The Ripper

William Jack Holloway

It was killing the Hunter to know how utterly powerless he was to help Vhalla from her master's cruelty. It was a game. William was becoming increasingly aware of the fact that the more he reacted, the more Ivan was enjoying the newfound power he held over William. How the Hunter wished he could appear apathetic. How he wished he could pretend he didn't care about how the woman felt at all. It would be better for both of them if he didn't care, and yet his heart was involved now and there would be no pretending that he didn't want her so whole-heartedly. His voice was weak as he attempted to make the man stop, and the twisted smile that the vampire presented them both with was a cruel one. He had to resist the urge to tell the man that he would, in fact, not be able to do whatever he wanted to Vhalla. But how could he keep that from happening?

Instead, he simply pursed his lips together and waited until the moment in which he could surge forward to be closer to Vhalla. He didn't dare touch her - not yet. No, touching her now would be a death wish for both of them. And yet he wanted so desperately to wrap his arms around her and promise her that the world would soon be a safe place for her. But it was an empty promise. As long as that vampire existed within this world, it would not be a safe place for her.

But for tonight, the vampire seemed to at least allow the Hunter the pleasure of knowing he could keep her safe for a little while. He despised the idea of paying for a night with her, and yet the promise that she would be away from her master's cruel hands was enough to have the man opening his mouth to agree to the terms. No price would be too high for Vhalla's safety. No, Will would burn down the world and not hesitate for a second if it would keep him from seeing that pained expression off Vhalla's features. No. He would keep her safe at all costs, even if she tried to keep him from doing that with her words. Will's attention, for once, was not on Vhalla at all, but instead on the words of the vampire who had finally expressed the permission to leave with her.

"The pleasure was all yours, I'm afraid," William said softly as he reached out for Vhalla's hand, instead finding himself surprised by the way she latched on to his arm. He didn't hesitate as she moved him towards the door. No, it was the sound of Ivan's voice once more that made them pause. No, no she wouldn't. He wouldn't allow her to kill the Faerie Queen. He would help to keep her safe, though he didn't dare promise that in front of Ivan. No, he kept his mouth shut as he allowed her to drag his frame down those stairs. As soon as he was released from her grip, William's fingers went to unbuttoning the long coat that he wore, though she didn't give him enough time to get it off before she was wrenching that door open and stepping out into the cold.

"Vhalla," He said softly as he reached out, grabbing ahold of her arm to pull her to a stop. Her words stung at his chest, and he merely shook the words off as he tugged his coat off. He wrapped her in it quickly, moving to button it for her. It still wasn't warm enough, but at the very least it would cover her better than the thin robe she wore. He reached up then, gently tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear. "I had to see you. I..." He started, once again being cut off as they began to walk and she announced the need for a shower.

"Okay," William wasted no time in stepping around her, his arm going up to catch a taxi as it sped past. He waited for it to stop before he wrenched the door open and guided her inside before getting in himself. Though he wanted desperately to hold her close to him, he still kept enough distance between them that they weren't touching. Still, he left his hand close and available to her should she want it. William remained entirely silent as they rode in the cab, only speaking to offer directions to the driver. It was only when they pulled up in front of that manicured mansion did William speak at all.

"Come on," He said softly as he helped her out of the car, tossing a handful of bills at the driver with the instruction to tell no one where they had gone tonight. He perhaps knew better than to bring her here, but there was nowhere safer in his mind. He led her up the stairs to the home, hardly waiting for the staff to open the door before he took her inside. It wasn't until he had her within the lavish suite that was his area of the large home did he look at her fully, holding his arms out to her.

"Come here. Please, Vhal..."

But darling -- it's only human nature.