Quiescence

Chapter 1: Fiery golden eyes

2020, December 15th, France

"Dahlia... I want you... I want your body... I want you, my beloved little girl... and I want your soul..." I heard a raspy, haunting voice whispering in my head, hypnotizing and seducing my body and soul.

"Who are you?" I whispered back, looking around the cold, dark, empty field. I couldn't see anything but snowflakes falling from the sky, clouding my peripheral vision. My bare feet were numb from walking on the thick snow though strangely I didn't feel cold, my mind knew it was cold. My eyesight suddenly caught a familiar old oak tree but oddly I couldn't remember why it looked familiar. I roamed my eyes to the vast surroundings, searching for that beautiful, enthralling voice. Nothing. I continued to walk and then out of nowhere, I saw an enormous manor, appeared out of nowhere, standing grotesquely, a few meters away from me. My feet started towards the monstrous house but a strong gust of air and snow whisked harshly in front of me, scraping my fragile skin like a blade cutting through my cheeks, stopping me from moving forward. I winced not from pain but from the rusty taste of my blood which streamed down my cheeks and into the corner of my mouth.

"Stop! Do not come close! If you do I might not be able to control myself anymore... Go!" The stranger's mysterious voice spoke again in a fiery, angry tone.

"But why? I don't understand..." I asked curiously and forced myself to move forward again. There was no answer. Then the strong wind disappeared and I was surprised as I was already facing the big antique door with iron hinges. I grabbed the iron door handle and pushed it open. The door creaked menacingly loud as it heavily opened. With light steps, I entered the dark yet attractive interior of the manor. The ceiling was very high with artistic curves of dark wood, and paneled marble walls with gold intricate designs. All the furniture was exquisitely charming and medieval. The dark red curtains draping on the huge windows were made of fine silk. Everything I saw was screaming elegance and royalty like a prince or a king was residing in this beautiful yet lonely enormous manor.

"Hello? Anybody here? I am lost and came across your house… Can you please tell me where am I?" I shouted yet only the cold silence answered me back. I walked and walked but I didn't see anyone then I saw a dark door was ajar from the west wing, tempting me to come and take a peek. As I was facing the front of the door, I held my breath and slowly pushed the door wide open and my eyes beamed with fervent curiosity as I saw a very tall dark-haired man with broad shoulders, facing his back to me. The room was dark with only a single vintage wall lighting sconce dimly lit.

"Hello--"

"I told you not to come." The mysterious man spoke in a clipped, raspy voice.

"It was you!" I exclaimed incredulously as I came to recognize his familiar voice. The man slowly turned his head in a slow-motion, to face me. I couldn't contain a gasp of pure awe and admiration as I met his golden eyes. I couldn’t perfectly see his features as he was covered in the darkness of the room. However, just by gazing at those bewitching gold eyes, I was mesmerized. I slowly walked towards him like I was hypnotized. His golden eyes were oddly familiar like I once stared at those beautiful golden specs, admiring them. I was an artist and I would always get captivated with anything beautiful and this man here was beyond beautiful.

"Do not come near me, human! I can smell your lustful desire!" He hissed in pure disgust and I didn’t know why I felt hurt by his harsh tone. My eyes slowly watered uncontrollably as his words pierced through my heart. Human? Isn't he human? Or simply because I'm just a plain-looking human unlike him who has a superior beauty beyond any human such as myself? I felt insulted as I knew I was no beauty. I wouldn’t say I was ugly yet my beauty was of any ordinary human girl. I also felt embarrassed as it seemed my desire was quite transparent to him.

"I'm sorry I know I'm out of your league but you don't have to spit it on my face how ordinary I look." I lowered my head and was surprised to feel his warm rough hand touch my chin. How can he be in front of me so fast without hearing his footsteps? He walked stealthily like a panther targeting his prey. Then, he raised my chin up and stared at my glistening eyes from tears. I gazed at him in wonder. I was completely awestruck. He was godly beautiful like a Greek god. His eyes were more beautiful in close distance, shimmering with a mixture of emotions I couldn't comprehend. His face was like, it was sculptured to perfection. A chiseled jaw that looked so strong, a perfectly straight nose, and alluring lips that looked like it will bring you to nirvana if they will brush your lips.

