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Post by Nyte on Mar 17, 2020 22:06:08 GMT -5
Her words caused him to lift his gaze from the floor, which he had resolve to look at rather than up at her as he sat on the edge of the bed, but as he caught her gaze once more it was his turn to furrow his brow in confusion. "Adelaide.." He finally said after a moment of silence had fallen between them. Then he reached out and, in a bold move, caught a bit of the cloth of her dress and gently pulled her towards him as he continued to gaze up at her. "You're only half right, you know." He finally stated. "You are not something I would ever hunt." He gave her another crooked smile and gently slid his hands along her waist and around to the small of her back.
The way he held her she stood between his legs as he held onto her gently. "I'll help you make what ever changes you want. We can overthrow the entire vampire society if you want. Hell, changing my mind the way you have.. I would say you've already done what I thought was impossible."
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 17, 2020 22:20:13 GMT -5
Adelaide lifted her eyes to him once again as he spoke her name. The silence was dreadful. When he reached forward she drew in a breath as he pulled her in close to him. She looked down to him from where she stood, her breath had caught in her chest. When he spoke and followed up with that crooked smile she’d grown to know she smiled back to him. His hands slid around the small of her back and she took in another breath. She bit her lip as she looked down to him. “You had me fooled.” She smiled as she uncrossed her arms, her hands rest upon his shoulders as she searched his eyes. His touch was gentle, if she wanted to pull away she could have. But, that was the exact opposite of what she’d wanted in that moment.
Adelaide sat for a moment as silence fell over them. What she had already done he thought was impossible? Yet, she felt as though she hadn’t done much at all. “I didn’t do much, Henry.” She spoke as she smiled to him. She lifted a hand and brushed it through his hair, pushing a few strands from his eyes. “You actually gave me a chance to show you that my kind can be more than the monsters that we are made out to be. We can be normal and we can function...without killing. You’ve done it, clearly with your hunts.” She cupped his cheek. She drew in a breath as she stared to him. “I find what you’ve done to be oddly noble, Henry. You’re not like other hunters. The other hunters are no better than the monsters that they hunt. You do not kill unless it it warranted. You have a code that you follow. That is nothing like any other hunter that I have heard of...” She took in a breath as she ran her fingertips through his hair again. Her mind wandered and a smile curved up her lips. “You also allow me to have freedom...I never thought I would have such a thing.” She let out a soft laugh. She clenched her jaw slightly as she pushed back her thoughts. It was hard to focus. Was it the drug? The injection? Or was this a true feeling that she had? She continued to run her fingertips through his hair as a silence fell over them. She ran her fingertip along his jaw as if she was tracing his body lines. Along his brow and then she cupped his cheek, a soft smile upon her lips. This was quite possibly the most intimate she'd been with another vampire. Her smile said it all. It wasn't fake. It was warm and inviting.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 17, 2020 22:55:30 GMT -5
"It seems like we've learned from each other then." He replied. Her fingers through his hair and her gentle touch along his jaw caused his eyes to flutter a bit. Her touch was far more disarming than the drug they had taken could ever be. Slipping his had from her waist he trailed his fingers down from her elbow and onto her hand as she touched his cheek. He held her palm against his cheek as he closed his eyes and gave a soft content sigh.
After a moment he kissed her palm, a simple yet affectionate gesture, and then looked back up to meet her gaze once more. "I know that we have to go back to your estate, but I really wish we could stay here a little while longer." His words were blunt and honest. A rare moment that he didn't calculate what he was going to say before hand. "Growing up we were each others monsters.. and now.. there's not really anyone else I really care to spend my time with."
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 17, 2020 23:06:09 GMT -5
Adelaide watched him, her smile remained on her lips as he placed his hand over hers. She watched as he kissed her palm and she let out a soft breath, she’d forgotten to breathe in that moment. His words though blunt were something that she welcomed. Her smiled widened and she let out a soft chuckle. “Wouldn’t that be lovely?” She asked as she trailed her fingertips along his arm. “Though I imagine that my grandfather would find us at some point. He has men all across this city.” She sighed softly. “Then, overthrowing Nicholas from the competition would prove impossible.” She leaned forward and kissed his forehead then. “I would almost press to risk that chance.” She whispered as she cupped his cheek once again to gaze into his eyes.
