CAROLINE PECKHAM SUSANNE VALENTI
ForsakenRelic
AgeofVampires#5
Copyright©2024CarolinePeckham&SusanneValenti
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This book is dedicated to Count Dracula. He can’t possibly have known his legend would end up here as modern day growly hot vampires who want to keep you in their castle, but here we are bitey D Here we are
Awarriorbornbutmonstermade, Changesfatesofsoulsenslaved Twinsofsunandmoonwillrise, Whenonehaslivedathousandlives. Acircleofgoldshalljointwosouls, Andadebtpaidrightswrongsofold. Inaholymountaintheearthwillheal, Thenthedeadshalllive,andthecursewillkeel.
Silenceechoedendlesslyoverthewater Istaredatthegentleswellofthewavesasthemoonlighthighlightedthembeyond thebackofthespeedboatandtriedtoholdtheshatteringpiecesofmyhearttogether.
I chewed on mybottomlip, wonderingif it had already happened Had Montana changed beyond all recognition? Her featuressmoothedandperfected?Hercaninesfilledwithvenomandsharpenedjusttherightamounttopiercehumanfleshand givehertheonethingshewouldcraveaboveallelse?
Perhapsshe’dalreadyawokenandhadrealisedwhathadhappenedtoher WhatI’dlethappentoher Wouldshehateme? Would she wishI’d lether die a mortal death? Or would she forgive me for myweakness? Maybe she’d even like beinga monster
I’m so sorry, Monty. I should have saved you. This should never have happened.
Ireachedoutandtouchedthefreezingwaterwithmytremblingfingertips,tryingtodistractmyselfwiththebiteofcold,but nothingcoulddullthefearIfeltformysister.Ithadallhappenedsofastintheend.She’dbeentherewithme,warmandalive untilsomehowshe’dbeenfallingandthen-
Iclosedmyeyesandtriednottore-livethatmoment,triednottohearthehorrifyingcrackasshe’dstrucktheground,tried nottobreakoverhowcloseIhadcometolosingher,triedtoconvincemyselfIhadn’tlostheratall.
Juliushadtakenusouttosea,chasingthehorizonuntilNewYorkCitywasreducedtoaclusterofglimmeringlightsinthe distanceandourbladeshadstoppedburningwiththeproximityofsomanyvampires.Thenhe’dcuttheengine.
The silence stretchedbetweenus andIknew thatthe brothers hadnoidea whattodonow We’dbrokeredsome kindof fragilepeacewithErikBelvedere,unitedoverourhatredofthegods.Butwhatdidthatmeanforusnow?
He was still our enemy. Evenifhe had wanted to haltthe fightinthe end. Itdidn’tchange anything. And yetitchanged everything Iwishedthe phone wouldring,this endless tormentofwaitingfor news burningme upfromthe inside out.ButIhadno ideawhatI’dsaytomysisterwhenshedidcall I’msorry?ButwasIevensorry? You’re selfish. You couldn’t bear to lose her, so you cursed her instead.
Buthadn’tshebeenconsideringtheideaofturninganyway?She’dbeentheonetoinsisttheprophecywantedhertobea vampire. And thoughI’d never have agreed to her doingit under anyother circumstance, withher bodybrokenbeyond all chanceofrecovery,whatotherchoicecouldtherehavebeen?
Magnar still hadn’tsaid anythingto me aboutwhatI’d done He hadn’tspokena word aboutthe choice I’d made, and I hadn’tdaredbroachthe subjectbecause Iknew exactlyhow he feltaboutit.He wouldn’thave made the same choice.ButI couldfeel the unsaidwords hangingbetweenus like this heavyweightwhichjustkeptgrowing,makingthe air simmer with tensionandmyfrayednervesshiverwithineverypieceofmyflesh.
Ishouldturntohim,openmymouthandsay...wellwhatcouldIreallysay?He’dkilledhisownfatherratherthanseehim walktheEarthasavampire.
Ididn’tneedtoaskhimifheagreedwithwhatI’djustdone.Iknew hedidn’t.Giventheopportunity,Icouldn’tevenbe surehewouldn’tendMontana’s immortal existenceifhesaw her again.Myactions wentagainsteverythingI’dsworntodo whenItookmyvow Ordidthey?
IfthisendedinusbreakingthecursethenMontanawouldbehumanagain Thevampireswouldallbedestroyedandreborn inmortal bodies. So perhaps myactions were followingthe pathI’d chosen. Ifcreatingone vampire led to the end oftheir reign,thenithadtobeworthit ButIwastryingtoconvincemyselfofthetruthofthatwitheverythingIwas Ionlywishedthat gamblehadn’thadtobemadewithmysister’ssoul.
Itwisted mymother’s ringonmyfinger and wondered ifthe gods had figured outthatIhad it. They’d certainlyfeltits powerwhenI’dforcedthemawayfromus,butwouldtheyhaverecognisedwhatwasbeingusedagainstthem?Magnarthought they’dwanttotaketheringfrommeiftheyknewIhadit,butIwonderedhowthey’deverbeabletoretrievesomethingthey couldn’tevensee
Thereweresomanyquestionstwistingthroughmymindandnowherenearenoughanswers.
TheboatshiftedassomeonemovedtowardsmeandIclosedmyeyes,withdrawingmyfingersfromthewateraswhoever itwastookaseatbesideme.Iwasn’tsureIwantedtohearwhattheslayershadtosaytomebutIguessedtheleastIcoulddo wouldbetohearthemout.
“I’msorry,” I said before he could speak “Not for choosingwhat I did; I can’t bringmyself to regret that But for the positionitputsyouin.Bothofyou.IknowyouthinkthatthatfateisworsethandeathbutI...Ijustcouldn’tsaygoodbye.”
“NormallyI’dhavetoagreewithyou,”JuliussaidandIturnedtohiminsurprise,havingexpectedittobeMagnarbeside meifIwasbeingentirelyhonestwithmyself.Orperhapshopewasmoreaccuratethanexpectation.“Butyoursisterhadplenty tosayonthesubjectofherbecomingoneofthem.Shethoughtitmighthaveneededtohappen,evenbeforeshehadnochoicein it.AndIthinkshewouldhaveaskedtheparasitetoturnherintheendifshebelieveditmeantthecursecouldbebroken.”He spokethewordswitharoughnessthatbetrayedhisowndislikeofthem,butIcouldtellthathewastryingtoseethissituation fromallangles,tryingnottohateeverythingaboutitonprinciplealone
IlookedupathimandmyheartswelledwithhopeasIclungtohiswordsliketheywerealiferaftuponatidewhichhad beenhell-bentonrippingmeawaywithit
“Youthinkshe would have chosenthis? She would have wanted to turninstead of dying?” The idea would have been unthinkablejustweeksagowhenwe’dbeentwogirlsfromRealmGbutaftereverythingwe’dbeenthrough,Ireallywantedto believehewasright.Thatshewouldhavechosenalifeasavampireoveradeathasamortal.Notforherownsake.Butfor the idea that she might have been able to change the fates of everyone tangled up in the curse the gods had given to the Belvederessomanyyearsago
“Ithinkshewantedtosolvetheprophecy,”Juliusrepliedslowly.“Andthatshewaswillingtosacrificeagreatdealtotry anddoso”
“SomaybeIdidtherightthing?”Ibreathedhopefully.
