“Nice! Real nice!” I snapped with my nastiest tone.
“Ohhhh!” Kael laughed.
I was mad. After everything I’d just been through, of course I looked a mess. He didn’t need to point it out. I started heading to my room. “Good night Kael.”
“You’re in trouble now,” Kael giggled as he warned Jayce.
“Jayce,” I snapped.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything bad by it. I just meant you look like you need some sleep.”
I shot him the dirtiest look. He needed to stop talking now because he was digging himself into a really deep hole.
“I didn’t mean it like that. It came out wrong.” Jayce followed me to bed.
Kael harassed Jayce the entire way to my room. Even as the door closed, I could still hear Kael laughing from the living room.
“Sorry I offended you. I didn’t mean it in a bad way, you just look super tired.”
Jayce was lucky that I really was as tired as I looked. “Forgiven this time, but don’t ever say it again!”
I placed my head on the pillow and pulled the blankets up tight. Wow, this felt so good. I hadn’t slept in my own bed for quite some time now. Jayce climbed in bed beside me. He wrapped his strong arms around me and snuggled his body up close. Instantly, my mood changed, because this was my version of happily ever after. I turned over so I could look at him. There was just enough light that I saw the outline of his face. “I’m so happy you’re here. I really did miss you, probably more than you’ll ever know.”
“I’m here now. I’m not going anywhere.”
I snuggled up closer.
“I love you, Shanntal,” he said.
“I love you more,” I said back.
“Impossible.”
“Then, I’ve done the impossible.” I kissed him gently on his lips. “Good night, Jayce.” I rolled over and we both drifted off to sleep with our bodies pressed close together.
We were right where we needed to be. Right where we should be.
Named
~ Chapter Eleven ~
The shadowy figure appeared seductively through the lingering mist. Struggling against myself, I took a few steps forward, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t come up with the inner strength needed to repel him. I shivered from his undeniable presence as he reached over, locking me in his embrace.
His icy touch met my skin. As he dragged his fingers over my body, it made it more difficult for me to warm myself. Eventually, new icy blood coursed its way throughout my frightened pale body. I was left with a foreign excruciating pain that I hadn’t come across in any of our previous encounters. This time my reaction to his presence completely intensified. I moaned in agony as the changes took place within.
He was strong, way more powerful than I was, and my will put up no match for him. I surrendered because no matter how hard I tried I wasn’t able to stay away. He had total control, with the exception of one thing, and it was by far the most important part: My heart; it belonged entirely to Jayce. He couldn’t have that piece of me because it was completely taken and I’d never ask for it back, nor did I ever want to.
Despite what was happening and the unbearable growing pain inside, I was able to shift my thoughts to Jayce. I pictured his dark hair and deep brown eyes, his perfect smile, muscular body and Celtic tattoo. I loved his great sense of style. He rocked the faded blue jeans and black t-shirt like no one else. Pairing up with black and white skater shoes, he stole my breath away.
Thinking of Jayce gave me the will to find some buried strength required to force my attacker away. I shoved the vampire off me with all of my might. It didn’t amount to much, only enough to give me a brief break. The vampire simply overcame me and to my dismay, pulled me in close as he dragged his icy fingers back over my neck and down my shoulders. He leaned in and whispered in my ear, but I wasn’t able to hear clearly, hisses and growls took the place of words.
He teased along my mouth before maneuvering down towards my neck. Agonizing icy shocks hurt my skin as he moved back and forth. He placed a hard kiss on my mouth, leaving behind a salty taste upon my lips. It was a strange flavor, one I didn’t know well. Strangely, the unknown flavor managed to help to ease my pain from the inner radiating chills. He moved seductively over my body and I was rendered useless again. None of my will or resentment was enough to keep him away. I stood locked in his deadly grasp, feeling weak and powerless.
My mind wandered back to memories of Jayce and I reminisced about all the time we spent together. I wasn’t ready for our time to end. I managed to pull myself out of the icy embrace only to find it wasn’t Daray embracing me. It was the stranger from the night in the gardens. He flashed his long sharp fangs and the sight of him overwhelmed me. Fresh red blood dripped off his fangs and trickled down his terrifying pale face. It wasn’t until I’d broken free that I felt the pain and understood the full extent of my weakness. He’d bitten me and what I was seeing was my own blood. My frail body dropped to the ground, craving more of the foreign taste that had eased my pain earlier. It was too late, I was too weak and couldn’t find the strength needed to get up and find some more.
The real Daray arrived and held onto me as I jerked around, losing the last bits of life from my dying body. “Protecting you is all I’ve ever tried to do. Once I found out you were alive, but lost and cursed by the nightwalkers, I only wanted you safe. I tried everything to keep you in the daylight where you belonged. You’re brighter than any sunshine; you’re the light leading out of this darkness. You’re the one with the ability to heal this immortal world. You can remove the divide that’s been placed between us. You weren’t supposed to share this fate. It was mine and I’m sorry it absorbed you. I know this wasn’t meant for you.” He leaned down and pressed his cool lips on my forehead. He hugged me tightly. “I apologize for not being able to protect you. I promise you, I’ll make this right.”
