52. Chapter Fifty-Two #2
The monitor begins to complain so Elowen’s nurse is back before I can even raise a hand. “Easy,” the nurse says. “You‘re safe. You were in a car accident. Your body is still letting go of the medicine that helped us treat you. Slow breaths. In and out.”
Elowen fights the instruction on principle.
Then she takes control back from her own panic.
She breathes deeply, trying to calm herself.
Her eyes dart between the nurse and me. She thinks I’m going to hurt her.
When she looks at me again, the hurt in her eyes is clear.
A new face to me, made up of furious wonder, that makes me want to kneel before her and beg for forgiveness. I should’ve seen this coming.
Before she speaks, I shroud our conversation from the nurse. By blocking her out, I can maintain my identity and Elowen can speak freely. “Don’t. Kill. Me.” she whispers with as much strength as she can.
“Elowen, I would never lay a hand on you. I will only ever kill for you, not kill you. I put a barrier between our conversation and the nurse. She can’t hear us now.
” I furrow my brows as I feel my chest begin to ache.
I can’t imagine being in her shoes. I continue before she speaks again.
“I went after you, but Kalevala got me. We fought for so long. Finally I got away to start searching for you. I couldn’t find you.
I wanted to stop you before you even put the key in the ignition.
” Her heart rate and breathing begin to slow. “Ask. Ask anything.”
Her mouth twists like a wound deciding whether to close. “I. Saw. You.” she says, not a question, trying to speak up. “I see what you are now. God, I’m so stupid.” Elowen takes a very deep breath after using strength to speak.
“You’re not stupid. I was hiding it from you,” I say.
“It was brave that you even stayed as long as you did when she broke in. Brave in the way that gets people killed though. I should’ve told you sooner, but I wanted you to get to know me, the real me, then decide if it was worth weighing my truth against anything else you learn about me.
Please, don’t ever put yourself in danger like that again.
You were driving so fast. Insanely fast. Never again, Elowen.
Imani told me you hate to drive at night?
I had no idea. I scared you enough to run that risk and then just assumed you didn’t want to be found. I am the stupid one.”
She almost smiles and I can see the joy pool in her cheeks. Come on baby, show me a little more acceptance. I can’t fucking lose this. The nurse makes a note and steps back, clicking off her monitor to sleep.
“You’re not stupid,” Elowen says. Her eyes slip toward the ceiling again. “How much longer until I can get out of here? I hate hospitals. I’ve not stepped foot into one since Grandma passed.”
“I will buy this building and set it on fire if you ask me to. It has to be once you’re discharged though.
” I half-joke. The words come out light.
Although, there really was no joke in sight.
She closes her eyes and lets one small laugh out into the air.
It’s the first joyous sound that I hear come from her since we were laying in bed together.
It feels like a weight has been lifted from my chest.
“This is the part where you use your voodoo to convince me I was seeing things last night,” she says. “Tell me that I imagined last night. Everything. Someone came over into my lane when I left the store.”
“You didn’t imagine it,” I say, sorrow laced in my tone.
I taste the truth before I speak it. “They’re still looking for whoever it was.
I’m sure Imani is doing her own super sleuthing as we speak.
She was running to your house to care for Genie and handle everything at home before coming back to you.
” I pause, gathering my thoughts. “You saw me for what I really am. I should’ve told you.
I just thought I could pretend for a little longer.
Get a shot at a life that’s normal, you know? ”
Her throat moves as she swallows. The nurse adjusts the drip connected to her and the fluorescent hum returns to its usual pitch.
“Look me in the eye and tell me the truth,” she whispers, but I can see fear building behind her eyes.
I do as she asks. I look at her. I feel the years gather behind me like wolves with patient eyes, placing my hand on the bed rail since it’s a boundary I can actually see.
“I’m not human,” I admit. “I’m a vampire.
I just prefer to be known as Beau though.
That’s what I was trying to do. I was selfish and scared.
I can’t say there’s a person in the universe who would take that information well.
” She doesn’t flinch and the fear stops building.
She lets the words settle between us and then looks at my mouth.