Juliusglancedathisbrother beforeanswering,thoughIdidn’tdarefollow hisgaze,andadarklookcrossedhiseyes.“I thinkifthecurseendsupbrokenthenanykindofpaymentwillturnouttobeworthit” “But?”Iasked,sensinghowcarefullyhewaspickinghiswordsandthattherewasalothewasn’tsaying. JuliusshiftedinhisseatandlookedatMagnaronceagain Iforcedmyselftofollowhisgaze,chewingontheinsideofmy cheekas Iwaited for the words I’d beentryingto avoid hearing. Because Ialreadyknew how theyfeltaboutit. Their own fatherhadbeggedfordeathratherthanlivewiththevampirecurse AndMagnarhadn’thesitatedingivingittohim
Withsomedifficulty,IforcedmyeyestomeetwiththegoldengazeofthemanwhoIhadlaidmyheartoutfor,whoIhad swornanoathwith,andwhoIowedmylife tocountless times over.The silence stretchedas we lookedatone another,my emotions too raw and bruised to hide, while his were a roilingtempest of the unknown But myheart still upped its pace beneaththis weightofhis penetratinggaze,mybreathstill catchinginmythroatas hestrippedmeapartpiecebypiecewith nothingbuthisendlessstare
“But nothing,” Magnar said, surprisingme. He leaned against the wheel and continued lookingdownat me inthat way whichstripped me bare IfIwasn’tutterlydelusional, thenIcould have swornthatwasn’tanger or hatred simmeringinhis sandstormeyes.“IfMontana hadtodothis tobreakthe curse thenitisn’tfor us tocastjudgmentonher.The parasites have developed ways to sustainthemselves without killingso she should be able to survive this transformationwithher soul as closetointactasispossible Nowwecanonlyhopethatherguessesabouttheprophecywererightandthatshewon’thaveto remainamonsterforlong.”
Istared athimwithmylips partinginshock I’d expected himto hate me for the choice I’d made I’d thoughtthatthis wouldhavecreatedadividebetweenussogreatthatevenwiththegodsforcedaside,wewouldstillstruggletobetogether. Butthatwasn’tthetruthIfoundinhisexpression.
Ipushedmyselftomyfeetandapproachedhim,theboatrockingbeneathmeasImovedandmakingmystepsslowerasI adjustedtotheunfamiliarmotion.
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Magnarwatchedmecomeforhim,hisgazedrinkingmein,hisposturerigid,butitfeltmorelikerestraintthanrejection.
Ireacheduptotouchhisface,myfingertipsscrapingacrossthestubblethatgracedhisstrongjawline.Thebloodandfilth of battle still coated his skin, though now it had begun to dry and flake away, revealing the man beneath the mask of the monster.
“Thankyou,”Ibreathed,knowingwhatitmustbecostinghimtoalter his views onthis Togoagainsteverythinghehad beenraised to believe inand fightfor. ButIknew whatthe costofsuchconsiderationhad to be. Ifhe was able to believe Montana could be saved, then that would open up all kinds of doubts about what had happened to his father Or what the vampireswere,deepdowninside.They’dallbeenhumanonceafterall.
Magnar’sfingersbrusheddownthelengthofmyarmuntilhereachedmyhandandtookitinhis.Heranhisthumboverthe ringwhichstillshieldedusfromthegodsanditthrobbedbeneaththepowerofhistouch
HesaidnothingmoreandIcouldalmostfeelthepressureofhisworld,hisbeliefsandeventhefoundationofallhewas crackingbeneathhim, buthe did notbreak Didn’tevenbuckle Because he was made ofsomethingfar more powerful than simplythegiftsofthegodsandthatwaswhyIhadbeenhisfromthemomenthe’dshovedmeupagainstthatwall.
“Sowhatnow?”Juliusaskedasheleanedbackinhisseatandputhisfeetuponthechairinfrontofhim Hewaslooking brighter already,thecolour returningtohisskinashisgiftshelpedhimtoreplenishthebloodhe’dlosttoErikintheir fight, andIwasrelievedtohaveonelessthingtoworryabout.
IsqueezedMagnar’sfingersandlookedaroundusatthewaterwhichstretchedonandon,thewavesrockingthespeedboat beneathourfeet.Acoolwindblew,raisinggoosebumpsalongmyskinandIcouldfeelanacheinmystomachwhichspokeof adesireforfood
IstillworethewhitedressIdunhadgivenme,thoughitwasnowsostainedwithFabian’sbloodthatithadturnedmostly red.Myfeetwerebareandmybodycriedoutwithfatigue.
Theothersweren’tmuchbetteroff.Theirclothesweretornandbloodiedandcountlesswoundsmarredtheirflesh,slowly healingwiththeaidoftheirgiftsbutsurelystillcausingthemplentyofpain.
We hadn’tgrabbedour packs whenwe’dleftthe islandandthe speedboatwas opentothe elements,leavingus exposed andvulnerableontheopenwater.Wecouldn’tstayoutherelong,butIhadnoideawhereweweresupposedtogo.Ionlyknew that I didn’t want to travel far fromMontana She could be awake alreadyand I needed to see her as soonas possible to apologiseandtomakesurethatwhateverhadhappenedtohernow,shewasstillherself.Thatshelovedmeashersister,that shewasstillinsomewayhuman.
“Haveyoucheckedthecellphone?”Iasked,shakingoffmymountingfears.
Juliuspulleditfromhispocketandglancedatthescreenwithasmallshrug.“Nothing.Itcouldbehoursbeforeshecalls. Ordays Whoknowshowlongittakesanewparas-Imean, vampire tothinkofanythingotherthanblood?”
Itriedtoignorethefactthathe’dnearlyjustreferredtoMontanaasaparasitebutthestingofhiswordsdrovedeepintomy chest
“Thenwe need to find shelter,” Magnar said, pullingme againsthimso Icould feel the warmthofhis skinand hear the steadyrhythmofhisheartbeatbeneathmyear.“Isthereanywherethatwecangowhichwillbesafefromthevampireswithout takingustoofaraway?”
Juliuspursedhislipsasheconsideredit.“Wecouldheadnorthofthecity.Maybefindsomewherealongthecoasttohole upsothatwecanusethis boattoescapeagainifnecessary Idon’tthinkmanyvampiresliveoutsideofthecitylimits,soit shouldbesafeenough.”
