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I’m trying my damnedest not to be angry. But with Elizabeth snivelling, and the intoxicating scent of her blood, I feel like I’m losing my mind. Right now I don’t need my unquenchable vampire instincts to be at their peak. I need placidity. Small spaces, fury, and blood, do not mix.
I put my foot down so the pedal hits the metal. I force my sneaker down so hard I can hear the foot well creak and pop.
“Slow down!” Elizabeth screams at me.
None of this is her fault. She’s supposed to be my sweet innocent Elizabeth. My link to humanity. Yet she’s really pissing me off right now. Everything is. The world is going to shit, and I feel so fucking hopeless.
I take my view off the road for just one moment, and that is all it takes. Seeing her red raw eyes, and the vision of her broken soul, fills me with guilt.
I ease my foot off the accelerator. “Sorry.”
“I’m so scared.” Her fragile voice cuts through me.
“Don’t be. It’s not possible. Like I’ve already told you, this is a gynaecological issue. Once we figure that out with definitive proof, then I’m taking you to ER.”
“And what if it is true?”
Once more the anger begins to boil me within. “It isn’t. So please, please don’t mention it again.” I can’t even think about it. It’s ludicrous.
“Fine, whatever makes you happy,” she snaps at me.
“Don’t be like this. Do you not think I’m scared too?” I say, watching her smirk as she looks out at the streetlights passing by. “I am, Elizabeth. I’m scared of losing you.”
“I am sick and tired of everything being about you and your feelings. You’re a vampire. You’re not supposed to have them, but clearly you do. So if that is possible, then why can’t this be?” She runs her hand over her stomach, wanting to vex me even more.
“It’s as though you want it to be true.”
“Stop the car!”
I turn to her, frowning. “No.”
“You think I want this?”
“No Elizabeth, I don’t. All I want is for you to calm the hell down, so we can figure a way to get back to something that resembles a relationship... please,” I plead with her.
She doesn’t reply, turning her head to the window.
***
I HUSTLE ELIZABETH inside Sara’s house and close the door quickly. The main reason I wanted to meet with Gwen here, is because it is neutral ground. Both Elizabeth and I are on edge, and we need to be away from the scene of her nightmare. Also Elizabeth needs some female support; support I’m finding impossible to give her.
“Elizabeth, go upstairs.” I run my hand down her arm.
She won’t even look at me. Even her resentment for me has now disappeared. She’s silent, numb, and so lost right now. I watch as she sluggishly climbs up each step, like I never existed, and her love for me is fading away.
I turn to face Sara as Elizabeth vanishes from my sight. I was expecting a variety of questions and cuss words. But she’s just glaring at me from the doorway to the dining room.
“Is she here?” I ask.
“The witch, yes. Are you going to explain why Elizabeth reeks to high heaven of blood? Did you bite her?”
“NO!”
“I’m worried about you. But to be honest, I’m worried more about her.”
I don’t have the patience for this. In fact I have no patience at all right now.
“Since when have you cared about anyone else Sara. I employ you because you’re cold and callous.” A flash of regret hits me almost immediately. “Sorry Sara. This is territory I never for one fucking second, saw myself in.”
She has the nerve to smirk at me. “You’ve been in this territory since you’ve been with her. What happened?”
“She’s just having some issues. You know, woman issues.” Denial and hope are the only cards I have going for me now. “Selene visited Elizabeth,” I admit.
“Why?” she yaps.
“Elizabeth told me Laurie did something to her the night she was attacked. He used some cursed ditale ring. Selene took some of her blood!” I pace several steps back and forth. “Now she’s convinced she’s...”
Sara barks, “She’s pregnant?” Even Sara can read the situation I’m trying to deny.
“Shit. I don’t know.” I turn my back, looking up to the ceiling. “She can’t be. A damn baby. More like an abomination.”
I can virtually hear her disgust with my words. “You should go to her. She doesn’t look well.”
“I can’t. Every time I look at her, I see a hate in her eyes.” I shake my head down and take a second, before turning back to Sara. “I need to talk with Gwen. You see to Elizabeth.”
I stride into Sara’s newly modernised kitchen, to see Gwen rifling through a drawer. Even though she has been blind since birth, she’s always been a nosy old coot.
She slams the drawer shut, sensing my presence. “So now you want my help.”
“I don’t need a lecture, Gwen. You say you’ve been trying to speak with me about Selene, so speak,” I demand.
“Wow, now the shit has really hit the fan.” She puffs out a breath.
“What did she take from Fallen Springs?”
“What Demetrius should have destroyed centuries ago. But instead, he had the board of witches hide it.” Her bright white eyes thin. “She took the blood of Meredith, Lilith’s Granddaughter. The only child to have ever been fathered by a vampire. A half-breed.”
I snort a sarcastic laugh. “This is a waste of my time.”
I turn to the door, but she reaches out to grab my arm. “Have you told Demetrius what’s going on with Selene? He doesn’t know what she stole.”
“If it’s so important, why the hell have you not told him yourself?”
“And risk having him turn up in Fallen Springs, I don’t think so. Besides, it’s too late. She’s clearly used it on you.” Her fingers squeeze and shake my arm.
I yank my arm away from her. “Enough with the magical bullshit Gwen. What you’re talking about is myth and superstition.”
“You fool,” she snaps. “As much as I love you Adrien, at times you are as dumb as a monkey with a fork. We are all myths. You are not a human man, and the girl made you feel like one. You’ve taken away her chance at a normal life. And yes, she’s pregnant. I don’t need to perform a test to know that. I could sense it as soon as she came through the door. If you want to know how, and why, then I’m going to have to delve into the darker stuff.”
“She can’t be.” I shake my head.
“Tell me, have you been sick; have you had urges you should be able to control?” I stare at her. I don’t need to reply, my silence is enough to answer her question. “Well then, it looks like I have work to do.” She feels her way toward the dining room.