She smirked slightly. “I haven’t lived until I met you.” She gave a soft laugh. “It sounds like I am….creating a story, writing a fiction...but it’s true. I’ve been under my grandfather’s shadow unable to do as I please my entire life. I’ve followed his commands...and yet here I am...within the arms of the one thing he told me to stay clear of. Yet...I’m not afraid of you one bit, Henry. Even if you tried to scare me before.” She winked almost playfully. She brushed her fingertips through his hair once again. “It almost worked.” She chuckled softly and then shook her head. “You had me worried for a moment at least.” She shifted slightly in his grip as she drew in another breath. “Then again….” She pondered. “The longer I am away, the more angry my grandfather will be if he finds out I was sold to the warlock...that could also work in our favor.” She searched his eyes. “You’re the hunter….what should we do Henry?” She questioned as she trailed her fingertip along his jaw.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 17, 2020 23:51:01 GMT -5
Henry chuckled with her as she mentioned him trying to scare her. He had thought she would fear him, scream and toss him to the curb when she learned what he was, but she had proved him wrong again. As she mentioned her grandfather worrying more the longer she was away he lifted an eyebrow as he found the idea intriguing. "Two full days away from him not enough to make him panic?" He asked before he smirked and gently tightened his grip on her and pulled her back with him as he laid on the bed with her resting against his chest.
"I think we should decide what to do when we wake." He reached up to brush his fingers along her cheek before cupping his palm against the side of her face. His other hand rested on her hip while his eyes studied her features carefully. "Do you think you could ever love a man who's hands are so bloody?" He asked her before he leaned his head up to touch his forehead to hers, where their noses were touching and he could feel every move her body made. The rise and fall of her chest, the way her hair tickled his arms, and her scent completely filled his senses. "After all this is said and done.. I would like a chance to try and actually win your heart."
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 18, 2020 21:23:42 GMT -5
Adelaide grinned when he posed the question. She gripped onto his arms as he tightened his hold on her. She drew in a quick breath as he leaned back leaving her upon his chest. “For what he’s done? He deserves to worry at least a little. Doesn’t he?” She had loosened her grip, her arms moved and wrapped around behind his head, making a bit of a pillow for him as she gazed into his eyes. When he reached up she turned her head into his touch and closed her eyes as she drew in a deep breath. “That sounds like a lovely plan.” She spoke in a soft tone as she opened her eyes to look to him once again. When he posed the next question she raised a brow slightly. She still held a soft smile upon her lips. She leaned her forehead to press against his in response to him tilting his own head. She let out a soft chuckle, “I think that is a possibility.” She spoke as she seemed to think deeply. “The blood on your hands is nothing like the blood of those that kill innocents. You may correct me if I’m wrong.” She smirked.
Adelaide drew in another deep breath as she shifted slightly, she could feel each of his breaths. Being this close was something much different than she was used to. “After all of this, Henry...if you haven’t earned my heart, I would truly be surprised.” She paused a moment as her golden hues searched his. “You’ve done more for me in this moment than any man that has ever attempted to gain my interest.” She leaned forward and kissed him again then, it was gentle and sweet. She lingered here for a long moment before she pulled back, her forehead still pressed against his. “So yes, I could love you. If given the chance.” She whispered. "The true question is can you love me? After all is said and done. I am still the monster that you've hunted all of these years..."
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Post by Nyte on Mar 18, 2020 22:09:52 GMT -5
That small hope, a chance that he could actually earn her affection was something that sparked a bit of hope within his still heart. He smiled back at her and as she leaned towards him he actually kissed her back. It was a soft kiss, not lustful like the previous one had been, but for some reason he found he liked this better. Perhaps it was because of their close proximity to each other. "You're not a monster, Adelaide." He replied softly. "I suppose.. I can't always live in the past, hmm? Perhaps it's time I let go of my hate and move on."
