18

The End

The smell of freshly baked bread and the sound of the birds happily singing to one another filled my ears. I looked around at the humans talking and smiling, it made my heart happy.

"That coffee smells strong." My nostrils flared as Henry placed the tray on the table.

"Are you cold, I can see the tiny hairs standing upon your arms."

"No, if anything, I'm enjoying the cool breeze and the freedom." I took his hand across the table and squeezed it.

"I told you we would finally do this."

"Do what?"

"Have our first date and I couldn't think of anywhere more beautiful or anyone more beautiful." He placed his sunglasses over his mesmerising eyes.

"Stop it." I bit the tip of my tongue, blushing. "Have you spoken to Louis today?"

"Yes just now."

"And is he ok?"

"Yes he's good." My eyes narrowed as I knew him well enough by now to tell when he was hiding something from me.

"What is it, Henry, we said no more secrets."

"Eleanor, I just want to enjoy this day with you."

"Henry."

"He's had to leave Arizona."

"Why?" I sat forward, the smell of the strong coffee hitting my senses.

"There is a new group of vampires, they have taken over, Louis believes the leader is the one who was planning with my father to take over more states."

"Ok, we knew this was a big possibility."

"We did."

"So what do we do about it?"

"What do you mean?" His eyes shifted as he placed the glasses to the top of his head.

"We can't let this happen again."

"Eleanor what we do is we keep moving and when we know that the vampires are around, then we move again. We have nothing now to help us stop them."

"I wouldn't say we have nothing." I pulled the gold necklace from under my dress and smiled at Henry's mothers pendant and Kaleb's ring.

"Do not go getting any ideas."

"I am sure I can contact the witches through these if you just let me try."

"Elle this isn't our fight anymore, please let's just enjoy life whilst we still can. It's Christmas next week, and it has been so long since I have gotten to enjoy this season."

"Which means it's nearly Christmas Eve." I softly smiled as he squeezed my hand.

"I know you miss her, so why don't we do something to celebrate Jessica's birthday."

"Like what?"

"She loved ice skating I heard you both talking about it before, you have always wanted to go to New York and where better to go at Christmas and ice skate."

"Going back to America scares me."

"There have always been vampires Elle, you just didn't know it."

"I know, and I know they are not all bad."

"So, what do you say."

"Yes, ok yes let's do it, but we need to make sure Louis celebrates with us to, and I won't take no for an answer."

"Trust me, I know you won't."

I took a sip of the coffee and stuck my tongue out. "I really can't drink that, come on, there is one more thing I have to do before we leave." I gathered my belongings and picked up the red rose I had bought previously from an old man selling them on the street.

"Where are we going."

"There was a reason I chose Burano as our first stop."

"Tell me more."

"Lorna told me this was her home and she said the brightest red house was where she lived, I believe this one here is the brightest red house in this little town." I nodded smelling the red rose as my eyes grew hazy. "She was always so nice to me, she did not deserve her life to be taken the way it was. I hope you are up there Lorna with your parents living a life of happiness. I'm sorry I could not save you." I kissed the rose petals and placed it upon the window sil. "I'm ready to leave now, Henry."

"Where to next we still have a week." He wrapped his arm around me as we began to walk along the colourful canal.

"I know just the place, but I warn you it's very romantic, just like in one of my books."

"Venice." He squeezed me gently. "I like the sound of that. I love you, Eleanor Thorn."

"And I love you, Henry. I always have."