"Forgive my harsh words, my sweet Dahlia...I did not mean it that way... You are not ordinary. You are beautiful beyond comparison. I cannot take my eyes off you. For years I have been watching you everywhere even in your dreams. I cannot let you go even if I must..." He whispered gravely while caressing my wet cheeks. Strangely, my face had no trace of blood or scar from earlier, when my eyes accidentally glared at my reflection through the mirror that I just noticed appeared in front of me. The lighting became more illuminated as well as I saw some other vintage wall lighting sconces had been lit. He rested his forehead on the top of my head. Then, he gently kissed my forehead, my closed eyes, the tip of my nose, and the corner of my mouth. I heard him heave a sigh. So, I looked up and met his burning gold eyes. I didn't know why I couldn't open my mouth and let out a smart remark as I usually would do in an awkward situation such as this. I just utterly became speechless as I took in his blinding beauty. I wondered how a man could be this perfect, almost inhuman. His words also puzzled me.

"Please forgive me, my lovely Dahlia as I cannot control it anymore." He spoke again in a husky tone and captured my mouth, kissing me passionately and hungrily like he was starved for a long time. His tongue forced my lips apart, asking for entrance and I willingly parted my lips, giving him complete access to the inside of my mouth. My mind was getting hazy as his tongue skilfully teased and urged me to kiss him back and I did, more than willing. I curled them with his and returned his hot kiss with the same intensity. I moaned in pleasure as I felt his warm touch roaming my body.

"Oh, you have grown into a beautiful woman, Dahlia..." He croaked enchantingly as his eyes devoured my already naked body. My eyes widen as I didn't notice that he'd already peeled off my cotton nightdress and now I was already sprawled naked on his antique four-poster bed with a red velvet bed cover tickling my bare back. I shyly covered my naked breast with my arms and looked away from his hot stare.

"No, let me see you, love. Do not be embarrassed as you are perfect..." He whispered and took my hands away from my body. He kissed my every knuckle tenderly then slowly brushed his lips on my elbow, arms, and neck, and gently nibbled my earlobe. My body was already burning like I was having a high fever when I felt his rough hands skim my thighs and my upper body, leaving every skin he touched ablaze. My blue eyes were burning with fire as I took in his naked chest. This man was incredibly fast. I didn't notice his every move and now he was naked from his chest down to his waist. I hungrily touched his broad shoulders, his muscled chest, and his toned abdomen with bulging abs. I wanted to go lower but I felt suddenly shy and my cheeks burned when I gazed up and met his eyes, visible of lust and desire.

"You are perfect," I whispered and kissed his abdomen, feeling my shyness disappear. This man was just so irresistibly gorgeous and oozing with carnal s*x appeal. I couldn't stop myself as I brushed kisses on his stone-hard chest. I heard him groan and then I felt his fingers raked through my messy hair, forcing my head up to meet his hungry mouth. He claimed my mouth once again fervently while I felt his strong arms part my legs, raised me up, and placed me on his lap. My legs clamped on his waist as he grabbed my bottom, kneading them. Damn! I'm losing my sanity...

"Oh Dahlia, my Dahlia! I want you now..." He rasped in a hurried tone.

"I want you too..." I whispered back and lowered my other hand to feel his arousal. He closed his eyes momentarily and when he opened them, they were glowing bright yellow, literally glowing like a car's headlight. I felt a bit scared as he looked inhuman and dangerous but beautiful nonetheless. I felt a mixture of fear and strong wantonness to this mysteriously handsome and somewhat dangerously inhuman man right before me, looking like he wanted to eat me...

"No!" He screamed angrily like a thunder and I flew three feet away from the bed, banging on the wall yet strangely I didn't feel any pain. Then I remembered, I was just dreaming but this seemed so real. I looked up at him again. His eyes appeared fierce as they bore onto mine. I stood up and walked towards him again like a moth attracted to his burning light. His eyes shone more brightly and angrily.

"I shouldn't touch you... Go!" He roared and my body was thrown into darkness as I screamed soundlessly then my eyes opened, I sat up straight and gasped for air. I raked my hands through my sweaty hair as I woke up from my sensual dream and was looking a bit disoriented. I roamed my eyes around and saw a young man sitting beside me, staring and looking amused.

