Fan Fiction ❯ Kiss Me Hard ❯ Unexpected Surprises ( Chapter 6 )

Chapter Five

Nicole’s head rested on Darius’ chest as he ran a hand through her hair slowly and gently.
They had been standing like that for at least 30 minutes, both enjoying each other’s company as silence fell upon them.
Finally, he spoke, “Shouldn’t you be going to bed now…?”
Nicole titled her head back so she could look at him. Her eyes were half lidded so they were but mere slits of deep green.
The darkness of the room made it hard to make out his face, but she managed.
She smiled a little, “Yes…I should.” She tilted her head, “But I’m not tired.”
Darius smirked, “Ah, I’m not going to take that as an answer—” With that, he cut himself off by slipping an arm under her knees and sweeping her off her feet and into his arms.
Nicole let out a small yelp in surprise as he picked her up. She quickly threw her arms around his neck, blinking, “What are you doing?” She asked in a small voice, slightly nervous.
Darius grinned a little, “What you did to me.” With that, he walked to the bed with her in his arms and gently dropped her on the bed. He made her sit as he pulled back the covers, then looked at her, “Sleep.” He said simply.
Nicole smirked a little and shook her head, “Mm...No.” She said simply, as if daring him to even try and force her.
Darius raised both eyesbrows as he stepped closer to her, leaning forwards. It worked to his advantage. When he leaned forwards, Nicole leaned back—till, finally, she was lying on the bed, looking up at him.
Silence fell as he placed his hands next to her shoulders on the bed, then he stood up and smiled a little, “You need your sleep, Nicole.” He spoke softly, “Like you said to me. I'll still be here when you wake up. Hell, I live here.”
Nicole sighed, standing up and wrapping her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly, “Okay.” She whispered softly into his ear.
A small shiver coursed up his spine when she whispered into his ear. He nodded a little and pulled back to look at her. He then kissed her softly before pulling away reluctantly and slowly moving to the door.
He paused at the door, hand on the handle, and turned to look at her—before smiling a little and leaving the room.

Nicole watced him leave the room. When the door closed, she sighe softly and lookd around her.
Her gaze fell on the bed.
“I have nothing to do—but sleep.” she muttered with a slight frown that tugged at the corner of her lips.
She loved this place, yes. It was a haven from home...but, at home, she wasn't condemned to a room.
After a moment, she approached the bed slowly and sat down, placing her hands in her lap. She gaze down at her hands, that fiddled with a piece of fabric on her shirt.
Another minute in silence passed. Nicole just sat there. Thinking.
Suddenly, a voice broke into her thoughts.
“Home sick?”
Nicole jumped slightly and turned her head to see Scott, “How did you...Where...Wait, What?” She asked, blinking as she got to her feet and crossed her arms, turning to face Scott whom approached her bed.
“I asked if you were home sick.”
“I am...” She muttered, “But only because I feel like I'm restricted to just this room. At home...I could go out and do something.”
Scott nodded a little, “I know.” He murmured as he approached her slowly—till her was standing but an inch in front of her.
Nicole blinked, looking up at his towering figure. A small hint of uneasiness fell over her as they just stared at each other in silence.
Finally, Scott sighed and turned his head to look at the door, “You should leave.” He said simply, before heading towards the door.
“She's going to go after you.”
“Who? Why—Damnit, don't leave.” Nicole snapped in impatience as she walked towards Scott, whose hand rested on the doorknob, “Answer me.” She said coolly as she came to stand next to him, leaning against the door so he couldn't leave.
Scott turned his head to look down at her, quirking an eyebrow, “Who do you think. Cassia. She's after you.”
Nicole's expression went blank for a moment, before she sighed, looking around her, “Why?” She asked, looking back at him.
Scott smirked, “Why do you think--?”
“To get back at Darius. Okay. It was a stupid question.” Nicole frowned, looking down at the ground, “I've got no where to go, Scott.”
“Go home.” He said simply, turning to look at her. He reached out and cupped her cheek with his hand gently, yet hesitantly, “Go home.” He echoed, before turning and leaving the room.
Nicole watched him leave, before closing the door and turning, leaning her back against the door and slumping to the ground, drawing her knees to her chest and staring down at the ground, biting her lip.
“I'll go home tomorrow... I'll talk everything over with mark—we'll go back to how we used to be...”

