After about a half hour of running through random suburban streets and alleys, Addie had finally caught up with me—and so had Chaseyn. He was impossible to spot in the dark light, but I knew the instant the temperature dropped that he was nearby. I tried to be happy that he cared so much, but I was still distraught by his earlier revelation. Addie wanted desperately to comfort me in the same way I had on the many occasions that she and Rob had called an end—and later a new beginning—to their relationship. I was unwilling to give her the satisfaction. Instead, I assured her that what I truly needed more than anything right now was time to think. She drove me home and walked me to my room before returning to the party. As usual, Chaseyn waited in the shadows beneath my bedroom window, but rather than making his presence known, tonight, he remained completely silent, respecting my wishes to be alone.
Sleep came quickly, but morning came even faster. I was still enrapt in my thoughts when the doorbell rang. Looking at the clock, I realized that I had been lying awake for hours and it was, in fact, a reasonable time of day for an unexpected guest.
“Lia,” my mom shouted up the stairs. “Are you awake? It’s Chaseyn.”
She crept up the stairs and poked her head inside the door. Pretending to be asleep at this hour would be completely ludicrous, so instead, I feigned illness.
“I’m really not feeling well, mom. Can you tell him to go away?”
“Sure, honey.”
Standing at the top of the stairs, I listened intently as my mom explained the situation to Chaseyn. I should have known better than to think he would simply walk away. Before I could protest, he was resting comfortably on the couch.
“Thanks for letting me wait, Mrs. Jameson,” he said in a voice that suggested he had won the first of many battles today. “I promise I’ll be quiet as a mouse.”
“Oh, Chaseyn,” my mom cooed. “You’re such a silly boy. You’re never any trouble.”
Returning to my room, I sat on the edge of the bed and continued to think about my life as it was, Chaseyn, and the future. What did I want, I wondered? Would I eventually ask Chaseyn to make me an immortal being? If not, how would it feel to grow old with Chaseyn if he never truly aged? Would he stay with me? There were still so many things I needed to experience before I could make an educated choice. How could I know what I wanted until I had lived been through the same things Chaseyn already had? As these thoughts raced through my head, the minutes ticked by on the clock. More than an hour had passed since Chaseyn had arrived, and I knew what I needed to do.
Tossing on a T-shirt and jeans, I poked my head out the door and silently motioned for him to join me in my room. We talked for hours.
Chapter 32 - Fancy Dresses
“He’s leaving,” Addie asked surprised. “And, you’re okay with that?”
I nodded my head, tears stinging my eyes. No matter how many times I had been over it in my head, it still hurt to think about it actually happening.
“It’s for the best right now.”
“Lia, you love him. Don’t you know that? I’ve never met two people so perfectly synchronized,” Addie continued. She was pleading her case, and it was nearly impossible to bear.
Again, I nodded.
“Chaseyn knows who he is and what life has to offer. I’m just not sure right now who I’m supposed to be. I can’t figure that out with him always by my side. Once I have the answers I’m looking for, he’ll come back.”
“How can you be so sure,” she asked. “What makes you think that he’ll wait for you to get your head on straight. He’s amazing, and there are a lot of beautiful, smart women out there who would give their right arm for a chance to be with someone like him.”
“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life,” I replied.
Addie seemed satisfied for now, but I could see the look of skepticism in her eyes. She thought I was deluding myself and that he was going to find someone new, but she had no idea. He was bound to me forever. It was Chaseyn who had no guarantees about what I would decide to do.
“So, I guess we better find you an awesome dress for prom since it will be one of your last chances to leave a strong impression on him before he leaves,” Addie said, a huge grin sweeping across her face.
She was right. Even thought I knew it was needless, I still wanted to give him something special to remember me by until I sent the signal that I was ready to reconnect with him. Addie was already racing toward the boutique where she thought she had found the perfect dress…for me. She knew that in this one, rare case, I was going to let her lavish me with expensive fashions, and she was going to take advantage of the opportunity. Before I stepped foot inside the store, I saw her standing in front of the picture window flashing four different dresses wildly at me, one at a time. I let out a wry chuckle and shook my head knowingly. I was in for a bumpy ride.
The next few weeks were a challenge. I waffled between wanting Chaseyn to remain with me always and needing to be on my own for a while. Until, the one day came that I had to make the ultimate choice.
“I’ve decided to attend the University of Denver.”
“But, you got accepted to Dartmouth, Columbia, and Brown,” my mom said in surprise. “Why would you turn down full scholarship at an Ivy League school to live in Boulder?”
“To be close to you,” to be closer to you.
My mom smiled shyly. We had been getting along so well over the past year that I wanted to continue growing our relationship. If I moved away, I may not have that opportunity again. I deferred my acceptance to the other schools for one year. That way, I could have the best of both worlds.
