Everlasting Bond

by Christine M. Besze

  “Say hi to our mother for me!”

  Katrina watched in horror; she was helpless. There was nothing she could do to save Cole and it was eating her up inside. Looking into his eyes, her body began to go numb with pain.

  As Donovan went for Cole’s throat, she shut her eyes. It was something she couldn’t stomach to watch. Hearing the hollow crunching sound burst through the night air made her weak. She could feel her body go limp & fall to the ground. Then she heard a scream, but something wasn’t right. The voice didn’t belong to Cole.

  Opening her eyes, she was shocked. Donovan was still on top of Cole, but his head was tilted back. Blood was pouring like a river out of his exposed flesh.

  Then she saw Andrew standing behind him. As Andrew slowly pulled the knife out, Donovan’s buttery yellow eyes slowly morphed into empty black holes. Each limb on his body began to convulse violently. Then everything went eerily silent, as he went limp and fell back against the soil.

  Chapter 24

  “He was always such a pain in the ass, don’t you think?” Andrew teased.

  “Yeah—always,” Cole half laughed and half winced in pain.

  Andrew glanced over his wounds. “You going to be all right?”

  “Yeah. He barely grazed me.”

  “Right.”

  “It’s just a flesh wound.”

  “I’m not so sure.” Andrew knelt down beside Cole and looked him over. “That looks pretty deep, Nikolas.”

  “I’m fine!” Cole snapped.

  “What if you’re not? What if you’re-”

  “We’ll deal with it then.”

  Katrina was frozen on the ground, still in shock. Her body needed a moment to catch up with itself. She could hear their words, but she couldn’t process the meaning of any of it.

  “Because that has worked out so well for you so far,” Andrew lifted a corner of his mouth in one of his infamous half grins.

  Cole shrugged. “We have a month until the next full moon. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

  “At least you’ll heal quickly.” Andrew helped Cole to his feet. “And maybe I can buy you a dog collar?”

  “Only if you want to get bitten.”

  “What happened?” Jake walked up the hill behind Andrew.

  Andrew turned and faced Jake. “Not much, just the usual dysfunctional family reunion. But that’s been all taken care of. Well, hopefully.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Jake looked at him confused.

  “Nothing. I’ll fill you in later.”

  Watching all three of them, Katrina sat on the soggy soil. Part of her was starting to come back, but she was still shaking and covered in blood. Seeing all three of them after what seemed like an eternity was bittersweet. She wanted to run up and hug them, but her exhaustion was winning. It took what little she had left to even keep her eyes open.

  “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” Andrew cocked his eyebrows at Katrina.

  “Caroline,” Cole uttered, as he held his chest and rushed over to her.

  Looking up at him, Katrina could feel his arctic hands begin to caress over her blood stained body. Cole’s soft icy touch felt like home, as his hands brushed over her badly bruised skin. Shivers of warmth ran through her with every fervent touch.

  “Caroline, are you hurt?”

  Katrina wanted to speak and tell him she was fine, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, she just stared at his healing chest with tears seeping down her stinging cheeks. It was hard to believe that it was finally over.

  “Hey,” Cole’s tender voice interrupted. “Answer me, please.”

  Katrina tried once more to form any type of speech, but her tongue refused to move. She just sat staring back at Cole. Her mind was searching for an answer itself. She wanted to tell him more than anything that she was fine and how much she loved him at that moment, but the words wouldn’t come.

  “Caroline, tell me. What’s wrong?”

  “Is she going to be okay?” Jake asked.

  Andrew gave her the same somber look as Cole. “Not really sure.”

  Katrina stared back at all three of them, before bursting into tears. She couldn’t believe they were actually there. Having been alone for so long, it all started to catch up to her at once. And then the words she couldn’t find earlier suddenly found their way out. “No. No. I’m not okay. Nothing about this is okay.”

  “Hey, Kat, calm down, it’s going to be all right.” She heard Jake’s voice try to assure her, but it wasn’t enough.