“Let’sgothen Weneedtofindfreshsuppliesandgetsomerest Whoknowswhattrialswe’regoingtohavetofacenext?” Magnarreplied,castingadarklooktowardstheskywhichIknewwasaimedatthegods.
Iflexedmyfingers.TheshieldprovidedbytheringwouldcontinuetoconcealusfromtheirwrathandIhadnointentionof removingitanytimesoon
Juliusnoddedandgottohisfeet,headingforthewheel.IletMagnarguidemedownontotheleatherchairsatthebackof thecraftandhepulledmeintohislapasJuliusstartedtheboatup
Icurledmyselfagainsthim,theacheinmychestlesseningslightlyashewrappedhisstrongarmsaroundmeandtheheatof hisbodybanishedalittleofthecoldfrommylimbs
“Thismomentwillpass,”Magnarmurmuredintomyhair,hisfingerstracingbackandforthacrossmythighinasoothing motion.“Everymomentdoes.Andwhenpainstrikesitsdeepest,eachsecondwhichslipsbybeyonditwill lessenthatache. Theworldwillkeepturningandthesunwillshinebrighter,somedaysmorethanothers Youwillbereadytobaskinitwhenit does.”
TheboatwheeledaboutintheinkywaterasJuliusturneditnorthandloosedthethrottle IsettledmyselfagainstMagnar’s chest,allowinghispresencetoeasetheknotofanxietywithinmeandrelaxingjustalittle. Icydropletssprayedaroundusasthepowerfulvesselcarvedapaththroughtheseaandwebouncedoverthewavesasour speedincreased,themotionlullingmetowardsasleepmyachingbodybeggedfor.
Iclosed myeyes, lettingmythoughts driftto memories ofmysister and Ias children. I’d always beenthe reckless one,
gettingmyselfintoall kindsofmessesthroughboredomorsheerstupidity.Butshe’dbeenrightbymyside;gettingmeoutof troubleandfixingtheproblemsI’dcreated.She’dalwaysbeenabletosolveeveryissueandI’dreliedonher tohelpmein everywayimaginable
Ifanyonestoodachanceofsolvingthisriddleandendingthevampires’curse,itwasher.Ithadtobe.BecauseIrefusedto believeithadall beenfornothing Irefusedtoacceptthatthiswasour fate: tostandonoppositesidesofawarwe’dnever chosentotakepartin.
No We’dneverbeendividedinanythinginourentirelives Sothegodshaddrawnbattlelinesandsetusapart?Ididn’t care.Ididn’tdancetotheirtuneanymore.Perhapsvampiresandslayershadbeencreatedtodestroyeachother,butthatwould neverdefineus.Becausewehadsomethingsomuchpurerthanhate.Wehadlove.
AthousandsmellsfoundmeinthechasmofdarknessI’dfalleninto Thefreshscentofgrass,thesweetnessoffirtrees,the crispnessoftheair.Soundswerenearandfarawayatonce.Icouldpickeachofthemout,honinginononeuntilitwasall Icouldhear Thetwitterofbirdsong,therumbleofadistantengine,thewindshiftingbranchesandrustlingleaves Mytonguewasswollen,heavy.Atthebaseofmythroat,afreshrawnessstartedtogrow.Itexpandedfromanaggingache toapersistent,screaming,demandingburn.
Myeyesflewopenandastarlitskystareddownatme,andthebulbousmoonhungabove,surveyingandimpossiblybright ThemoreIfocused,themoretheskylightenedandamillionpinpricksfilledtheheavens,morestarsthanI'deverseenbefore. It was an expanse of endless beauty, of more colour than I had ever realised lay above Deepest blues, swirls of purple, shimmersofgreen.
This was surelydeath And it wasn’t as cold or as brutal as I’d imagined it to be, nor as empty But it wasn’t exactly invitingeither.Thepaininmythroatwasgrowingtoanunbearableache,sothishadtobesomethingotherthandeath.WasI stillteeteringontheedgeoflife,abouttofallintoadarkoblivion?ButifIwas,whydidn'tmybodyhurtfromthefallfromthe statue,whycouldn’tIfeelmyshatteredbonesandpuncturedskin?
Iscrapedmytongueagainsttheroofofmymouthandsuckedinabreathas Ibrushedsomethingsharp.Mycanines were pointedandlongerthanusual,thetouchofthemlikethekissofaknife-point
No...wait. This isn't right.
ThepaininmythroatsharpenedtoablindingagonyandIsatuprightwithagasp,suddenlydrowningintheneedtoendthis torture.Becausethatwaswhatitwas,atormentthatrippedatmyinsidesandrequiredsomethingofme.SomethingIcouldn’t deny.Noforceinthisworldorthenextcoulddenyit.Thisinsatiablewant.
Igraspedatmyneck,takinginthegardenthatsprawledoutbeforemewhichendedinagroupoftrees Therewasdewon thegrassandthewaythemorninglightshimmeredthroughitmadeitlooklikediamondswereglintinguponeveryblade.AndI couldperceiveeachofthosebladestooclearly,liketheywererightinfrontofmyeyes
OnthehorizonsattheglitteringskyscrapersofNewYorkCity,andmymindspunasIrealisedwhereIwas.Yetitwasn't possible.Notunless-
“Erik!”Icriedinpanic,myvoicesomehowsofter,moremusical.
Itwasallclickingtogether,realityslammingintomelikeatonofbricksandleavingmebreathless.Onlytherewasnoneed forbreath,nomovementstirringwithinmylungs,norequestformetodrawoxygenintomybody Allwasstill,mybodyina kindofstasisapartfromthatripping,roaringburninmythroat.
The soundofa door openingpuncturedmyear drums like a gunshot Iwincedas Itriedtoadjusttothe swarmofsound aroundme,eventhegentlewindlikeabellowingwail.Iclappedmyhandstomyears,tryingtoblockitout,buteventhesound ofmyskinagainstmyownwastoomuch.
Erikappearedbeforeme,fallingtohiskneesinthegrass.Hewasdressedinsweatpantsandawhitet-shirt,astarkcontrast
tothelasttimeI'dseenhim.Bloodiedandbruised.
“Focus,”hecommanded,thatworddrawingallofmyattention.“Youcandialdowneachnoise,makeitfade,Montana.” Inodded,tryingtodoashesaidandfindingitalltoosimpletodoso,eachnoiseslippingbacktoanormallevelatnothing butmywill.
