Warped Reality

"Yes. Katherine was trying to put you in danger. She's..." Ivano frowned. "She also sold her soul to the dark side and now she's..."

"A vampire?" I interrupted.

"No. A s.u.c.c.u.b.u.s."

"What?" I glared at him. "But... They only attack during dreams and men."

"Yes and no." Ivano answered. "Yes, s.u.c.c.u.b.u.s can only get into you during sleep but they're not exclusive to men. They can actually get through to both men and women's dreams whenever they wanted. And Katherine was able to easily attack you because you have narcolepsy, in case you don't know, sweetheart. That's why you kept having accidents before."

I was stunned because I believed him instantly that I might have that sleep disorder and Katherine was using it to put me to harm. "What are you doing with Katherine up in your house?"

"The warlock told me that to be able to get myself back into my human self, I need to..."

"Be mated with a s.u.c.c.u.b.u.s." I supplied and my face turned hard. "No way!"

"It's the only way we'd be together, sweetheart. You're just mortal. I don't want to have you but eventually lose you once death takes you away. So I want to be with you and become like you. I need to be mated with Katherine so I'd be a mortal once again."

"Why hadn't you before?

"She swore to me that if I get close to her, she'll kill you this time. So I have to finally get you here. I cancelled the emails you sent to all the jobs you applied and took you for a babysitting job. But your narcolepsy just gotten worse after you arrived here. The longer you being unconscious, the easier Katherine can get to you."

"Oh, god. Why is she doing this? I thought she refused you when you tried to reclaim her before?"

"She hated me. Lancelot was a terrible husband to her. Katherine was battered. Not even her father was able to help her out of that prison she made to herself. When her son died because of torture, she tried seeking help from me. But I was already busy playing peek-a-boo with you since then. I hardly gave her any attention and she resented me. Katherine found out about me being a vampire that's desperate to go back to being human. And only s.u.c.c.u.b.u.s can give me that wish. So she sold her soul to become one before she took her own life because she thought I'd finally chase her this time. I didn't want to have to do anything with her anymore. I'd rather maintain my vampire persona than touch her again. When she realized this, she started harassing you. That's when I reacted. I didn't have to chase her because she practically baited herself to be taken by me. But she didn't know that I only took her to secure her in prison and your safety. The warlock's spells helped locked her in place that her powers won't get through it."

"Why cant I see her?"

"Because she's dangerous, Stella. I don't want to risk it. Plus, you might be the key to set her free."

"What?"

"She won't harm you if you're the only person that has the power to unlock her prison. That's why the dangers she put on your way was just a child's play for her because she really cant kill you. Now it seems that she's playing both of us here. If you ever hear suggestive whispers to get upstairs and open the locks, don't listen to it. That's her trying to manipulate you to set her free."

"What changed your mind? I thought you only put her to prison to make sure I'm safe. Why are you considering mating with her now?"

"You, Stella. I only want to be with you in a mortal life. I need to drink Katherine's blood in order for me to regain my human self." Ivano clutched my hand and looked me with pleading eyes.

"What if..." I looked away from him because my heart couldn't b.a.r.e looking at Ivano while thinking of him with Katherine. "What if something happened to you? What if she'll trick you or something? What if your love for her will be rekindled? And can she even hear us now?"