I wasn’t able to speak. I couldn’t tell him I forgave him. I wasn’t able to beg him not to leave my side because I was afraid to die. I didn’t want to disappear from this life alone. He never knew the words I wanted to say and he released me from his protective embrace and gently laid my dying body on the ground.
A raging growl came from his mouth as he revealed his fangs. There was a look of sheer hatred in his eyes. He clenched his fists and I watched as he leaped up and smashed mid-air into the stranger. My body remained motionless as I lay on the ground watching the two of them struggle. They hit with such force, every blow sent the other flying across the room. I found it hard to focus on their collisions. They moved so rapidly, back and forth, hit after hit, soon I wasn’t able to keep up. I was fading fast and hoped with the last of my might, Daray was strong enough to take out the stranger and finish this once and for all.
I strained my eyes as I looked around for the rest of Daray’s nightwalkers. They were nowhere to be seen and he was alone with the stranger and his unimaginable strength. I wasn’t sure how the stranger had become so strong or if Daray could beat him. Blackness consumed my eyes and silence filled my ears. I was sure I’d just died because there was nothing left, except my mind. I had no senses, no feeling and I decided to accept the fact this was my end. Everything went quiet, and then, I heard a voice. One name came to me and it was as clear as anything I’d ever heard before. “Donovan.” The stranger had finally been named.
I fought with everything left in me and managed to open my eyes. They strained as I focused. Disappointment and sadness came over me. The first clear thing I saw was Daray’s slain body nearby, his dark blood sprawling across the ground.
I heard a howl of protest only to realize it was coming from somewhere deep inside me. My arm was stretched out, but useless and flailing. Sputtering and sobbing, I cried out, “Why? WHY?”
The victorious vampire picked my limp body up from the ground. I had no strength, just a rush of anger and resentment. He placed his face down by my ear and spoke clearly. “Donovan. That is my name. Don’t you
ever forget it.” He bit down with such a powerful force that I jolted awake.
"Jayce… Jayce.” I fumbled around the bed trying to find him.
“Yes?”
I hesitated, waiting. Something about the reply wasn’t right. It wasn’t Jayce. I began to shiver from a chill that I couldn’t explain until it dawned on me. Unable to move out of fear, I squeaked, “Guys?” But no one came. I felt my heart pounding against my chest, the nightmare still vivid in my memory. At least I hoped this was only a nightmare. Using all my strength, I screamed again. This time the bedroom door flung open. The overhead light flicked on. Jayce, Kaleb and Kael looked ready for battle.
“What’s going on?” Jayce asked.
“Can’t you feel it?” I said, frantically looking around my room for some sign of him. “I’m sure of it, yes, he was here.”
“Daray was here?” Kaleb snarled.
“No, not Daray. He isn’t the one we need to worry about. Trust me when I say he means me no harm. It’s Donovan, he’s the one who killed my family and that’s who’s after me.”
“Donovan? Who’s he? Where’d he come from?” Kael asked.
“Oh, I know exactly who he is. He’s the stranger from that night in the gardens. He’s the one that turned Daray.” I looked down, my hands shaking. I could still picture his pale face and feel his icy touch.
I was about to explain the details of my dream to the others when suddenly I heard whispers. They were the same ones from earlier, only slightly different, because this time, I heard everything perfectly. As the words came to me, I repeated them aloud.
“I don’t want you here,” he hissed. “Can’t you see you don’t belong in this world? You’ve disgraced me by eluding my gift of the night. The offering wasn’t meant for you, yet somehow, here you are with it.” He let out an evil snicker. “Foolish girl, you haven’t even figured out how to reap any of the many benefits.”
I paused; growls and hisses filled my ears.
“You choose to view this gift as a curse, but you… you are the curse. I shall make you pay with your life; it’ll be your punishment for continuing to walk amongst the daywalkers and mortals. Yes, the time has finally come. Soon I will be rid of my curse — once and for all.”
“Who does this parasite think he is?” Kael clenched his jaw tightly, punching his fists together. Every muscle rippled and his veins bulged.
Kaleb silently shifted his massive body closer to mine. He was no more than a few inches away and stood ready for anything.
“Guys, we’ve got to find Daray. He tried to help me and I think he’s dead.”
Not one of them budged.
“Guys!” I snapped. My dreams were becoming more than just simple imaginings; they were starting to become premonitions. I had to listen when I was being warned because my dreams were the only things putting the missing pieces in place. “We’ve had this all wrong. Daray isn’t the threat here, he never has been. Believe it or not, he’s on our side.”
Jayce rolled his eyes.