“Yes. The way things used to be...” She thought quietly, “When I thought Vampires were myths and Slayers mere legends. When mark talked of marrying me—When my Mom was still--”

“Gah!” She cried out in frustration, “Whats wrong with me?!” She pounded both of her fists against the floor, “Thins will never be the same! I'm a god damned fool.”

“Nicole?” A voice came from the other side of the door.
“Yes?” Nicole whispered in response.
“Are you okay?”
It was Darius.
“I'm fine.” Nicole muttered as she stood up, moving away from the door, “Just...Fine.” She nodded and turned to the door as she fell down on her bed, “Just getting read for sleep...”
There was a long pause, before a small, nervous voice spoke, “Uhm...Do you usually scream before you go to sleep?” Darius asked, obviously uneasy.
Nicole chuckled bitterly as she stood up and walked up to the door, opening it a little, “Not Normally.”
Darius jumped a little when she opened the door. He looked down at her, and smiled a little, reaching forwards and cupping her cheek, “Okay...” She was able to tell by the look on his face that he was unsure.
“I'm fine, Darius.” She nuzzled his hand gently for a moment, before pulling back, closeing the door a little, “I'll see you when I wake up, Darius...”
When Darius nodded, she closed the door.
She turned, and pulled her shirt off and walked to her bed, unbuttoning her jeans.
She threw her shirt on the bed and let her pants drop to the floor. She yanked back the covers, and was about to climb into the bed, when she heard Darius again.
“Are you sure your okay?”
Nicole sighed, straightening up and grasping the covers as she looked at the door, “Yes. I'm fairly sure I'll live, Darius...”
With that, silence fell once again. She sat up, staring at the door, then she heard foot steps leading away from her room, and towards the stairs.
She sighs softly, “Who am I kidding.” She muttered as she laid down on her back, “I'm not fine...”
Nicole closed her eyes, frowning. After a few long minutes, she finally rolled onto her side, and sighed as she slowly drifted off into sleep.

Darius stared at the door for a moment, before turning and walking down the hall. Slightly confused. He reached the stairs and walked down them, till he came into the main room. Only to turn and see his brother standing in the middle of the room.
“Scott--?”
“You need to take her home.” Scott cut him off, walking dowards him, “Cassia knows she's here. She's going to kill her, Darius. She told me herself.”
“She was here?” Darius asked, quirking an eyebrow as he moved past his brother, “Why was she here?”
“She was after you.” Scott snapped, turning to watch his brother move to the door, “But once she found out you had another woman here...she's going to go after Nicole—You fool. What were you thinking—bringing her here.”
Darius paused at the front doors, sighing as he turned to look at Scott, “I can't take her home now--”
“And why not?” Scott hissed, walking up to Darius till he stood an inch from his face, “Why can't you just...take her home. Forget about her. Your going to get her hurt--”
“Because.” Darius said coolly, looking down at Scott, “If Cassia was able to find me here—She'll find Nicole. She'll know my feelings for Nic, even if i bring her home and claim I forgot all about her—Scott. If i bring her home, only to find out a week from now she's been killed...I'll never forgive myself.”
“For crying out loud, Brother!” Scott exclaimed in exasperation, “You just met the bloody woman!”
“I know--”
“What kind of attachment could you possibly have with her?”
Darius fell silent, staring down at his brother, before shaking his head, “I don't know. It's just the feeling she gives me...Like I'm still alive...”
Scott smirked, “Come off it, Darius. She's just a girl.”
Darius sighed, “You don't understand.” He growled darkly, before turning, “I'm going out. Protect her, please...I'll be back around 10.”
Scott sighed as his brother left the house.
The second the door slammed shut, Scott merely shook his head, “Whatever you say, Darius...” He muttered as he turned to look at the stairs.
A moment of silence passed, before he moved for the kitchen.

Upon entering the kitchen, Scott paused, before moving to the fridge. He opened the door, and exactly what he was looking for.
A blood package.
He grabbed it, and almost immediatly, sunk his sharp elongated canines into the rubber-plastic like packaging.
After a moment, he closed his eyes as his tongue lapped over the punctured holes in the bag.
Blood trickled down his chin as he drank in the cool, thick liquid.
After another few minutes, he pulled the package away and threw it out in the garbage—which was located between the fridge and the counter.
Scott moved to the small table in the room. He sat down, placed his head in his hands, and closed his eyes once again.
“I hate it when Darius leaves.” He mumbled.
“I can't do anything when he does.”

Silence.