“Wow. I feel like I could wake up from this nightmare any second now,” she says, her voice, tired and warm. “On brand that I would fall for a vampire.” She jokes, but I can tell she’s still debating on asking me to leave.
I almost laugh, but decide against it. She’s joking to make herself feel better.
I’ve put her in the position of having to cope.
A position I couldn’t have ever imagined a possibility.
The doctor returns with a fresh team. They greet her gently, followed by asking her name, asking her where she is, if she knows what day it is yet.
He asks if she knows what happened. Elowen answers him diligently.
He seems satisfied until he frowns at the screen. “We’re still watching your body’s response to the paralytic,” he says to her. “It’s slower to leave your system than we expected. We’ll keep you comfortable and observe. If anything feels wrong beyond the obvious, you just tell us, sport.”
She nods and then looks at me. I feel the crackle of a thousand unsaid questions gather in the room like a thunderhead. “Did you call my emergency contact? Last night?” she asks. The doctor looks to the nurse that seems to be leading her bedside care.
“Yeah. There was a little bit of a mix-up, but in the end, we contacted Imani Boudareaux. I don’t know if anyone has told you yet, but she’ll be back shortly, I’m sure.
She went to take care of your dog, I believe.
She’ll be happy to hear you’re awake. You were still unconscious the whole time she was here this morning.
” The doctor looks at the nurse with approval.
“Thank you. Is the visitor policy one at a time?” Elowen questions.
“We aren’t too strict on it for patients on this wing. Just keep it at inside volume and we’ll let it slide. Looks like your boyfriend has a visitor's badge, so it shouldn't be an issue.” Elowen doesn’t correct her, but I can see tears begin to well in her eyes.
They leave us with the curtain partially drawn. The hall keeps its steady wind of footfalls and wheels. Inside the small square of space we pretend we’re alone.
Elowen watches the drip chamber for a few long seconds. Then she looks at me fully. The sight of her eyes on me loosens something at the base of my spine. It feels like being forgiven by a person I hadn’t yet earned forgiveness from.
“Beau,” she says. “I trust that you won’t hurt me.
” Without answering any of her questions, just simply giving her time to absorb what she’s learned, she found a small ounce of acceptance.
A new door that I never imagined would open.
“If you're a monster, then you’re my favorite kind. I just need some time.”
The television is on the news station for Darkwater when the cover story for Elowen’s car accident comes across.
“Good morning. We begin with breaking news out of Route 32 near Darkwater. Authorities are responding to a serious single-vehicle crash that occurred early this morning. Officials say a young woman from Darkwater was critically injured in the incident and had to be airlifted from the scene just before 5 a.m. Emergency crews arrived quickly, and the victim was transported by helicopter to Elisha Memorial. Her current condition has not been released yet. Police are now asking for the public’s help.
If you were traveling along Route 32 around that time and may have seen anything unusual, you’re urged to come forward with any information.
The Darkwater Police Department says even the smallest detail could be helpful as they want to piece together what happened.
They thank the community in advance for their time and cooperation.
We’ll continue to follow this story and bring you updates as they become available. Back to you, Jenesis.”
“I’ll give you as much time as you need. I’m not going anywhere. I don’t deserve you in the first place,” I choke back tears as the news anchor finishes her dialogue. I should’ve offered to turn that off.
“Probably not,” she attempts to smile. “I want you to stay anyway.”
“I will, mi tesoro. I’m not going anywhere.” I promise. It’s the only true thing I have ever been certain of since laying eyes on Elowen Briar. My phone buzzes again. I pull it from my pocket.
Two messages from Imani. The first is a threat that reads like a promise.
From: Imani Boudareaux:
If you hurt her again, it will be the last thing you ever do.
The second is a location pin for the hospital with two words.
??Update me.
That sly fox put a tracker somewhere on me. I strip off my jacket quickly and type back a reply.
To: Imani Boudareaux:
Elowen is awake. The doctor is watching the paralytic currently. If she decides to rest soon, I’ll fill you in on everything. She’s awake and responsive.
I don’t dare apologize. An apology means nothing when I’m the only reason Elowen is lying in this hospital bed right now.
Elowen watches me send it. “She’s going to make you earn your teeth,” she smiles.
“She should,” I say. “You both should.”