  “No. You left me. You all left me,” she reminded.

  “Not because we wanted to,” Cole promised, as he gently stroked his pale fingers through her hair. “I swear.”

  Katrina wanted to say she believed him, but she couldn’t. She was too hysterical to say anything else. Despite everything, she knew Cole loved her, but at that moment nothing he said would make the pain she felt go away.

  “She’s freaking out,” Andrew’s voice broke through.

  “She’ll be fine. I just need to get her out of here,” Cole assured him.

  “Her hand,” Jake pointed out, sounding agitated.

  “He didn’t—you know, did he, Nikolas?” Andrew asked.

  “Not that I can tell. The blood’s hers, but it’s not tainted with his scent.”

  “We couldn’t smell him before. What makes you think you could tell know?”

  “Whatever he did to hide it must have worn off because I can smell him on her clothes, but that’s where it stops.”

  Katrina’s stomach clenched in knots, as she realized what Andrew was asking. She wanted to slap him. After everything she had been through, the hell she’d endured, that was the only question he could come up with. Sometimes he was even too annoying for being Andrew.

  “Then explain all of the blood,” Jake snapped. His voice sounded much angrier. It grew louder and more agitated at the thought. Looking into his eyes, Katrina could see them shift into animalistic balls of blue fire. With his fangs exposed, he was licking his lips at the sight of her throat. Before she knew what happened, he had lunged for her.

  “Grab him,” Cole shouted, moving in front of Katrina.

  “I got him,” Andrew assured him, pinning Jake to the ground.

  Katrina watched in horror. She couldn’t believe that was her brother. He looked like a possessed demon, as he violently thrashed around against the ground. Andrew was holding him down firmly, but Katrina could see Jake trying like hell to break free.

  “I thought you said he was getting that under control, Andreas!” Cole snapped.

  “Nikolas, stop being so cranky! You know nothing is fool proof. Besides, it’s not like I was able to test the theory.”

  Cole was about to say something, when cheers from down below interrupted them. Katrina looked down in time to see the remaining werewolves cowering back into the protection of the field. With Donovan’s lifeless body a few feet away, Katrina was glad to see them run. She knew they finally realized this was a war they couldn’t win.

  “Get off me!” Jake shouted. Katrina turned and found her brother trying to wriggle free from Andrew.

  “Not till you get yourself under control!”

  “I am,” Jake retorted, glaring at Katrina.

  Andrew slowly took his hands off of Jake and backed away. Cole and Andrew never took their eyes off of him. Katrina could feel the tension in the air, it was so thick. The awkward silence wasn’t helping any, either.

  “We should be going,” Andrew finally spoke breaking through the tension. “I’m going to let Uncle Alaric know it’s done,” he said, as he forced Jake to his feet and made his way down to the crowded field.

  Cole waited until they were out of view, before he turned his attention to her. “Let’s get you out of here.”

  As he wrapped his arms around her, Katrina felt him press her snugly against his chest. In one swift motion, she felt the air form underneath her. Being held firmly against him made her body tingle. To be in the
protection of his cold arms once again never felt better.

  She wanted to reach out and touch him, but her hands refused to move. Instead, she rested her fatigued body against his. She buried her head into his chest and relished the thought of finally being safe at last.

  Feeling the vibrations of Cole’s steps, Katrina laid motionless against him. The only sound that filled the air was that of the mud squishing underneath the soles of his shoes. It was odd, but that sound comforted Katrina more than anything at that moment, soothing her until she could stay awake no more. She shut her tired eyes and dozed off, letting everything fade into a horrible nightmare.

  Darkness surrounded her. The only sound she heard was the faint trickling of water, as it dripped to the ground. Katrina’s hands fumbled around in the dark feeling for any sign of light. Then she felt them. Warm and velvety smooth to the touch. She recognized these hands caressing over her body. Even though she couldn’t see them, her body recognized their vile touch.

