Cross Bitten

Bonds, and Bindings.

I look from Markus to Pete, and back to Markus again. Pete marches over to him and tries ripping Olivia from his arms, but he will not let her go. He moves around Pete and lays her on the couch. My heart is racing as panic sinks in.

I walk over and push Markus to the side, I bend down to listen to her chest. Her heart still beats, I sigh relief crashing over me. I look up at Markus concern and anger riddling my face. He looks at me, "Let me explain, I was giving her a tour and while we were walking she started complaining about the bite on her arm." I bite my lip, I noticed her arm was wrapped but I never asked why. "When we got to the dining hall she started getting pale, and then she just collapsed, her breathing became very shallow. That is when I picked her up and came to find you." I look at him my lip trembling at his words, I look over to Pete rite as the back of his hand reaches Markus's face, knocking him back.

"What the hell were you thinking? Your first course of action should have been to take her to the company clinic or at bare minimum the lab! You know what we have studied, you know what those bites are capable of! Why would you dare waist precious time!" Markus runs his tongue over his teeth, pure irritation and anger radiating from him. "I have a good reason. If I may have a private word with you I would like to explain." Pete looks between Markus and me and back to Markus.

"I will stay with Olivia, you go right ahead and figure your sh*t out because if you don't so help me." She was my best friend, and really the only person I have left. I don't know what I would do if something happened to her. They go to another room to talk and I sit down on the floor by Olivia stroking her hair, and staring out of the window.

I am deep in thought when I notice a group of 5 white bats fly by and then turn and fly back the other direction. They do this multiple times making a figure 8 shape. It is truly mesmerising to watch. I feel pulled to stand up and come toward the window to get a closer look. I put my hands on the glass and look up at them when suddenly one gracefully flies to the window and looks at me flapping its wings, it flicks its head to the side. This bat seems so familiar, like I have seen it before. I study every detail in it, it's such a pure white color with black and gold specs on its ears and feet. As I study it, its head snaps up right and they all scatter and fly away quickly. I am startled by a hand on my shoulder. I turn around to see Pete looking kind of confused, and Markus staring at me with Olivia back in his arms.

Pete rubs his chin, "Annie, Olivia needs to go to our Elite clinic it is extemly private, care is reserved for the top associates and family." I furrow my brow.

"Do what ever you have to, please just save her." I say while pleading with my eyes.

I never show emotion in front of anyone, I have been through so much and lost many I was close to. There is only a handful of people that have ever seen me vulnerable, now unfortunately these two were part of that. They both look at each other and I can't read what they are thinking. Both men nod to me and Markus turns to leave.

"Wait, I want to come to, I need to be by her side." Pete steps in front of me and takes my shoulders in his hands,

"I am so sorry, as I said it is reserved, I can not let you enter."

Damn it he wont let me go with her! Think Annie, Think! Suddenly I get an idea.

"You said if I sign the contract I can have access to everything, doesn't that include that clinic!?" Pete stares at me mulling it over in his head. My heart pounds loud and hard in my chest.

"Annie this is not a game to play, I don't think you understand once you sign that contract you are bound to this company."

"but you said I can leave whenever I want?"

"and you can, once you fill all of your contractual obligations, as I said before."

I think about it for a moment, I have no idea what my contractual obligations entail, but no matter what Olivia is worth it. Besides I know lawyers that can help me out of any sticky situation.

"Ok I accept, I am ready. What do we have to do."

Pete and Markus look at eachother.

"Alright if you are sure, then follow me."

We take the elevator to the lobby and head down a hallway to a small room with dim lighting. In the center of the room is a small table with two chairs. Sitting on it is a black table cloth, and a beautiful candle placed in the middle of an even more elaborate and beautiful gold candle holder. I let out a small chuckle, "Is this a contract signing or a date?" Pete smiles as he pulls out the chair for me to sit and leans down toward my ear.

"I would do something much nicer for you if this were a date. Maybe one day I will get the opportunity to show you."

My cheeks flush at his words. I pull myself together quickly though as I have more important things on my mind.

"Ok lets see this contract." Pete smiles and lays it in front of me before having a seat. I do my best to read it all but it is 5 pages long so I scan a majority of it. Finally I see it, contractual obligations the most important part.

The Contractual Obligation between parties A and B becomes effective on this date. This is a binding agreement that can not be void or canceled until the completion of the task or job that has been agreed upon between both parties. These tasks may include but are not limited to: investigation, provocation, use of disguises, or potions. This contract can not be breached, or terminated until the completion of job obligations at which time you are free to walk away or sign a new contract with the company.

My heart starts to race as panic begins setting in. Provocation, use of potions? What in the world could I possibly be doing that would require any of this? I suck in a deep breath, I remind myself why I need to sign this. Olivia needs me, I am sure I will not be needing to use any of this in my reporting anyway,so I go ahead and sign the dotted line. I look at Pete, what in the world could my contractual obligation even be? As if reading my mind Pete gives me a warm smile.

"So you are probably wondering what your contractual obligations include?" I nod my head.

"You will become my closest confidant, and ally, a spy of sorts. I need to find out where these white bats are coming from and how to stop them. I have a feeling someone I am close to has something to do with it. You will help me figure out who this person might be by posing as my head of PR and media department and building relationships with my inner circle of associates. Your contractual obligation will become complete once this is solved and resolved entirley."

Suddenly my blood is boiling. "You lied to me! I am a reporter not a spy! This isn't what I signed up for or agreed to." Pete slams his hand on the table.

"I will not be called a liar! You applied for a job in the media department, and technically you will be working there. Furthermore, you absolutely did sign up for it by signing your name on that dotted line. The contract is binding no use in getting mad now, finish the obligation and you are free to leave." I take a deep breath and exhale before clenching my teeth. I may be furious but the man is right, I should have asked about my obligations before signing. "So now what? Am I free to see Olivia?"

"Not quite." Pete replies, "The last part of the contract signing is the binding. Once bonded you have access to everything, and can be fully protected." I roll my eyes and let out a sigh, of course there is some weird kink contract binding ritual bullish*t, but I have come this far no sense in turning back now.

"Alright, how do we do this?" Pete stares deep into my eyes, I start to relax, feeling mesmerised. Something about this man, he takes my hand in his " May I?" I nod my head.

He pulls my fingers to his lips and kisses them softly before biting me gently sending waves of electricity through me. I look deep into his emerald eyes, he looks back into mine with a look of lust that wasn't there before, as if my blood has brought something to the surface. He intertwines his fingers with mine and begins to pull me closer across the table. I close my eyes getting lost in the euphoria I am feeling, when suddenly I am brought back to reality by his voice. "Drink Annie." I look down at the cup that sits between us I see my blood and he squeezes some of his in as well. My stomach starts to turn, I can't bring myself to drink blood. Pete puts his finger under my chin, lifting it so I'm staring back in those hypnotic eyes and he repeats himself. "Drink Annie." Something changes and suddenly I feel relaxed, my body moving on its own lifting the glass to my lips I close my eyes and drink it.

Then everything goes black as I fall to the floor.