"Bad dream or good dream?" He asked smiling. I almost forgot that I was currently on my way to London by train and I kind of regretted choosing an Economy seat. I should have chosen Standard Premier Class or Business Premier in that case I could daydream without getting bothered and embarrassed by the person sitting next to me. Being too thrifty could be a little disadvantageous at times.

"Both." I smiled politely. "Where are we now?" I asked and looked outside the glass window of the train. I couldn't tell just by looking at the scenery where we were. I was not good at telling directions that was why I’d never be fit to become a tour guide which I'd never dreamt of becoming one by the way.

"Still in France. We've just been traveling for thirty minutes." He informed still smiling.

"Oh, I see. Thanks." I glanced at my wristwatch. It was just eight-thirty in the morning and traveling by train from Paris to London was about two hours and a half. My arrival time would be at ten-thirty. I sighed a mouthful of air, feeling infuriated. I had been dreaming about the same mysterious but gorgeous man with fiery golden eyes, hearing his voice and haunting me for years especially every time Christmas Eve approaches, night or day. I didn't know the reason why. I had no memory of meeting anyone who had golden eyes but in my dreams, they looked vividly real like this man was real. My shrink had told me before during one of our sessions, that it was just my unconscious mind full of curiosity about the opposite s*x for I'd been a virgin since birth. He said dreams were like an escape from the real world for which I couldn't express myself well so in my dreams my unconscious mind brought the desire hidden and suppressed within me that I couldn’t express in reality. I sighed. Maybe I should just grab a guy and get it over with and be done with this friggin s****l curiosity. I’m twenty-one for Christ’s sake and still a friggin virgin! I was not that conservative but I didn't know why I couldn't. It was like someone would be mad if I'd have s*x with just any guy. It was crazy but that was how I felt or maybe I was crazy. If I sleep with someone maybe this crazy dream would really disappear. But do I want it to disappear? It pierces my heart thinking about that. Strangely, I didn't want it to disappear. I want to linger in this insane dream for quite some time, I think. I lazily got up, excused myself from the man beside me who was still staring at me with keen interest, and went towards the direction of the bathroom and splash cold water on my face. If I was still in my studio-type apartment in Paris, I would have taken a cold shower to ease up the hot and sticky feeling I had right now because of that sensual dream. It was winter break and I was packed for a short vacation at my aunt's home in England. My parents got divorced when I was in first grade and had their new family, excluding me. I sometimes would visit them but I couldn't stay long as I felt out of place whenever I was at either of my parents’ homes. They looked happy without me so I usually would stay at my aunt's home in England every vacation. She was my mother's older sister and had one son which by now was already thirteen years old. I could feel that my aunt loves me more than my own parents. She’d always tell me to visit whenever I like. She once said that she really wishes to have a daughter, not that she didn’t love her son, in fact, she loved him so much since he was such an adorable boy, but after giving birth to Angelo, she wasn't lucky to have another child. So, she treated me like her own daughter. I was in my last year at Paris College of Art (PCA), taking Fine Arts. I was just glad both of my parents didn't mind my decision in taking this course and provided for my every need. I guess it was there way of showing their guilt as they were never a parent to me. At a young age, I grew up with my parents tossing me around from time to time about who would take care of me, where would I sleep, and who would pick me up at school. My parents both lived in New York but in different houses with their new families and I’d stayed with them, interchanging by schedule, like they didn't have a choice until I turned eighteen and decided to study in Paris and lived alone. I sighed once more and went back to my seat. Just glad the man was busy reading a magazine when I got back. I was in no mood for a chit-chat.

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"Oh, darling welcome back!" Aunt Rosemarie hugged me as soon as she saw me. Her husband, Uncle Augustine smiled at me and patted my shoulder.

"Dahlia!" Angelo's excited voice boomed in the entryway, running towards me and hugged me tightly.

"Hey, hey, hey! Aren't you a big boy now to scream like that? You sound like a girl squeaking loudly." I teased and laughed when I saw his cheeks turn beet red. He became such a handsome young boy with fair skin and hair and clear blue eyes almost similar to mine. My aunt had blue eyes as well as my mom. I felt a bit sad thinking about my mom all of a sudden.

