Destiny has left its mark (Vampire Romance) +

7 ~ Monsters +

Neo is there when I wake up, standing by my bedside. "I had a feeling something bad happened to you," he says softly, and I realize he's the first face I see as I come to. His hand is raised, almost as if he's about to touch my face, but then he hesitates and lowers it, leaving me feeling a mix of warmth and concern.

"Where were you? I was looking for you everywhere, and your friends wouldn't tell me where you were," I respond, my voice still a bit groggy from sleep. Neo has many friends, but none of them know that he is the brother of their king, which adds a layer of intrigue to our situation.

"I was around," he replies casually, lightly brushing his fingers against the cast on my arm, which had needed realignment in the emergency room. His touch is gentle, and I can tell he's trying to be supportive.

Just then, Abraham walks in, breaking the moment. "My patient needs rest, so don't wear her out," he says with authority, placing my breakfast on the side table with a practiced ease. He then turns to me and asks, "Are you comfortable?"

"I'm fine," I assure him, though I want to laugh at the sight of Neo rolling his eyes and shaking his head in exasperation at the situation.

Neo mumbles under his breath, "Comfortable isn't as important as safety," clearly still concerned about my well-being.

Abraham chooses to ignore Neo's comment and continues, "Just press that button when you need pain medication, and the nurse will come." He had brought me to his castle as soon as he could, and I remember being a little sleepy when he arrived, but I'm grateful for his quick actions.

Neo glances between us, clearly wanting to make a suggestion. "You could come to my place—"

Before he can finish, Abraham and I respond with a firm "no" in unison, which makes me burst out laughing at the suddenness of it. "I mean, I can't live with your other family members," I clarify, thinking of Elijah and Beverly, who live with Neo in the family castle.

"We live very far apart," Neo explains, his tone lightening a bit. "Even they live separately, which is strange since they're getting married soon." He continues, "The point is, there's a slight chance you'll see them if you come to my place."

I shake my head, dismissing the idea, and start to eat my breakfast, feeling the warmth of the food spread through me.

Neo turns to Abraham and asks playfully, "Too jealous?"

"No," Abraham replies, but both Neo and I can see the hint of jealousy creeping into his voice, which he can't quite hide.

"You eat, and then you come with me. I need to talk with you," Abraham says, his tone leaving no room for argument as he prepares to leave the bedroom.

Before he goes, Neo leans down and kisses my forehead gently. "I'm really glad you're still alive," he whispers, his voice filled with sincerity.

"You really felt something was wrong?" I ask, searching his eyes for the truth.

He nods, his expression serious. "I was too late, though; by the time I got there, you had already been taken to the hospital," he admits, a hint of regret in his voice.

Was it Neo who healed me? I wonder, but before I can ask, he suddenly says, "I have to go."

Strange, I don't feel any real connection with him, and yet, based on what he just said, it's possible that Neo could have been the vampire who healed me. It seems that the blood bond I was led to believe would be so intense isn't as strong as I thought, especially since I don't feel a connection with any other vampire—except for Elijah, but that's just foolishness on my part. I can't help but think about the vampire who broke my arm. Who is he working for? Who exactly is he? Will he be the cause of my death in this life, just as he was in the last?