Islowlyloweredmyhandsfrommyears,takinghiminwithouttheneedtoblinkevenonce Hisdarkhairwaspushedback morecarelesslythanusual,andtherewasnohintofexhaustioninhisglass-cutfeatures,buttherewasatouchofsomethingin hisstorm-greyeyes Concernandperhapsevenaglintoffear Hewasalive.HisfightwithMagnarwasover.Andweweresomehow heretogetherdespitewhatIknew hadhappened. How I’dleaptfromthetopofthattoweringstatueinabidtosavethisverymanbeforemefromthecursethathadbeenlaid uponhissoul Butinsteadofsalvation,Ifoundmyselfdamnedalongwithhim,Andvari’swordsnothingbutatrickI’ddivedso foolishlyinto.
Iwas intoomuchofadazetomovetowardErik,tooconfoundedbythis impossiblesituation ThatIwas actually,truly sittinghere, alive. No…not alive. Not really. I was one of them. Of the creatures I had feared myentire life, and onlymy stubbornnesswasstilldenyingit
Erikheldasilverbottleinhishandandthesweetscentthatsailedfromitfilledmewithalongingthattookovereverything inme.Iwasnothingbutananimalinthatmoment,ruledbyinstinctalone.
“Here,don'tlook,justdrink,”heordered Mythroatflamedandagroanescapedme,filledwithsomuchdesperationitwasnearlyimpossibletoresist.ButIknewin thepitofmysoulwhatwasinthatbottleandIcouldn't–Iwouldn't-
ErikcuppedmycheekandIstilledinsurprise.Hedidn'tfeel cold.Hefelt...notwarmexactly,butsomethinginbetween. Somethingthatdidn'tsendachillthroughmebutinsteadmademyskintinglewithdesire.Itookhiswrist,turninghishandover andadmiringthestrangelydifferentfeelofourfingersintertwining.Hiscypressscentwaseverywhere,invadingmysensesand makingmesomehowforgetthebottleinhishand.Ieyedhisface,abletoseethroughthedarknessofthenightaseasilyasifit wereday Ireachedforhim,brushingmythumbalongthestronglineofhischeekbone,alongtheslantedlinesthatmadeuphis painfullyhandsomeface.
“Drink,rebel,”heinsisted,handingmethebottle
AlumpswelledinmythroatandIbitdownonmyliptotryandholdbacktheurgetodoashebid,instantlydrawingblood withmyteeth.
Oh shit I have fangs And if I accept what that means, I'll scream Thepainwasnothingbutaminorthrobandinseconds,itdepartedastheweltonmyliphealedover.
Ishookmyhead,panicrisinginmeattheimpossibilityofwhatwashappeningandEriklungedatme,knockingmetothe groundandtakingholdofthebackofmyneck.
“Whatareyoudoing?”Icried,leaningawayfromhim
Heheldmefirmer,hishandfistinginmyhairanddrawingmecloserasheliftedthebottletomylips. Mymindstoppedworkingasthestrongerscenthitmynostrils.Iwasreducedtooneprimal need.Ahungrywolfgivena helplesslamb ErikpressedthebottletomymouthbutIbattledmywayoutofthedarknesstryingtoconsumeme,refusingit witheverythingIhad.Iwasnotamonster.IwouldnotdrinkthebloodofthepeoplekeptcagedtofeedErik’skind. Ishovedhimhardinthechest,andhewasthrownoffofmewithsuchforcethatheslammedontothegroundonhisback, onlykeepingthebottleuprightbysheerluck.
Istaredathimindisbelief,mygazeshiftingtomyoutstretchedhandsinawe I’m strong. Like him. Like his kin. Hereleasedalowchuckleashesatupinthedirtandmysensesrealigned.
“Drinkoryou'llgomad,”heinsisted
“ThenI'llgomad.Ican'tdrinkthebloodofmyownpeople,”Isnappedasemotiondugadeeppitinmychest.Ireachedfor myheartandreleasedasobasitdidn'tbeat,didn'tevenflutterwithlife Iwasdead.AndyetnotremotelyinthewayI’dimagined. Paniccreptthroughmybonesandthreatenedtooverwhelmme IwasoneofthecreaturesI’ddespisedallmylife,theonesthathadtakenmymomawaytothebloodbank.Whohadkilled herandkilledDadtoo.
Erikrosetohisfeetwiththebottleinhisgrip “Montana,youhavetodrink” Ishookmyheadviolently,springingupright.IshouldhavebeendizzyfromhowfastI'dmoved,butmybodywasmadefor it,mymindtoosharptobeaffectedbysomethingsotrivial MyeyesweretrainedonErikasheadvancedagainandIheldout ahandtokeephimback.
Fuck,hewasbeautiful.Heseemedtoglowundermyheightenedvision.Theshadowofhischeekbones,thedeepglittering ironofhisgaze.HewaslikeacomettearingthroughtheskytowardtheEarth,growingbrighterasheapproached.
ThatsalivatingscentreachedmeagainandIheldmythroat,willingtheforcefulneedaway.
“Please don't make me do this,” I begged, trembling as I eyed the bottle. The want was growing too fierce, my determinationalreadycracking.HowIachedtodrinkeverydropofthatblood.Iknewitwouldbeecstasy,thatitwouldsate thisblazingneedinsideme
Erikfrowneddeeply,hisgazetingedwithconcern.“Idon’twanttomakeyoudoanything,butyoumustdrinkoryou'llgo insanewithhunger Itisonlyamatteroftimebeforeyoucave,andfrankly,it'samiracleyouhaven'tdrunkthewholestockin thehousealready.”
“There'smore?”Ibreathed,mythoughtsabandoningmeagain Icursedmyselfforthedesperationinmytone,hatingthisnewdesirethatlivedinme.Itdidn’tfeellikeitwasapartofme morethatitwasmyrulernow.Aviciousdemonperchingonthethroneofmydesires,andthiswaswhatitwantedmostofall. “Asmuchasyouneed”Eriknodded “It'sRealmA Nohumanswereharmedinthemakingofthisblood,”heteased,andI gapedathim,unabletobelievehewasjokingaboutrightnow.
Hegavemeanapologeticlook “Alright,maybethatwasinpoortaste,butyouneedtodrinkorit'sonlygoingtogetworse, rebel.”
TearssearedmyeyesasIstaredatthebottleinhishand Hewaswaitingfor metotakeit Waitingfor metobreak But howcouldI?
Todosowouldbetoabandonmyhumanity.Itwasunthinkable.Itwasdamncannibalism.
Exceptitwasn't Because Iwasn'thumananymore Iwas one of them The creatures who'd beenmyswornenemies my wholelife.Butthatdidn’tmeanIhadtobelikethem,Ididn’thavetogivein.Icouldrefuse,Icouldholdout.
Ibackedupandmybarefeetpressedintothesoftgrass IglanceddowntofindI'dbeendressedinablacktanktopand matchingsweatpants.Ishouldhavebeenfreezingstandingouthereinthewinterair,butthebreezewasthesametemperature asme.Although,Iwasn'tquitesurewhattemperaturethatwas.Iwasn'tcold,butIwasn'twarmeither.Iwassuspendedinan equilibriumthatwasunaffectedbynature,andsomethingaboutthatscaredmeevenfurther.
