ReAwakened

  Leaving Angel Creek was my only option. If I wasn’t in town, then Aurora wouldn’t be either. I would take us both far away, somewhere no one would ever think to search. Sebastian, the team—everyone I loved, the friends who had broken through the tough barriers around my heart…I would have to leave them all.

  And the sooner I was gone, the better it would be for everyone. There would be no time for the team to find out about my ploy to escape, no time for sorrowful goodbyes and changing my mind. I had to find a way to slip away unnoticed, and I had to do it right away.

  Not even an hour later, I was presented with a perfect opportunity. Brooke and Sophie burst through my bedroom door, announcing that Twitbrook was throwing an impromptu masquerade ball in honor of our team and the vampires we rescued from Jacques’ lair. Our invitation disclosed that he was extremely grateful for the success of our mission, and wanted to formally reinstate us as official guardians. Too little too late, but at least he was trying to make amends.

  “Look what I have here!” Brooke cooed, placing a long white dress on my bed. The silky fabric of the garment floated through the air before settling on the comforter. “We all chipped in and ordered it especially for you!”

  I ran my fingers over the smooth material, fingering the small silver sash around its waist. “It’s beautiful,” I said, touched by their gesture. Though it was a dress, it was exactly my style—simple, flowy, elegant.

  “It’s a thank you gift for all you’ve done over the last few months,” Sophie chimed in.

  A gift I’d never get to wear.

  Brooke smiled. “You’ll look like a goddess! I’m so glad it arrived in time for the party.”

  The party I wouldn’t be attending.

  By tomorrow night, I would be far away from the dress, and far from my friends. The short notice of the event—due to the fact that the Australian teen was going back home in two days—worked out in my favor. The team would spend all day focusing on party preparations while I planned my escape. I would arrange to meet them at the Scarlet House in hope that they would be too distracted with the excitement of the festivities to notice that I was missing, at least until I managed to place enough distance between us.

  Tonight, however, I had to pretend that I wasn’t abandoning them. This was easier said than done, especially when Brooke and Sophie excused themselves so that Sebastian could take their place. He entered the room, wearing a dark gray blazer over a white t-shirt and black pants, hair tousled, eyes blazing. He was out of breath as if he’d just run a marathon, but instead of being depleted, his body seemed to be coursing with a powerful surge of energy.

  Clearing his throat, he said, “I wanted to do this properly.” Placing one leg behind him, he presented me with an elegant bow, then held out his right hand in invitation. “Miss Fairchild, would you do me the honor of attending tomorrow’s ball with me?” he asked, grinning.

  Despite the pain in my heart, I couldn’t help but smile. This was Sebastian we were talking about. The same guy who, mere months ago, had only one expression—a scowl—was now smiling as he dramatically flaunted his gentlemanly ways.

  “Well?” He arched a brow when I didn’t respond.

  I smiled again, mainly to distract myself from the stinging in my eyes. “You want to go to the ball? Don’t flashy parties like this go against your dark and moody ways?” The humor failed to make its way into my voice.

  “I’m willing to make an exception,” Sebastian said. “Just this once. As long as you’re beside me, that is.” His eyes caressed my face. “So what do you say?”

  I swallowed the lump in my throat, letting it sink into the pit of my stomach.

  What could I say? “Yes, of course.”

  His other hand had been tucked away behind his back, but now he pulled it out, presenting me with a luminous violet rose. “How am I doing with this whole suave thing?”

  “Not bad,” I whispered, wishing I could revel in his good mood.

  I took the flower from his hand, accidentally pressing once of its sharp thorns into my finger. Instead of jerking back, I forced it deeper into my skin, seeking out punishment. The pain that shot through my hand paled in comparison to the one caused by the thorns around my heart.

  “I’m going to go out on a limb and assume that ordering a carriage would be a bit much, right?” Sebastian asked, running a hand through his hair.

  “Good assumption,” I told him, regretfully putting into action the second part of my plan. “In fact, we should just meet at the Scarlet House. I have to pay a quick visit to Ethan’s mom tomorrow morning.”

  And run.

