Escaped the Night

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Escaped the Night Page 29

by Jennifer Blyth


  A perfect peacefulness took over, like nothing I’d ever felt before. It was comparable to the moment you knew you were in love and found your soul mate standing before you, expressing their love back. I knew without a doubt that I was safe and loved. All of this was rolled up into one amazing feeling.

  The lights around me ruptured as a gentle voice spoke. ‘You’re pure of heart and always will be. For this reason, you will be set free. You won’t need to walk during the night and can go back to how you once were. This is my gift, my way to thank you for saving me from the darkness. Consider this my time to become your savior.’

  Gabriella walked through the glorious light and placed her shiny horn against my chest near my heart. A fierce rage burned from deep inside and I tried to pull away. She stepped forward, closing the gap I just made. This time, her horn touched and radiated a brilliant light that prickled my body as it crept over me. My mouth tingled; reaching up, I felt the fangs retreat back into my gum-line. I was changing back to myself. It was really working; she was healing me.

  Minutes passed and the light began to fade. The light didn’t bother me in the least now, because I felt like myself. Well almost… minus the little bit of fear I had that lingered as the sun was about to rise. What if the night curse wasn’t completely gone? Would I turn to ash when the sunlight hit me?

  I held my breath as the sunlight rose up over the horizon. The sky filled with beautiful shades of pinks and oranges, chasing away the shadows. I stood in place as the sunlight covered my entire body. I flinched at first, it felt quite warm on my skin, but thankfully I didn’t burst into flames or turned to ash, so I began relaxing. The worst was over and somehow, I managed to return to where I truly belonged. “Thank you so much, Gabriella. I don’t know how I can possibly repay you.” I hugged my friend.

  ‘Consider us even now. You saved me once from the pits of darkness, it was only fair that I do the same for you in your time of despair.’

  “But, I thought you couldn’t heal nightwalkers?”

  ‘My dear, you’re pure. You changed because of what was buried deep inside. He brought out the worst, but you still showed mercy even when you knew your world was never to be the same. You have compassion running through your veins and a true heart to go with it. That’s why I was able to do this for you.’

  “But… what about the blood?” I asked, disgusted with myself for consuming as much as I did. I was even more appalled when I thought about what I wanted to do to my dear friend Meriel.

  ‘The blood was yours. It spilled because of Donovan. You did not draw blood nor did you take it from anyone else. You did what was necessary for you to survive. This is all on the path destiny that mapped out for you, for all of us. It’s what is meant to be. This is the way, your way.’

  It was really over. All the nightmarish days and nights were gone and would never happen ever again. I didn’t have to worry about who was coming after me or who was going to hurt the people I cared about. Better yet, no one else had to worry about this either. Donovan was gone so he’d never get the chance to ruin this or hurt anyone else.

  I was myself, alive and in one piece. I had the love of my life by my side and the best friends anyone could ask for. I was going to be all right.

  “My way,” I said the words aloud as I pondered over it all. “I’ve got a better idea, our way. This happened because of us coming together. The worlds are no longer going to be separated; immortals will be allies from this point forward.”

  Gabriella nodded her head in approval.

  “Thank you so much for helping me.” I hugged my dear friend one more time. Our final embrace took the warm sting out of the morning sun. My skin was back to normal and I was back to my old self!

  I turned around. Everyone stood not too far off in the distance. They’d given us some room so Gabriella could have the time and space needed in order to heal me. We walked over to join the crowd.

  Meriel was the first one to notice our return and came running over and hugged me as hard as she could. “I’m so glad to see you. Are you okay?”

  “Yes, I am. I’m just as I was.” I smiled wryly, thinking about all the changes I’d undergone in the past twenty-four hours.

  Everyone hugged me as they welcomed me with open arms and well wishes. A big hug came from behind, lifting my feet up off the ground. Only one person I knew could or would ever have the nerve to do something like this. “Kael... can’t breathe!” I choked out, without bothering to turn around to see who was actually holding me up in mid-air. My feet landed back on the ground as he spun me around to face him.

  “Man oh man! Am I EVER glad to have you back!” He pulled me in close for another smothering hug. “No offense, but those fangs… ugh gross. Didn’t suit you at all!” He poked his teeth out pretending he had fangs as drool poured down out of his mouth.

  We all laughed. I imagined I must have been quite the sight. I felt slightly disgusted, but decided to shake the thought away. I was back and never hurt Meriel, so there wasn’t any reason for me to beat myself up over it. “Kael, all I can say is I’m really glad to be back. Besides, what would I ever do without you in my life?”

  Kael beamed and I smiled, realizing I’d just inadvertently fed his ego. Here I was, another girl who couldn’t live without him. He was in a state of awe over himself. I decided to let him relish in it a while longer.