He leaned forward once more and kissed her lips, letting the kiss linger a moment longer before pulling away once more. "At this rate neither of us are going to get much sleep." He finally said with a chuckle. "Are you sure you're not too tired?" They had a very trying day ahead of them and she had already had a full day before that. If he were her there was little chance that he wouldn't have already passed out cold for the remainder of the daytime period.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 18, 2020 22:21:03 GMT -5
Adelaide smiled to him as she searched his eyes. “Sometimes living in the past can hold you back. If I don’t move forward then...where would I be?” She spoke and just as she finished he’d kissed her. She relished in it as she kissed him back her fingertips curled into his hair slightly just as he’d pulled away. She hummed slightly to herself a smile upon her lips as she gave a nod. “I should be tired. Shouldn’t I?” She searched his eyes a moment before she let out a soft laugh. “I should be out cold from sleep deprivation.” She shifted slightly and then slipped to the side. She lay against his side, her body still close to his as she gazed up to him. “I’m not certain what it is.” She spoke as she lay her head upon his shoulder and traced upon his chest with her fingertips. “I can tell you I don’t feel entirely the same...but I can’t explain it exactly.” She fell quiet as she tried to think of a way to put it together. Her eyes lulled slightly. Her muscles were relaxed as she lay against him. “I think...it’s just...the excitement...wouldn’t you say?” She gave a soft laugh, her voice had become a bit foggy. As the time went on the tracing of her fingertips upon his chest slowed.
Adelaide’s eyes eventually slipped shut, her fingertips curled around the edge of his shirt as her face nestled into the nape of his neck. “I don’t want to go back to how it was.” She breathed, her voice a mumble. It was hard to say if she was conscious or not at this point. Her breaths became deep and even as her body finally succumbed to the exhaustion that it truly felt. The moment that she allowed herself to relax was the moment that everything seemed to catch up to her as if an avalanche fell upon her rapidly without warning.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 18, 2020 22:35:21 GMT -5
As she slipped from laying on top of his chest to laying next to him, nestled firmly against his side, he turned his head to face her and gently ran his fingers along her arm as she traced his chest. It was a comforting feeling, just having someone close he knew wasn't going to try and stab him in his sleep or even steal from him. As she closed her eyes so did he as he continued to hold her against him. "It wont.." He replied softly to her final statement before she drifted off to sleep. He knew he shouldn't make such promises but as far as he was concerned she would never have to go back to the way things were. He would die before that happened.
*****
As the night fell once more, the harmful sun setting beyond the horizon, Henry's eyes opened to stare up at his ceiling. He hadn't bothered to move after Adelaide fell asleep against him in the bed and he found that she was still nestled against him as they lay in the dark silent room. Normally he slept lightly. A fitful sleep that kept him on the edge but he had allowed himself to sleep deeply that night and as his mind came into more clear focus he felt a bit more invigorated than normal. Like he could take on a hundred of Nicholas and still come out the victor.
Slipping out from beneath Adelaide's grip he sat up in the bed and brushed his long hair back with his hands as he gave a sigh. Today they would go back to the Bennett manor and try their damnedest to get Vincent to believe them about Nicholas selling off Adelaide in a bet he couldn't possibly win. Henry returning with Adelaide was going to be enough to infuriate Nicholas as it was, which Henry found himself looking forward to.
Turning to look back at Adelaide Henry reached down and gently gripped her arm. "Adelaide.. wake up." He told her. "It's time for us to go." He felt bad for waking her up but they really couldn't afford to hide for another day. If they were discovered prematurely then it would ruin their carefully laid plans.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 18, 2020 22:59:32 GMT -5
Adelaide slept peacefully. It was a deep sleep that brought her no dreams. She didn’t budge as Henry slipped from her hold. It wasn’t until he gripped her arm that her eyes cracked open to the sound of his voice. She gave a soft yawn and rubbed her eyes as she looked to him. “I wish we didn’t have to go.” She spoke softly as she sat up slowly. She leaned her head against his shoulder as she gained her bearings. She yawned again and stretched as she stood. “I’ve never slept like that.” She admitted as she looked to him with a sleepy smirk. “I should get changed, hm?” She turned and slipped into the bathroom. Soon enough she came back out and turned her back to him once again. “If you wouldn’t mind.” She smirked to him over her shoulder as she pulled her hair to the side once again so that he could cinch up the corset.