  “Would you like me to come with you?” he offered. The warmth in his voice sliced through my chest like a knife. “I could take my old car out for a spin. It’s been sitting in the garage for ages.”

  “No, thank you.” I tried to think of a good excuse. “I haven’t spoken with Ethan for a while, so I’m not sure what kind of state Amelia is in. I think it’s best if I go alone. I don’t want to overwhelm her.”

  “I understand.” For once, he didn’t argue. “Six o’clock tomorrow night, then?” he asked. “Let’s meet by our fountain.”

  The way he said our fountain made me want to abandon my plan right then and there. I had a sudden flash of Sebastian standing alone by the cascading water, waiting for me to arrive.

  Waiting on the girl who wasn’t coming.

  “I’ll be there.” The lie slid from my lips, leaving behind a bitter taste in my mouth.

  “You better.” He pulled me into him, his deep voice silky with laughter.

  All I wanted to do was cry.

  Thankfully, Razor interrupted us, forcing my thoughts away from Sebastian.

  “How’s my favorite patient?” he asked, bursting into the room.

  “I don’t remember signing up for any treatment.” Faking cheerfulness was starting to drain my energy. At least with Razor, I would be forgiven for displaying a less jovial attitude.

  “It was complimentary.” He winked, but quickly lost his smile. “Actually, after you passed out on us the second time, I took it upon myself to do some research on your forta.”

  “What did you find?” And why did I have a bad feeling that it wasn’t good news?

  “Unfortunately,” Razor continued, “there are no documented instances of Born vampires being able to heal with their blood, but I managed to dig up two similar old cases with the help of a well-connected friend.”

  “Oh?”

  “Both of the forta owners ended up regretting their powers.”

  “How so?” Sebastian asked, pulling me closer.

  Razor pressed his lips together. “They died…in the process of healing.”

  “Huh.” I couldn’t see his face, but I could feel Sebastian flinch.

  “D, for your own safety, there can be absolutely no more healing,” Razor ordered. “I ran some tests while you were healing, and it appears that your blood cells aren’t regenerating properly. If you use your forta one more time, I’m afraid that you risk joining these girls in the after-afterlife.”

  “I just found out that I have a forta, one that could help thousands of humans and Born vampires, and now you’re telling me that I shouldn’t use it?” I asked, inhaling sharply.

  Why was I even surprised? Lately my life was riddled with obstacles. I was preparing to lose it all. The idea that I could help heal others was the only thing that still kept me going.

  “Not shouldn’t,” Razor corrected. “You can’t. At this point in time, your body is functioning exactly like that of a Made vampire. If you attempt to donate blood to someone, you will, without a doubt, be fully drained.”

  Sebastian’s grip on my waist tightened. “Why? What’s wrong with her?”

  “I don’t know yet, but I’ll do my best to figure it out,” Razor promised. “Which means, while you guys are off partying tomorrow, I’ll be at home in my makeshift lab, playing with D’s blood.”

  I groaned. “You’re even a
ble to make a nice gesture sound appalling. How is that possible?”

  “Years of practice,” he said, grinning. “Which reminds me, Seb, I need your help with setting up some equipment. You won’t mind if I steal him tonight, right?” he asked, turning to me. “After all, you’ll have all evening tomorrow to act nauseatingly and disgustingly cuddly.”

  I stepped out of Sebastian’s embrace. “Of course, go ahead,” I told Razor, knowing that there would be no tomorrow for us.

  “Tomorrow. Six o’clock. Our fountain.” Sebastian lifted my chin with his fingers, raising my head toward him so that he could plant a gentle kiss on my lips. It was the type of kiss that said I’ll see you soon.

  I yearned to pull him back, kiss him one last time with my entire body and soul. Kiss him to say Goodbye, forever.

  With Razor rolling his eyes in the background, it was impossible to do.

  “Come on, let’s go.” He shoved Sebastian through the door.

  “Razor?” I caught his arm just before he exited.

  “Yeah, D?”

  “Take care of your brother,” I whispered. It was a quiet plea, one I didn’t want Sebastian to hear.

  Razor smirked. “D, he’s just helping me set up some medical tools. I’m not sending him off to war.”

