My eyes widened in astonishment. "How do you know what I'm thinking?"

As soon as the words left my mouth, the entity's demeanor changed from amusement to frustration as he turned away from me. "This is why I cannot stand humans.." He let out a disapproving sigh. "Everything, all of the potential that you people hold is completely wasted upon your species!"

"If you hate our kind so much then why am I here? Why do you keep following me? Why have you kept bringing me back to this hellscape almost every night?"

Turning to face me again, the figure started, "Because you are valuable to me."

"Do NOT call me crazy!" He bellowed. "Centuries! Centuries I have wasted upon you, watching you grow, watching you rediscover your secrets, waiting for you to gain enough strength to carry out my plans..." He trailed off.

"What do you mean centuries?" I replied skeptically. "And what makes you so sure that I would help you?"

He laughed. "Don't ever think you are capable of deceiving me, Ember. I always know where you are, I know what you're thinking, I know what breaks you, and I know what makes you give in. I know all of your failures, even ones you have long forgotten." He drew closer, "So don't you dare even think you are smart enough to mislead me."

I grew cocky. "Obviously, if I am the only person who can help you, then when I say 'No, I won't help you,' it is what it is. You can lock me up. You can torture me. But you cannot kill me."

Another uncontrollable laugh came from the figure. "Not kill you? I honestly do not care whether you live or die. It is, of course, an inconvenience when you die. However, you always turn back up and you always make it easy to find you."

"I always turn back up?" I replied inquisitively. "What are you talking about?"

A long frustrated sigh escaped the cloaked man as he turned away again in frustration. As he grumbled under his breath, I decided to take this opportunity to run away. I've spent most of my life running away from him, so why not some more?

His voice sounded once more, "You cannot run from me, Ember."

Then I felt his cold grasp around my throat. It didn't matter that I left him behind, I still ran right into him. I gasped for air as his grip tightened and he slammed my back against a building behind me. "Found you." 

My hands grabbed at his wrist as I croaked, "Who are you?"

"My name is Lucien, and you are coming with me." His voice stern. "You are mine."

"No!" I croaked, unable to speak more.

He brought his head closer to mine, but I was still unabe to see any detail of his face. "Why do you say 'no,' my dear? You don't want to come with me?" 

Panic overcame my senses. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't speak. I was convinced that in this moment, I would die.

"You humans are entertaining when you are inches away from death. The way you squirm, the way your minds wander when you cannot keep a clear thought in your little heads." 

Disgust consumed me as he continued, "Pathetic," before dropping me to my knees. 

"My people can tear through yours like tissue paper." His voice agitated. "How can someone like you be placed in a world like this? So filthy and dishonorable. No pride, no strength--only weakness and beggary."

I was unable to pay attention to his speech as I coughed with every inhale. When I finally caught my breath, I started, "Why do you speak as though you are so different? What are you? A demon?"

Comparing him to a demon seemingly tickled Lucien as I laughed again. "My dear Ember, I am worse than what you humans consider a demon."

Anxiety washed over me as my gut told me that his words were true. I began to feel sick as this man laughed at my weakness, and mocked my entire existence.

"You people do not even realize the things that are around you. All of you are so certain that you are the only living beings throughout the universe. Blaming abnormal occurrences on ghosts, ghouls, or demons. When I, my dear, live in a place much like this, tucked right beside yours. A place you have been numerous times and you will inevitably visit once again. You will bring me greater power, as well as bring me greater strength. My abilities will be something that no one can imagine and all will envy." Lucien continued his speech proudly, but I wasn't listening anymore. 

I was still in the midst of trying to comprehend this bombshell. What is he talking about? How do I have the ability to carry out what he wants? I would just love to know how I, a weak "human" as he says, could possibly possess such an ability. But at the same time, I am conflicted. I do not want to know. If I knew how to do the things he says I'm capable of, then I would be a puppet. "What do you mean you come from a place that is tucked beside mine?" I cut through his speech. "Are you talking about another dimension?"

