Ember stared at the spot where Demetri had faded, not knowing what to think about the ghost's hasty retreat. She turned her gaze back to the fire and got lost in the flickering of the flames for a short eternity.
A low growl from her stomach brought the halfling back to reality. She sat up and slid off the counter, pulling the leather jacket fully on as she did. It was far too big for her small frame. Ember hugged herself and, as she buried her face in the soft leather, suddenly found her senses enveloped...
It smells musky, dark, a little smoky maybe. It smells like him. It's his scent. Oh God.
Images of her rape passed through her mind: Ember suddenly remembered how it felt to have Demetri pressed against her, his weight on top of her, his dick thrusting deep inside her, his scent and strength overpowering her. But then, just as the flood of memories threatened to overwhelm her, she saw his eyes. In her mind the halfling saw the ghost's glowing blue eyes staring tenderly into hers.
Ember's lips trembled at the power of the conflicting and confused emotions rushing through her. She let out a half sob and frantically pulled the jacket off and threw it across the room. She sank to her knees as the jacket hit the floor, clenching her fists and blinking back tears in a desperate effort to avoid sinking into despair.
Find your strength. Find your strength. Remember your family.. Remember...
Slowly Ember's breathing slowed and her heart stopped racing. Slowly, she felt the desperation and panic leave her. Slowly, she felt the fire rekindling in her heart.
Shakily, Ember returned to her feet. Though her knees were still trembling slightly, the flames that lit the halfling's eyes were again glowing brightly.
She shook her head to clear away any lingering emotions and began to search the kitchen for food. The halfling searched through every cupboard and shelf, but the kitchen was barren.
Where did Demetri get the food he gave me earlier? I saw him pulling food from these shelves! But there's nothing here... I don't want to call him but I am so, so hungry.
Ember slammed the last cupboard shut frustration: She did not want to call the ghost for help, but she was starving. She needed to eat something more than a handful of grapes if she was to survive this ordeal. The halfling sighed deeply, tears threatening to cloud her vision once more.
I have to call Demetri. I'm fucking starving...
She blinked firmly two or three times to clear the forming tears from her eyes, steeled her resolve and then called the ghost's name: "Demetri?"
Her cry was greeted with silence.
Maybe that's a sign. I should try to find my way back to my room...
"Starving is better than whatever he has planned for me anyway," Ember muttered beneath her breath as she began to leave the kitchen.
"Please don't say that..."
Ember whirled around to find Demetri staring at her with pleading eyes.
"How many times must I apologise to you?" the ghost asked.
"You wouldn't need to if you hadn't kidnapped me and raped me and threatened to torture and kill me," Ember growled bitterly.
"I have taken it all back. How can I convince you?"
"You can't," Ember said icily. "Because every time you try, you end up threatening me again. Every time my wounds heal, you just give me new ones."
The ghost's eyes hardened slightly and he nodded briefly. "Well," he said emotionlessly, "I came because you called me. What do you want?"
"Nothing."
"What do you need?"
"My freedom."
"Well you're not fucking getting it," Demetri snarled, his self-restraint finally failing.
There was silence as the moment sank in. Demetri growled in frustration and held his head in his hands, smoothing his hair back as he regained his composure.
"Tell me why you called me," he said finally, his voice returning to a relative calm.
"There's no food," Ember muttered quietly.
"Of course there is," the ghost teased, smiling in spite of himself as he approached her. "What do you want to eat? Anything you can think of can be found in this kitchen."
"There's nothing... I looked," Ember said disbelievingly.
"Well maybe you weren't looking hard enough," Demetri smiled down at the confused halfling. Before she could protest, Demetri had wrapped his hands around Ember's slim waist and lifted her up onto the counter once again. He ran his hands up her arms and frowned when he noticed that she wasn't wearing his jacket.
Ember saw the question in his eyes and looked away, knowing what his reaction would be when he saw the jacket.
Demetri glanced over the girl's shoulder and saw his jacket in a pile on the floor. He said nothing, just walked silently over and picked it up.
"Not cold anymore?" he asked, shaking the dust from the jacket as he returned to stand before her.
When Ember did not answer or meet his gaze, Demetri gripped her arm tightly and pulled her off the counter.
"If I ask you a question," he said dangerously, "I expect an answer."
"No, I'm not cold anymore," Ember said, her eyes finally meeting his defiantly.
The two stared at each other: though the storm in Demetri's eyes failed to douse the fire in Ember's, neither could her flames overcome the waves of emotion in his. Finally, the tempest in the ghost's gaze abated and he let the hand gripping the halfling's arm fall.
"I'm sorry," he said, holding out his jacket to her again. "Are you sure you're not cold?"
Ember reached out tentatively and accepted the jacket back, slipping her arms into the too-long sleeves once again.
Demetri smiled despite himself and he offered the halfling his hand. Hesitantly she accepted it, and she felt a sudden warmth emanate from the ghost's spirit and spread up her arm.
"You must still be very hungry," he said softly.
"Yeah, I am," she admitted.
"Well, like I said, this kitchen is stocked with anything and everything. Just tell me what you want to eat and I will find it for you."
"I-" the halfling hesitated, thinking.
"Anything you want. Even blood..."
"I don't drink it," Ember said offhandedly, still concentrating on figuring out her craving.
"I want a steak," she said finally.
Demetri laughed and squeezed her hand before letting it go.
"That was my next guess after blood," he said, turning to the cupboards. "Let's see where it is..."
Demetri opened a couple cupboards without success before spinning on his heel to face the halfling. He stole his fingers between hers once again and began to lead her to the dining room.
"I have a sneaking suspicion it's not in the kitchen," he smiled.
Ember shot him a questioning glance and then gasped as they rounded the corner and entered the grand dining room: A low table set with two large cushions in the middle of the dark chamber was lit by a ring of dripping candles. A huge platter of meat sizzled in the centre of the table, surrounded by a basket of warm bread, a pot of steaming soup, and an opened bottle of wine.
"How did you do this?" Ember whispered as Demetri walked her to the table.
"Honestly, I have no idea how this realm works," he smiled. "I just know that it has, so far, every time."
"Oh my God..." the halfling whispered.
Demetri chuckled and said: "Go ahead and eat. I know how hungry you must be."
Ember sank to her knees and began to load her plate, tearing into the meat with animalistic hunger.
Demetri sat down across from her and watched her quietly, shame and sadness gleaming in his stormy eyes as he watched her wolf down nearly a quarter of the platter of meat in mere moments.
"I am sorry I treated you so terribly," he said finally.
Ember started slightly at the ghost's words. She had almost forgotten that he was there, watching her devour the meal like an animal.