  “I know. Just…be good to each other, okay?” I pleaded. Despite Razor’s odd behavior and Sebastian’s reluctance to let him in, I was glad that Sebastian wouldn’t have to be all alone in that big mansion upon finding out that I was gone.

  “Okay, okay. I’ll bring him back to you in one piece.” He examined my face for a moment, his eyes narrowing curiously. My heart raced, wondering if he had figured out that I wasn’t talking about the lab. Just when I thought he was going to say something, he simply shook his head in amusement and left.

  Once the door closed behind them, I collapsed against it, crying through the pain resonating in every part of my body and mind. Crying until no more tears would flow.

  I stole away from Angel Creek before most of its residents had begun their day. My plan was to travel several hours south to the Shady Pines clinic, then go west. As far west as possible. The swift execution of my escape hadn’t left me with much time to map out an end destination; my main objective was to get away while I could.

  Trying not to raise any suspicion, I brought only what I could stuff into a duffel bag that was supposed to hold supplies for the dance. Instead of makeup, the small case was filled to the brim with weapons. In place of the beautiful white dress the team had gifted me, I had a change of combat clothing. On top of it all lay Sebastian’s violet rose. Unable to remove the tracking device embedded within it, I’d had to leave the necklace he’d given me behind.

  I had stayed up all night to write heartfelt goodbye notes to each of my friends but couldn’t risk leaving them at the cottage in fear that Charlotte would find them. She’d already caught me sneaking out before sunrise, nearly foiling my plan. Eyeing me suspiciously, she had asked where I was going. I didn’t even have to lie when I told her that I was on my way to see Ethan’s mother.

  “But you’ll be back in time for the ball, right? You can’t miss the dance!”

  “Of course I will.” Lying to Charlotte was easier than lying to the rest of the team.

  “Good! It’s going to be a night to remember.” Her smile was sincere; her blue eyes overflowed with excitement. For the first time since she had moved in, she wasn’t acting like a frail little bird.

  My close call with Charlotte had set my nerves on edge, but as I got farther from Angel Creek, my grip on the wheel loosened.

  It was going to work. I was going to make it.

  Of course, the anxiety brought on by fearing that the plan would fall through was immediately replaced by a sharp dose of reality. It hit me like a cold, sharp sting of bitter winter frost, turning my blood to ice. I had several painfully long hours to contemplate the fact that I was leaving everyone I cared about behind. For the first time in a long while, I’d really be all alone.

  Months ago, when I’d complained to Sebastian that the death of my father meant that I was left all by myself, I hadn’t realized the meaning of that statement—hadn’t understood the notion of what it meant to be surrounded by friends. I had been angry and confused, but those emotions paled in comparison to the emptiness swelling within me as I sped away from Angel Creek. Reminding myself to focus my attention on what it really meant—keeping the team safe, keeping Sebastian safe, not letting Aurora win—I shut off my mind and glued my eyes to the dark, dreary road sprawling out in front of me, mechanically focusing on the act of driving.

  The journey to Shady Pines was long and tedious. The roads were plain, devoid of scenery, the weather filled with gloom. The late November clouds swelled angrily, threatening rainfall, or perhaps even the first snow of the season. In spite of the melancholy that surrounded my journey, I knew that I owed Ethan a goodbye. At the same time, I wanted one last chance to question Amelia about my birth. Learning the details about the discovery of my forta and my surrogate mother’s background could provide me with yet another piece of the infinite puzzle that was my past.

  Shady Pines was a solitary structure, gray and drab, much like the clouds above it. Ethan was waiting for me in the parking lot, pacing around, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his brown leather jacket. Small, white puffs escaped his lips as his warm breath connected with the cool air. He perked up when he saw my car approach, but the moment I stepped out and he caught a look at my face, his smile vanished and his brow furrowed.

  “It’s a long story,” I said before he could ask anything.

  “One that you want to share?” he asked hopefully.

  I shook my head. “I don’t think I can.”

  At least not without crumbling into pieces.

  “Let’s go see your mom.” I urged instead.