Finally, he turned around—lifting his head out of his hands—and gazed at the clock on the wall by the stove.
“9:00...”
He stood up and headed towards the door. Once Scott got to the door, he entered the hallway and coughed lightly as he headed towards the main room—then to the stairs.
He looked up the staircase and bit his lip—trying to decide whether he should go talk to Nicole or not.
“Scott?”
Scott jumped in surprise at the voice that broke into his thoughts rather sharply. He turned, his gaze quickly scanning the room, till it finally came to rest on none other then--
“Cassia. Why are you back?”
Cassia smirked, stepping away from the front door and slowly approaching him.
“Is Darius home?” She asked softly as she came to a halt in front of him, her hands on her hips and her head slightly tilted.
Scott looked down at her, quirking an eyebrow.
A moment of silence fell between the two, before Scott simply shook his head.
“No. He isn't. Darius went out for a bit. Won't be back till 10:00, At least.”
Cassia glanced at the watch on her wrist, “It's 9:20. He should be back soon then. I'll wait.”
“Scott frowned, “I don't think that would be a wise thing to do--”
“Hey! Isn't that woman here? What was her name again?”
“I never told you--”“Tell me now.” She demanded, bringing her gaze from her watch to him.
“Nicole.” Scott replied coolly.
Suddenly, Cassia shoved Scott to the side and started up the stairs, “Is she up here, Scotty?”
Scott stumbled when she shoved him aside, he grasped hold of the railing to catch himself and stop himself from falling. He then growled and used the railing to lunge himself forwards, his other hand grasping her ankle tightly, stopping her.
“You are not hurting her.” Scott muttered through clenched teeth as Cassia tried to kick her foot free.
“I won't hurt her.” Cassia exclaimed as she finally wrenched her foot free, and kicked him across the face.
Scott fell backwards, failing to catch himself this time.
He landed harshly on his back, falling down a few steps. He coughed and struggled to sit up as a voice spoke.
“Hurt who?”
Both turned their attention to the stairs where Nicole stood at the top with her arms crossed, a perplexed expression on her face that was mingled with sleep.
“Nicole, go back to your room--”
“She's no child, Scott.” Cassia said with a hiss as she stood up, straightening her black trench coat.
“Well, Well. Look who it is.”
Everyone turned to look at the front door.
Nicole smiled, Cassia frowned, and Scott...Well, Scott struggled to his feet and stared at the door, then smotted his forehead.
“Darius.” Cassia muttered, walking down the stairs and slowly approaching him.
“Don't come near me.” Darius growled and threw up his hand, signaling her to stop.
“Nicole,” He looked over at her, “Come here.”
Nicole hesitatedm before slowly walking down the stairs. Once she reached the bottom, she ran to him, embracing him tightly when she got to him.
Darius returned her embrace as she whispered into his ear, “Yes, Darius?”
“Go to my chambers and lock yourself in.”
Nicole blinked, pulling away from him and quirking an eyebrow, “Why--?”
“Just do it.” He snapped harshly. Nicole stared at him, before frowning and turning sharply, walking to the corridor that led to the basement.
“Where do you think you going?” growled Cassia.
“Leave her alone, Cass. You have no quarrel with her.”
“Stop~!” Cassia chimed to Nicole, ignoring Darius. Instead, she threw a hand up at Darius, whom went to move to silence Cassia.
Nicole came to an abrupt halt at the start of the hall. She turned and narrowed her gaze on Cass.
The two caught each other's gaze, and stared at each other—before Cassia smirked.
“I'm Cassia.”
“Yeah. I know.” Nicole said coolly as Cassia started to walk towards her.
Darius frowned, casting an uneasy glance at Scott—as if trying to decide if he should move between the two.
Silence fell between them as she came to a halt before Nicole.
They both just stared at each other in silence.
Finally, Nicole quirked an eyebrow, “Can I help you?”
“Have we met before?” Cassia asked slowly.
Nicole shook her head, blinking.
“I don't think so.” She replied simply.
They both fell silent once again, before Cassia. She then grabbed ahold of Nicole's arm harshly, and yanked it as she stalked over to Darius—Taking Nicole with her.
As she walked, Nicole felt Cassia's nails dig into her bare arm. She flinched with each step due to the fact Cassia's nails dug deeper into her arm—to the point blood slowly trickled down form the wounds her nails made.
When they came to a stop before Darius, Nicole refused to look at him.
Darius frowned at this. He was about to step forwards, but Cassia hissed at him, causing him to stop.
He new that, if Cassia wanted to, she could easily killed Nicole right now if he crossed her wrong...
“Cassia, just let her go.” Darius growled.
