Bloodshed

Chapter Four: Letting Go

It was well past dark by the time Gabriel's flames had died out. Whether it was from exhaustion or pain, I wasn't sure. But as I watched him trudge into the university, head hanging and naked body covered in soot and ash, my heart absolutely shattered. He looked so pitiful, so utterly defeated. I wanted to walk up to him, to hold him, but I didn't move. I couldn't.

At first, I thought it was because of my resentment of him.

It made sense. After all, he had taken away my choice, forced me into a life that I never wanted. But that wasn't it. That wasn't what glued me to the spot as he walked inside the university and closed the door behind him with a bang that echoed off of every tree and rock outside.

I think it was the hurt and loneliness that radiated off him. It covered me like a second skin, so hauntingly familiar that it made me physically ache. I had felt the same way too many times growing up in foster care, and feeling it now made me forget that I had ever been turned into a vampire.

I felt vulnerable, human, and I despised it.

You should check on him. Duke's voice filled my head. If that is what you want.

I thought about it for a moment, then shook my head. No, it's fine. He needs to rest.

And so did I.

I may not have been affected by temperature fluctuations, but physical exertion still got to me. Every part of my body ached, even the individual joints of my fingers and toes. My muscles tingled and burned as I finally moved toward the statue of Gabriel at the square. I let out a whimper as Duke put an arm around my waist, which made him chuckle.

"I think you may have overdone it today." He said, kissing the top of my head as I leaned into him.

"I think you may be right." I replied sleepily.

Duke held me while we waited for the statue to shift back, revealing the opening to the subterranean vampire lair--the place I had been living in since being turned.

"Want me to help you inside?" Duke whispered into my hair.

I nodded a little. "Please?"

Without another word, Duke scooped me up into his arms, causing me to squeal in surprise.

"Duke, what are you doing?"

"Helping you."

"No, you don't have to carry me." I insisted, struggling to get out of his grip. "You're probably as tired as I am."

"I'm fine, Audrey." He said, effortlessly keeping me in his arms. "Worry about yourself for once."

I didn't want to. There were too many other things to consider, like whatever was going on with Gabriel. And Master being above ground, what his intentions were. Then, there was the matter of my immortality.

I tried not to think about it too much. Though that was pretty hard to avoid, especially when my throat went painfully dry, and my stomach audibly groaned.

"We can get a blood bag on the way, if you want." Duke said, keeping his caramel-colored gaze straight ahead.

I didn't reply right away. Instead, I tilted my head back to study him.

It still amazed me, just how keen my new vampire sight was, how many details I could now notice. Like the little faint scars in Duke's skin, evidence from his gladiator days. Or the sprinkling of freckles across his nose. I had never realized he had freckles until now; they were so fair against his alabaster skin, blended in so well, that it would have been very easy for my former human eyes to miss.