Vampires Rule // Colby Brock

~| 55 |~

Colby and I spend about two hours on the beach just talking. It feels so strange and yet so natural at the same time, as he re-gets to know someone and I learn about him. Our conversation doesn't drift further than past stories, mostly just giving the other an idea of our personalities, and I enjoy little bits of contact that I've been away from for so long.

We sit on the wall by the beach, our hands intertwined as we just stare out at the beautiful waves. It's too early in the morning for anyone else to be here, giving us all the time and freedom in the world to just relax. Occasionally, he squeezes my hand, but we haven't talked for a couple of minutes.

I breathe a sigh, flexing my other wrist, and he glanced over at me to smile, only to peer down at my necklace. I've already figured he was the one to give it to me; it reacts to him, tells me he's nearby. Just more indication that I'm supposed to be with him.

He doesn't look away for a short while, so I take the necklace in my fingers and fiddle with it as I say, softly, "What is it?"

His gorgeous blue eyes flash back up to meet mine. "Why did you keep that after you woke back up?"

"I felt connected to it," I admit. "Besides, now knowing exactly what I am and all, I figured it would save me a job finding something else infused with vervaine to use against vampires. And I like it." I look down at the necklace in question with a small smile on my face, tracing my index finger over the crescent moon design. It gives me a soft shock in response.

Colby squeezes my hand so I turn my attention to him. Without saying anything, he reaches out for the necklace, then by-passes it for the side of my neck instead. His thumb traces my jaw. "You're not so different from before, you know. You still have an attitude."

I snorted. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." His fingers tighten then he pulls back and turns away. With his hands in his lap, I no longer have the comfort of his touch against mine and I miss it instantly. I frown to myself at how strong the feeling is. I know we're soulmates, that everything inside us is supposed to draw us together, but goddamn does it feel far more powerful than even my own magic. Perhaps his strength and my powers make it stronger; give it fuel to rage on with such fury it could take us both down.

That's the point, though. Soulmates are meant to keep each other in check and if they can't do that, something could go awry. A part of me wonders if there's been anyone else before me—a vampire whose soulmate is a witch. Even if there has been, I doubt they'd ever had to go through getting stabbed by the enchanted dagger.

It makes all this weirdly complicated. Everyone knows a vampire's soulmate doesn't feel the need to be with them nearly as much as the vampire; they're able to live without them, because otherwise humans might be forced into a dangerous environment with their soulmates and it isn't fair on them. But witches? I can't imagine humans feel this drawn to the soulmates, we must have a similar desire for vampires that they do us.

My thoughts draw my gaze onto Colby's own wistful expression, as he stares into the waves again. I glance at the time on my phone—approaching three am already—and press my lips together.

"Alright, I should probably return you to your clan now," I tell him softly. He looks at me too fast, as if warning me against it, but I just smile. "I know I didn't promise to bring you back but still."

"You shouldn't give me back," he mutters, and I swear the corner of his lips twitch.

"Oh? Why not?"

He shrugs. "I'd be quite offended."

"Offended," I scoff, shaking my head. "Come on, idiot, let's go back to the coven house. I presume your friends are waiting for you?"

He's chuckling under his breath as he drops from the wall and hesitates, watching me do the same. He's expecting to have to catch me but I got it under control. His attention flicks to grabbing our shoes for us instead, then he answers, "They won't leave until I get back. They have too much grilling to do."