  Kaleb came up to me and didn’t even say a word as I embraced his large mass tightly. He was always so loyal, even when I was at my worst, he still saw the real me. He was the best friend I could’ve ever asked for and I was absolutely the luckiest girl to have him in my life. We broke out of our embrace and he smiled as his eyes led the way to Jayce.

  Jayce was beautiful with the sun shining behind him. The pinks, yellows and oranges of the glorious morning sky accentuated his dark silhouette. He looked like an angel who’d fallen from the sky just for me.

  ‘You truly are my angel. Now get that beautiful face of yours over here right now!’

  I ran towards him. He locked me in his embrace and swung me around, lifting me off my feet. As he placed me back down, he took the opportunity to plant one of his fiery hot kisses on me. My lips stung, but in the best way imaginable, because it was what I lived for. He was my true love, just as I was his. Now that all of the craziness was behind us, we could have our chance to be together forever. I leaned in for another pleasant sting from his soft warm lips.

  Hoots and hollers came from the group. Jayce and I had a way about us that involved everyone. When we were happy, they were too. This was going to be the way things were from here on out.

  Morning passed by quickly and our visitors began saying their good-byes and heading back out on their way. Jayce and I thanked them for their support and for coming together when we needed them most. The days of daywalkers and nightwalkers were no longer. We were all immortals, no matter how it came to be. This was the way of the future. We all had a place and a function. Allies for life!

  Our usual group headed towards the house. The elements all smiled, as did my dear friend Layla. However, one face really stood out to me. I glanced back over at Meriel. She wore the world’s biggest smile, and instantly I saw the apology she was about to bestow. “Meriel?” I said.

  “I know… I know. I was stupid and reckless, for that I am truly sorry. I got caught up in the action and adventure. I just thought you’d been through enough. Honestly, I was only trying to help.”

  “What are we going to do with you? Caught up in the adventure. Ha! Just listen to you,” I said shaking my head. “You need to find another way in order to get those adrenaline rushes, crazy girl. I love you.”

  “Thanks, I’ll try.” She spoke softly in my ear as we embraced.

  “You’re welcome, but please, stay out of trouble. I can’t keep getting people to save you,” I said, poking her in the stomach before breaking free from our hug. I said it in a joking manner, but I was also quite serious. I’d lost two very dear people protecting h
er. She was an element and therefore needed to stop acting so reckless. There was much more at stake than she realized.

  It was time to get a bit of sleep. It had been a long night for everyone and sleeping was on top of the to-do list. Jayce and I made our way up to his room. I walked in first with him following closely behind. I wasn’t sure he’d ever let me out of his sights again, but I was thankful that he cared enough to stick around through the tough times. He closed the door and I sat down on the bed. My heart fluttered. It was so good seeing him like this. For a short while I thought I’d lost him, but we were lucky because destiny decided he was meant to be here with me now.

  Jayce got a look in his eye. I wondered what was going on. Prior to me figuring it out, he raced over, knocking me flat out on the bed. “Don’t ever scare me like that again.” He pinned me down. “I love you so much.”

  I tried to speak, but he kissed me, and it was in a way he’d never done before. We were completely connected; hearts and souls entwined. We’d been made for each other and he was the one person who made me whole. We fit perfectly. When we finished our kiss, he got up and looked lovingly at me.

  “I love you, Jayce,” I said.

  “I love you more.”

  “Impossible.”

  “Then, I’ve done the impossible.” He leaned in, placing another steamy kiss upon me.

  We went to bed, locked in each other’s arms. He held me so close. I felt his heartbeat and breath caress me as he exhaled. It felt like we were joined and I knew this is how it was meant to be. Hours passed and we woke up in the same position, neither of us had broken our embrace.

  We got up and headed downstairs to join the others. Aiden, Makan, Meriel, Terran, Layla, Kaleb and Kael all sat in the living room, just like old times. Suddenly, I heard a female voice coming from behind me. “Whoa! Quite the night if you know what I mean. Right? Like geez? Don’t you guys think?” Kynthia entered the room enthusiastically.

  She’d taken me by surprise. The timid girl who’d stood before me down at Mystic Beach was totally confident and far from the shy girl she’d once been.

  “I’d say!” Kael blurted back. “Total craziness. Shanntal and the fangs… man oh man!” he snickered.

  “Totally!” Kynthia said, sitting down beside him.

  Everything became clear. There was a love spark growing there and the thought of it made me happy. I squeezed Jayce’s hand tightly because I’d found my love spark.

  I counted down the hours until dusk. I could hardly wait to see the nightwalkers, I mean, my friends. I needed to thank them for coming to my rescue. The hours passed and nightfall finally came. Jayce led me outside and we walked towards the trees. This time, everyone else followed closely behind. I shivered as I replayed the memory of my previous encounter in my head. Things had turned out so differently from what I’d thought. It was a positive outcome in the end, just not the one I expected.