  Ethan led me to the visitor sign-in area. Upon trading my personal information for a badge, we were escorted to the facility’s common space by an orderly wearing a pair of bright pink jeans and a colorful flower-patterned blouse.

  “Have a lovely visit!” she gushed, leading us through the large, airy room.

  Despite its ominous name and plain exterior, Shady Pines was one of those overly bright and cheery mental health facilities; the type of place that masked sadness with phony smiles and drowned out cries with peppy songs. It took only one look at Amelia Summers’ dry cracked lips, bloodshot eyes, and gaunt face to realize that whatever treatment they were handing out clearly wasn’t working.

  “Hi, Ms. Summers,” I greeted her tenderly, taking a seat across from her.

  Ethan sank down next to his mother, resting his large hands on the wooden table between us. I held my breath, anticipating the familiar screaming, but Amelia didn’t yell. Instead, she looked me straight in the eye, regarding me with perfect clarity.

  “Dawn, Dawn, Dawn…oh, how much you've grown.” Her raspy voice sent a chill down my spine. I had visited Amelia mere weeks ago; I was quite certain that I hadn’t experienced any growth at all since then.

  “It’s nice to see you again,” I said, giving her a kind smile.

  “I remember when you were just a tiny baby. Such a special child.”

  The lights above us flickered, eliciting a few frightened shrieks from the other patients in the room. Someone laughed. Amelia seized my hand. Despite all the weight she’d lost since our last meeting, her grip was firm and unyielding. She tightened her fingers around me, raking her bloodied nails across my skin.

  “Ethan told me that you've been having some nightmares lately,” I prodded gently, hoping to keep her talking.

  She bit down on her lip, drawing blood. “Nightmares. If only.”

  What did she mean by that?

  I looked over at Ethan. He shrugged. “What's going on, Mom?” he asked.

  Amelia paid no attention to her son’s question. Instead, she leaned over to me and whispered, “You've seen her too, haven't you?”

&nb
sp; “Seen who?” I asked.

  “You’ve seen her,” she said, unblinking. “She told me that she had found you.”

  White-knuckled, Ethan grasped the edge of the table. “Who is this she you keep talking about, Mom?”

  Instead of responding, Amelia began to chant:

  “Two babies born as one.

  Two babies made from the sun.”

  I turned to Ethan. Blood drained from his face. “Not this again.”

  “Not what again? What is she talking about?”

  Amelia continued to chant, her eyes glassy and unfocused, repeating the same words over and over again, each time, faster and louder.

  “Two babies born as one...born as one...bornasone!”

  A nurse on the other side of the room snapped his head in our direction.

  “It's okay, Mom. It's okay.” Ethan whispered, trying to draw her out of her trance, wiping at the tears that were now streaming down her face.

  “One mistake and you’re done.

  Nowhere to run, nowhere to run.”

  “Ms. Summers?”

  “Nowhere to run, nowhere to run…nowheretorun!”

  “Mom, look at me, please,” Ethan begged.

  Suddenly, she was back in front of us, her eyes no longer glossy.

  “You’ve seen her, haven’t you?” she asked me. “She told me that I’d pay for my mistake, and now she’d come to collect on her promise.”

  “Who, Amelia?” I prodded. “Who?”

  “You!” She pointed a long, lean finger at me. Like a little kid trying to control a tantrum, she covered her mouth with her hand, then burst into a fit of maniacal giggles.

  “Me?” I asked Ethan. “What does that mean?”

  He threw up his arms in exasperation. “I don't know, Dawn!”

  “She found me and now she's going to make me pay!” Amelia yelled as the nurse rushed to our side. “And it's all because of you!” She delivered the last sentence directly to me, then collapsed on top of the table, unconscious.

  Amelia's doctor ordered an end to my visit.

  “Something is definitely troubling your mother, Mr. Summers,” he told Ethan as he led us away. “I've never seen someone's health deteriorate so rapidly, especially once they’ve actually entered treatment. She came to us in an extremely cognitive state, but her condition has worsened, it seems. We’ve ordered some further testing.” He ran a hand through his sparse gray hair. “Don’t worry, we will get to the bottom of this.”