Affinity

Chapter 21: Realizations

Anastasia opted out of riding shotgun on the way back. Mentally exhausted and annoyed that she struggled so much with a single, captive thrall, she would rather not be bombarded with Jason's teasing, however good his intentions. His congratulations and praise for her first kill did nothing to alleviate her mood. It didn't feel like a victory.

It seemed the lovely and perpetually grim Ivy would rather be the target of Jason's jokes than share the backseat with Nastia, she thought wryly. Resting her head against the cold glass of the window, she tried to sleep off the bloodlust that threatened to keep her hostage and awake. Behind closed eyes, Anastasia was back on the school parking lot with vicious claws tearing into her shoulders. Instead of the first thrall that AJ had killed, the unfortunate girl who had been turned into a thrall snarled in her face. Black blood poured out of her mouth like oil, choking and blinding Nastia, before she crumbled into dust.

"Anastasia. Nastia. Wake up," AJ's voice called out to her. She bolted up and, like a magnet, found herself suddenly clinging to AJ's chest, coughing out a sob. Her throat raged and her gums ached. She knew, without even running her tongue across her teeth, that her fangs were bared. It was for that reason --and that reason only! -- she kept her face buried in his chest, even after the effects of the nightmare simmered down and her breathing stabilized.

They had arrived at Headlight. He was standing outside the parked car in her open door, holding her steady with her knees on her seat. His fingers combed her hair, how long had he been doing that? He whispered, "I'm so sorry... I warned you that you didn't want to do this."

She stiffened and sensing the change, he tried to pull away, but she held him to the spot. She couldn't let him see her before she pulled herself together.

"I'm okay," she said hoarse. "Just stay and give me a minute." And stop smelling so good!

Get it together. Think of Pam. What would she say? What would she do?

Anastasia Edith Turgenev, don't make me call you 'Annie'! Her inner Pam chastised. You are going to let some stupid bloodlust control you? You're going to let AJ Reed have power over you? You're stronger than that! I know you.

"I am stronger than this," she said out loud.

"I know," AJ said. She looked up at him, her eyes normal and fangs gone. He cleared his throat and stepped back to allow her to get out of the car. "Ivy and Jason already went inside."

"Good. Guess I failed my first vampire hunt."

"You did? It looked dead to me."

"You had to help. I couldn't do it," she said, sucking on her lip in annoyance. He shook his head, smiling. He wasn't laughing at her, but it felt like it. She glared. "What? What's so funny, AJ Reed? "

"I was there to help you. It wasn't a grade. Though Ethan was hoping you would learn a lesson..."

"That being?"

"We weren't expecting you to kill a thrall all by yourself. You just started. Even hunters who have trained for years get killed if they're arrogant enough to go alone without backup. Look. You aren't alone in this. You can't be. No one can. Did you really think Jason and Ivy came along for the drive? We are in this together. No solo hunting."

"So, you watching me struggle to kill that weak thrall was just what? A lesson? Were you entertained? You could've easily just told me that without the theatrics!"

He shrugged. "Ethan and I agreed you were too cocky for your own good."

"Where is he? I'll ring his neck. Is that why he didn't come? Is he hiding?"