Cassia, smirk still upon her face, looked at him, then at Nicole, “So, Darius,” She began, ignoring him once again as she dug her nails yet deeper into Nicoles arm—ripping the flesh painfully from the muscle.
“Do we look a like?”
Suddenly, Cassia took a hold of Nicole's forearm with her free hand and yanked it behind her. She then yanked her arm upwards, causing Nicole to cry out in pain.
This maneuver was commonly used to dislocate the opponents shoulder—and potentially break the arm. Satisfied at Nicole's reaction, Cassia only continued. She placed her foot behind Nicole's knees, and applied pressure while pulling her arm upwards.
The pain was too much for Nicole to ignore. She felt her knees buckle. However much she struggled to remain standing—she couldn't. She fell to her knees before Darius.
Cassia then leaned down so her head was beside Nicole's.
She then moved the hand that had it's nails in her arm up Nicole's back—till she reached her head.
Once she reached Nicoles head, she grasped her hair harshly, and yanked her head back—forcing Nicole to look up at Darius. However, Nicole didn't meet his cold gaze. She directed her gaze else where in the room.
Nicole felt the urge to cry out in pain when she felt Cassia yank her hair more. But, instead, she bit her lip to keep herself from making any noise that would just encourage Cassia to do tyet more damage.
“So, Darius...” Cassua hissed softly, “What do you think?” She rain her bloodied fingers along Nicole's jawbone as she tilted both of their heads, pressing Nicole's blood streaked cheek against her own.
“Can we be twins?”
Darius blinking, rathen taken off guard by this. The smell of blood held him paralyzed in place. He wanted to reach out. Help Nicole...But he couldn't. All he could do—was watch Nicole helplessly, silently begging her for forgiveness.
'But how can she see my pleading eyes if she won't even look at me...'
All Darius could say was, “Uhm...”
“Your right.” Cassia pulled her head away from next to Nicole's. She looked down at her, “I think we look too much a like...”
She then looked at Darius was a malicious grin, “But I'll change that--”
“Cass! No!” Darius then urged himself forwards as Cassia raised her hand slightly to slap Nicole. A small blade slide between her index and middle fingers from her coat sleeve.
He grasped her arm, trying to move them both away from Nicole. However, Cassia was expecting this. Another blade slide between her fingers on her other hand, and she slapped Darius across the face with it—causing a rather large gash to appear.
Darius, however, didn't let go of her.
Instead, he let himself fall backwards, taking Cassia with him. He placed his feet on her stomach as he fell, and used his feet to throw her over his head, and away from them.
When he managed to throw her, he did a backwards roll and got back onto his feet within seconds.
Cassia slide on the floor, her back colliding with the wall harshly. She, too, got to her feet within a matter of seconds. However, she was a little shaken.
Blood streaked down Darius' cheek, and he growled softly, standing between Nicole and Cassia.
“You can't hurt her.”
Cassia smirked, “Watch me.”
Suddenly, she sheathed the knives in her sleeve, opened her trench coat, and withdrew a long, slim katana.
The katana was silver, with a vein of wood running down the middle. The blade was barbed so it would cause severe damage—if not kill the target.
The handle was made of white ivory laced with red oak wood.
The blade, over all, was elegant—but obviously seen better days.
She smirked as Darius paled slightly, “Recognize it, Darius?”
“Very much so.” He rasped, his gaze fixed on the blade.
Cassia held her sword before her, watching Darius intently, before running towards him swifty. She swung her sword at him. Darius quickly slid his hand along his side, till he grasped the handle of his small sword, and withdrew it just in time to meet her sword with his, pushing against it with all his weight. He jerked his knee upwards as he stopped pushing for a split second so she leaned forwards a little. His knee connected with her stomach, and he knocked her backwards, "Come on, Cassia. you have to try harder." He spoke in a taunting voice. Cassia let out a small gasp as the air was knocked out of her. she tripped and fell to the ground when she was knocked backwards, and smirked a little, though not visibly. She didn't move, but faked a groan. Darius blinked, "Oh, you've got to be kidding me. i'm not falling for that." He stood there, glaring at her. she didn't move. he quirked an eyebrow, and shifted his sword in his hand, as if ready to strike. then cautiously walked towards her. when he stood at her feet, he raised his sword, as if ready to thrust it downwards and pin her shoulder to the ground. but, he made a mistake of raising the sword. it caused his balance to be off, and when Cassia hooked a leg around one of his, it was easy to knock him to the ground. She did so, and wasted no time in planting her knee into his chest, her sword tip pointed at his throat.
