Chapter 19 – Alex
I rematerialize in the grass on the other side of the graveyard, wading past tombstones and gravesites in a daze. My hand reaches out to graze the cool stone tops of a nearby tombstone, seeking the cool, physical touch of reality.
For the first time in seventy years, I allow a tear to crawl down my cheek. Just one, to commemorate my loss. I watch the moon’s ethereal glow light up the forest of oaks around me, just for once wishing it was the sun reflecting on the leaves.
When I left Lorianna this night, it was only to observe her at a distance. To ensure she made it home safe when she was too stubborn to let me take her. I heard her screams, saw the vampire spawn, and flew in to try and save her—but Luke beat me there first.
Somehow, Luke always fucking beats me to Lorianna.
Because of what I’ve done, my first taste of Lorianna—and the sun—will likely be my last.
I can’t know what becomes of Lorianna after I leave her and Luke in the graveyard together. I swore on my life that I would kill that bastard if I ever saw him again, but because of Lorianna, I couldn’t.
As much as I hate it, as much as it tears me up inside, Luke might be Lorianna’s best chance at surviving and living the normal life she craves. With me, we could have escaped to another continent, stayed obscured in the shadows forever, living life indulging in each other and no one, nothing, else.
That never would have made her happy.
However, with Luke, as well as the proper resources and motivation, a direct connection to the hunters will increase Lorianna’s odds of slipping outside of Aurelius’ reach while I fall further under his control.
I would rather extinguish the sun permanently than let Aurelius capture her.
Did she buy my act? Who knows.
But this time, his disgusting acts of heroism work in my favor. To him, I am unequivocally the villain. And he will convince Lorianna to stay far, far away. She will be safer that way as I craft myself once again into the villain vampires are supposed to be. For her sake, I will stick myself by Aurelius’ side and keep him far, far away from her.
That does not make me long for Lorianna any less.
I miss her already for the years we will lose.