She drew in a small breath as she felt the corset compress her body and shape her into that perfect hourglass figure. The constriction was what she was used to. Though, she’d enjoyed wearing the comfortable clothing. “Time to deliver me to my grandfather hm?” She drew in a breath. She could only hope this worked. Even if it was the truth...she worried that her grandfather would still press for Nicholas to be her suitor...and that wasn’t what worried her the most. She could only imagine how angry Nicholas would be that Henry had saved her. She turned to Henry and smiled to him as she looked up to him. “We will make it through this, Henry.” She cupped his cheek. “No matter what happens...” She leaned up and placed a kiss upon his lips before she turned and looked to the stairs. “How do we want to approach this?” She asked, some of her scrapes and bruises still remained from the night before, though most had completely healed.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 18, 2020 23:07:17 GMT -5
Henry got up from the bed as she did and while she changed clothes he did as well. When she came out of the bathroom and asked for his assistance he gently closed the corset around her waist and buttoned her dress together. He tucked his shirt into his pants, buttoned his cuffs and slipped his jacket on before arming himself up with a couple of blades and pistol which stayed perfectly hidden under his coat. The last thing the grabbed was the rolled up parchment from William, the contract from Nicholas's deal with him, and then he tied his hair back and out of his face.
"We're going to avoid being seen until we want to, which will be just as we walk into your home estate, and then the fun shall begin." He wasn't sure exactly what to expect when they arrived at the Bennett manor but he didn't expect it to go perfectly. There were to many variables that were not in their favor for it to be an easy thing to toss Nicholas out of the running. Perhaps though.. Henry could outright challenge Nicholas and that would bring and end to their little rivalry.
Before they left Henry gently pulled Adelaide into his arms once more and kissed her lips. "No matter what happens when we get there I will not let Nicholas lay a single finger on you. Never again, alright?" He was making this promise to her and it was a promise he intended on keeping to the letter.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 18, 2020 23:22:27 GMT -5
Adelaide watched as he pulled the various weapons and tucked them neatly away beneath his jacket. She stepped forward as he’d tied his hair back. “I know some of the back alleyways...I’m certain that you do as well...I’ve snuck out quite a few times in the past...just to get out of the estate.” She smiled to him. She leaned into his arms and wrapped her own arms around his neck when he grabbed her. She returned his kiss and gazed into his eyes. “Don’t break that promise, Henry.” She smiled to him, though there was a hint of fear behind her eyes. She wasn’t so sure he could keep her safe if things went south. Not with the whole coven against him. Then again...that was the absolute worst case scenario.
She walked up the stairs and led him along. As they entered the city she realized just where they were. “Ah, the north side of town. I should have guessed.” She smiled to him. She slipped quickly through the shadows. “When we reach my grandfather’s estate...it would be best if you carry me in, as if you’ve saved me. If I walk in like this he will never believe that scroll.” She paused and turned to him as they came to the edge of an alleyway. “We have to make him believe. Even though it is the truth...we have to sell it to him...” She nodded before she turned and continued on. Soon enough they were close to the estate. Adelaide turned to Henry, her golden hues searched his. “We can do this...” She spoke, almost as if she was trying to reassure herself. She nodded and bit her lip slightly. “Okay...” Her breath shook. She was afraid of going back. After being sold. After Nicholas had drank from her countless times. Everything leading up to the moment that she lay carelessly beside Henry...a hunter...without a care in the world. She would trade everything just to go back and lay there talking to him through the night.
**
Vincent sat in his study, his hands on his face as he tried to make sense of what had happened to Adelaide. His scouts had all returned with nothing. She was a ghost. Gone. She’d completely disappeared. He slammed his fist down on the desk and snarled slightly. This would be the end of the Bennett line...he’d allowed her to get kidnapped by a gargoyle. The Bennett family would be remembered as a group of weaklings taken down by a stone beast.
“Master Bennett...” Francesca stepped into the room. “Have you heard anything of, Addie?” She asked her voice sad.
“No Fran...” Vincent spoke with a heavy voice. “No one can find her...she's disappeared..."
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Post by Nyte on Mar 18, 2020 23:32:51 GMT -5
Henry agreed with Adelaide that he needed to carry her into the estate. He would do his best to sell the act to Vincent and he double checked that he had the scroll with him in his pocket. As they made their way through the back alley and streets of the city, towards her family's estate, he kept a constantly lookout for anyone who might be searching for someone. The town was quiet, a bit too quite for his liking actually, and before they had gotten close enough the manor that he needed to carry her he stopped her in the alley. "Hold on." He said and reached up to her shoulder where the cloth covered her wound from the wolves and leaned down to bit and tear the cloth. There was already blood on it to sell the act, but he wanted to make sure the damages matched with their story. "Alright, moment of truth." He stated and leaned down to pick her up in his arms.
