Adela Augusta Blood Famine

Chapter Twenty Eight

Adela

Adela rode atop Chaise's horse feeling guilty. Somehow this all felt familiar. She had traveled on multiple occasions with subjects walking around her while she had the "best" seat. Though if she was being honest she'd prefer to walk or share the same experience as those who were charged with her company. Tonight was no different. She had voiced her opinion, but it turned out Henry Comfert was more stubborn than Chaise or herself combined. Between the polite yet bossy tone of Henry, and his son's rude but undying loyalty to his father, she found herself riding in their company despite Chaise's insistence that she not. And that was putting his feelings nicely. So here she was, traveling with the Comferts, though not very fast.

She wished Henry would ride with her at least. Then she wouldn't feel so guilty, but he wouldn't have it despite her demanding. Like Chaise he was all too good at saying no to royalty. Which was funny because he claimed he did it for royalty's sake. Something bogus about not being worthy enough to be seen riding on the same steed as Adela. So now she was in transit on a horse that belonged to a man who hated her, with his sick father trailing next to them going out of their way to extort a horse out of a family that had already risked their lives to help her. She couldn't possibly feel worse about this whole situation.

"Are we almost there?" Adela found herself asking again.

"For someone whose immortal and against this you're awfully impatient." Chaise answered.

"And for someone who thinks quick on their feet you say a lot of dumb crap." Henry barked with a cough.

Adela shook her head. She hated how hard Chaise's father was on him. He had done nothing but take her side over his this whole time, and even though it was necessary for her goals she despised it. The only thing that gave her some comfort was how apparent the bond and love between his father and him were. It was obvious that everything Henry said was only to teach him a lesson, and raise him the way he thought was right. In comparison, her own father treated her as an inconvenience and didn't even have the time to waste his energy insulting her. He didn't care about how she behaved for the sake of her own character and future, but rather how she would affect his reputation. Adela's hands tightened around the reins.

"Here we are the Heywoods farm." Chaise said.

At last, they had reached their destination, Adela wasted no time sliding off the horse. Her feet sank in the mud as she lost her footing, Chaise as quick as ever reached out and caught her with one hand. He yanked her back to standing without so much as a look in her direction. "Come on. The sooner we depart the better."

Adela said nothing but tore her arm back from him. The man may have been honest but he was also infuriating. As she approached the Heywood residence she noticed how quiet it was. Not a candle was lit inside, and not a sound could be heard. Though it was night time and being human meant they were probably sleeping, it still felt eerily quiet.

"What's wrong?" Chaise asked.

"Is something wrong?" Adela responded confused.

"I don't know. You tell me. You're the one who looks like a skittish cat."

Adela hadn't even been aware she was showing signs of discomfort. She was pretty sure she wasn't supposed to show emotions, especially ones like that. Chaise was right though, she was uncomfortable and she didn't know why. It was as if a little piece of her memory was trying to break loose or wiggle free, almost as if trying to warn her of something.

"It's nothing." She lied. "Let's just get this horse so we can be on our way. The sooner we make it to Mallory the better.

"You know it's funny. This person Ethan told you about sounds no different than a witch."