8. Selene
Chapter 8
Selene
T he night wraps around me like a velvet cloak as I sit in my car, sipping on the tumbler of blood. Katya’s words echo in my mind, ominous and unsettling. “The return will bring freedom to all vampires.”
She can’t mean that vampires are planning to come back here. Not after so long.
It’s no secret that vampires want to freely roam the streets rather than hide in the shadows, but “the return” sounds ominous. I wish I had stuck around and asked a few more questions before bolting.
I lean back in the driver’s seat, the leather creaking beneath me. The street is quiet, the only sounds the distant hum of the city and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. I wonder what my parents would say about all of this.
The answer comes too easily – they would side with Katya. They were always traditionalists, clinging to the old vampire ways. The idea of a coven for survival, especially with wolves on my tail, would be their go-to advice. But they’re gone now, and I’m left to deal with this mess on my own.
The return, freedom, a coven – it’s a lot to take in. But something about this whole situation feels off. I can’t put my finger on it, but a nagging doubt lingers in my mind.
The tumbler is empty, and I toss it into the passenger seat. The metallic tang of blood lingers in the air as I start the car.
I’m driving along feeling more energetic and happier than I have in a long time. Maybe it’s the blood – I’ve had seven bags in just four hours. A smirk plays on my lips. Looks like I might need to pay a visit to the hospital again. Robbing it feels oddly liberating.
The city lights blur as I speed through the streets, the thrill of the night coursing through my veins. I pull into a dark alley, away from prying eyes. The night air is cool against my skin as I step out of the car. My senses heighten, and the city sounds fade into the background. This is my world, my domain.
I contemplate my next move. The hospital is tempting, but something tells me I need more information before diving into another heist. Katya mentioned other vampires, patiently waiting. Are they allies or enemies? Can I trust them?
My phone buzzes, interrupting my thoughts. I glance at the screen – a text from Annie. “Hey, Selene! How are you feeling? Do you need anything?”
I smirk, typing out a quick reply. “I’m good, Annie. Just enjoying the night. Don’t worry about me.”
With that, I pocket the phone and take a walk around the block. It seems like a good way to gather my thoughts. I find a secluded spot, perching on a bench. I close my eyes, letting the night sounds envelop me. The distant hoot of an owl, the rustle of leaves – it’s twilight’s symphony, and in the silence, I seek clarity. The return, the coven, the wolves – it’s all intertwined. But is it a path I want to follow?
I could embrace the old ways, join a coven, and find safety. Or I could forge my own path and defy the expectations that come with being a vampire. The return might bring freedom for vampires, but the wolves. They are a threat that can’t be ignored.
And what about me? What do I want?
I rise from the bench, the decision crystallizing in my mind. I won’t be a pawn in someone else’s game. Whether it’s the return, a coven, or the wolves, I’ll face it on my terms.
As I stand to return home, a sense of purpose courses through me.
I will not alter my beliefs, and I will not yield out of fear or guilt.
With all the blood coursing through my veins, I can’t bring myself to care much about killing Mia. I was defending myself, and if her pack dares to come after me now, I won’t hesitate to do so again.
That includes that damn stranger from the parking lot.
It is like the more human blood I drink, the more I feel in tune with my vampire self. Is this what Levi feels all the time?
Is this what my parents were fighting for?
Why did I starve myself and only feed on squirrels for so long when I could have had all this power at my fingertips?
Whatever stupid decision pushed me to that, I am happy that circumstances led me back to human blood.
It’s the real stuff, and I won’t ever go back to animal blood.
Not ever.