21. Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-one
I ’m running. I'm not sure why, but I just know that I have to keep running. They’re getting closer to me, I feel it.
Everything is black, and the only compass is the moonlight shining my way as I move through the tall trees, skipping over the soft snow.
I breathe heavily when suddenly I hear voices behind me.
No.
I keep running, even when pain pierces my legs. I don’t stop, even when I taste blood down my throat, or as waves of chills run through my body. Fear is the only comfort; it motivates me to move forward.
But it’s not enough.
“You fought well. It's time to surrender.”
No. No.
I keep running until I feel a blast of power collide with my body, sending me forward, face down on the snow. Panting, I try to get up, only to be pushed back down.
Shit.
This can't be happening.
Having trouble accepting reality, I stand and turn to see the enemy face to face.
"You are the forbidden one. You helped vampires when you were forbidden to. You betrayed your own, therefore you will pay for it. You and the entire bloodline that will come from you."
I shake my head in denial as the five witches close their eyes and begin the spell.
This can't be right.
"Magic is pure, and only the purest can use it. From this day on, your line will be stained with your betrayal. Magic is pure, and you are not."
"No," I scream as I feel my magic disappearing, leaving emptiness in its wake.
Waking up with a start, I’m breathless. I assess my surroundings and a feeling of relief washes over me when I realize I'm in my old bedroom at Granny's house. Not in the snow. Not running for my life.
Looking around, I find John sitting next to me on the bed, his eyes locked on mine. "You okay?"
"You stayed."
"You asked me to." Nodding weakly, I move away, trying to get up. "I need a bath. I stink."Overwhelmed, I take small steps until I reach the doorway.
"Yeah, you do."
Before I can protest, he moves into my space, lifting me in his arms. "I can walk."
"I know you can." He moves with ease.
He helps me stand by the sink while he turns on the hot water. I take advantage of the moment to remove my tank top and shorts, both soaked in sweat. Opening the top shelf, I pull out a package of herbs my granny made for me, especially for times of discomfort.
Twisting awkwardly, I scatter the herbs onto the water. A sweet smell spreads in an instant.
"Hailey," John murmurs with hooded eyes as he takes in my naked body. I open my mouth to bite back a remark but decide against it. He picks me up and places me in the hot water .
Rolling my eyes at the gesture, I thank him before letting my body adjust to the temperature of the water. "Stars, I didn’t know I needed that," I murmur, blinking. Sliding down, I allow my hair to get soaked.
"I will wait outside."
John moves to leave, but I stop him. "You know, my mother never did feel her magic. Not like me and my grandmother did. We felt its absence but still knew it was there, locked away. She didn’t. It was like she was mundane."
My throat thickens as I travel down memory lane. Being more than old enough to understand, I’m sad for not understanding it sooner. For not understanding her void.
"My mom offered herself as a vampire whore, just so she could feel a glimpse of magic. Until she became addicted. After that, all sense ran out. She drowned deeper until only the shell of the woman I knew was left."
"You won't end up like her," he says firmly.
"There’s no way of knowing."
"I may not have known you for long, but I know you’re strong, and fierce, and you won’t give in."
"How can you know?" I ask, my anger spiking.
He approaches and sits on the edge of the tub. "In the beginning, when I turned, everything was too complicated. I was young and innocent, and I remember there was a certain moment when I wanted to stop everything. To stop existing, or rather to stop the monster in me. I hated the power that the need for blood held over me."
Overwhelmed by his words, I ask in a small voice, "What did you do?"
"I fought the beast inside me. It didn’t help. Starving myself only made me hungrier and angrier. That is until I sought the help of the only person that was there for me. He made me feel secure. He lit up this dark path I was drowning in. You need to find your center. Your person."
The first name that comes to my mind is my granny. She is definitely my center. Though now she can’t help me. Now, she needs my help.
That makes me sad. The realization that I’m helpless to reach out to her.
"I need to be alone, please," I say softly.
He just nods before walking out slowly, leaving me with my thoughts.