Iglancedtowardthetreesatthebaseofthegarden,energyburningthroughmeandurgingmetowardthem.
I'll run I'll hide He can't make me do this “Rebel,”Erikwarned,sensingthedecisionIwasabouttomake.
Iran,dartingthroughthegrasssofastthatIwassureIwouldfall Butmylegsweresturdy,incrediblystrongandableto carrymeasfarasIwantedtogo.Islippedbetweenthetrunksandexpecteddarknesstoswallowme,butmyeyesadjustedand theworldbrightenedsoIcouldseethewindingpaththatleddeeperintothewoodland.
Arushofairsoundedbeforeaweightslammedintome.Itoppled,butnopainfoundmeasIhitthegroundandErikpinned meinplace,histhighsclampingmylegstogether.Herolledmeoverbeneathhimandtiltedhishead,surveyingmewithakind ofhungerwhichlitafireinme
Therune onmyleftpalmscorchedwiththeneedtobecloser tohim.Mylips partedas Ireachedup,skatingmyfingers across his skininadmiration Myeyes picked outeveryfleckofsilver inhis eyes, the wayhis mouthmoved and his throat bobbed.“You'reso-”
“Blood.Drink.Now,”hebarked.
“Bossy,”Ifinishedmysentence,andthestrengthofmyferaltonetookmebysurprise,likeawildanimalhadtemperedmy voicewithasnarl.
Eriklaughed,seemingsoateasewiththisentirelyworld-alteringsituation Heheldthebottleoutoncemorewitharoguish grin.“Fine,Iproposeadeal.YoudrinkthisandI'llgiveyouaphonetocallyoursister.”
“Callie?”Igasped “She'sokay,right?”Shit,thisthirstwasstealingawaymythoughts Ihadtoknowshewassafe Thatthe slayersweretoo.Butthen...whatiftheydespisedme?Whatiftheycouldn’tbeartofacewhathadhappenedtome?Whatifmy sistercouldneverlookmeintheeyeagainwithoutwantingtoplungeherbladeintomyheart?
“Yes,sheleftwiththeotherslayers Igavethemthespeedboat”
I lurched upward, unable to gainanycontrol over how fast I moved as I wrapped myarms around Erik. “Thankyou.” Reliefspilledthroughmeatknowingtheystilllived,butshit,whatdidCalliethinkofmenow?
Erik pulled me into the tightest hug I'd ever had and I fell still in his hold, drinking in the moment with all my heart, knowingIhadalmostlostthechanceateverbeingthisclosetohimagain
“So?”heasked,pressingmeback.
Itentativelytookthebottle,shuttingmyeyesasawaveofdisgustmixedwiththethirstthatclawedatmyinsides.“Ican’t,” Irasped
“Montana,lookatme.”
Idid,myfingersgrippingthebottlesotight,itmusthavebeenonthevergeofcracking
Erikgrippedmyjawinhishand,andthetouchsentawaveofgoosebumpsskitteringacrossmyskin.Ileanedintohispalm, practicallynuzzlinghimasallthesenewsensationssetmyfleshablaze.Icouldfeelsomuchatonce,hisfingerslikeroughened satingrazingagainstme.
“Youneedthis,”hespokeevenly.“Youwillhurtpeopleifyoudon’tdrink.Youcannotseeyoursisteragainuntilyouhave
ahandleonyoururges.Andthebestwaytokeepyourmindasyourownistostaywellfed.”
Acceptancewashedoverme,thetruthundeniableashelaiditoutformelikethat.I’dseentherottersintheruins.Thatwas thefateofhungryvampires Theybecamemindless,starvedcreaturesthatwerelittlemorethanhusksoftheirformerselves I couldn’triskbecomingthat. Ihad to find a wayto handle this so Icould reunite withCallie, or atleasthave the chance to. Becauseinallhonesty,Ididn’tknowifshecouldeveracceptmeintoherlifelikethis
ItouchedthebottletomylipsthendrewitawayagainwitheveryounceofstrengthIhadleft.Iwastorn,knowingIhadto dothisandequallyrepulsedbythattruth
Igroanedwithlongingasaravenouscreaturehollowedoutmystomach.MyhandshookasItriedtokeepthebloodaway, butmytraitorousarmmovedcloserandtiltedthebottletomylips.Ihadto.Ijusthadto.
Themomentthefirstdroptouchedmytongue,Ifellintoafrenzy,mymindsparkingwithabluroffranticlight Itippedthe bottleup,drinkingdeeply,intoxicatedasthesweet,metallicliquidrolleddownmythroat,quenchingthatunbearableburnat last I couldn't stop until it was all gone and my body reacted with an explosion of ecstasy which seeped into my veins, awakingapredatorinmethatdemandedmore.Somuchmore.
Erikgrippedmyarm,givingmeanintenselookasifhewaswaitingforsomething Slowly,thepaindiedawayentirelyand blisstookitsplace,aseaofperfecttranquillitythatwasnothingbutnirvana.IbathedinthemomentofsatisfactionlikeIwas standingintheaftermathofanearthquake,reliefsettlingintomybonesandreleasingmefromthedemandsofthethirst.
Iplacedthe bottle downandguilttookthe place ofmysatiation,mybrow furrowinginjudgementatmyself Erikslida handintomyhair,leaningintoplaceakiss onmyforehead.Iliftedmyheadsohis lips metmineinsteadandhereleaseda feralnoiseagainstmymouth
Loveswelledinmyheartandthemarkofpartnershiponmypalmsungwithjoy.Everythingfeltheightened,mylipstingled fromhiskissandIcouldn'tgetenoughasIgrippedhisneck,devouringthefeelofhisskinagainstmine.
“Please,”ImoanedandIdidn'tknowwheremybeggingcamefromorwhatIreallywanted.Ijustneededhimcloser.Inthe aftermathoftheblood,aprimalpartofmyselfhadawokenandshewasananimalwithoneneedinmind.
“Pleasewhat?”Erikgrowled,hisfingersskatingupmysidesandsendingafireburningalongmyflesh
Itiltedmyheadback,pullinghimtowardmyneckwithadesperategroan,wantingtofeelmoreofhisskinagainstmine.
“Rebel,”herumbledagainstmythroat “Weshouldreallytalk-” Iclawedhisshirtapart,silencinghimasIslashedthematerialtoshredswithbarelyanyeffort.Hecockedaneyebrowat me,liftinghisheadlongenoughtotakeinmyyearningexpression.
Ispottedabandagepeekingoutfromunderhisshirtandfrowneddeeply.
“You'rehurt,”Igasped.
“Your sister droveaslayer bladeintome Butshecanhardlybeblamed Andvari tookcontrol ofme Ilostmyselffor a while.Ifanything,shesavedme.”
