27. Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-seve n
I glance at my watch and decide Hailey has been gone for too long. It's funny because even when she disappears from my sight for more than half a second, it feels like too much time. I blame magic for that problem. Because it's a big problem. I can't be possessive of a little witch. I cannot. I have a goal, and Hailey doesn't fit into the final plan. It would be too dangerous for her.
Although, the thought of her being part of my mission charms me and makes me wonder what could happen beyond. But these are thoughts I shouldn’t think.
I move to the hallway, past the signs, and turn to the bathroom, when I stop.
This can’t be happening. I'm hallucinating. I must be delusional. Otherwise, how does it make sense?
She notices me and stops too. She looks exactly the same. The years have not changed her at all. Her blonde hair, big eyes, light skin tone. The only thing different is her monotonous expression. Pain pierces my heart. At many times in my life, I wondered if, the moment I was turned into a vampire, I lost the capacity for pain. The real pain that reaches the heart and envelops it in a vortex of confusion. Now I understand. Because that's exactly how I feel.
I want to cross the distance between us and take her in my arms, smell her scent. To see her smile. The one that always made me smile even when I didn't want to. Assure her that she’s safe now.
"Rebecca," I whisper and take one step forward.
"Stop," she demands in a voice I don't recognize. It's her, but it's not her. The lines of her face are no longer delicate. No longer pure.
Her voice turns harsher as she continues, “You cannot save her, John Conor. The one your heart desires doesn’t need your help, for she is gone forever.” Her words cut me so deep that I let out a roar.
No. I can’t accept that.
“This is your last warning. Next time we meet will be your last.”
“Tell me!” I demand, feeling my fury rising higher as my breathing turns tighter. She has to be there. She has to. I let her down once. I won’t do it again. “You fucking tell me this, Rebecca.”
“Rebecca is long gone now. You are foolish to think you have the power to change that or save the unsaved one.”
I charge at her. I’m more than willing to catch her and get her out of this situation. Soraya will know how to bring her back. I have to try it. I have to know if she's still in there.
My vampire speed never felt so useless. Feeling physical pain, I try to flash to her again, but I can’t. It’s like hitting a brick wall. She looks at me with no emotion as she throws another magic thrust, making me stumble.
“Rebecca, it’s me. John.”
My plea goes unanswered as she throws a heavier wave, making me fall as my vision blurs. Her feet turn in my direction until she stops mere inches away. I can feel her as her image blends into the background. I don’t know what she did to me, but I fucking hate it. I need it to stop.
“John,” she whispers. Rebecca . It’s her voice. Letting out a whimper, I try to take a steady breath as I hear her footsteps descend .
No, don’t go. I want to shout. But all I manage is to mumble.
As the fog around me fades away, I adjust my eyes to the hallway again. Slowly standing, I take command of my body as I search for her.
“Rebecca!”
She is there. I found her. I can do that again. Looking around the empty hallway, I move to the bathroom with more determination than I usually need.
“Hailey,” I call, finding her lying on the floor. Bending down, I check her signs. I take her small form in my arms and blow out a breath as I hear her slow but steady heartbeat.
“Hailey.” I say her name again as I muster all my strength to stand up and flash us out of this place.