  “Hello, Caroline,” Donovan’s wicked voice cackled.

  Katrina let out an ear splitting scream, as she shouted, “NO!”

  Sitting up, she realized the darkness was gone. In its place was a bright light. The light was so blinding, her eyes needed a moment to adjust. Features of her new surroundings were slowly starting to appear. She had no clue where she was, but she could tell it was some place warm and soft. The only sound filling the space was the crackling of a fireplace. It was melting the room into a cozy inferno.

  Her eyes roamed around the room taking in every interesting detail. The décor was rather dated, but elegant. It reminded her of one of Botticelli’s paintings. Deep crimson throws trimmed with golden cording were covering bits of the cherrywood flooring. The simple burgundy painted walls also added to the elegance of the space.

  Katrina’s eyes made their way through the room and back on to her. Looking down, she was horrified. She was still wearing the same rusty blood stained dress Donovan had put on her earlier. Tugging at it, she also noticed something else. Both her wounds had been cared for. The palm of her hand and the wound on her foot were cleaned and dressed with fresh bandages.

  “How are you feeling?” a tender voice asked, cutting through the silence. Katrina slowly opened her eyes and found her mothers hazel eyes staring back at her.

  “Mom!” Katrina sat up and wrapped her arms around her mother. “I missed you so much.”

  “I’ve missed you too,” her mother tenderly whispered in her ear.

  Katrina couldn’t control herself. Finally seeing her mother after what seemed like an eternity brought tears to her eyes. She wasn’t sure how long she cried, but her mother never let go until she had it all out of her system.

  After a few moments, Katrina wiped her face and sighed. “Sorry,” she said, in between sniffles.

  “It’s all right, sweetie.” Her mom tenderly stroked strands of her hair, and Katrina shivered. “I’m so sorry you had to deal with all of this alone, but I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere ever again.”

  Letting go of her mother, Katrina sat back upright. “You know?”

  “Alaric told me,” her mother nodded.

  “How much?”

  “Everything.”

  “And you’re not freaked out?” Katrina couldn’t believe her mother was handling this so well.

  “I was, but I’ve had a little time around here to get used to the idea.”

  “Get used to it? We’re not talking about a new car here, mom. Your son’s a vampire!”

  “Alaric assured me, he’ll be fine. We all will.”

  “You’re in love with him!” Katrina shouted, putting some of the pieces together. She took a moment and looked her mother over. The bags under her eyes had gone and her skin had never looked so smooth. She couldn’t find one blemish anywhere. As her suspicions grew, Katrina jumped off the bed away from her mom and hissed. “You didn't. Tell me you didn't, mom.”

  “Kat, honey,” her mother said soothingly, as she stood and reached for her.

  “Don’t touch me!” Katrina snapped. “You’re one of them! And no one told me a damn thing about it!”

  “I'm sorry, but there were so many things happening that there never seemed to be a good time,” she said, looking sorry.

  “That's a load of crap, mom! I can't believe you would do something like this without telling me!” Katrina raged.

  “It wasn’t like that. You don’t understand.”

  “Understand what? That you would rather leave me all alone!”

  “I was dying, Katrina!” her mother snapped.

  “What?”

  “The cancer came back.” Her mother scooted towards the edge of the bed and buried her face in her hands. “Those ‘extra’ shifts were doctor’s appointments.”

  Guilt started to set in. She knew what her mother was saying was true. She slowly knelt down and gently pulled her mothers arctic hands away. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “I was on my way home to tell you both when I got in the accident.” Her mom looked up with tears trickling down her cheeks. “And after that I spent some time with Alaric. He made me feel whole. Like I was alive again.” Her mother squeezed her hands. “I didn’t plan on this. Sometimes your heart just takes you places you never counted on. And you have to enjoy the ride or you lose out on so much more. I wasn’t ready to die yet. I hope someday you can understand that? Or even forgive me?”

