Destiny has left its mark (Vampire Romance) +

26 ~ Sad sometimes

Elijah's familiar figure approached, immediately stirring a newfound longing within me, despite my existing love. As he drew closer, a vivid scene unfolded in my mind, transporting me back to when I was Charlotte Grave. My heart raced with a surge of excitement, anticipating his arrival."Ms. Grave," he greeted warmly, his voice carrying a hint of familiarity as he wore the same coat that Neo had disliked. I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt, knowing that Neo would not approve of my encounter with his brother.

"Hi, Mr. James," I replied shyly, my eyes darting around, searching for any sign of Neo. He had made it clear that he did not want me to reveal our relationship to anyone, and I feared the consequences of being seen with his sibling.

Elijah's invitation to join him for a meal caught me off guard. "I was on my way to get something to eat. Would you like to join me?" he asked, his expression radiating a genuine kindness that I found difficult to resist.

Torn between my loyalty to Neo and my growing fondness for Elijah, I hesitated. However, the rumbling in my stomach and the undeniable allure of Elijah's presence swayed my decision. "Okay," I agreed, hoping that Neo would never find out.

As we began our walk, Elijah's warm smile filled me with a giddy sense of excitement, and I could no longer deny the affection blossoming within me. Our stride was interrupted when I narrowly missed a passing vehicle, but Elijah's swift reaction saved me from harm, pulling me into his protective embrace.

In that moment, our eyes locked, and time seemed to stand still. I forgot to breathe, transfixed by the intensity of his gaze. "Thank you," I whispered, reluctant to relinquish the comfort of his arms.

"It was not your fault, Ms. Grave," he replied, taking a step back. "I know the driver, and I should go have a word with him." Though I was disappointed to see him leave, I understood his concern and offered a reassuring smile.

"I'm fine, Mr. James. And hungry," I said, hoping to entice him to continue our journey.

As we walked, Elijah's curiosity surfaced. "May I know if you are in a relationship, Ms. Grave?" he asked, his tone polite yet tinged with a hint of interest.

I found myself in a quandary, unable to lie but unwilling to betray Neo's trust. Elijah, sensing my hesitation, quickly backtracked. "I apologize, Ms. Grave. I fear my manners have left me. Of course, you don't need to tell me, as we are practically strangers."

Gathering my courage, I responded, "No, it's okay." With a deep breath, I made the decision to lie. "I'm not in any relationship." The words felt heavy on my tongue, but Elijah's pleased expression made it clear that he had accepted my answer.

I smiled, but only when I looked away, fully aware of the danger that this encounter posed. Spending time with Elijah was undoubtedly risky, yet I couldn't deny the enjoyment I found in his company.

"Daniella," Elijah's voice called out, snapping me from my contemplative reverie. I looked around, realizing with a start that the day had already progressed into the afternoon. Elijah extended his hand, which I gratefully took, and he gently pulled me up to my feet.

"Everyone left?" I asked, still feeling a slight disorientation from my slumber.

"You fell asleep," Elijah explained, his tone gentle and understanding.

Darryn, who had remained behind, greeted me with a friendly grin. Though the rest of the group had departed, I was unsure for how long they had been gone.

Darryn and I followed Elijah back into the castle, where we entered a vast dining room teeming with guests. The scene evoked images of the Great Hall from the Harry Potter series, with long tables where people were either engaged in conversation or partaking in their meals.

As we stepped into the grand dining chamber, Elijah was approached by someone who wished to speak with him. Seizing the opportunity, I made my way over to where Josephine was seated, while Darryn took a seat next to Neo.

"Where were you the whole day?" I inquired of Penelope, who was adorned in a vibrant rainbow-hued scarf.

"I had some deliveries to attend to," she replied. "And what about you?"

"I practiced with the group," I answered, picking up a fork and admiring the delectable spread before me. "Agatha is going to try and persuade the guardian's leader and the council that I can control myself."

Penelope's expression shifted, and a hint of disappointment laced her tone. "That sounds great, but I thought you were going to become a vampire."

I couldn't help but shudder at the thought. "You should be happy for me that it reduces the chance of me becoming a ripper," I responded, the mere notion of that fate unsettling me. If I had no choice in the matter, I certainly didn't want to risk such a perilous outcome.

Penelope's initial disappointment seemed to give way to a more thoughtful understanding as she considered my perspective. The opportunity to avoid the risks associated with becoming a ripper was indeed a positive development, and I was grateful for Agatha's efforts to advocate on my behalf.

As we continued our conversation, the bustling energy of the dining hall surrounded us, a tapestry of voices and the clinking of utensils against plates. I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for the challenges and possibilities that lay ahead, knowing that I had the support of my friends and allies.

"I don't think your personality is suited for a ripper," Penelope remarked, her brow furrowing slightly as she contemplated the prospect.

I couldn't help but laugh softly at her assessment. "I don't believe personality has anything to do with it," I responded, gently challenging her assumption.

Penelope's expression shifted, and a wistful longing crept into her voice. "I thought we could be like Thelma and Louise," she mused, her eyes taking on a faraway look.

"They didn't end well," I reminded her, the tragic fate of those iconic characters still echoing in my memory.

Undeterred, Penelope continued, her imagination seemingly running wild. "Still, we could have been creatures of the night, living in this city and the next, as if there's no tomorrow," she pondered, her words carrying a hint of whimsical yearning.

Curious about her own journey, I asked, "How old are you, really?"

Penelope's lips curled into a small smile as she revealed, "I've been twenty for the past sixty years."

The disclosure caught me off guard, and I blurted out, "Wow, that's old."

Immediately, I regretted my thoughtless remark as I watched the smile fade from Penelope's face. "That's not a nice thing to say," she responded, her tone tinged with hurt.

Feeling remorseful, I reached out and gave her a warm, reassuring side hug. "Maybe we can still be creatures of the night together after I'm free, without having to be a vampire too," I suggested, hoping to mend the momentary rift and rekindle the camaraderie we had shared.

Penelope's expression softened, and a grateful smile spread across her face. "You're right," she agreed, her enthusiasm for the prospect once again palpable.

Just then, Elijah joined us, sipping from a glass as he observed the non-vampires at the table indulging in their meals. It wasn't long before someone brought an array of drinks over to Josephine and Neo, further enhancing the lively atmosphere of the dining hall.

As I sat there, surrounded by my friends and allies, I couldn't help but feel a sense of optimism about the future. While the path ahead might be uncertain, the prospect of exploring it together, even if not as vampires, filled me with a renewed sense of excitement and possibility.