The Enforcer: Eternal Redemption

Detente

Alex's head snapped around for such insight into his world.

The dark eyes cut a chastising look. "And since you're not asking to stop for burgers and

fries..."

"Just how far did you get in your quest?" Christopher persisted.

"Nothing happened." Alex felt a twinge of guilt. "...I can handle it."

"Can you?"

Alex had his doubts as well. "Nothing," he stated succinctly, "...happened."

"And how did that make you feel?" Christopher was exasperated. "Can't you see no good can come of this? Either one day you will lose control and turn her or worse yet, do to her what I did to Sara." He trailed away, his own demons plaguing him for a long beat. "...I know, Alex. What you’re experiencing. Turning someone is not as easy as you think."

"I would never do that to Annie!"

"I said the same thing." Christopher wasn't impressed, ignoring Alex's rising temper. "And if you don't, she ages. Bottom line? There is no future for you two. At best, you have a few years together, then you must let her go. Could you get that close, then cut it off?"

He softened his approach and tone. "It’s selfishness on our part. Annie deserves better.

She was happy with that human before you came along. They were happy, yes?"

"Don't you think I know all this s**t, Christopher?"

The other being sighed heavily. "But you can't let it go. You can't let her go." He nodded, then shook his head woefully.

Closing his eyes, Alex ran his hand through his dark hair, agitated. He had gone over this situation in his mind over and over. But when he tried to stay away, when he purposely refused himself access to Annie, and he had tried. God knew he had tried.

Alex was miserable, restless...unable to focus or concentrate on anything but seeing her again. So, he would find himself making up excuses, some pretext to go to her. Or she would just show up on his doorstep and, having seen her again...he could never find it within to not open the damned door.

Christopher wasn't telling him anything he didn't already know. But Christopher had not felt her in his arms last night, or kissed her unbelievably soft lips, or...other wondrous things.

The young Vampire’s mind dictated one thing, his heart another.

God, how he hated Cornelia for making him the monster he was. At that moment, he hated the entire Universe.

*****

Edwin had waited for the female to recover fully, having pulled the stake from her chest a few moments back. He stood over her, his mood relatively good for once.

The green eyes watched her closely. He was amused when the gray orbs cut to him, full of anger and sullen pride. Althea shifted, struggling to sit. She refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing how disoriented she was. She also refused to speak. That would show him.

"The silent treatment?" It was approved wholeheartedly, to her dismay. "Good, an excellent start. Let's keep things at an impasse, shall we?"

"You staked me!" It was accused heatedly.

"I believe you started it, if your somewhat faulty memory will recall?"

"Of all the Neanderthal behavior! And then, carrying me off like a sack of potatoes to God knows where!" Althea attempted to arise, but her legs were still shaky, so she sat back down hastily. "Against my express wishes. Imposing your will over mine! You are like something out of the Dark Ages!"

"Thank you." Edwin bowed slightly. "It will all be over soon. They will come tomorrow night if they are coming at all. You will not have to suffer my company for a very long period. Were it not for your Sire, you would not have to suffer it at all."

Althea remained silent and fuming.

"Do you require sustenance?" He inquired, ever the gracious host. "I can run out to the nearest convenience store for a fresh clerk, if you wish."

She cut him a frosty glare. All of which he ignored.

"Then I need to rest. I sense you cannot be trusted to stay put." It was understated. "Please accompany me." The Enforcer moved off gracefully, throwing the long black coat over a nearby chair as he passed. The one he had utilized to keep the staked female warm. He stopped across the spacious room, waiting for her to obey. "There is only the one cubicle here, but your virtue is safe, rest assured."

"Excuse the hell out of me? You expect me to...sleep with you?" She arose, grabbing the nearby table for much-needed support. It felt like she had been on a week long drunk. "Are you out of your–"

"Unless you give me your word of honor to remain here." Edwin halted her tirade.

Althea blinked. "Oh. Oh, sure!" She smiled brightly at him. "You run along and rest. I'll stay. I promise."

"Thank you. I needed a good laugh. Now," he motioned with his hand to the corridor he was about to enter, "if you don't mind. I do need to replenish my strength. It’s more for your benefit than mine, remember."

