Epilogue
Staring into the flame, I saw that face again.
It was of the man, the vampire, who had been invading my dreams for the past two and a half months.
At first, it was vague, hazy images that lasted mere seconds, disturbing my slumber.
That had increased in duration and frequency, from once a week to nightly.
Then, his face became clear to me, and when I saw his eyes and fangs, I knew I was seeing a vampire.
I’d wondered why a vampire would be in my dreams. Had I somehow connected psychically with him? If so, why? People like vampires, and I didn’t mix. There were too many prejudices, and, unfortunately, those prejudices were often justified. The atrocities inflicted by both sides were terrible.
It wouldn’t have mattered so much to me whether he was one or not. Or that we’d connected in most circumstances. The likelihood I’d ever meet him was scant. However, I found myself not only disappointed but also grieving that our paths would never meet.
My sadness came from a combination of things.
One, he was striking, and looking at him, I was drawn to his appearance.
I know, superficial much? But he came in a very enticing package.
Second, I saw the pain he was in. It was a mixture of physical and emotional.
The physical seemed to be more recent. His emotional pain was long-standing.
Third, those dreams that were now bleeding into my waking hours had taken a very hot, steamy turn.
The way he touched me and brought my body alive and then sated my desires was unlike any satisfaction I’d found in the real world.
Sure, one could argue that it was all fantasy, so sure, he was amazing.
However, something deep in my gut told me, if we ever met and were able to look past those prejudices, we’d burn hotter than the flames I was staring into.
I believed I could ignore him. If I gave it enough time, he’d fade away and never reappear.
But as of today, I knew that wasn’t happening.
Coupled with that knowledge was the certainty that I was about to embark on a journey that I had no idea how it would end.
He appeared in my fire, and along with his image was the name, Needles, California.
I knew as well as I knew my name that if I didn’t go there and find this vampire, this man, he would die. I’d never forgive myself if he did.
I wanted to ask the goddess, Hecate, why me? Why a vampire? And why this particular one? Others could heal him. I wasn’t the only one. But I’d learned long ago not to pose those questions to the gods and goddesses. They weren’t ones to take disrespect from the likes of shifters and supernaturals.
Sighing, I knew that I had to stop procrastinating.
Time was running out. Of course, when I got to Needles, I’d have to find him.
I didn’t know his name. However, I would trust that Hecate would lead me to him.
And once I found him, I’d put my calling to work.
Once he was healed, I could leave and resume my life.
Knowing I needed to make preparations and be on the road as fast as possible, I put out the fire.
Rising to my feet, I left my sacred place and began working on my plans.
Hopefully, I’d be there and back within a couple of weeks at most. Easy.
But the chill that ran down my spine, which I chose to ignore, told me it would be far from simple and that there was danger involved that couldn’t be evaded or ignored.
Our survival depends upon you and this male. Don’t let him die came a whisper that entered my mind. I had no idea where it came from or who it was, but I knew it wasn’t my inner voice. It was someone, something, far bigger and more powerful than me.