50. Rune
Rune
Inick my lip and feel blood trickle down my chin. But I don’t slow my descent down the stairs.
I know I’m panicking.
I know it. But I can’t stop.
My fingers struggle to tie a bow, but I get my linen pants tied at the waist as I hit the entryway.
My hair is still sleep tousled and wild around my shoulders. And my tits are barely contained in a tight blue tank top. But the support layer will have to be enough, because I don’t have time for a bra. But I did remember to put my keys in my pocket.
With my breath coming in pants, I shove my feet into sandals and yank the front door open.
I don’t have a plan. Just his scent and the need to find him.
I need to find my vampire.
My eyes squint in the early light. Then they adjust. And the sharpness, the colors, almost distract me.
But I can still smell Vameer’s lingering thunder clouds.
I inhale and turn down the sidewalk.
It’s faint. And I don’t know if his scent is left over from last night or if it’s new.
Did he go this way when he left this morning?
Stress is still tightly wrapped around my throat, and my pulse doesn’t slow.
My vampire doesn’t slow it.
I press a hand to my chest as I hurry down the sidewalk.
He left me.
Tears build along my lower lashes.
He said he was mine.
That I was his.
But he left.
And I need him.
I can’t do this alone.
The panic is nearly blinding.
Calm down, Rune.
Even in my mind, my voice hitches.
I trip over a crack in the pavement.
Calm. Down.
I look back over my shoulder.
What if I go the wrong way?
I freeze.
If I go the wrong way, I’ll be even farther away.
I bite my lip out of habit.
The pain is instant.
I open my mouth, parting my lips, pulling in air, but the flare of anxiety doesn’t subside.
Where are you?
I press my hand harder over my chest.
Vameer, where are you?