She chats on and on about how crazy busy she was and how she didn’t get a wink of sleep, worrying about all her patients when she finally finishes and lets me go.
I make my way back down the hallway, eager to get started on my day, though what the day will actually include, I have no idea. Maybe payback on Daniel’s gawking from yesterday or maybe a movie day with Jacinta before classes go back tomorrow.
Being the sticky beak I am, I look into all the rooms. Every single one of them is occupied by men of the Front Line and I realize just how lucky I am to get away with just a few stitches. I pass Luke’s room and take one final look as I walk by.
Yep. Absolutely fine. Wait. Was he even there?
I backtrack a few steps and take a better look. Nope, not here. Maybe the moron fell off his bed. I wouldn’t put it past him. There would have been an alert in Dr. Mandoza’s office if he had woken up.
I take a step into his room and then another. “Luke?” I ask, taking a look around. “Are you in here?”
The door to the room suddenly slams shut and I jerk as I spin around, pulling at my stitches for the second time this morning. I find Luke standing before me, giving me the look of absolute death. “What are you doing? I was just checking you were okay,” I explain in the snotty attitude I reserve for him, though I toned it down just a little, I mean, he’s had a rough 24 hours.
He doesn’t respond, just keeps glaring. “Okay…” I say, taking a step towards the door. “I’ll be going then.”
Awkward.
I step closer and go to reach around him for the door when I hear him inhale a deep breath. “Are you smelling me?” I ask in shock, taking a step back so I can look him in the eyes.
The eyes that are currently pulsating with a red glow. Holy shit.
He’s a vampire.
He must have had a blood exchange when the vampire fed off him during the battle. He hasn’t just been unconscious, he’s been making the transition into a vampire.
I step back once again and run my back into the small table beside the bed. I feel around for anything that could be used as a weapon and only come up with a pen. Oh well, I guess it’s better than nothing.
Luke roars in agony as his fangs emerge for the first time with blood seeping from his gums. Damn, that looked foul. He steps towards me once he has the pain under control. “Finally, you’re mine,” he says taking a step towards me.
The door flies open with a nurse strutting her way in, humming to herself and completely oblivious to what’s going on around her, but at least the door is open now. “Oh good, you’re awake,” she says to Luke’s back. “Though you should really be laying down.”
Luke turns on her and grabs her by the throat then launches her out the door. Her body crashes into the wall, creating a hole in the plaster as she slumps to the floor.
I make my move.
I jump onto his turned back and jam the pen right through his neck and scream for help, knowing even in a ward filled with injured soldiers at least one of them will be able to help. “Vampire,” I screech. “He’s a vampire.”
The pen lodges deep in his throat and I know it will not kill him, just make it very uncomfortable. I’m rewarded with a few seconds to escape the room. I dash for the door, knowing he will be right after me. I make it into the hall just in time to see a few of the soldiers exiting their rooms to see what all the fuss is about, they all try to jump into action the moment they see him, though not one holds a weapon and they’re all severely injured. This one is up to me.
I launch myself at him, giving him everything I’ve got as my calls for help echo around the room. I land a blow to his face and he immediately gets one back. I groan knowing this is going to be a hard one as Luke was trained by Rylan. He has all the same moves and techniques as me, though, I was stronger and faster. He’s now a vampire, which makes him the stronger and faster one.
“This is amazing,” he comments as he takes in his new power. “I should turn you,” he says, his eyes lighting up with excitement. “It will hurt and I can’t promise I’ll stop,” he warns like we’re best friends.
What the hell?
I ignore his running commentary and do what I can until someone arrives with a weapon I can use to take this guy out.
Take him out? Wait? Can I kill Luke?
He’s a vampire, I have no other choice. The question is, can I live with myself once I’ve done it?
I hear Rylan’s voice, scolding me in my mind. Head in the game, Bianca.
I fight him for another few minutes when a dagger comes slicing past my face in slow motion and sinks deep into Luke’s chest, piercing his heart. He glances down at the blade then back up at me in shock, falling first to his knees and then flat on his stomach.
I stare at him in horror. Dead. Luke is dead?
Just yesterday he was a normal human boy, while a nasty annoying one, he had a full life to live. Today he woke as a vampire, wanting to turn me and is now…dead.
I swivel on my heel to find out where the dagger had come from and who besides me or Rylan could possibly have such a great shot. My eyes glance up locking on a familiar dark, gold speckled pair. Of course. Rylan. Always there when I need him.
My love.
My everything.
Chapter 27
“I’ve got to go, mom,” I say into the phone. “The service is about to start.”
“Okay, sweetie, be safe. I love you.”
“Love you, too,” I say, hitting end on the call.
It’s been a week since the battle and things are only just starting to get back to normal, yet here I am, making my way back into the Great Hall where The Guard is currently holding a mass memorial service for all our fallen soldiers.
Forty-three.