MymouthpartedasIranmythumbclosetothebandage “Doesithurt?”
“Nothingwilleverhurtlikethefearoflosingyou,”hesaiddarkly.
Hispupilsdilatedandhismirthfellawayintoalookthatwasutterlyanimal.Hedippedhisheadagain,brandingmyskin withfierce kisses that set mysoul alight I couldn't thinkstraight I couldn't gaincontrol of myself as mybodystarved for somethingelseentirely.
Ipushedmyhandbeneaththetornmaterialofhisshirttofeelthehardplaneofhismuscles Histhroatroseandfellashe watchedmeexplorehisbodyandliquidheatblazedbetweenmythighs.Ineededhimtothepointofinsanity,myskinigniting fromeachofhistouches,andIdespisedeveryshredofclothespartingmefromhim
“I've got one ounce of self-control right now. You'd better tell me to use it,” he warned, and I caught himbythe neck, yankinghimdowntokissme.
HistonguemetmineandInearlydiedalloveragainwithhowgooditfelttobethisclosetohim Myskinwaselectrified, connectingtohiswithcurrentsofenergythatshudderedthroughmybodyandmadememoan.
Iclawedathisbackandhearchedaboveme,snatchingthefrontofmytanktopandrippingitoffinonecleanswipe Iwas barebeneathit,mybreastsexposedtohimandIgraspedthem,squeezingthesoftfleshanddelightinginhow damngoodthat felt Everythingwasheightened,eachtouchelicitinganearth-shudderingexplosioninmybody,butitwasn’tenough
Erik’seyestrailedoverme,asinfulwantinthemthathadmeundone.MyclitthrobbedfromhishungrylooksaloneandI buckedbeneathhim,tuggingonmynipplesandsighinghisname.
“Youaretheanswertoallmydesires,”hesaidwithgrit,hisheadtiltingdownandhiseyesbecomingmoreshadowedas themoonhaloedhimfrombehind.
Hishandspressedintothesofteartheithersideofmeashedroppedhismouthtomyear,grazinghisfangsacrosstheshell ofit. Athousand volts ofelectricitycoursed downmyspine inresponse, and Icursed as myclitpulsed again, sure Icould comeatthesesimpletouchesalone.
Hispalmslidbetweenus,andIinhaleddeeply,mylungsswellingeventhoughtheydidn'tneedair.Icouldtastethetrees onthenightair,butmostofallIcouldtaste him anditsentmespirallingintomadness.
He brushed his nose againstmine, toyingwiththe edge ofmywaistband as he sucked onhis lower lip. Icould see the question he was going to ask building in his gaze. But whatever hesitation I'd felt towards this in the past had thoroughly abandonedme IlovedErik Wholly,deeply,profoundly Nothingcouldchangethat Nothingcouldunwriteit Weweremade for eachother. And eventhoughmydad would have hated me for this, I was far beyond followingthe pathhe might have chosenforme IwasErik'skinnow Hisbloodflowedinmyveins Hisvenomhadchangedmeinmorewaysthanone Butit was the leap I'd taken from the statue that had really shifted who I was. In that moment, I'd proven my love beyond any reasoning Noonewoulddenymeofit
IpressedtwofingerstoErik'slipswithaslowsmilespreadingacrossmyface.“I'myourstonight.”
“Whatabouttomorrow?”heaskedbeneathmyfingers,histoneunravellingme. Ibrushedmyknucklesacrosshisjawwithagrin “Ifyoubehave”
Hesnortedalaugh,pushingmyhandasideandslammingitintothemud,pinningmethere.Hedidn'tneedtobegentlewith mynewlymadebodyandIdidn'twanthimtobe
HecapturedmylowerlipbetweenhisteethandIgaspedashebitdown,aflareofexcitementrearinginmychest.
“Nodeal,”hegrowled,pushinghishandbeneathmywaistbandandfindingmyslickcore
Mybackarched as he drove three thickfingers inside me, and Icried outas he stretched me for himand pleasure tore throughmyflesh. Erikraked his mouthacross mythroatand Ilostmyselfto his hands, his tongue, evenhis teeth. Ofall the things I'dwantedfromErik,his fangs hadbeenthelastonthatlist Butas his canines grazedmyskin,Icameapartfromthe sensationspouringthroughme.
Erikreleased a low noise againstmylips as his thumb slid over myclitand rolled across myskininthe perfectway I criedoutagain,pleasuredartingthroughmesoviolentlythatIdidn’tknowwhattodowithit.Hisfingerspumpedandagrowl builtinhisthroatashewatchedmedelightinthefeelingofhisbodytakingcontrol ofmine.Hisskinwasroughyetsmooth, coolyetwarm,andeverynerveendinginmybodywasprimedforhis,likemyskinwasmadetoconnectwithhimthisway.
“You’remadeforme,”Eriksaiddarkly.“Seehowyourbodybowstomine,rebel?”
Icouldn’tanswer,mymoansturningfranticashegroundtheheelofhispalmdownovermyclitandpushedanotherfinger inside me. Mypussyclamped tightaround his hand and mybackarched as Ibucked againstthe ground, comingapartatthe seams and screamingas ecstasyexploded throughmybody Icouldn’tthinkstraightas everymuscle inmybodytensed then relaxedandmyheadspunfromtheneedydesireinmyflesh.Ihadtohavemore.Itwasatasteofperfection,butnotthefull doseofit,andtherewasonlyonewayhecouldprovidethattome.
Erikslidhisfingersoutofme,watchingmewithawickedkindoflustinhisgaze.Heliftedhisglisteningfingerstomyleft breast,wettingmynipplewithmyownarousalandcirclinghisthumboverit,makingmewhimperforhim.Icouldseethethick outlineofhishardcockpressingagainsttheinsideofhispants,andIreachedforit,squeezingandcaressinghim,makinghim growlwithwant.
Iknew he was as desperate as Iwas for this to go further, his gaze trackingover me witha sinful hunger thatwentfar beyond the thirstthatracked his soul. This wantwas justbetweenus, a thingthatgrew more demandingwitheverypassing minute. There were no more doubts inmymind about him. I wanted himto possess me as no manhad ever possessed me before
“I’llhaveyounowandalways,Montana,”Erikdeclared.“Iwillnotbedeniedofyouagain.YouaremineasIamyours, understand?”
“Yes,” Isaid fiercely, moaningagainas he toyed withmybreasts, mynipples raw fromhis sweet torture. “Now claim what’syoursandshowmewhatyouhavebeenholdingbackonwithme BecauseIcantakeeveryounceofstrengthyouhave togivenow,andIwantallofyou.Everypieceofthismonsteryouhidesopoorly.”
