amberly

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

Andrew gave up trying to see if she was really crying, he stood up and walked out of the room, leaving her with nothing more than "excuse me."

Out oh her sight in the hall he leaned on the wall, tipping his head back to rest against the stones. He might as well assume she was crying. What do you do with a person crying that wants you dead? What was he supposed to do to comfort a woman he couldn't even touch? Is there really any way to make her happy in this situation?

No.

The best he could do was keep them both alive. Pushing off the wall he hurried down to the kitchen. It wasn't more than a few minutes before he was back, knocking on her door.

"Angel? I brought some gingersnaps, and an apple, just in case you're hungry. May I come in?"

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

He frowned back at her. "I'm just another nightmare aren't I? You care to come up to the tower and watch the lightning? Or you can go back to sleep, whatever you prefer."

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

"Angel? Angel?" He called her as he crossed the room and crouched beside her. She hadn't even made it into the bed. "Angel, wake up." He didn't touch her just spoke, hoping to catch her in enough awareness to come out of the nightmares.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

It was several hours later that the storm unleashed it's fury on the earth. A deep roar of thunder woke Andrew. He rolled out of bed and his bare feet flew across the floor to his window. The streaks of lightning in the distance were as brilliant as a firework display. He headed for the roof, but stopped short at his locked door.

That's right, Angel is here.
She should supervise his excursion he supposed. He dressed again, fully covered to the fingertips. Her quite unlocked her door, if she was sleeping through this storm, maybe he should just let her sleep, she'd never know he was outside unsupervised if she was sleeping that heavily.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

The room was not recently used, but had been maintained by the staff, while there still had been staff. Andrew had never paid much attention to this matter, he just knew it was better than sleeping on the couch, in chains. He cleared his throat, "I expect you will find whatever you need for the night. I hope you're a little more... Much more comfortable tonight." And letting her go he moved to close the door, he thought he'd still lock her in, she was still a hunter after all. He'd lock his own door too, just to be safe.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

Now he wasn't sure. He hung back by the opposite side of the stairwell. She didn't want his help, but she could certainly use it. And his patience was not sufficient to wait any longer. He wrapped an arm around her back and reached for her hand that didn't have the wall for support, he'd pull her up if he had to.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

"I guess we should find you a room then." He tried not to look like his hovering about was impatience. Moving next to her chair he held out a hand with his most gentlemanly manner in case she wanted help standing and climbing up two flights of stairs.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

Eventually he looked at her and saw she'd finished eating. He leaned back against the counter, casually crossing his arms across his chest. Though he couldn't be sure from this distance that she was still awake.

"I've got a proposal to make, I'll make food for you, and you can have a spare bedroom to yourself, and all the while have me under strict supervision. This means I won't leave the castle unless you're with me, or watching me from a window. That way you can be sure I'm NOT killing anyone.

In a couple days we can sneak down to the village and you can testify that I am not the problem. You will be able to get onto finding the actual killer, (and no doubt you'll succeed nourished by my excellent cooking.)

Additionally, the town will not be terrified of me any longer so I can shop there freely. You won't have my innocent death on your conscience and best of all, I won't be dead. What do you say?

Let me live?"

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

With Angel eating Andrew absentmindedly did the same, munching on vegietables as he looked out the window. It was going to be a beautiful night with all the lightning those storm clouds promised. He even picked up his fork and ate the rest of his meal. He'd need strength when the hunter had regained some of hers.

When he'd finished he went to the counter and washed his plate, and fork and put them away. He'd do the same with her's eventually. And then he'd be able to talk again.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

Of course she didn't, that would be too easy. Nothing came easy since he's been cursed. He watched her take the apple. That was a good sign. Part of him wanted to propose a bargain, but if he made her any more angry she might not eat. He had to keep his mouth shut while she ate.

So he sat and stared at the window on the other side of the room. She was so determined to get the apple...maybe he'd had it backwards. Maybe he should be asking how someone in such a pitiful state could be so strong.