The moment he stepped out into the open street he could feel eyes on them. Scouts and sentries watching them as he carried Adelaide back to the Bennett manor. He kept his gaze forward, jaw set, and only glanced down to Adelaide a couple of times, as if checking on her.
When they reached the gates, Vincent had already received word of their arrival and was practically running down the cobbled path from main house to meet them half way. Fran wasn't far behind and Henry's grip tightened slightly on Adelaide reflexively. He didn't want to let her go to her grandfather but he knew that for now.. he had to release her. "Lord Bennett.." Henry greeted him and gave a nod as they met on the pathway.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 18, 2020 23:46:01 GMT -5
Adelaide leaned into his arms, she drew in a breath and allowed her body to relax. Her head lulled against his shoulder and her arm fell slack away from her body, dangling toward the ground. She sold the part of being unconscious quite well. “Addie!” Vincent rushed forward his face full of concern. His eyes lifted to look to Henry, his chest rose and fell quickly, he had tears welled in his eyes. “Where did you find her?” He questioned. Though he quickly shook his head. “Come, bring her inside.” He ordered as he turned and walked inside the home.
Fran reached out and tucked a lock of hair behind Adelaide’s ear. “I feared the worst...” She spoke as she lifted her eyes to look to Henry. “Thank you.” She bowed her head before she turned and followed him inside. Several of the coven had gathered within the gates of the home, they were just about to set out on another hunt for Adelaide when Henry emerged with her.
As they entered the home Vincent led Henry up the stairs. “Come.” He spoke as he led him down the hallway. “Please. Set her down, Henry.” He spoke as he led him into her room. “Fran will take care of her.” He stepped forward and brushed his fingertips against Adelaide’s cheek. “She’s weak...” He spoke and shook his head. He inspected the deep gash upon her shoulder and the disarray of her clothing. He drew in a breath as his brows pulled together, anger glistened in his eyes. “We must speak.” Vincent spoke as he nodded to Fran.
Fran stepped forward as Vincent left the room. She glanced to Henry and she waited for him to lay her friend upon the bed. “We will be here.” She spoke as she sat down on the edge of the bed and she began to gingerly clean the wound with a kit that she’d grabbed on the way to the room. She poured alcohol over it which caused Adelaide to groan and grit her teeth.
**
Vincent paced in his office slightly. He scratched his head as he tried to make sense of everything. “Tell me Henry. Who did this to my granddaughter? Have you killed the one responsible for this?” His eyes were dark. It was clear that he hadn’t slept since Adelaide was taken.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 18, 2020 23:56:20 GMT -5
Henry was glad Vincent didn't try to take her from him and allowed Henry to carry her inside. As Fran approached and looked to Adelaide he knew that she was probably the only one within the coven that he could trust with Adelaide's well being. He needed to ensure that Fran would try to keep her safe and not simply bend to Nicholas or anyone else's wishes.
Following Vincent up the stairs to the quarters Henry kept his expression serious and when Vincent and Fran stepped aside from the bed Henry gently placed Adelaide down. As Vincent left the room Henry looked to Fran with an expression caught between worry and the urgency. "Trust no one, got it?" He told her as he looked straight into her eyes and then back to Adelaide before leaving the room to follow after Vincent.
When he reached the study and saw the way Vincent paced, as well as she disarray of the room in general he could only imagine the amount of yelling and threats that had been given over the last couple of nights. "I found her in a wizard's home." He stated and reached into the pocket of his coat and pulled out the contract that Nicholas had signed to sell Adelaide. He had already marked out William's name, as promised. "Being that I went alone to confront the warlock I was not able to kill them but I was able to convince them to release Adelaide." He let the contract unroll before Vincent. "It seems someone sold her to the warlock, a bet it seems, a bet that was lost." Nicholas's name was clear as day at the bottom of the page. No forgery could copy the large script of Nicholas's handwriting. It was a display of his family's influence and wasn't something he was going to hide in a signature that no one could read.
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