Part 16

Granite Falls Forest - 4:48 AM

Wolfgang and Karina have reached a remote part of the forest, finding refuge in an abandoned cabin.

On an old mattress that smells vaguely of mildew and lamp oil, Karina tosses and turns in a restless slumber.

"Nngh..." Karina's eyes open, and she looks around the room in a daze. The last thing she remembers is being in the woods with Wolfgang, and then....
Where am I?
A dull pain fills her head as she tries to piece together the events of the evening.
I went to that strange mansion... and then, that pale man asked me to... oh, no.
The realization that she is still with Wolfgang and the implication thereof is dawning on her.

She spies him sitting on a tattered sofa opposite the bed.
The room is dark and the only light is that of a couple old kerosene lanterns. Wolfgang's skin glows, illuminated by the softly flickering flames.

"W-where am I?" she whispers. Her voice is weak and she doesn't remember falling asleep.
What will he do with me now? ...Does he know about the trap?
Fear washes over her.
She imagines his wrath at the knowledge of her involvement with Saint Germain.

Wolfgang looks at Karina but doesn't move.
"I couldn't carry you forever," he says, "I'll need you to walk if we're gonna get anywhere without people asking questions. We're just resting here until tonight, then we're leaving."
His voice is cold and distant.
"Don't worry." He looks away. "I didn't touch you."

Sensing that he doesn't seem to suspect her of any wrongdoing, she feels relieved, but only just. The fact that she is alone with him is confirmation that their plan has gone awry.
"What happened after we left the bar, Wolfgang?" she asks, probing for answers. "Why are we here?"

"Someone tried to butt-in on our alone time." he answers, smirking. "Don't worry though, I took care of it. He won't be bothering us again."

The dread increases.
Saint Germain... Aylin...
Hearing of their defeat suddenly compels Karina to escape. She slowly crawls to the edge of the bed.
I have to get away from here!

As she tries to stand her head starts to spin, making her see double. The weakness in her limbs is exacerbated by the throbbing pain behind her eyes.

Karina tumbles off the futon and onto the damp floor.
Dammit! Why can't I walk... at a time like this?
Wolfgang's footsteps approach as she lays in helpless frustration. The room continues to spin.

"What are you doing, stupid?" Wolfgang asks, his hand outstretched to her. "You trying to leave now? I thought you wanted to be alone." His voice is kind, even bordering on concern.

Right... I said I wanted to be with him.
Troubled thoughts race through Karina's mind.  
If I go back on that now, he might get suspicious...
She has to assume the worst has happened.
She has to protect her own life now, even if that means keeping up this act until the moment she can finally escape.

Slowly, Karina reaches for his hand. He pulls her off the floor effortlessly, and into his arms.

He wraps himself around her, hugging her. She can feel his warmth and is reminded of the last time he embraced her.
Was it only a few hours ago? she wonders.
She has no idea how long she was unconscious for or how far away from their previous location they've gotten.
His face is hot against her skin as he speaks softly.
"Finally... I finally have you. Karina..."

Karina stands still as Wolfgang holds her close, his arms tightening around her body. She can feel his heart beating hard against her as he says her name.
Heat seems to rise from him as she lays her hands on his back.

She breathes in his scent.
It is familiar and strangely comforting, despite the danger that lurks beneath.
There is something about his touch that she cannot resist and her worries begin to wash away.
Just like before, she feels herself succumbing to him.
The pain in her head quickly fades.

Lost in a trance of his own, Wolfgang feels his way down Karina's body. He takes his time, completely unconcerned about interruptions from the outside world.

He whispers her name, his lips grazing her ear.
She feels his lust for her grow but she doesn't push away. She cannot, nor does she wish to.
"Wolfgang..." she murmurs back. The fear she felt before is incomparable to the pleasure she now feels.
She thinks she senses a sharpness on her neck but it doesn't persist. Maybe he is teasing her.
The memory of the time he bit her neck flashes into her mind.

They fall onto the bed, the wooden slats creaking under the weight of two people.
"Are you... hungry?" Karina asks softly. She feels him tense up, pulling her into him as he breathes in sharply.
"I am." he says, his voice a low moan against her lips.

"Not for your blood, though."

Continue to Part 17...