“No!” Nicole let out a hasp, and wrenched herself free from Scott's grasp on her as Cassia started to push down with the blade so it pierced the skin on Darius' neck a little.
She tackled Cassia off of him.
Both of them tumbled to the floor, Cassia not too far from Nicole, who struggled to get to her feet—however, she took the blunt force of the floor, and so, it was hard for her to stand...or even move.
Cassia was faster.
Cassia got to her feet, grabbing her sword, and quickly walked to Nicole and kicked her. She heard Darius get to his feet rather quickly, so she wasted no time. She had to make an impact so she can leave him wounded.
When Cassia kicked her, Nicole fell to her stomach.
Cassia used her foot to flip Nicole over onto her back effortlessly. She then dropped down so her knee landed on her stomach,a nd her sword—thrusted into her shoulder...pinning her to the ground.
Nicole let out a cry in pain as the sword pierced her shoulder, and slide effortlessly through the bone, tendons, muscle, then skin again and then to the floor. Cassia smirked, and twisted the blade mercilessly then ripped it out.
Right when she ripped it out, Darius quickly shoved her away, knocking her near the door.
Cassia fell to the ground, smirking once again.
“Well, Darius. Look at that. She sacrificed her health for you...Sweety,” She stumbled to her feet, looking at Nicole whom laid on the ground, coughing, “Vampires don't die from a mere blade in the neck...You lunged at me in vain.” She rubbed her sore shoulder that landed on the floor when she was thrown.
She sheathed her sword, and turned, heading to the door.
Silence fell over the room as Cassia's heeled shoes clicked along the floor as she headed to the door. She paused at the door, and turned to look at Darius, whom kneeled down slowly to Nicole, and gathered her into his arms, holding her closely and glaring at Cassia.
“Let it bleed, Darius. She might die...she might not. Embrace the death of one you loved—like I did...If she lives. She'll scar. If she doesn't scar...” She looked at Scott, “Then I'll come back to do worse...” With that, she turned—and left.
“I...I couldn't let her hurt you...” Nicole whispered as her hands grasped his shirt tightly to the point her knuckles turned white.
Tears streamed down her bloodied cheek as she tried to fight the pain she felt in her shoulder which slowly started to go numb.
Darius looked down at her, then at her shoulder, “Shhh...” He whispered brokenly as he slipped an arm under her legs and picked her up, “I'll take care of you...” He walked to the corridor, pausing only once to look at Scott, whom stared at Nicole in surprise, “I need hot water with a cloth and Bandages...”
“Okay.” Scott whispered, staring at her.
Darius stared at him for a moment, before looking down at Nicole. She was pale, and her head was burried in his chest.
He sighed and continued down the stairs to his chamber.
He reached it within a matter of second, being careful not to run—but not wasting any time. More time he took, the more blood she would loose.
He reached the chamber, and walked amongst the roses till her reached his bed. He walked over to the bed, and gently laid her down.
He opened her shirt, ignoring the fact her exposed her, and looked at her shoulder.
It looked bad.
Her shoulder was torn open—the skin shredded.
'It almost looks as bad as my injury she gave me...'
He closed his eyes tightly, slumping down to his knees as he struggled to get a hold of his thoughts.
He may have seemed calm and collected on the outside, but inside, he felt like he was being torn apart.
He didn't know what to do.
And he couldn't bring her to the hospital...
He frowned, his lip trembling a little, when he felt a hand grasp his gently.
“I'm Sorry...” He heard Nicole whisper softly.
Darius opened his eyes and looked down at her, taking a deep breath as he leaned over and kissed her forehead.
“I should be saying sorry, Nicole...I'm so sorry...Stay awake...Please..”
“I'm tired, Darius...” She whispered. She lost alot of blood. Her skin was cold to the touch, and her body trembled slightly.
He felt panic rise within him.
“No. Nic, you can't sleep.”
“But...I...I can't...Stay awake...Let me sleep...”“Nic.”“I'm Sorry...”
Darius squeezed her hand, “I need to tell you something, Nicole...”
He looked at her.
Her eyes were shut. Her breathing shallow.
'How can such a wound do this...She shouldn't be like this because of a shoulder wound...'
Suddenly, he ran a finger along her lips when he felt something. He parted her lips with his fingers, and gasped slightly at what he saw.
They were barley visible, but in her mouth...
Where her canines should've been...

Were sharp, slightly elongated teeth.