King Of Blood: Her Sin, His salvation

AUTHOR'S NOTE

This story isn't the usual kind of vanilla forbidden romance. It is dark, containing triggering elements like physical abuse, crime, r*pe, gruesome murder and the likes. If this isn't your cup of tea, you can ignore it.

But if this kind of story piques your attention, by all means, join the ride (*sneaks in a mischievous smirk) because it's going to be EXCITING, CHAOTIC and EXHILARATING.

DEDICATION

To all the girls, who wants a man who acts like the devil's son in public, but becomes her protector and safe space in private.

PART ONE: FATAL OBSESSION

Chapter 1

Risana

People thought that being the preacher's kid was a blessing, I saw it as a curse...

A prison. One that didn't require chains but kept me bound regardless.

I was twenty and single because my parents said it was forbidden to have a boyfriend without being married. My elder brother, Dairen, would seize my phone if he caught me smiling too much while staring at the screen.

Kayla, my kid sister, would snitch on me if a guy merely waved at me when she was around.

Worst one yet? The ten year old pest was constantly stalking me.

For years, I lived that way until today. The luggage arranged close to the door promised freedom. Today, after four years of being continuously refused from applying for a college, I was leaving for San Francisco.

Dairen bounced down the stairs with that smug grin I secretly despised, his hands tucked into both pockets of his pants. "My eyes are on you, Mango. Don't think for a second that you've been let off the hook because you're going far away,"

Masking my displeasure with a cheeky smile, I turned to him. "When have I ever failed you?"

"You haven't and I'll make sure you never do," he said condescendingly, stowing away after ensuring that my excitement had wilted.

Sometimes-no, most times, I couldn't stand him, and I hated the fact that my 'righteous father' indulged him. The young man had slept with nearly all the young girls in the neighborhood, yet my father turned a blind eye to all his misdemeanors.

According to him, his son could do as he wanted because he was a man and God will forgive him, but for me, even hugging a male teenager could take me to hell.

Mom traipsed into the living room, carrying a strong aroma of curry and garlic, a towel rumpled on her hands.

"Are you sure you don't want to have breakfast?" Her voice was shrill as she struggled to hold back her emotions while speaking to me.

She wasn't aware that I watched her cry last night in the attic. She didn't know how badly I'd miss her.

However, I shook my head, stomping my foot impatiently on the tiled floor. I wanted to be out of here.

"No, thank you, mama,"

Her head moved in a slow nod, tears gradually building up in her eyes. "I'm going to miss you, baby,"

Impatience gave way to the sadness that slowly creeped in. "I don't know how I'll cope without you,"

"I'll call you everyday, sweetheart," her voice began to crack. "I tucked some cash inside your box," she leaned closer and whispered. "About five grand. Don't hesitate to call me if you need more,"

My face heated up but I willed myself not to cry. "I love you, mama,"

I glanced at Kayla who appeared to be forlorn. "Be a good girl,"

"Come back soon," she muttered with a pout.

I rolled my eyes. She'd miss the money she made from snitching on me.

"Good bye," The words left my lips in a cold mutter.

I wheeled the rest of my stuff with Father in front of me.

"You know the rules," He began in an icy tone after we headed onto the road.

Of course, I knew the rules that had been ingrained on my head since puberty. Those rules made me a hermit, increasing my intense dislike for men. The kind that made me want to jump out of my skin whenever I was around them. How could I ever forget?

"Yes, sir. I do," I bellowed.

"You let any man touch you and I find out about it, I'll make sure you never set foot in San Francisco again. Do you understand?" His tone was grave, drawing chills out of my skin.

"Yes, sir." I nodded and turned away so he wouldn't see me cry.

~~~~~

The air in the airport was chill but welcoming unlike the harsh, spiky weather in Canterbury that made me icky all the time.

I'd merely set foot in the new city, but I liked the place already.

In less than a minute, a cab driver meandered toward me after returning from the baggage reclaim area. Partially satisfied with the state of his car and how professional he acted, I let him take my things into his cab.

"Welcome to San Francisco," He said in a quiet tone implying how polite he tried to be.

I nodded watchfully, slouching onto the back seat, enjoying my moment of reprieve. There was no need for pleasantries though. At nearly 6pm, all I needed was to arrive at the dorm on time.

I dug into my bag, reaching for my phone. If Mama wasn't assured that I'd gotten to San Francisco safely, she might die of a heart attack.

The phone had barely touched my ear when two words caught my attention. My gaze floated to the driver who was pressed against the door, a shiny black pistol pointed against his waist.

"Get out," The stranger said to the driver.

It wasn't harsh but scary and commanding enough to make any sane person weak in the knees.

I attempted to yank the car door open when he glanced at me.

"You move, he dies," A cold warning followed.

Swallowing felt like torture to my throat, my feet trembling against the rugged floor of the car. With his heavily blood stained arm and those rough fingers clutching tightly to the weapon, I didn't need a priest to tell me he'd make good on his words.

He leaned closer to the driver, whispering inaudible words to his ear. By the time he finished, the cabbie was gone and Mr stranger hopped in, jamming the door shut.

"Who are you?" I hoped to sound bold, but the thick lump in my throat only made the words sound like a wheeze.

"Your new driver,"

"No, you're not," I reached for the interior door handle, another silly attempt to disobey the monster but it didn't bulge.

When he turned to me, grey eyes pried hard at me, his jaw set as though he had plans to destroy me.

I clutched onto my seat belt, a knot tightening in my stomach. I should have been more careful.

"Now, listen to me, Dola. I'm in charge now and you can't fight me. If you cooperate with me, you might just get out alive. If you don't, you surely don't want to know what I'm capable of doing to you."

I froze on my seat, too stunned to whip up a salty comeback.

His words rang incessantly in my ears as he started the car and zoomed off.