Help from the Devil 

Sienna's POV

It was over. I started to feel cold. I couldn't struggle anymore. I tried to reach for the surface to get air one more time, but I couldn't. The water's current was too strong. 

My hands stayed up, as the water dragged me down. I felt sorry for all the things I hadn't done. 

My vision became blurry, and I closed my eyes. This was the end. But something pulled me up. 

I couldn't see it. It gripped my arm, pulling me upward until I felt the water below my head. 

I was too weak to see what it was. Then, I gasped desperately as the air touched my nose. 

The air was freezing, and the water splashed as it pulled to the sand. I had never felt more grateful to be on land. 

Somehow, I prayed it wasn't any of kieran's men, or I would be in bigger trouble. I had attacked him after all and escaped his packhouse. 

Slowly, I opened my eyes, blinking as my chest heaved while I panted. I was never going near the waters again. 

It was dark, and a blurry face looked at mine smiling. My eyes closed again, and I felt I was carried and a heavy dash of wind blew past my face. 

Was he running with me?

Soon, he stopped and I felt warmth around me. The flame and then his warm hands touching my cold face. 

I forced my eyes open, trying my best to breathe and realized I was in a room. The bed was large and comfortable and the sheets rested perfectly in my hands. 

I had to stop this. It was becoming a habit of waking up in a new bed everyday. 

I knew it couldn't have been kieran's because the room had a much darker tone to it. 

My head was spinning and I groaned, touching my forehead. 

Where was I?

I would thank whoever had helped me and leave. I slowly moved the sheets off my body and got ready to leave when I noticed the vintage bookshelf decorated with gold.

Everything smelled rich and dangerous. I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering.

I swung my leg off the bed, and my bare feet touched the cold floor.

I ached all over, but I ignored it. I got off, and fell to the floor. My body was still weak. 

I should have healed that fast? I guessed my wolf was weak to help me this time. 

The door opened and I raised my gaze to see a tall, commanding figure walk in. 

He looked magnificent, with his red eyes staring at mine. 

I immediately knew he had been the one to save me. 

His black shirt hugged his body, matching with the thick black trousers. 

He gently pushed the door closed and walked closer to me. His eyes never leaving mine for a second. 

I remained in that spot, studying his features. His eyes were cold, and his skin was pale. A weird color I had never seen on a human. I was equally pale skinned. 

Maybe, he's never walked out in the sun.

"You're finally awake," he spoke gently. His voice was smooth and there was a hint of amusement. 

My throat felt dry as I tried to speak, but I found my voice. "Who are you?" Did you save me?"

He stopped right in front of me and crouched down to my level. "Yes, I did. You looked like you needed help."

His face pulled closer and he breathed. "I'm Caius Blackthorne. Lord of this sanctuary."

He sounded so old. His name felt odd and surprisingly familiar. 

He smiled, making me think deeper as he spoke. "I see you aren't familiar with the name."

I remained quiet, racking my brain for an answer and repeated his name in my head. 

I blinked, looking into his eyes as the silence grew. 

"Are you hungry?" He asked, breaking the silence. 

"I…uh," I stuttered, trying to be careful. 

"I won't kill you. I know werewolves are supposed to be our enemies," he continued. 

What? Enemies? How did he know? Oh, never mind. He's probably a werewolf too. But he just said werewolves were supposed to be his enemies. Does that mean….?

"What are you?" I asked, my eyes tracing his pale skin and back to his red eyes. 

He smiled even bigger, and answered. "That's not really important."

He started to rise, and I grabbed his hand. It felt terribly cold. A lot different from the warmth I felt last night. 

"You're so cold," I said. 

"I have always been cold," he responded and carried me in his arms from the floor. 

I wanted to complain, but couldn't as I looked so small compared to him. 

"I'll have the maid prepare some meat for you," he said, and I realized what he was. 

"You're a vampire aren't you?" I blurted. 

His eyes flickered, but he remained silent. 

Then he spoke calmly. "Yes."

"I should head back," I said. 

"To where?" He asked. "The midnight syndicate wants you dead. And you escaped from the Shadowfang as I heard and got yourself knocked out."

"News spreads very quickly," I replied. 

"Yes, Ruby wolf," he said, startling me. 

How did he…?

"I have known you for a long time, Sienna Valerie Storm," he answered as if he read my mind. 

The way he said my name sent shivers through my body. 

"I can't read your mind, if that's what you're thinking, but I can tell from your expression," he added. 

He laid me back on the bed. "Your ancestors and I used to be good allies."

My eyes almost popped out of their sockets. "What?"

"The Ruby wolves. It's a pity you're hunted now," he continued.

"I bet you can't tell what you are. Your fill powers," he added, and pulled a sandal from under the bed, wearing them on my feet. 

"Can you tell me?" I begged. 

"Of course," Caius answered, leaning closer. "You don't know how much power you carry in your blood."

"I…" I stammered. 

"Fine. I'll tell you everything you need to know, but you have to do something for me, first," he said calmly. 

"What would you want?" I bargained. 

"I want a bond with you," he said, his gaze darkening.

"How?" My voice rang before I could think of anything. 

"Yes," he said softly. "A blood bond, Sienna."

My heart beat dropped and I stared at him with fearful eyes. 

"I'll help you get what you want, and you become mine," he breathed. 

I swallowed, weighing my options. I had escaped Kieran to be met with something worse. "And if I refuse?"

His smile turned darker, and he answered. "Then you have to fight the midnight syndicate from taking you away."

Bastard! Had he informed them?

"So, what's it going to be Sienna?" He asked. His voice was cold as the water that had almost drowned me.