tone? I didn't use a specific tone. I just said you didn't have to leave."
She stuffed her things into the back seat and leaned on her car with her arms around her chest. "Oh, yes you did and you're doing it again."
"I am not using a tone, Amber."
"And that's another thing. How do you know my name? I don't know you, we've never met."
"I, I know your friend Elsie. She was supposed to bring you to meet me tonight at the hospital."
"Ohhh, so you're the guy she wanted me to meet. What a coincidence that I would end up on your porch to have my picnics," she said with a chuckle. "Almost like karma."
"Yes, karma."
She raised her eye brow. "But that still doesn't explain how you knew I was Amber when you saw me."
Now he wrapped his arms around his chest. "I saw you at the wine tasting festival taking Elsie home."
"Oh. Well, I guess that makes sense. I should go now. I've taken up enough of your time. You probably have things to do."
"No, I don't. I was going to meet you, that was it. But since you're here, why not come in so we could talk."
She wrapped her arms around her chest again and looked him over. He was tall, slender, and everything about him was black. His long black hair was pulled back into a wavy ponytail. His beard covered most of his face, even tee shirt and jeans were in the color scheme, but his skin was different, a smooth olive color standing out against all the black.
A quick smile came to her face and disappeared just as fast. "You're not some kind of murderous killer are you? I know judo and I can defend myself," she added as she walked by him.
He chuckled opening the door for her. "I'll consider myself warned."
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