“I promise, mom. I’m going to get the best education I can, but for a little while, I want to spend my weekends with you and Kevin. Unless you don’t—“
“Don’t be ridiculous. Of course we want you around as much as possible. But, how is Chaseyn going to feel about this? Hasn’t he already enrolled at Cornell? I’m sure one of the reasons he selected that school was to be near whichever one you selected.”
“It’s okay, mom. He knows, and he supports my decision,” I told her. “We’ll be together again someday, but right now…”
It was difficult to continue, and she didn’t press for more information. She didn’t ask any more questions about why I had chosen to stay nearby for school, while Chaseyn would be moving across the country. Instead, she made me a big cup of hot cocoa—even though the temperature was in the sixties, and the sun was shining like a neon bulb in the sky—and leafed through the University of Denver brochures I had fanned out on the dining table.
Time passed at lightning speed. Prom, finals, and graduation came and went too quickly. I wasn’t ready for what came next. Life. And, goodbye.
Chapter 33 - New Beginnings
Simple. Elegant. That was the only way to describe my mom’s wedding to Kevin. Wild lilies, daisies, and roses adorned an elaborate gazebo that was constructed in the meadow at Evergreen Memorial Park. On each side of the makeshift aisle, ten rows of six chairs each were covered in white linens. Kevin, a tall, sturdy man with a youthful glow, looked impressive in a tailored suit, mauve shirt, and lavender tie. His brother flanked his right side as he stood waiting for my mom to come down the aisle. I wore a pale purple sundress. The strapless, satin frock was layered with a lacy crinoline that hung to my knees. I wore my hair in ringlets on the top of my head, the odd escapee dangling to my shoulder. Chaseyn watched from the first row with pride as I glided effortlessly across the grass to stand in front of the crowd. My grandma, seated next to him, was more intent on his face than on me. I knew she was concerned about our future and if Chaseyn could keep me safe, but I had faith in our bond. I smiled at both of them and then at Kevin, who looked like he was going to pass out from anxiety.
As the wedding march played, the guests stood to face the back of the aisle. My mother stood beaming in a long, ivory slip style dress made of pure silk. It was sleeveless and slim-fitting, but modest. She walked slowly to take he
r place next to me, and I could see the tears of joy in her eyes. Kevin was crying, too.
I watched intently as my mom and Kevin exchanged vows, carefully listening for my cue to help light the unity candle. Every now and then, I stole a glance at Chaseyn, who hadn’t taken his eyes off me once. I could feel them burning through to my soul. This was our last day together for an undetermined length of time, and neither of us wanted to think about goodbye.
After a few photos in the field with the mountains as a backdrop, we retreated to a nearby barn for the reception. I thought it was cheesy and unnecessary, but my mom insisted that I arrive with her and Kevin and that rather than simply announcing them as husband and wife, we be introduced as a family. It was her day, so I went along, but it seemed silly. It also meant there would be no time for me to be alone with Chaseyn until after dinner. My muscles tensed with anxiety as I thought about how long that would be and how little time we had left.
As each minute passed, I longed to be near Chaseyn. The clock seemed to be ticking too quickly, and time was flying by. In just a few short hours, he would be gone. The minute the typical wedding rituals ended—dinner, speeches, and the first dance, which was extended to include a dance between Kevin and I—I was finally free to join Chaseyn.
“Mmm, I missed you,” I murmurmed against his lips, brushing my nose back and forth across his.
Chaseyn held me tight. He was much larger than me, and his arms wrapped almost entirely around my waist in a complete circle. I never felt as safe as when I was in his arms. After all we had been through, I knew I could trust him implicitly. He would never let me down.
“Do you think they would miss you if we went outside for a minute? Just a minute, I promise,” Chaseyn assured.
I nodded even though I knew my mom would be frantic if she lost sight of me today. Still, I needed to be with Chaseyn, alone, even if just for a moment. I took his hand and guided him through the crowded dance floor to the far side of the room where a side door led to a wooded area. We only had a short time before someone would come searching for me—no doubt to pose for more pictures or help cut the cake. I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster. On the one hand, I was feeling overjoyed by my mom’s happiness and at being such a big part of this blissful event. On the other hand, Chaseyn and I would be separated in just a few hours, and though I knew I would see him again someday, I didn’t know when. It was of my own volition, and I knew he would stay if I asked him to, but it was best for me to take some time away from him for a while. We both knew it. I had to be a participant in my own life before I could decide to take another path. Knowing this, wanting this, didn’t make it hurt any less.
Chaseyn slipped his hand into the pocket inside the lining of his suit jacket. He pulled out something so small that I couldn’t make out its shape in the dim exterior lighting. He placed the object in the palm of his right hand and spread it out before me.
“I had this made for you,” he said, nodding his head toward what I could now see was a silver loop with a large gem at the top. “I hope you like it.”
Using both hands, I scooped the trinket into my fumbling fingers, which were now shaking at the symbolism of his gesture. I looked up at him from under my long, false eyelashes.
“What is it,” I asked, realizing how ridiculous I sounded as the words came out before I could manage to stop them. “Is this a ruby?”