Forty-three is the number of men and women of The Guard whose lives were taken. Forty-three coffins lay spread evenly through the Great Hall as friends and family come to say goodbye. I didn’t know any of them personally, apart from Luke, but I fought alongside them, which makes them my brothers and sisters.
I take my seat between Jacinta and Daniel, who has Nora on his other side. He puts his arm around me and quickly pulls me in. “You okay?” he murmurs.
“Yeah,” I lie. It will be a long time before I’m okay.
He accepts my lie for what it is with a quick nod and a tightening of his lips. He releases me and turns his attention to the stage where Brett Norrington is currently taking his position behind the podium.
He welcomes us all and gives a heartbreaking speech then invites Rylan up onto the stage to give a brief rundown to the friends and family of the dead and to give them a better understanding of their loved one's final moments, making sure to mention their strength and courage.
Jacinta listens intently beside me, grabbing my hand as she takes in the details of the one day I still haven’t told her about. “Bianca,” she cries softly as to not disturb the service, pulling me into her. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
“Don’t be,” I whisper back, holding on just as tightly.
We sit through the emotional service and say our final goodbyes, then leave so the close family and friends can have more privacy. Our whole group, including Nora, makes our way out into the Quad.
I spot Rylan talking to a few friends of his from the Front Line and continue on my way, knowing he won’t come over with Nora hovering around.
“That was beautiful,” Jacinta sighs as she takes a seat on Trey’s lap at the table.
“Yeah,” I agree. “It was a nice way to send them off. It was a shame it had to happen at all.”
Half-an-hour later, the remaining people in the hall begin to spill out with tears streaking their faces as they begin to leave the Academy. Following them, comes out all The Guard officials and Council Members, with a very exhausted looking Brett Norrington, who I’m sure is heartbroken at the loss of his people.
The masses eventually thin out until it is just a few Guard officials, the faculty, and the se
nior students.
My eyes drift over to the officials who I notice have me in their sights. Great. More people wanting to gossip about me. One younger man breaks away from the group and makes his way over to me.
My eyes flash towards Rylan who I notice also has his eyes curiously zoned in on the man. Rylan casually takes a few steps in my direction just in time to hear the man introduce himself.
“Hi, you must be Bianca,” he starts. “My name is Roman. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he says extending a hand. I look over his hand, really not wanting to shake it, but have no other choice.
“Um…hi,” I say, giving his hand a firm shake. “Can I help you with something?” I ask, glancing up and taking in his dark features.
“Yes, in fact. I’m actually your ride,” Roman says.
“My ride?”
“Yes. To The Guard Head Office,” he says, also sounding a bit confused. I glance over to Rylan who is now a lot closer and has his eyebrows pulled together in confusion. “You were served your papers two weeks ago stating your assignment. Did you not receive them?”
Oh, no.
My knees begin to shake as I look at the poor, slightly confused man before me. This can’t be happening. They can’t take me away. This is my home.
He ignores my silence and continues on with his orders. “You have,” he says, looking down at his very expensive watch. “Forty minutes to gather your belongings and then a jet will be waiting to take you and the rest of The Guard back to head office.” He smiles then acknowledges my shocked friends. “Good day,” he nods before making his awkward exit.
My legs begin to give out and I fall to the floor as Rylan dives in to catch me, cradling me like precious cargo. “It will be okay,” he soothes. “We’ll make this work.”
Playlist
Fall For You – Secondhand Serenade
Secret Love Song – Little Mix
Gorilla’s – Bruno mars
The Kill – 30 Seconds To Mars
Dirty Little Secret – American Rejects
Alive – Sia
XO – Beyonce
Ready For It – Taylor Swift
Unconditionally – Katy Perry
Stand By You – Rachel Platten
Rockstar – Rihanna
In The End – Linkin Park
Tribute – Tenacious D
Where to Next
Queen and War – Slayer Academy (Book 3)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085MQTNM5
Out of all the kidnappers I’ve ever had, The Guard has got to be my favorite. They feed me, treat me alright, they even let me train. What they won’t do though, is let me go home. It’s been three long months since they took me and now…I’m done.
I miss my friends and my family, and my heart aches without Rylan. Graduation is just around the corner and I don’t doubt that I’m going to miss that too.
My senior year was supposed to be the best year of my life. Instead, it’s one I never want to live through again. I’ve been kidnapped by the fey and fought through a devastating battle, things that an eighteen-year-old girl should never have to face. Did I mention that I was accidentally shot by my boyfriend while fending off a vampire? Yeah, the past nine months haven’t been so easy.
All I want to do is make it to graduation. Why is that so hard?
I will not stand for it anymore. I’m going to take back what’s mine and beware if you get in my way. I’m done being their prisoner.
It’s about time the world learns once and for all that Bianca Moore is one hell of a force to be reckoned with.
Thanks for reading!
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Heart and Revenge: Slayer Academy (Book 2) Page 25