I wanted to explain what I meant, but there was a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. Without another word I got up out of bed, walked past the guys and went down the hallway. I knocked once as I opened the door to Uncle Dane and Auntie Steph’s room. Once the door opened, my blood burned with way more intensity. I flipped on the lights and saw a speedy shadow flash across the room and head out the window, leaving the drapes swinging side to side.
Uncle Dane was closest. I rushed over to the bed and shook him as hard as I could to make sure he woke up.
“I’m up, I’m up,” he said, half asleep.
The guys had followed me into the room and Jayce was checking on Auntie Steph. She too awoke with no trouble. I was so relieved that they’d both remained asleep and we had gotten into their room in the nick of time. They were wide awake now and full of questions, but thankfully neither of them knew how close they’d just been to death.
Kael’s massive body stood in the window as he looked past the flowing curtains to see if anything or anyone was still close by. He shut the window and double-checked to make sure it was locked. Kaleb returned from checking out the rest of the house. Everything was sealed up tightly.
My blood began warming. “He’s gone,” I said solemnly. I was angry that he’d gotten away because this was way too close. Donovan had stood in my room and stayed for some time in the room next door without us even knowing. It wasn’t until now that I realized why I’d heard his voice so clearly. Being so near allowed him to simply feed me the lines. He was right about one thing. The time was coming, but it wasn’t my time. It was his.
“Uncle Dane, why exactly did you… I mean, why did my family try so hard to keep Daray and the others away from me? You guys did it for all these years. Why?”
The look upon his face showed me that he didn’t want to answer.
“Uncle Dane, please,” I begged. “I need to know the whole story. I can’t live on bits and pieces anymore. I need the truth.”
“Oh kiddo.” He paused before saying, “You were and, don’t get me wrong, still are a blessing in my books. When everyone throughout the immortal world heard what happened, sadly it made enemies everywhere for you. Enemies you couldn’t have even imagined. You were so vulnerable, meant to walk with the nightwalkers, yet somehow you managed to remain with the daywalkers. This put the entire immortal world on edge. You had the blood of the monsters running through your veins, yet basically remained yourself. Your ability and strength was completely unheard of. No one knew what to expect and therefore they feared you. Whenever Daray or any other nightwalker was around, you began experiencing subtle changes. You started taking on their characteristics and we didn’t want that. Shanntal, you’re stronger than any curse or gift or whatever they want to call it. You survived and best of all, you’re still you.”
“Is that everything?” I asked, sitting down on the edge of the bed. Auntie Steph rubbed my shoulders. Uncle Dane situated himself, sighed and continued.
“Unfortunately not. The more time you spent around Daray, the harder it was for you to walk in the sunlight or act like yourself. He was a newborn vampire and didn’t know how to guide or help you find your way because he was too busy trying to find this out for himself. Due to the fact that he was a full vampire and you had the ability to remain with the daywalkers, there wasn’t any way to return to the life you once shared together. You spent some time with him because you both thought there was some way to overcome your differences. We wanted you to be happy, but within a few days of living in the darkness, well, you began turning more into one of them. Your family tried their best to help you guys work it out, but once they realized how much you were changing, they decided the only way to save you was for them to take you away from him. Your parents came in during the daylight hours and walked right out of the house with you. None of the nightwalkers could follow because the sun was high. That was the last time you ever saw him, until now. You must understand; they were only trying to protect you. They loved you so much and believed in your great potential, so, they did what they needed to do in order to make sure you didn’t slip under the night curse.”
“Did Daray know about this? Did he understand why I couldn’t be near him?” I looked over at Jayce, his face never changed and his features remained neutral. He connected and without so much as a word I knew he got where I was coming from. I felt him all through me and understood his sympathy and recognized his support. Most importantly, I felt reassured knowing that he was on my side and it was okay that I wanted to know everything about my past. Finding out what happened to me all those years ago would be the only way I’d ever be able to move forward with my life. Perhaps, it would also help us to understand exactly what we were up against.
“Your parents tried to explain to Daray that it wasn’t good for him to be around you. They told him he was only causing more pain and suffering by staying near you. But, he didn’t want to let you go. So they were left with no choice. As I told you,
they did what they had to do to in order to keep you as you’re meant to be. Once you were secure with your family, they moved around from place to place trying to keep you safe. They called upon the proctors for assistance and that’s how Garrison and Kaleb entered your life. Anytime a nightwalker was present, the protectors would come guard you and help the family stow you away. After a while, it just got easier hiding you.”
“Poor Daray, I guess it’s safe to say he never really saw it like that. It explains a lot.”
Daray never had the chance to say good-bye and tried very hard to hold onto our love, even though we’d both changed into completely different people. I felt a growing respect. I was pleased he’d kept me close to my immortal family and not just taken me away to become a nightwalker. I was thankful for my family, because they didn’t have to look after me the way they did. They’d chosen to help and I was grateful for their support. Their love and sacrifices gave me the strength to remain myself and I couldn’t have made it this far without them.
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