Chapter 2 This last year

For Sophie, falling asleep during the following nights had become a complete challenge, for every time she closed her eyes she had horrible nightmares. Since she was little, she had felt fear of everything paranormal, and working in a city like Charleston only increased her insecurities, especially being stayed in the room facing the large mansion; every night this situation caused her panic attacks.

"Maria, could you consider the possibility of changing my room? I don't feel comfortable in the one I'm in."

"I'm afraid not for now, Sophie. Tell me, did something happen in the room you're in?" Maria asked anxiously.

"No, it's just that I don't feel comfortable. It seems to be very cold, but if the possibility doesn't exist, I think I'll have to change inns."

"Give me a few days, honey. I'll try to arrange something better for you," Maria smiled warmly at Sophie, who resignedly went back toward the room.

It was already almost eight at night and at that hour the city's cold froze one's bones. She leaned out of her window to close the curtain completely when, suddenly, she felt as if someone were watching her from the large mansion. A horrible chill ran through her being. She closed it quickly, ran to her bed, bundled up very well and, trembling with fear, covered herself with all her blankets up to her head.

"What are you looking at, my dear brother?" Lea, Valentin's older sister, took him by the shoulder while he held a glass of wine and had his gaze fixed on the window.

"Nothing important, I was just looking at the city. I'm sorry we have to leave here soon," Valentin was lying. He had fixed his eyes more precisely on Sophie's room; his great abilities allowed him to observe her every night.

From the first day she arrived, his gaze was encapsulated in her dwelling and every night he observed her. He could smell her fear, her panic, but also the natural scent of her skin, and that really excited him.

"I also regret that we have to leave, but our time here has passed. People, after a number of years, begin to suspect why we don't age. And although it's no secret to anyone here that we are vampires, you know the agreement we have: to maintain peace in the city, we must leave."

"I wonder who will look after them now. You know that as soon as a clan of vampires leaves, the lycanthropes are ready to attack. They will always want to take over Charleston."

Lea approached and took him by the shoulder while she stroked his cheek.

"That is no longer our problem, dear. We have only one year left here. Besides, possibly some clan from Bavaria will come to look after them. They have always been eager to conquer the gold mine that is in this place. It's the only thing that has motivated lycanthropes and vampires for years."

"I know, Lea. I hope this last year is fruitful for our family. It's time to rest through the world for a good while," Valentin smiled at her and concentrated his gaze back on the window.

The Von Strudel clan was made up of Valentin's adoptive parents and his sister Lea. They were only children when they were rescued by Aby and Morgan: a pair of children without care or love, full of diseases and at the gates of death. The Von Strudels cared for them and, when they were mature enough to decide, they turned them into vampires. But it was a special clan, one that belonged to a legion of vampires that only consumed animal meat and blood; they had managed to control their instinct to consume human blood.

Although for Valentin and Lea it was even more difficult; they preferred not to get too close to humans. They still lacked a bit more to suppress that instinct.

"Valentin, I don't think you're looking at the view of the city. These past days I've noticed you've stayed looking at a window in particular, a humble girl in particular. Is she your next victim?" Lea asked him with suspicion.

"Victim? Of course not, she's not my type. I like more voluminous women, you know, with more sculptural and striking bodies. She's a young woman who works at the factory, nothing important. Just that my damn sense of smell doesn't stop perceiving her fear," Valentin took a last sip of his wine glass.

"I know you, little brother, but be careful. That girl doesn't give me a good feeling. She isn't just attractive to you; I've had visions," his sister whispered in his ear.

Lea had developed special faculties, such as having premonitions about the future, and she had already had images of Sophie.

"You don't have to worry, I know how to take care of myself perfectly," Lea gave him a smile and left the place.

But Valentin was completely captivated by Sophie. He also had certain faculties, so in less than thirty seconds he was in her room. She was already half-asleep, but like every night she was feeling his presence and trembling. The more fear she felt, the more obsessed Valentin became.

He approached her and began to smell her neck; his nose brushed against her soft skin and he shuddered. He passed his large hand over her back and stroked it. He was dying to catch onto her and, without giving her warning, turn her into his princess.

But his designs came first, so he simply delighted in her for a few more minutes and left her room. Sophie thought it was just a horrible nightmare. No matter how much he was the most divine man her eyes had seen, she refused to accept it was a reality, for the one she fantasized about was her great boss.

The next day she overslept more than usual. She had become late and the turn for the bathroom at the inn was longer than usual, so that morning, for the first time since she had been at the factory, she would arrive late.

She carried a hot coffee in her hand while she ran in a hurry to catch the only elevator. The doors were about to close when a large, white hand reached between them. The CEO of the company entered.

"Good morning, miss. Arriving late, right?"

Sophie stood motionless. Valentin was wearing a delicious perfume that flooded Sophie's nostrils. That morning he wore a dark suit as usual, his hairstyle was perfect and his huge gray eyes observed her without stopping. He sketched a smile at her with the corner of his lips.

Sophie, incredulous because of the awkward moment and what was happening there, in a movement of the elevator dropped the coffee, completely soiling her clothes and those of her boss.

"I am sorry, sir, I dropped the coffee by accident. Please forgive me," her cheeks were flushed. She pulled a makeshift handkerchief from her bag and, with a sovereign shyness, began to clean her boss's leg. He took her by the hand and raised her to his height.

Magically, the elevator stopped at that moment, giving them a little more time.

"You have nothing to apologize for. These things can happen," suddenly the two of them were closer than expected. Sophie began to tremble in terror as she felt Valentin's energy; it was the same energy she felt every night in her bed. She gently broke free from his grip and turned her gaze away.

"I must get to work, sir. How do I make this device continue on its way?"

Valentin smiled at her again and bit his lower lip. This made Sophie blush again. She was nervous and confused, having not the slightest idea of what was happening at that moment. She was far from imagining the sinful thoughts passing through her boss's head.

"You have already reached your floor, Miss Robinson."

"You know me?" she asked in surprise.

"More than you can imagine," his gaze intimidated her completely. She left the elevator with her head bowed and sat straight at her desk.

"Sophie, why have you arrived so late? That can be a reason for dismissal in the company. If there is one thing the boss hates, it is lack of punctuality," Glorie snapped at her as soon as she sat down. Their offices were close, and communication was very easy.

"Well, if anyone knows I arrived late, it is precisely him."

"I'm not understanding anything, Sophie. What do you mean?"

"That I ran into him precisely in the elevator. To be honest, that man gives me the chills, I don't know."

"He gives them to anyone, friend. He is far too attractive and striking. His mouth is a delicacy for the gods. He is handsome, but he only likes women with many curves, you know, those who come from the big cities to do business: they come, spend a night with him, and leave. Nothing more formal has ever been known of him."

"Don't tell me those things, they are of no interest to me. I don't mean that kind of chills. That man scares me, real dread, and I even have nightmares about him."

"That can't be true! You haven't had the chance to know him. Very little contact can be had with him, but he is far too kind, intelligent, caring, generous. You're crazy! No one could be afraid of a man like him."

Sophie turned toward her laptop. She was completely confused. Her friend was right: he was a spectacular man, but what she didn't understand was why he appeared in her nightmares, intimidated her, and made her feel the worst of feelings. For many times, when she felt his breath, something in her body shuddered, her nipples stood up immediately, and that made her feel ashamed.

That afternoon it was difficult to concentrate. The idea of having had such a close encounter with her boss disconcerted her, but she had to maintain her sanity. She had been entrusted with the factory's large monthly report, and she only had a few hours left to deliver it.

Thinking about her sexual nightmare was not among her plans.