C13 Distorted

The wind stopped blowing abruptly however the forest remained dark. I looked up to the sky and noticed the sun had been replaced by a blooded moon. Silence gripped the forest, broken only by the distant hooting of an owl. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, moving with an unearthly grace. The creature stepped into the moonlit clearing, his presence commanding attention.

His eyes, the color of liquid amber, flickered with an otherworldly fire as they scanned his surroundings. Pale skin, almost translucent, contrasted starkly against the darkness. His features were sculpted, possessing an alluring magnetism that drew the gaze of any who beheld him.

Long, ebony locks cascaded down his broad shoulders, framing his chiseled face. Dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit, he exuded a timeless elegance and refined charm. The forest seemed to hush as if nature itself recognized its power.

With every step, the creature moved effortlessly, his movements a seamless dance between predator and prey. His presence seemed to command the night itself as if he were the very embodiment of its secrets and shadows.

My heart seemed to stop breathing, I rubbed my eyes roughly and pinched myself, I wanted to be sure this wasn't another dream I was in. I immediately dived behind a huge where I was sure the creature wouldn't see me and sat in the worst possible way, I kept hoping that I would wake up from this nightmare anytime soon, I clasped my mouth tightly to block out every form of sound. Perspiration broke out from every corner of my body. One of my legs was bent underneath my weight and had fallen asleep due to poor circulation of blood to that area. The prolonged pressure caused a feeling of numbness, tingling, and prickling sensation. The numbness slowly contorted into pain as tears trickled down my eyes.

I evaluated the consequences of repositioning my leg in the river of leaves and being heard by the creature that stood unwavering.

"Ivy. Ivy Stroman."

My eyes widened in disbelief. Time seemed to freeze, suspended in the air, as my mouth gaped open in shock. The color drained from my face, leaving behind a pale mask of astonishment. My hands trembled involuntarily. Electric currents of surprise surged through my veins, jolting my entire being. A thousand and one thoughts collided within my mind, each one more bewildering than the last. It was as if the ground beneath my feet had vanished and my heart had dropped into my stomach, my name from the creature's mouth was the last thing I expected to hear, how in the world did that thing know my name? How did he even notice I was hiding there? I had given my best shot in trying to stay mute.

"Ivy Stroman, you need not hide from me. Come to me, I won't hurt you." His accent held a distinct smoothness and refinement, with a slightly elongated and velvety pronunciation. His tone was soft yet commanding, captivating anyone who listened with a seductive allure. As I heard him speak, There were subtle hints of mystery and darkness.

"Do you not have ears, human?" The question seemed impatient but the expression on his face told a different tale.

I didn't know if to remain there and pretend I didn't hear or run as fast as I could and risk him chasing after me. I finally released myself and stood up from the leaves, I slapped the leg hard to get blood to flow before limping from behind the tree to face this majestic being. I cowered before him and I couldn't bring my face to face his. From the darkness, the feature of his face aligned as his peering eyes lit up in a grin.

"Come to me lad, do not be afraid," his voice was sedating, and coming from a creature that looked like him I knew I had to tread with caution.

"Wha...what are you," I said with all the courage I could muster.

"You ask the wrong questions human, but you need not know who I am until the time is right." He still maintained his grin.

What did he mean by when the time was right?.... Did I think?

"Please, are you going to kill me?"

He let out a loud laugh that rang out through the corners of the forest and sent the nocturnal birds flying. I never heard a laugh so cheerful that sounded inhuman yet full of life and gave off a warm albeit predatory amusement that contrasted with his appearance.

The laughter went on without stopping for minutes and a feeling of embarrassment washed over me. When he finally stopped he glared hard at me and the warm aura had disappeared from his face.

"You have something that I desire, killing you would be outrageous, wouldn't it human?"

The question took me by surprise, I didn't know if he asked that rhetorically but the expectant look he gave me made me feel he wanted an answer.

"I...guess it would," I stammered before speaking again, "Are you the one responsible for the seizures that have been happening to me?."

He smiled at the question. "Come closer child,"

...what sort of dimwit did he think I was?...

His behavior and appearance were unalike, did he think he could fool me that easily? I knew if I got an inch closer to him, he would not balk to strike me dead, I needed to come up with a plan to get out of the forest alive.

I saw him extend his hand toward me motioning for me to walk up to him. I stood rooted to the spot, still calculating my chances of escape.

When he saw that I was adamant about moving from where I was, he retracted his hand and started advancing toward me. I wanted to turn back and run but two firm hands grabbed me and held me back, one of the hands gripped my jaw and forcefully raised my head to meet the man's unparalleled face.

