April 26, Saturday – 10:25 p. m.
I was 95% sure that I was dead. I awoke in darkness, but not my darkness. But I soon realized that it was just a dark room, much like my own. In the corner, light was cast from a small lamp that sat on a bare desk. The rest of the room was pitch black and I had no interest in roaming around when I couldn't even see my own hand. I had begun to sit up when I heard voices outside the room. Filled with uncertainty, I laid back down, closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. A door opened, followed be two pairs of footsteps that walked in and stopped on either side of the bed.
“She's still sleeping,” a voice said sadly, one that I immediately recognized. My vampyre, my William.
“I told you she would be.” I didn't recognize this voice. It was a woman. Her voice was too seductive, too experienced. I already didn't like her. “Will, forget about the human, we both know the real reason you came here.”
“The only reason I came here is because of Jay. You're the only one who could help her,” Will said, emphasizing the 'only.'
“Fine, but I thought the newbie only bit her lip. You don't need me for that.” Her voice was suspicious. “Why do you need me?” she asked after a moment.
“I bit her, too,” he confessed after a long time. “I didn't mean to...there was just so...much blood....” He broke off, struggling to regain control. “I bit her wrist and I even pushed Drew away to bite her lip, he said with a nervous, humorless laugh.
He continued, “She fell. I caught her but she's not well.” There was an undertone in his voice that hinted there was more he wasn't saying.
“He blood-bonded her,” the woman said, her voice full of shock and revulsion.
“Yes, he did.” His voice was angry and sad at the same time. “She will only ever thirst for him now.”
“He is only a youngling. You know there are ways to change what he has done.”
“Don't.” His voice sounded strained.
“I'm just saying if you want her bad enough, she could be yours. Not that she could ever compare to me, of course.” I really didn't like this mystery chick.
“No, I will not do that to her.” Will said, exhaustion lessening the anger in his voice.
“I'll leave you then.” I heard her footsteps move away and then a door closing.
I felt Will unexpectedly collapse at the foot of the bed and I flinched.
He sighed. “I should have known.”
I opened my eyes and sat up beside him/ “I'm sorry.” I wasn't sure if I was sorry for eavesdropping or something else. “Are you mad at me?” I asked, still fearing his anger from a moment ago.
“I'm too relieved and exhausted to be mad,” he said, reaching for me. He placed his hand on my cheek. “You're so soft,” he barely whispered. He leaned as I leaned and I knew what was going to happen. We were going to kiss.
Suddenly he pulled back and looked away. “I'm glad you're alright,” he said awkwardly.
“I'm not Drew's,” I said, not really understanding the blood bond thing, but knowing after he bit me that I did not want to be with Drew.
“Yes, you are,” he replied, putting more space between us. “He bonded you to him. You are his for eternity. His blood is the only thing that can satisfy the pain you're feeling.” Will spoke distantly, as if the words were fact from history that could not be undone.
Now that he had mentioned it, there was an ache inside of me. Suddenly the ache increased to a fierce pain. I lurched forward, grasping my stomach. The thought of food did nothing for me. I thought of Drew and the pain receded a bit. I looked at Will and his face was smug and sad at the same time.
“No,” I managed to whisper before I fell into darkness.
April 27, Sunday 1:26 a. m.
Ashes, Ashes Page 9