Asifmywordshadsummonedthebeastfromwithinhim,herearedoverme,pressingthebulkofhisweightdownonme, forcingmedeeperintotheearth,nolongerbeinggentlewithmeashehadwhenIwasmortal Heshovedhiskneesbetween mine,reachingdownandshreddingmysweatpantsalongwithmypanties,baringmefullytohim.
Ihooked mythumbs beneathhis waistband, tearinghis pants awaytoo and a low laughlefthimatthe show ofmyown strength.
“This will take some gettingused to,” he said, thenhe lifted his hips, reachingbetweenus to fisthis cockand drive the slicktipofitagainstmyentrance.
Iwhimpered, needingthis and notknowingwhatitwould be like to feel himinside me, onlysure Iwanted itmore than anything Heshowedmenomercyas herammedhis hips forwardandfilledmeentirely,makingmecryoutindelightatthe whollynewsensation.IscrapedmyfingersthroughhishairasIdrewhimdownontome,ourskinvelvetonvelvet,sparksof pureenergyignitingalongmylimbs Hestartedfuckingmewithabrutalitythathadmecryingoutwitheverythrustofhiships, mylegslockingaroundhiswaistashetookmewiththefullforceofhisstrength,nopainfindingmedespitethisbeingmyfirst time.Ididn’twantformore,hegavemeexactlywhatIneededashiscockpulsedinsideme,thehugelengthofhimpounding intoasensitivespotthathadmeshatteringforhimagain.
Icouldhardlywithstandthepowerfulfeelingshecausedinme,clawingandscratching,markinghisbodywithmydesireas
anotherclimaxrockedthefoundationsofmysoul.
Hishandsscoredthroughtheearthbesidemyhead,gouginggreatcratersinthemud.Wewerefilthy,desperate,andnothing butcarnal creatures as we claimed eachother ButIdidn'tcare aboutanythingbuthis weightonme and the wayour souls seemedtoinchcloser,demandingtobejoinedasone.
Itoreathisneckwithmuddyfingernails,wrappingmythighsaroundhiswaisttotryandgetnearer Inevergrewtiredand neither did he, and a pressure was mountingatthe base ofmyspine, promisingme more pleasure as we fell into a hungry rhythm
“Comeallovermycockagain,sweetgirl,”hegrowledinmyear,andIfellapartforhimalltooeasily,givinghimwhathe wanted,whatIwanted.Heroaredashecamewithme,fuckingmefuriouslyandstillingforonlyamomentbeforehecontinued on,chasinganotherreleasejustasIwas
Irolled us inthe mud, the filthcaked againstmyskinas Istraddled himinstead, rollingmyhips and fuckinghimas he drovehishipsuptomatchmypace
Heleanedup,capturingoneofmynipplesbetweenhislipsandrakinghisfangsoverit,makingmegaspandshudder.His fingersbitintomyass,takingcontrolofmymovementsandIlethimguidemetowardsanothertideofoblivion Thewindon myskinwas like a caress ofits own, and Ipawed atmyself, myfingers slidingthroughthe mud onmyfleshand feelingso fuckinggood.Erik’smouthonmewasthecentreofitall,hislips,hisfangs,hewaseverywhereallatonce,andsomehow,as myclitgroundagainsthisbody,Iwascomingagain,fallingintoblissandlettinghimcatchmeinhisarms
He shifted our positiononce more, movingwithspeed until we were standingand he was drivingme againsta tree, the huge bough groaning from the force he used to pin me there Leaves fluttered down around us as he fucked me raw, the sensationofmybackscrapingtheroughbarkfeelingincredibleagainstmyimmortalskin.
Erik'shandfistedinmyhairandhemademelookathimashefuckedmeslower,oureyeslocked.
“Thisisonlythebeginningofus,”heswore.“Iwillchaselifewithyoutotheendsoftime.”
Hepulledmeintoafiercekiss,histonguemeetingminewithawildkindofpassion.Nomatterhow longthiswenton,I didn’tpantorlosemybreath,mybodysostrongIknewIcouldhandleanything
HishipsslowedandIgroundmyteethwithurgencyashebroughtmetowardaclimaxthattookmyentirebodyhostage.My toescurledasmyankleslockedaroundhiswaist,andmymindexplodedwithstars Iwashistoshape,mouldedlikeclayand sculptedbyhiswill.
Hepressedhisforeheadagainstmine,groaningmynameashereachedhisownendagain,fallingstillinsideme.Athrill dancedundermyskinatseeinghimshatterforme,andIheldhimtighterasmymusclesclenchedandfinallyunfolded. “Fuck,”hebreathedwithaboyishsmile.
MyarmsfelleithersideofmeasIlaughed,thetensionfloatingoutofmybodyandup,up,upintothesky Erikjoinedmein mylaughterandIfeltliketheearthhadflippedonitsaxis.
HowwasitpossiblewewereherenakedintheforestwhenIshouldhavebeendeadjusthoursago?
Because I'm a vampire.
Thewordresoundedinmyheadlikeabrokenrecord,andIfullyacceptedtheweightofthecursethatnowhadholdofme. Therewasnocomingbackfromthiswithoutfindingananswertotheprophecy Ifmyturninghadbeenapartofit,thenperhaps wewereontherightpath,buttherestwestillhadtofigureout.
Erikloweredmetotheground,andIstaredathispowerfulbodyashegazeddownatme “Justsowe'reclear,thatwasnot myintentionthisevening.”
“Whatwasyourintention?”IaskedwithawidesmileIcouldn'tgetridof
“Wellanhourago,IwasscaredoutofmyfuckingmindthatI'dlostyouforever.Somakingsureyousurvivedthecursewas mypriority.Andthen...”
“Andthen?”Iprompted
“Myturningwassofuckedup,Iwantedtomakeitbetterforyou.Easier.Youlikebeingoutside,soIthoughtifIlaidyouin thegrass ”hetrailedoffandmyheartliftedathiswords
“Thankyou,”Iwhispered,thenswallowedhard,worriedthebloodlustmightcreepuponmeagain.“HowoftendoIhave todrink?”Iasked,mynosewrinkling
“Everyfewdays,”hesaid.“Butonceadayisbest,itkeepsyousharp.” Ifrowned,hatingtheideaandherubbedamuddythumbacrossmycheek.
“Let'sgoinside Wecantalk You'llfeelbetteroncewetalk”
“Idofeelbetterandnotbecausewe talked. ”
Hegrinned,steppingbackandIlookedtomyclotheswhichwereinribbonsontheground Erik’sgazelingeredonme,his cockstillhardandhiseyestellingmehewasfarfromdonewithme.ButitwasprobablytimeIdealtwithreality.
Iexpected to blushfromhis penetratingstare, butmyblood wasn'twarmand instead a strange coolness ranthroughmy blood.