He shook his head and took the ring from my hand. He turned over my left hand and slid the band along the length of ring finger until it was securely in place.
“It’s not a ruby,” he said with a hint of caution in his voice. “It’s not a gem of any kind.”
I looked at it closely, confused.
“Well, I thought it would be distasteful—not to mention conspicuous— to ask you to wear a vial of my blood around your neck, so I had it made into something a little less unattractive,” he laughed.
There was a part of his reasoning that wasn’t clear to me. I squinted my eyes and tried to understand why I would need to wear a ring of his blood on my finger. I knew he was different from other boys, but he could still just give me a boring promise ring with a small diamond. Several seconds passed before Chaseyn noticed I was reeling.
“My blood,” he started. “If you are ever in trouble, break open the back of the ring, and drink it. I’ll know the minute you do, and I’ll find you wherever you are. It will also provide you temporary—very temporary—invincibility. Hopefully, the effect would last long enough to keep you safe until I arrived.”
I smiled. He would be gone, but never too far. It would be hard to keep from calling to him, I was sure. Just then, a man in a tuxedo came through the door.
“Are you Lia,” he asked. I nodded. “They’re about to cut the cake, and they’re madly trying to find you.”
I sighed heavily and looked at Chaseyn. It was getting late, and I wasn’t sure we would have a chance to be alone together again. I asked the man to stall for two minutes, and he agreed. I looked at Chaseyn, his face ashen and eyes sad. We kissed once, lips parted slightly, and then just stood there swaying slowly in each other’s arms.
“I’ll have a part of you with me always,” I said, smoothing my fingers over the ring, my voice cracking as I said the words. “But I have nothing for you.”
“You fill the space left empty by my heart,” he whispered into my left ear, grazing the lobe with his bottom lip.
He kissed my neck gently at the hollow under my chin, just beside the place where my pulse throbbed wildly beneath my skin. It was a subtle gesture; one that hinted at our future together. Should I choose to follow the path of the undead later in life, he would bite that exact spot to bring about the death of my mortal being. Though the moment was devoid of physical lust, it was the most passionate, intimate we’d ever shared. In that instance, I knew he meant it when he had said he would return, and a calm overcame me. He turned slowly, grasping my left hand in his right hand, he started to walk away backward. I remained perfectly still. As our fingertips stretched to maintain the hold, I knew I had to let him go. I watched as he walked away with a jaunt so brisk a galloping horse would have trouble keeping pace. He left me there feeling the exact same way I had when I first laid eyes on him six months earlier.
Breathless.
Epilogue
“Come on,” Addie called from the car. “We have to go.”
Hoisting the enormous backpack over my right shoulder, I gave my mom a kiss and hugged Kevin tight.
“Take care of her,” I said with a giggle despite the tears trickling down my cheek.
“You’ll only be gone three weeks. Surely, we can manage,” my mom laughed, her face also was streaked with tears.
Though I felt no sadness when Chaseyn left—I knew it was right—my mom and Addie thought it would be good to turn my attention elsewhere for a while. As a graduation gift, my mom had surprised me with a ticket to Heathrow in London. Addie had taken care of the details from there. We would spend the next few weeks trekking across Europe, from hostel to hostel, taking in all of the landmarks of the ancient world. Addie had been overseas before, but never like this. On all of her previous journeys, she had stayed in five-star hotels and dined at the finest establishments. This time round, she wanted a normal teenage experience. Nothing but rock-hard, low budget cots and beer-battered fish at corner dives.
“I love you guys,” I shouted through the open window to my mom and Kevin as we drove slowly down the street. “Thank you.”
Chaseyn had been out of the picture for nearly a week. We had spoken only once so that I could reveal the unexpected vacation plans to him. I knew he would worry about how to keep me safe during this time, especially being so close to where, undoubtedly, so many of his siblings would be located. But, as per the plan, he would avoid contacting me, unless I asked him to. Something told me he would never be far.
We arrived at the airport the recommended two hours early for international flights. Thumbing through the pages of a fas
hion magazine, Addie recalled childhood memories of shopping in French boutiques and Swiss chocolate shops. Like a kid on Christmas Eve, dreaming of sugar plum fairies and flying reindeer, I fantasized about the adventures we would enjoy. When, suddenly, Addie stopped short and began talking gibberish.
“Okay, so Lia, don’t be mad, but there’s something you should know.”
Just then, I felt a warm hand clap down had on my right shoulder.
“Hey there, beautiful,” someone said in a deep, masculine voice with a drawl as thick as molasses on a January morning in New York. “Happy to see me?”
“Ugh,” I said, looking up to see the smiling face of one exceptionally handsome, Amarillo quarterback staring deep into my gaze. “What are you doing here?”
“Surprise,” he laughed and pulled me in for a bear hug. “Addie invited me to come along. I’ve been waiting around here for hours—had to take the redeye to make sure I would make the connection.”
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