Chapter 19: The First Death Match

It was closer to four o'clock in the afternoon, and the wind blew softly through the trees in a tiny plaza far from the school. The school gardener abandoned the site once a larger plaza was built closer to the school, but Rakiza found it self-relieving and stayed there alone. And, as an artist, she wanted to spend the entire afternoon there rather than converse with her dorm mates. The tranquillity of the setting inspired her to write fast-paced sections for her novel.
When Theo appeared unexpectedly but said nothing, she was constantly stumping her finger on her laptop's keyboard. He searched for a bench to sit on and took out his drawing pad from his backpack.
"Continue your writing. Don't be troubled by me since I need to sketch my own pictures in order to earn good scores in painting. "
Rakiza retorted, "You know what, you always have a reason to be closer to me."
"Well, good for you; if you want, I can run an errand for you."
"I don't need an errand boy; I'm an errand girl, and you've already taken away my writing mood."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it," he apologized, scanning the surroundings with his sea green eyes and declaring, "This area is wonderful for us."
"What do you mean by "it's wonderful for us?"
"You're interfering with my sketching concentration," he smirked, "but that's okay because I needed someone to talk to right now."
"Shut up," she snarled. "I need to finish this chapter, so please, if you have a conscience, consider my existence here."
"All right, I'm not going to talk anymore," he said, concentrating on his drawing pad and beginning to draw. Every now and then, he would cast a glance at Rakiza.
Rakiza tried to concentrate on her story, but Theo's presence caused her stomach to churn into something she couldn't quite grasp.
"Why are you doing this?" Rakiza had finally questioned him.
"Am I authorized to say anything?"
"I'm asking you, Theo. Why are you playing this guarding game with me? "
"I wish I could tell you, but let me put it this way: it's too expensive to hire a private guard for a person, and you'll get it for free from me. " He grinned and returned his attention to his drawing pad, remaining silent. He was drowning in his sketches.
Rakiza had time to acquire a clear, undisturbed view of his face, and he was attractive. His jaw was set like that of a fearless man, and his lips were full and kissable.
Rakiza shook her admiration for Theo and returned to her laptop to create a new character on it. She gave the character the name Theo and took the descriptive character from Theo Monsanto.
"We all require motivation for whatever we do," Theo said, "And it happened that you inspired me."
Rakiza's fingers sped up in her writing, trying to ignore Theo. And she was instantly thrilled to have Theo closer to her, for he was now one of the characters in "The Bloodstone of Sheba."
The phone then rang twice, and Theo took it casually and responded, "Hello."
Rakiza caught a glimpse of him while he was on the phone.
"Yes, I'm here with a pal. I can't do it right now since I'm working on a school project that I need to finish this afternoon. "
He paused before saying, "OK, bye."
Theo noticed Rakiza staring at him and asked, "What are you looking at?" He smiled.
"I can't concentrate on my writing while you're on your phone." She lied.
"Can I have your phone number?" Theo inquired, nonchalantly.
"Not until you tell me why you're guarding me."
Theo said flatly, "I merely decided to defend you the day I spotted you on the road, to watch over you and save you in times of trouble."
"Don't give me that nonsense. I'm sure you're trying to get closer to me for a reason. Maybe you're a syndicate member and were planning to kidnap me. "
"For what? Are you the millionaire's daughter?
Rakiza became upset once more, saying, "Well, you quit talking to me."
"It was you who initiated the conversation, not me."
"Stop talking!" She shut down her laptop, grabbed her possessions, and decided to move to another location.
"I'll go wherever you go."
"I don't want you to be around me!" shouted Rakiza at Theo.
"You're lying. The truth is you want me to be by your side. "
"How could you talk to me like that?!" Rakiza yelled, her heart heavy and indignant, as she carried her belongings. She staggered on the ground.
But Theo was lightning fast in catching Rakiza before she thudded to the ground. His hands gently grasped Rakiza's torso, pulling her to her feet and closer to his body. Rakiza's nose was drawn to his macho aftershave aroma, which reminded her of someone she knew, despite the fact that he was a stranger to her.
Theo gently gripped her jaw and drew her to his lips. Rakiza’s strength drained as Theo pressed his lips harder to hers. He kissed her so passionately that she almost couldn't breathe, and his back caresses made her head tilt back in unexpected bliss.
"Who are you?" Rakiza groaned between kisses. Everyone had different experiences, but this man gave her his best. And she couldn’t move to resist him in ecstasy.
"I'm your guardian," he groaned as he pressed his lips against her neck. And his kisses had the power to unleash all the demons within her.
Rakiza had never been touched by the opposite sex before, but this man was so quick to entice her that she moaned more. His other hand was toying with her hair, and the other was skillfully fondling her bosom, as if capturing all of her attention and feeding her sexual desires.
It was an odd kiss, yet it was pleasurable, and it was her first euphoria from a man.
The sun was almost hidden from view by the earth.
They thought they were alone, but Nikolas the vampire was watching them in misery, waiting for the sun to set behind the ground, allowing him to use all of his strength to seize the girl he had marked as his own.
Rakiza, on the other hand, was unaware of her surroundings; she was drowning in the scorching touch of Theo's hands, and his lips were conquering her breasts, causing them both to moan. His wolf growled to pull Rakiza into the marriage of his sexual dominion, which she would never forget.
But time was running out because the sun had completely disappeared, and the monster of the night began to sing madly to the rhythm of the soon-to-be darker night of their lives.
Suddenly, the wind blew harder than usual. It had just broken the once quiet and lovely tranquility of the location.
The abrupt change in the weather alarmed Theo. He was aware that something was wrong and that it was not usual, so he clung to Rakiza.
Rakiza was startled awake from the partly dream-like amorous moments with Theo. And she was terrified by the disruption of the trees.
"Let's go, Rakiza," Theo said, as he almost dragged Rakiza to the plaza's exit. But the wind grew harder and began pounding the trees, and a shadow of something appeared and disappeared in their sight, forming a circle.
Theo was well aware that this was the work of an enemy. And he had to protect Rakiza from being taken from him no matter what happened. "Rakiza, run!"
"What's the matter, Theo?!" Rakiza shrieked, stumbling on the ground. Theo swiftly pulled her up and ran faster, but a shadow unexpectedly bumped Theo, causing them to fall to the ground and become separated.
"Run, Rakiza, and take a hiding!" Theo yelled at her.
Rakiza left her belongings and ran as fast as she could, but a few steps away, she heard a huge animal snarling and then thudding off from where she stood. She was terrified, but she was worried about Theo. She remained there, trying to figure out what was causing the thudding and smashing of trees in the distance.
Another animal's roar filled the forest, causing her nerves to tense, and she heard Theo's final scream.
"Run Rakiza, run!" Theo screamed.
She ran without pausing until she reached the edge of the woodland and slumped on the ground beside the dormitory's front entrance. And screams rang out.
"Oh, my goodness! Rakiza is here! " Her dorm mates raced to her, and Ambrosia was just behind them.
Everything became blurry and then dark for Rakiza.