**** Chapter Four: FRESH FLOWERS AND SUN IN BED

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Chapter Four: FRESH FLOWERS AND SUN IN BED

I yawned and stretched and closed my eyes, sliding back under the covers. I loved my bed. It was so soft and all mine. But my morning glory hardly ever lasted more than a few minutes before Christina rushed in with her tall order of daily instructions from Nancy for me. I, of course, ignored every one of them and went to college without a single good morning to anyone – since no one was ever around to be wished one. Then after classes it was the rink. There Gary would be waiting for me with a large devilishly delicious chocolaty treat and – hmm – come to think of it what the devil had happened last night?

All I could remember was that I was forced to mingle with Nancy’s guests, one of whom tried to chat me up. Another almost felt me up. And then I fainted. It was all quite dramatic especially the second sleaze ball I encountered. I think he was a demon worshipper with a demon tattoo on his chest too –

I stretched more and pulled the covers off my face. Sleep still stung my eyes as I pried them open to enjoy the morning streaming in through the windows. What was with all the windows? I blinked. And the paneled ceiling? A poster bed?

“Good morning.”

I sat up in bed with a loud gasp that turned into a stifled scream as I covered my mouth with both hands.

He, the demon-man from last night, was standing at the foot of the bed. Dressed all in black and sipping, what smelled like coffee. Did demons drink coffee?

“Sleep well?” he asked.

“Where am I?” Dumb question.

“Still in bed, of course,” he replied calmly. I noticed his interesting accent again. He muffled his T’s and pronounced his R’s very strongly.

“I know that! But why am I in your bed?”

“Yes, that’s just the perfect question to ask the morning after, isn’t it?” He smiled and took a sip of his coffee.

“The morning after what?” Now I was freaking out.

“You are a virgin,” he stated bluntly. “Aren’t you?”

“What? Why? How do you know?” Did he say are or were?

“I can tell.”

The brusqueness of his tone made me blush. And I’m pretty sure he said are. I felt hot, embarrassed and angry.

“This is not happening! This is all a bad dream. You’re not real and I’ll just wake up in my own room any time now.” I ground my fists into my temples. “Oh! Wake up Aoife! Wake up!”

“Is that your name? Aoife?”

“What happened last night?” I looked at him furiously. I wanted answers now.

“It’s actually what didn't happen but should’ve happened that concerns me. At first I thought I’d actually burned you.”

“Look.” I took a deep breath. “I’m not who you think I am.”

“That’s for sure.” He bared his teeth in a brief grin. “But that’s okay as long as you do what I think you should.”

“I am not a hooker!”

“Yes.” He narrowed his eyes and stared at my face. “I’ve never seen anyone react to me like this before.”

“I’ve never felt so sick in my life before either! What did you do to me?”

“You’re still dressed.” He looked down his nose at me. “You would need to be a little more naked than that to even suspect anything had happened.”

I quickly ran a critical glance over myself. I was still wearing the exotic hooker costume, everything intact down to the very last stitch. So he hadn’t touched me. Unless he did strip me down and then dressed me back up. Which would’ve been weird.

“Who are you?” he asked, emptying his mug and setting it down on a nightstand I hadn’t noticed till then.

“A girl!” I glared at him. What kind of a stupid question was that?

“I can see that.” He smiled. “Though not as much as I’d like.”

“Alright that’s it! I’m going home.” I tried to get up but my leg still ached dully when I moved it. The source of the pain was the same – my birthmark. I decided not to get off the bed yet. If Eros there hadn’t done anything to me during the long hours of the night, it wasn’t likely he’d touch me now.

“And where exactly is home?” he asked curiously.

“You’re asking me? You’re the one who kidnapped me. You should know where I

live!”

“What?” He nearly laughed. “That’s a little too farfetched don't you think?”

“That’s what I want to know. You’re obviously not who I was expecting. And yet I saw you standing in my room with a dagger in your hand, looking for me. I’d say it’s a simple case of trespassing and breaking and entering. With a possible intent to murder.”

His grin widened. “I’ve got a case!”

My mouth hung open all the way to my knees. He sounded so serious, it was so weird!

“You’re going to press charges against me? Unbelievable!”

“You who?” He leaned forward on the bed and looked directly into my eyes.

His eyes were still beautiful and speckled with mystery. But, strangely, they weren’t casting any more spells this time. Had the strand pulling really worked? So – he really was a supernatural something? A demon of sorts? This was crazy beyond belief!

“You know if only you were blowing out smoke alphabets you’d be so much like the caterpillar with your ‘who are you?’ chant!”

“Charming analogy little Alice but that doesn’t answer my question. Who are you?

Or would you like that with fireballs because I don't really do smoke rings!”

“Fine.” I rubbed my temples. “I’m Aoife Edwards, Alistair Edwards’ daughter. I live in Killen. If you were to ever visit that town just ask for Edwards Estate on Alistair Avenue and they’ll get you there.”

“You’re from Earth?” He sounded surprised.

“Yes.” I stared at him. “Yes, I’m from Earth.”

“How did you get from there to Volttus in the Realm?” “Omigosh,” I said weakly. Mr. Blueface was for real.

“You’ve no idea where you are?” He looked puzzled.

“No.” My voice came out a whisper, kind of. “Not really.”

“Alright,” he said pulling the covers off of me. “Get up! I need to find out what’s up.”

“No way! I’m not going anywhere with you!”

“Trespassing and attempted murder!” I could see laughter in those blue eyes.

“Okay! Alright! I’m coming!” Stupid, threatening demon-man. I bet he was all gnarly and ugly in reality – the way they always are – in the movies.