Riley Hayes | A Vampire Novel | Book 2

Chapter 21

Damian's pov

It's been over two months, and things still feel like they're falling apart. Every day, I go to school with Rayna, but my mind is never really there. I think about my father, still at home, always at home, watching over everything like a fortress, waiting for the day Archie comes back to finish what he started. He's been trying—really trying—to get my mother out of that damn room. He's tried everything.

But she won't come out.

She doesn't even want to see Leia or Zera, and that's what hurts the most. They've cried for her, begged her to come out, but she doesn't move, doesn't even open the door. It's like... she's gone. This isn't the same woman who fought my grandfather, who fought for us with her body broken and bleeding but still defied him with every ounce of strength she had.

This isn't my mother.

Now, she doesn't fight at all. She just... doesn't care.

I'm sitting outside during lunch break with Rayna, staring at the grass, pushing my food around on my tray. I haven't had much of an appetite lately. Rayna's flipping through one of her spell books, but she's not really reading it. She's here because I need someone to talk to, even if neither of us says much. She hasn't been allowed near Mom either, which makes things worse.

"When's the last time you tried?" I ask, my voice rough, like I haven't spoken in hours.

Rayna closes her book, folding her hands over it as she sighs. "A few days ago," she says, her voice soft. "She didn't throw anything at me, at least." She forces a little smile, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "I just... sat outside her door. I told her about the spell, explained why she's not feeling like herself. She didn't answer, but I know she was listening. It's the blood, Damian. Leuca's blood is making her stronger, but it's also making everything worse. Her human beliefs... her identity—it's all clashing with the vampire instincts."

I nod, staring at the ground. "I know. It's like her mind's at war with itself."

Rayna looks at me, her expression serious. "It's more than that. She's not just rejecting what's happened—she's rejecting who she's becoming. And that's dangerous."

I can feel the weight of her words sinking in, but I don't want to admit it. "She agreed to drink animal blood, right? Is that helping at all?"

Rayna shakes her head. "No, Damian. It's not enough, and we both know it. She's starving herself, even if she doesn't want to admit it. Eventually, it'll take its toll."

I can feel my frustration rising, the knot of anger and helplessness tightening in my chest. "So what, we just wait for her to die?" My voice is sharper than I intended, but I don't care.

Rayna's face softens, and she reaches for my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "No. But Damian, she's... she's not thinking like herself. This isn't just about her refusing blood. Her humanity, her sense of identity, it's all in conflict. She's suffering in ways we can't even imagine."

I let out a hollow laugh, shaking my head. "Yeah? Well, she's not the only one suffering. Yesterday, she threw a damn lounge chair at me." I glance down at my hands, still feeling the sting of it. "She told me to leave her alone. That's not my mom, Rayna. That's... someone else."

Rayna sighs, her hand still resting on mine. "I know, Damian. I know it feels like she's gone, but she's still in there. She's lost, confused, but that part of her that loves you, that would do anything for you—it hasn't disappeared. Right now, she's just... drowning in everything she's feeling."

My throat tightens at her words, and I feel the anger in me ebb just a little. But the frustration remains, gnawing at me. "You really believe that?" I ask quietly, not looking up. "Because I don't see it. All I see is someone who doesn't give a damn about us anymore."