  Katrina didn’t answer her right away. She was still in shock. It took a moment for her to find her tongue again. “I’m so sorry.” Katrina nestled on the edge of the bed next to her mother. “So, what happens now?”

  “I’m not really sure.” Her mother wiped her face.

  “I guess we’ll just figure it out as we go.”

  “Thanks, sweetie.”

  “I love you, mom,” Katrina wrapped her arms around her mother and gave her a big hug. She didn’t regret her mother’s decision. Truth be told, she wasn’t ready to live without her either.

  She was lost in her thoughts when her mother suddenly spoke. “Come in.”

  Katrina looked at her in confusion, when she heard a welcoming voice. “Hi.” Just hearing his voice was enough to make Katrina’s heart melt. Turning, she found Cole’s angelic face staring back at hers.

  “Cole.” Katrina could barely get his name out without crying.

  “I’ll leave you two alone,” her mother said, as she slowly crept out of the room.

  Katrina never took her eyes off Cole as he made his way over to the bed and sat down next to her.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked.

  “A little bit better, now.” Feeling the warmth of excitement rush to her face, Katrina lifted a corner of her mouth and gave him a warm smile.

  “Good.” Cole smiled back; he crossed the room and sat down on the bed next to her.

  Katrina looked down at her hand. “Did you do this?”

  “I washed out the dirt and wrapped them. I didn’t want them to get infected.”

  “Thanks.” She smiled back.

  “You’re welcome. I was going to wake you, so you could change, but you were out cold,” he explained, as he motioned towards her. “Would you like to go clean up and change clothes?”

  “Yeah.” Katrina went to stand when she realized she had no clue where she was. “Where am I?” she asked, looking around the room.

  “We’re at my family’s hideaway.”

  “And where’s that?”

  “Montana.”

  “Montana? Wow!”

  “What?” Cole gave her a confused look.

  “Nothing. Just never been that far from home before.”

  “I wanted to make sure it was safe before I took you back.” Cole brushed a stray strand of hair out of her face.

  “Oh,” Katrina faintly uttered, she stared into his eyes. She felt her body lean into him, when she quickly collected herself and blurted out, “Where’s the bathroom?”

  “It’s through there.
” He nodded his head towards two large double doors.

  Katrina went to move, but she suddenly stopped. She was afraid to leave. “Will you be, uh—,” she bit down on her bottom lip not wanting to sound like a basket case.

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  She grinned and nervously shook her head. Heading towards the bathroom was a challenge. Taking that first step was so painful. She wanted to scream. Her body was so sore that the pain caught her off guard. She had been so caught up in shock at her mother earlier it didn’t faze her, but now it stung like a bitch.

  “Caroline?” Cole ran over to her.

  “I’m fine. Everything just hurts.”

  “You want me to help you?”

  “No. I can do it.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I need to.” She went to move when she winced in pain again.

  “Let me help you, please?”

  “I have to try. If I don’t, he wins,” she pleaded with him.

  Cole hesitated. It took a few seconds for him to relent and let go of her. “Okay.”

  Each step she took seemed like an eternity for her. She was determined to make it there by herself, but it was a struggle; it didn’t help that she could feel Cole’s eyes on her the entire way.

  Opening the door, she noticed the bathroom was as elaborate as the rest of the house. The sandy colored marble countertops glistened in the light, as the flickers of auburn spirals inside it accented the golden fixtures. The lightly crème colored walls were adorned with more fancy artwork that resembled Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” painting. Decadently adorned with crimson roses, the small space had a certain romanticism about it.

  Undressing, Katrina winced once again at the pain. All of the blood mixed with the down pouring of rain had caused the gown to form itself to her body like a crispy shell. She had to practically rip it off of her. It took a few tries, but it finally came loose. As soon as it did, relief swept over her.

  Watching it fall to the floor, Katrina felt free at last. It was the last reminder of the hell she’d been through and she was glad to be out of it. When she was done, she was going to have Cole burn it.