Crimson Bonds - ALL GXG VERSION (Hailee Steinfeld X Bridgette Lundy-Paine )

Chapter 23: Revelations

Italic Lyrics - Carter Lyric Context

Bold Lyrics - Liza Lyric Context

There's something about you

I can not explain

I just want to know your name

It's not what you said

Not the way you said it

I'm under your spell and I don't regret it

I had done it. I finally told Carter the truth. I pull away within seconds of trying to scare her off, secretly enjoying the feeling of her pulse on my mouth. Yet I wouldn't frighten her further by telling her this. For a mortal she has kept rather good composure this entire encounter however, not scared to shit and desperate to run away from me. This made me feel more at ease knowing I didn't have to compel her to forget I am a vampire, not yet anyway. I did better than I expected with my control. I guess getting this off of my chest made it easier to be around her. I can finally be myself, not entirely but this was a start.

We now are sitting on my stairway, Carter looking at me transfixed as I sit two stairs above her. It seems she has almost forgotten the moment I told her what I was, You know, a blood-lusting creature that must feed on humans to survive.

"So you and your sister are not royals from Great Britain? I just shake my head with a grunt.

"Royals? Hell no. But my sister is definitely a brat...I mean Brit." I just grin at Carter who let's out a laugh. "I was born in New York but lived in England most of my childhood. While my mother is fully English I failed to sound like one. Got my father's genes when it comes to having an American accent." I continue as Carter nods with a small grin, it somewhat making sense to her now.

"You know what's weird? Even before I met you at the school, you seemed almost familiar to me somehow." Carter remarks. I look away from her in silence, feeling guilty for what I had done as I take a deep breath.

"Umm, what aren't you telling me?" Carter asks confused as I finally look her in the eyes.

"You did meet me before school. Well, technically you only saw my shadow. You caught me mid feed in a time of weakness." It now clicks for Carter as my green eyes bore into her soul, pupils becoming more dense. And in that moment Carter remembers: The shadow wrapped around another, red eyes glaring at her, quickly disappearing only for the girl to find a pool of blood on the ground.

"That was you...with that man..." I just nod. Carter's eyes widen as I continue to hold my dilating gaze on her, making her remember of her night at the house. She sees more images of memories coming back to her conscious: Evelyn almost attacking her, crimson eyes and fangs visible, only for a rapid figure to come to her rescue. It was me all along: Furious, hungry. Yet I didn't reveal to Carter what occurred afterwards, bringing her home with Sam, kissing her lips, craving her. Carter snaps out of her thoughts, slightly taken aback.

"It was you...the whole time?" I nod again. I didn't reveal to Carter our kiss, for I don't want her to be confused. I also do not want her to crave me in that way. We cannot become involved romantically. We should not be involved at all, for it will only result in the human's bitter end.

"I'm sorry I had to compel you. However, I had no choice at the time. I had no idea who you were, and didn't want you to remember me like this." I now look down to the floor, ashamed of myself.

"Like what Liza?" I just shake my head in disbelief to Carter's question then lift my head to look at her again with a now brooding expression.

"You just don't get it do you? I may look intriguing to you, but it's all nothing but deceiving. My beauty and abilities are used as a weapon. I'm able to bend humans to my will, against their will. I hunger for their blood, able to take it from them with ease. Ever since I met you, I've longed for yours. If I truly wished, I'd have it within seconds. I'm nothing but a monster." We sit in silence for a moment. I could definitely sense a pinch of fear within Carter when I said her blood was the one I craved. Yet still I can tell she isn't truly afraid of me. I feel as though she wants to be there for me, like we've had a close connection for some time now though we only met days ago.