“I have.” I thought for a moment, not sure I wanted to touch on those memories. With a deep sigh, I explained, “I am disbanded from my family’s coven. I am not a threat as much by other races’ standards. This has allowed me to love freely as I see fit. Granted, not all see it that way. Many do not approve. But I am mostly solidary. So, I guess I don’t live by all the politics and beliefs.”
He looks me over. “Why have you forsaken your own kind?”
I pulled my lips in, biting softly, my eyes closing. I’m sure the pain was obvious on my face. “Which reason do you want?” I opened my eyes to see his peering at me intently.
His head tilted, his large hand rubbed his chiseled chin. “All.”
“That would be a long story. But the biggest reasons?” I slid away from the table slightly and rubbed my forehead. “My mother’s family, a band of dark gypsies, killed my parents for being together. My father, being a druid, was not welcomed. They wanted her to leave him, but she refused. They fled with me to the United States – another continent. Years later, we were found. My parents hid me in the closet, and I watched as they tried to force my mother to agree to come home and bring me. When she refused, they killed them both.”
Confusion synched in his forehead. “And what are druids and gypsies? Races?”
“Gypsies and druids are ummm… magic casters. Witches? Basically, just different names for the lifestyles and what kind of magic they focus on.”
He nodded. “Ahhh… I see. But they did not take you with them, these… gypsies?”
I stared off at the ground, remembering the events vividly. “They thought I would be in school and left to get me there. They were unaware that I was at home that day because my mother had had a dream of them coming. I was hidden by my father’s energy. At the time, I was thirteen and was on my own from there.”
Kane leaned forward, clearly riveted by my story. “Surely you sought out others of your kind or your father’s family to aid in your survival.”
“No. I felt it would risk their lives. I made connections and fended for myself. One of those connections ended up being a bad choice.”
“How so?”
I scoffed. “The one time I ever fell in love with another witch, I let my guard down and revealed my powers and my family history to him. He took advantage of this and kidnapped me. He and his coven kept me locked up for over a year and these…” I held my arms out, pulling my sleeves up then pulling the collar of my shirt down. “were tattooed all over my body. The tattoos you’ve seen… and many you haven’t? I was used as his living grimoire. They are his spells.”
Kane looked angry at this. “Why would they do this?”
“They believed that they could make a spell more powerful if it was printed on human flesh. And living human flesh is more potent since they could draw from my energy as they cast. Plus, since I come from two ancient families that are powerful, they tried to draw on my bloodline as well.”
“Did they succeed?”
“They would have.”
“If not for what?”
I pulled my chair back up to the table and lifted my fork once more. “My escape.”
“I see why you are not hasty to return to Earth.” He leaned back once more, crossing his arms.
“I would like to return.” Even as I said this, I felt doubt creeping in. “But while I am here, I just don’t want to become your meal source. I don’t need someone else using me for anything.”
"Why don't you wish to be my doll? I can assure you pleasure like you’ve never experienced. Any one of the women in my kingdom would not hesitate if offered." Kane pocketed the flask after taking another swig.
I set my fork down and wiped my mouth with the linen napkin. “I feel I have more value than to be used. That I have more to offer than a snack for pleasure, even if I can give lots of that. And I seek more than carnal pleasure. I don’t want to be a possession and a meal. I want more.” I pulled my eyebrows in and tilted my head, wondering if he understood. “Haven’t you ever wanted someone to be a part of your life or be a part of theirs? Or is fighting, fucking and owning enough for you?” I picked my fork back up and stabbed a bite of the meat I had chosen, lifting it to my mouth. Before eating it, I asked, “Are you not lonely?”
"It's been enough for me for a very long time. Carnal pleasure is enjoyable. Too bad you stopped me from really tasting you earlier," he sighed, letting his eyes roam.
I pursed my lips. “Can’t say I might not have let you continue if you hadn’t tried to use me like trash.” I took the bite casually.
"Use you like trash? Or celebrate you in front of others?" he countered.
I set down my utensil again. “You don’t know me enough to celebrate me. Besides, why would you want to allow everyone to see me like that? Especially before you get to see it? That should be private and cherished. Not flaunted. Not everything is about pride and boasting. That’s shallow. Sometimes the best things are protected and guarded.”
"You have no sense of adventure it seems. So, tell me more about the portal you fell through to get here, and I shall not bother you with such things that you obviously find disgusting." He watched me, as if waiting for a reaction.
I sighed, frustrated with him and