  I felt a rush of sadness when I looked at the spot where Uncle Dane had taken his last breath. He’d died protecting us and it never should have been like this. Yes, I was happy they made it up to the stars, but I truly missed them both and would rather have them here with me now.

  “Wait for it,” Jayce said, taking my hand. With his other hand, he pointed up at the sky.

  I looked up to see what he was pointing at. Then, that’s when it happened. A beautiful pink smudge danced its way across the sky before settling right in the middle. The pink streak gathered and sparkled brighter than any diamond I’d ever seen. A few seconds later, Sitara and her love arrived, followed by the other happy couples.

  I looked at Jayce with tears in my eyes. “Is that really them?”

  “Yes, that’s Uncle Dane and Auntie Steph up there,” he said, wrapping his arms around me.

  “Wow!” I looked back up just as their star twinkled. I knew it was a wink and it felt like they were standing here with me now. I knew they’d always be close and I would never be alone.

  I had a realization and said, “I never knew they were older than Sitara.”

  “They’re not.”

  “Then how did they get to come out first?”

  “Your uncle received the greatest honor because of how he sacrificed himself in order to save you and Meriel. He lost his life without fear and did it out of love. You’re a very important person, Shanntal, as is Meriel, and because he saved you both, they get to shine first from this night forward. Everyone will know how he saved Meriel, but most of all, how he saved the one who brought our immortal worlds together.”

  I felt a lump grow in my throat and quickly swallowed it down before the tears took over.

  I heard a voice speak from behind. “All of this happened because of you. We’re proud to call you our friend.”

  I looked back to see who had said it. Daray and Lakylee came towards me.

  “Hiya guys!”

  Lakylee let go of Daray’s hand and raced over, giving me a big hug. “I’m so glad to see you’re back to yourself.”

  “Thanks to you.” I looked around at the others who were beginning to gather. “Thanks to all of you!”

  Daray winked and I winked back. This was unbelievable. Together as one, no longer labeled as daywalkers and nightwalkers, we were immortals. Best of all, we were friends. I looked around, admiring our group. We’d done it. We found the better way of life and did it together.

  New faces emerged from out of the woods. Five people walked towards us. A female with fire red hair and deep dark eyes led the group. Something about them seemed familiar, though I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen them before.

  “Glad to see you’re lacking fangs,” she said with a smirk. “They didn’t look quite right.”

  “Umm… thanks,” I said, unsure.

  “Don’t recognize her, do you?” asked Sauda as she came out from behind the group.

  I shook my head no. I had no idea.

  “I’m Taini,” she said giving me a smile. “I suppose I look pretty different without all the fur.”

  “Oh my,” I said, taken back. “You’re the… you guys are the werewolves?”

  “We sure are!” said the tall blonde fellow, sporting a short beard.

  He was quite nice looking and I never would’ve suspected he’d once been a werewolf. “How? What? Is this really possible?” I asked.

  Everyone laughed, making me blush. I felt embarrassed about my reaction, but this was absolutely huge. The werewolves had transformed. They were no longer consumed by their uncontrollable rage, enabling them to take their human form. It was wonderful. I ran over and hugged Taini tightly and she laughed as I embraced her.

  We visited for a while and Taini explained how the wolves had achieved the ability to change whenever they needed to. If they were in some sort of danger or their anger got the better of them they would change back, therefore they'd always have to be mindful. Without a doubt, they would have to change when the moon was full. They needed to let the wolf out at least one night to run free so it didn’t become restless and consume them.

  “You still don’t have a grasp on how truly special you really are,” Lakylee said. “This is all possible because of you.”

  Daray came over and stood beside me. “I’m really pleased to say, she’s totally right. You’ve shown each and every one of us that there’s a better way. You’ve shown us we can live together, and you even managed to teach the blackest of hearts that it could still do the most important thing. It could still love.”

  Lakylee moved over towards Daray, wrapped her arms around him and kissed his neck. “Even this is because of you. You’re truly a gift and you have made life better for everyone, all the way around.”

  “Thank you, guys.” I smiled.

  Daray looked different now. The darkness that had haunted him was gone and instead he appeared happy. I was pleased, knowing he’d found his happiness. I knew love had led him and Lakylee to each other and this time nothing would interfere with their happiness.

  Sauda was still taggin
g around, hanging off Daray’s every word and Lakylee seemed to be somewhat more tolerant towards her. Perhaps there was a friendship in the making? Either way, it was nice to see that Lakylee was no longer alone. She was a part of something, where she belonged and was loved.

  We were similar in so very many ways; it was quite uncanny at times. We were one of a kind; both had walked alone for some time and both managed to overcome the odds and come together with those who surrounded us. We’d found our place, love and also friendship within each other.

  **********************

 

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