Deadly Beauty

Trapped: Charlotte's POV

All I feel is warmth and happiness. Wrapped up in his body, I have never felt so happy in my very long life. Darkness lulls us into a quiet peace. This is what it feels like to love, and be loved in return. What Joy fills my lonely soul as I slip off into sweet oblivion.

Suddenly I am pulled from Luke's heavy embrace. Disoriented, I struggle to figure out what is going on, and why I'm being dragged away from Luke. The steal grip of my mother's arms yank me away from the safety I felt in Luke's.

Dread pools in my belly. She's found us! But how? None of that matters right now if I can't escape her.

"Luke!" I scream.

He doesn't stir.

"What have you done to him?" I cry. I start to hyperventilate as I struggle against her. But she is stronger than I ever gave her credit for. She looks all willowy but I realize she is so much more powerful, as Mother pulls me out of his cottage and drags me across her precious garden.

As I drag my feet across the dirt path, my tender skin gets scratched along the rocks and other debris Luke hasn't gotten around to clearing out yet. Pain shoots up my legs as I strain to resist my mother's hold.

The sun has just touched the horizon, but it's still early spring, so I'm freezing. All I'm wearing is Luke's old t-shirt. He gave it to me after we wore ourselves out, and it was still chilly in his little cottage. I try to break free of my mother's grasp so I can go check on Luke. I need to know he is okay!

I'm surprised how attached to Luke I am after only knowing him for two days. It seems like I've known him all my life, and I've become as protective of him as he is of me. I guess it's because no one has ever shown me the caring and love he has, even in that short period of time. His love is something I'm craving, just as much as he is craving my touch.

While I was laying in his arms, I started to daydream that if I ever get the chance, I would love to runaway with him, all the way to the coast... Maybe we could start our own family... But now that will never happen. I knew the moment I went to him, I was doomed.

"I just gave him a sleeping spell. He will wake in a few hours and forget all about you," Edith cackles.

The thought of him forgetting me shatters my heart. How could I ever live after that? He can't forget me... not after we just found each other. But then I remember...

"Unless he really does love me..." I ground out. I twist and dig my feet into the ground harder, refusing to give up any traction. But my knees start to buckle under me.

Edith laughs.

"Who could love you? Little tramp! You have one job! Keep my gardeners here to so I can steal his lifeforce. Not to sleep with my gardeners!" she yells at me.

Tears leak out of my eyes as I continue to struggle against my mother. I know she doesn't love me, but it still hurts. In the 100 years she has used me to lure men to her, pulling them like moths to a flame, I have never loved one of them like I do Luke. I definitely never slept with one! She is making what Luke and I shared sound cheap and dirty.

"There is no way to save him, dear. Especially now! He may not remember you, but he will feel compelled to stay here," she giggles like a school girl.

But I know otherwise. He does love me, and I love him. I know there will be no happy ending for us. There never was... It was just a dream, and a short lived one at that. But it was still strong! Nothing my mother says will change the way we feel.

We finally make it into the house. At least it isn't freezing in here. I continue to drag my feet, trying to slow our progression. The cold stone floor sends shivers up my body. My body is getting tired and I don't know how much longer I have before I can't fight back at all.

Mother drags me up the winding stone staircase and into our tower, causing bumps and bruises along my legs and feet. It's dark and dingy in here. It hasn't been used for decades. Mother would bring her lovers in here after she had used them and used their souls to prolong life span. It is despicable! I don't want to live like this anymore! I definitely don't want to live without Luke!

Mother pushes me up against the stone cold wall. My body finally gives up, having spent all my energy trying to resist her. I slump over, still resisting what I know is coming. Tendrils of sharp vines start to bind my wrists and ankles, cutting deep into my skin, even as I continue to struggle. I know it is hopeless, but I don't care! I will fight my mother with everything left in my.

"He will come for me!" I scream as Mother turns from the room.

The vines continue to slither up my body like snakes, taking air from my lungs, and wraps around my neck and around my mouth. I whimper at the pain, and tears sting my burning cheeks.

As Mother reaches the door, she turns around and sneers at me. Once she was beautiful, but something evil has stolen it from her. Her hands start to glow, while she raises them high in the air, pulling in more vines cover the entrance, locking me in.

I hang my head and cry in vain. There is only one way to save him now. I knew I was doomed the moment Luke put his lips on mine. Because I know with all my heart, I will save him no matter the cost.