I fought to free myself as the grunts of my struggle filled the air but the mighty hands kept me in place.

"Don't move a muscle, human, you'll only weaken yourself out," he said when he finally got close enough to run his extremely long fingers through my hair. I felt my bladder cut loose as I humiliated myself in the presence of these three elegant creatures.

"What the...eww, can't you get a hold of yourself?" The one who held my face said in the most disgusted tone anyone could muster.

I figured the man in front of me was supposedly their leader of some sort but I couldn't tell what kind of creatures they were, where they came from, or what they thought I had that they wanted.

Their supposed leader slapped the hand of the one who held my face away and replaced it with his, his grip was delicately firmer than the former.

"You do not know what I want, human?" He questioned in the most alluring tone. I shook my head in objection. He stooped down to my height and brought his face so close to mine that I was taking in his whiff.

He released his hold on my face and grazed my skin with a finger, he ran his fingers across my cheeks and traced them around the contours of my face savoring every touch. The breeze had tousled my hair and he reached for it, tenderly tucking a stray strand behind my ear. His gentle touch sent shivers down my spine, igniting a strange feeling within me.

A sharp pain behind my ear jolted me back to my senses, his caress on my skin had engulfed me and I lost track of where I was. His nails dug deeper into my skin but surprisingly I felt a glimmer of pleasure instead of pain. He brought his fingers to his nose and inhaled the scent, I saw something flicker in his eyes and a familiar look rested in his eyes, the same look that had been in my eyes when I beheld the creature in the mirror the day I perceived Gehal's blood.

He bent his face to my ear and traced the blood from the back of my ear to down to my neck with his tongue. I couldn't hold myself back as I bit the corner of my lower lip and a soft moan escaped my lip.

He stopped abruptly and looked into my eyes, clearly surprised at my outburst. Did he think I was going to shove him away from me?

I mean shouldn't I have reacted that way after he had been trying to seduce me? At that point, I began to conjure up the most absurd thoughts.

He dragged me away from the other two creatures and pulled me closer to his embrace, my shoulders met with his chiseled chest. My face was damp from sweat, but he didn't mind me nuzzling up closer to him. He shoved his hands into my hair and tangled them up between his fingers. Without warning, he grabbed me around my waist and leaped into the wind.

In a swoosh, I was carried off to another area within the forest that was much thicker and darker than the one we previously stood. I was once again alone with him.

My heartbeat pounded in my ears.

Why did he move us here?

He released his hold on me and walked silently away into a shadier nook.

He extended his hand, his voice dripping with a soothing, hypnotic tone. "There is no need to be afraid," he murmured, his words like velvet tendrils slipping into my mind. "Relax, and let all your worries melt away."

My body seemed to respond to his command, my tense muscles loosening as if surrendering to an invisible force. I stared at him, transfixed, my mind becoming a blank canvas ready to be painted with his desires. I was susceptible and the glare he gave told me he could feel it, and the vulnerability of my will. A surge of impotence coursed through me.

"Look into my eyes," he commanded softly, drawing my attention to the depths of his gaze. He knew the enchantment held within them, the allure that few could resist. They were windows to a dark and compelling world, capable of weaving spells that ensnared the mind and enslaved the soul.

As my eyes met his, he delved into the recesses of my consciousness, gently prying open the door to my thoughts. Images, memories, and desires swirled within my mind, like fragments of a shattered mirror. With each passing second, he wove my influence, molding my thoughts to his will.

"Your thoughts belong to me," he whispered, my voice carrying a commanding authority. "You will do as I say, without question."

My expression remained placid, my gaze unwavering, as if his words were etched in stone within my mind. The world around us faded into obscurity, leaving only the two of us in this intimate dance of control. He could feel my essence, my life force, intertwining with his, like a delicate thread connecting predator and prey.

"Now, walk with me," he commanded, his voice resonating with an irresistible allure. "Follow my lead, and you will experience a pleasure beyond your wildest dreams."

I moved beside him, my steps matching his, my body in perfect synchrony. We wandered through the deserted streets, the moon casting its silvery glow upon us, as he reveled in the intoxicating power he held over me. I was under his spell, his puppet in this macabre theater of existence.

The night stretched on, the world oblivious to the dark enchantment that unfolded in its midst. As the first light of dawn began to seep over the horizon, he released me from his hypnotic grip, my memories of the night clouded and hazy, as if veiled in a dream. With a final, lingering glance, he vanished into the shadows, leaving me to awaken with a sense of wonder.