"I am not a girl. Can't you see I've grown into a fine young man?" He mopped, looking annoyed at my humor. I grabbed the collar of his shirt so his head was leaning low. I reached up and ruffled his honey-blond hair and saw him frown. I smiled at him.

"I see you've grown so tall just over a year, my dear handsome cousin," I said and let go of his shirt. A year ago, I was taller than him an inch or two and I was 5'6" tall and by looking at Angelo now, he seemed to be almost 6 feet, probably 5'10' and he was just thirteen.

"But of course, I ate well and did some stretching so I'll grow taller than you," he said smugly. I'd never thought he’d take my jokes seriously. I’d often tease him whenever I’d visit their house every winter vacation, that he looked like a midget and no girls would like him if he’d not grow taller.

"Well, that's great. Maybe girls will like you now." I teased and saw him blush again while staring at me.

"Dahlia, stop teasing your cousin and he is still young to have a girlfriend." Aunt Rosemarie lectured but I could see her smiling. She gestured me inside the living room while Angelo took my small luggage and went up the stairs to the room which I’d always occupy whenever I visit.

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"Hey Angelo! Wait up! Where are we going?" I shouted at him since he was getting far from me. My winter boots were already drenched because of the thick snow and it was hard to walk steadily. It was past five in the afternoon and Angelo urged me to go for a stroll at the usual place we usually would hang out. I actually carried my Canon DSLR camera with me, an advance Christmas present from my dad. I took some pictures from time to time as we walked.

"Move your bloody arse faster, shorty!" Angelo shouted back with a grin. I widen my eyes at him exaggeratedly and he laughed.

"What did you just say, you cocky kid?" I put both of my hands on my hips acting serious but couldn't keep my face from smiling.

"Shorty!" He taunted while smirking at me.

"You arrogant kid! Wait till I catch you!" I barked at him and started running towards him.

"I bet you can't catch me with your short legs." He said laughing while running away from me.

"What? Don't underestimate me you little brat!" I shouted but then he disappeared from my vision. I ran faster to catch up with him but I still couldn’t see his tall figure.

"Angelo?!" I called for him but there was no answer. Where did that brat go? I looked around and was astounded to see a familiar enormous manor from afar.

"s**t! Am I dreaming again?"

"No little lady. You are not." I heard a chilly voice and I instantly shot my eyes from my left where I heard the voice and there I saw a tall and very pale man with long raven black hair hanging loosely on his pale face, leaning on the big oak tree. This was definitely a dream. That monstrous manor and that big oak tree were completely identical to my dream! I pinched my arm and winced as I felt the pain.

"I told you little one. You are not dreaming... Untrusting girl you are..." He slowly glided towards me and I just stood there like a statue looking aghast as the pale man continued walking and stopped a meter away from me. A gasp escaped my mouth when I saw his eyes. Golden eyes! Just like the man in my dreams! How many men are there with gold eyes and at the same place? I stared at him. He looked painstakingly handsome too but why did I feel different or rather I didn't feel any spark which I’d normally feel whenever I’d see him in my dreams. Is it because this is not a dream anymore? I felt bad as I couldn't remember perfectly what the man in my dreams looked like every time I woke up. The only thing I could remember was his fiery golden eyes. I saw him grin like he knew what I was thinking and it showed his perfectly white teeth. Though his two canine teeth on both sides were a bit elongated, it was not like those of vampire fangs that I saw in the movies which were pretty scary. His were kinda sexy.

"Who are you?" I asked when I finally found my voice.

"Stay away from her, Lucien!" I heard an angry voice from behind me. A familiar voice...

"It is effective indeed." The so-called Lucien spoke mostly to himself while giving me a satisfied smile. I curiously turned my head to look at the new stranger when I saw a blur moving so fast then I felt a pain on the back of my neck like something hard hit it. I felt dizzy and staggered then I slowly began to fall but before my head hit the bed of snow someone caught me. I blinked my fuzzy eyes to see who it was but all I could see was his golden eyes and his short dark hair.

"Dahlia..." I heard his worried voice whisper my name like he knew me. Then I heard Angelo's voice from afar.

"Oh my God! Dahlia! What happened?" Angelo craned my head on his lap. I opened my eyes to stare at Angelo's worried eyes and looked for another pair of golden eyes but it was only the two of us.

"Golden eyes..." I whispered before my consciousness completely left me...

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