Lucien's cloaked head snapped toward me. "Haven't you wondered why you are so different from everyone else?"

I do not respond to his question. Of course, I always wondered how and why I could do the things that were considered impossible. 

When it appeared that Lucien was going to start up another long-winded speech, a streetlight to the left of us started to flicker. The light caught both of our attention as we looked in that direction. Standing under the streetlight was another figure. From the figure's height and build, it was obvious the person was male. 

"Let her go!" The stranger demanded. His voice carried a certain unwavering confidence.

Lucien instantly grew angry at the intruder's presence. "What are you doing here?" He hissed.

I began to wonder how the two knew each other since it was apparent this was not their first meeting.

The mysterious man grew closer, and I could now see his eyes. They were the most beautiful green color I had ever seen, with a dark yellow that bordered his pupils. His head slightly tilted downward and his eyes grew dark as he demanded, "I said, let her go, NOW!" The stranger's voice rang with power.

As he grew nearer, I felt safe. I felt like with this person, I could relax. He felt like someone I could trust. The feeling was very odd as I had no idea who this man was, but there was definitely something different about him. There was some sort of connection I felt between us that I had no idea how to explain. It was as if there was an invisible tether that pulled harder the closer he got. I stared at him like I was a deer caught in the headlights. Hypnotized by this person and the feeling he emitted, I took a step toward him. This action instantly infuriated Lucien, who pushed me back into the building, causing me to smack my head against the wall with incredible force. 

Lucien hurriedly made his escape with my stranger chasing after him as I dropped to my knees. I grabbed at my head which held an indescribable amount of pain that shot through to my forehead with every heartbeat. The sound of my heartbeat echoed in my ears as each pump crippled me with pain.

Then a hand was on my shoulder. It startled me, but I didn't dare move, ignoring everything around me as the pain demanded my full attention.

"Are you alright?" The handsome intruder asked, his voice filled with concern.

"My head is killing me, but I'll be fine," I replied, looking up at him. My heart skipped a beat as I stared into his beautiful, concerned-filled eyes.

"You have a pretty good-sized bump on your head already."

Blood rushed to my face as I became embarrassed.

He smiled displaying his perfectly straight white teeth. 

"Thank you for running Lucien off," I said. There was a moment of brief silence as he stared deeply into my eyes. My face felt like it was beginning to flush again. Clearing my throat, I asked, "What is your name?"

"Aiden."

"I'm Ember." 

He laughed. "I know who you are."

"How does everyone here know who I am?" I questioned, perplexed and aggravated.

"Right now is not the time nor place to answer that, my love," Aiden replied, as he looked around at the shadows that surrounded us. He held his hand out to me to help me get up.

Normally, I would instantly become enraged by someone calling me their "love," or "baby." But with him, for some inexplicable reason, it did not bother me.

When our skin touched, there was an intense, electrifying sensation that ran through my body. It was an exhilarating feeling; one that I wish did not stop. Before I could ask what this feeling was, Aiden began to speak.

"You are still so beautiful." My heart faltered for a moment as he caressed my cheek, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. 

I am at a loss for words as Aiden strokes my cheek and stares deeply into my eyes. I wanted to ask why I had this feeling when we touched that raised goosebumps on my skin. Why do I crave his touch even more? Why has my mind turned to mush? 

Aiden continued smiling at me.

"Why do you call me 'love'?" I finally managed to say after staring at him for a long time. It wasn't what I really wanted to ask at the moment, but it's what came out.

The smile remained on his face as he said, "You will find out soon enough." He paused, before adding, "When I find you."

I was confused by his words but stared at him like an idiot.

Aiden slowly started to lean his head towards mine, as if he were about to kiss me. As he grew closer, and closer, my heart raced faster and faster. My face grew hot and my breath caught in my throat as butterflies mercilessly flapped their wings in my stomach. His lips were almost touching mine as I waited in anticipation...

When I woke up.