"I said I would stay!" Althea stated petulantly. "So, you did. It’s this way."

"Are you calling me a liar?" She bristled.

"I've called you worse." He made mention.

"I hate you!"

"Your point?"

"I thought I liked you, but I don't. You know why? Cause you're just one big d**k head!

That's why!" Althea’s hands went to her shapely hips.

"I thought females preferred large–"

"Do not..." she halted that line of thought, "even go there!"

"Are you going to come with me, or do I stake you again?" It was put on a level even she could understand and relate to.

Althea folded her arms, lifting her head stubbornly.

Edwin leaned, retrieving the wooden stake.

The female gasped, retreating a step, her mouth falling agape.

The being lifted enigmatical brows, banishing the weapon lightly between thick fingers, awaiting her decision.

"Do you know what you are?" Althea eyed the stake respectfully, all the same.

"I thought we had established; I was a dickhead."

"A bully! A big fat bully!"

"You've seen my form. Did you find it lacking in any way, shape, or form?" Her bluff was called.

"What?" Her eyes widened with shock. "I...what? I most certainly have never..."

"The first night at your Sire's mansion in France?" Her memory was refreshed yet again. "Before the meeting?"

Althea shifted her eyes hastily, suddenly a little uncomfortable. "Well, if someone watched you, I assure you, it wasn't me!" She lied fluently.

"I believe it was, actually." Edwin disliked calling a lady a liar, but in this case, he could make an exception.

"I might have passed by, say, on my way to my room." Althea snubbed such a concept. "I can't help it if you leave your door wide open so anyone can casually glance in."

"I never leave an entrance open." It was quietly stated. "Not to worry. I found the incident amusing. You did not offend me in the least."

"I tell you!" The young female snapped peevishly. "It wasn't me! I have no interest in your body whatsoever!"

"Then why so squeamish about sharing my space? I cannot trust you to remain under my protection, therefore, I need to feel you close. You are attaching human values to a simple equation. I do not wish to encounter you sexually, in any form. Theirs or ours."

Althea felt the brunt of the statement. Well, that had been plain enough.

This was turning out to be one shitty night. Not only had she lost her Sire's respect and affection. Apparently, she was totally unacceptable in any form to a male of her species.

Gosh, she just felt so attractive and desirable all of a sudden.

The female sat, her mood dropping into oblivion. "...I won't go anywhere." She stated listlessly. "I will sit in the room while you sleep." She glanced about the room with its ultra- modern motif.

She hurt. It had hurt what he had said. How he had stated it.

She presented a calm demeanor but... "Your protection is appreciated. Had you approached the subject in a different manner, I would gladly have agreed."

The slight form arose, crossing the room, coming to stand before him. "Is it this way, then?" She motioned slightly to the darkened corridor.

Edwin cursed his handling of the situation, but damn it, nothing he had ever said before had seemed to phase the female. He should have realized how fragile her emotional state was on this occasion. He saw no way to undo what he had done, his own pride having kicked in.

He did not grovel before any living being, let alone a female, and he never...apologized.

He preceded her into the bedroom, inadvertently tossing the stake on a chest of drawers as he passed. Something clicked in his head, and he glared at the female.

"If you stake me again..." He motioned to the discarded object, his anger more for himself than the subject at hand. "You will regret it. Do I make myself clear?"

Althea did not rise to the occasion, merely glanced around the room. "Where is the television set?"

She had not found one, but it could be any of the dark oak cabinets lining the opposite wall. Perhaps some sappy movie would take her mind from her doldrums. At least she was allowed that much indulgence, surely.

"I do not indulge."

"Sweet baby Jesus! You don't have a tv?" Terror filled her heart and soul. "What am I supposed to do until tomorrow night?"

"Read a g********l?" The being indicated the multitude of bookshelves lining the massive room. "You can read, correct?"

"This is hell." Althea was relatively certain of her facts.

Edwin held his amusement admirably. He crossed, selecting. "It has several disgustingly filthy s*x chapters. You will find it enlightening, no doubt." He gave the book over to her care.

She seemed to perk up somewhat, opening the pages to verify his statement for herself. He left her to her own devices, going to shower.