Hestalkedcloseroncemore,andhepressedahandtomywaist,brushinghisthumbupanddownmyskin.“Let'sfindyou
someclothes.Iamfartooeasilydistractedbyyoulikethis.”
Ilaughedandthesoundwasamusicalthingthathadnobusinesscomingfrommythroat.Erikkeptcloseasweheadedback throughthegardenanduptothehouse,nakedasthefreakingdawn IeyedthebrightlylitporchwithaflickerofconcernasI searchedforguards.
“Everyone's offdutytonight,” Eriksaid, evidentlyreadingmythoughts “Exceptthe guards outside the gates Butifthey couldseeyoufromhere,I'dhavewrappedyouinaplastictarpbynow.”
Ireleasedasoftlaugh
MudclungtomyskinandafewleavestumbledfrommyhairasIfollowedErikintothehouse.QuietreachedmyearsbutI listenedharderandfoundallkindsofsoundsfillingthebuildingthatI'dnevernoticedbefore.Thebuzzingoftherefrigeratorin thekitchen,thetickingofaclock,andsuddenly,thehumofsomethingIknewaswellasmyownpulse
“Nightmare!”Istartedrunning,movinginaburstofspeedasItoreupstairsintomyoldbedroomandfounditwaitingfor meonthewoodentableattheheartoftheroom
Ihurried forward, reachingfor itbefore a flutter offear passed throughme. WhatifIcouldn'ttouchitanymore? Itwas designedtohurtvampires Me
MyheartachedbutIknewIhadtotry.Itwastootemptingnottopickupmyoldfriend.Igentlybrushedmyfingersoverthe hiltanditpurredinresponse.Withabreathofrelief,Itookitinmygraspandaswellofvictoryfilledme.
Moon Child has been made,itwhisperedandashiverdarteddownmyspine Soitwastrue Thishadbeenthelineofthe prophecy.Andthefactsentarippleofreliefthroughme.
Atleastjumpingfromthatdamnstatuehadn'tbeenfornothing Erikappeared ina pair ofsweatpants, and he gave me a faint lookofsurprise as he spotted Nightmare inmyhand. “I wonderedifyoumightstill beabletowieldit.”His eyes brightenedfurther.“Perhaps thesunwon'tweakenyoueither.”He movedtowardmeatspeed,cuppingmycheekandpressingafeather-lightkisstomylips,nothingliketheferventkisseswe'd sharedinthewoods.
“You'refilthy,”hesaidwithagrin,pluckingatwigfrommyhair “Goshower I'lljoinyoushortly,IjusthavesomethingI needtodofirst.”
“What?”Ifrownedandhegavemeanawkwardsmile
“Fabian'sstillinthetrunkofmycar.YoursisterrippedhisheadoffandI'mdelayinglettinghimheal.”
“Hecanhealfromaseveredhead?”Iasked,asavagegrinpullingatmylipsoverwhatCalliehaddonetotheasshole. “Yes,butImightwaituntiltomorrow...Ishouldbringhiminsideatleast.”
I nodded and he headed away, leaving me with my skin still humming fromthe contact of his and far too many dirty memoriesreplayinginmymind
Imadeapathfortheshower,takingNightmarewithmeandplacingitbesidethebasinintheensuite.Iranthewaterhot, thenswungittocold,feelingthegushofitovermyhand Icouldsensethechange,butnotinanywaythataffectedmyblood I leftitsomewhere inthe middle, movinginto the streamand washingthe mud frommybody, wonderingvaguelyifErikhad alreadywashedmeafterthebattle.TherecertainlymusthavebeenalotofbloodonmeafterI'dhittheground...
Ishuddered,horrifiedatthethoughtofmysisterfindingmelikethat Ofallofthemfindingmelikethat Iwonderedwhere she was now. If Erik had let her go, I hoped that meant things were mending between himand the slayers. Or they were toleratinghimatleast,whichwascertainlysomethingworthholdingonto IknewIwasputtingofftheinevitableasIlingeredintherushingwater.IneededtocallCallietotellherIwasalright,but Iwasterrifiedofwhatherreactionwouldbe
Timeslippedawayandthemoremythoughts overwhelmedme,themoreIcouldn'tfeel thepass oftheseconds.Itcould havebeenminutesorhoursbeforeIexitedtheshowerandwrappedmyselfinatowel,confusedbythestrangewaytimefelt now Orperhapsitwasmethatfeltstrange Everythingwassodifferent Iwasstillmeatmycore,Iknewthat AndIheldonto thattruthwithallIhad.Butatthesametime,Icouldn’tforgetthewaymythroathadburnedforbloodorhowgoodithadtasted onmylips
ItookameasuredbreathasIpreparedtofacethefullweightofmysituation.Iwasabloodsucker.OneofthecreaturesI'd grownupdespising ButsolongasIhadErik,IwassomehowsureI'dbealright Thatwe'dfigureouttheprophecytogether We'd alreadytakena step inthe rightdirection. And surprisingly...Ididn'tfeel all bad. Infact, Ifeltkind ofinvincible. The blood was mybiggestissue. Eventhe prospectofhavingto face another bottle senta wave ofnausea throughme. Itried to convincemyselfthatIdespisedit,butasIthoughtabouthumanblood,adesperatelonginggrewinme,andIwasnevergoing toberidofthatneeduntilthecursewasbroken.
TakingNightmareinmyhand,Isteppedintothebedroom,findingthelightslow Myeyesadjustedtothedarknessandthe clockonthewalltoldmeitwaswellpastmidnight.
HowlonghadIbeeninthatdamnshower?
Ispottedastill formleaningagainsttheheadboardofthebedandmyheartsoftenedasIfoundErikasleep.Hewasstill half-nakedandmuddyallover,butitwasthesweetestsightI'deverseen.Everythinghe’dbeenthroughmusthavetakenitstoll
onhim.ThefightwithMagnarwasenough,letalonewhatwe’ddonetogetherinthewoodland.
Hisfacewastotallyrelaxedandhisawkwardpositiontoldmehe'dpracticallyfallenasleepthesecondhe'dsatdown.I wonderedhowlongithadbeensincehe’dsleptbeforenow Icrawledontothesheetsbesidehim,gentlyloweringhimdownthebedintoamorecomfortableposition,surprisedathow easilyIcouldmovehishugebody Hemurmuredsomethingincoherent,butIwasprettysuremynamewasamonghiswordsas heslidanarmaroundmeandpulledmetohischest.
Isoakedintheclosenessofhimlikeawolfwithhermate,coiledupagainsthimandbaskingintheafterglowofclaiming himatlast.
Sleepdidn'tcomeforme.Mymindwasswirlingwithathousandthoughts,andnotirednessfoundmeinmynewstate.ButI didn'tmove,becausebeingthatneartohim,safe,aliveandnowhereneartheslayers'fury,filledmewithsomuchhappinessit washardtobelievemybodycouldcontainit.
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