Forbidden Blood

Chapter 6: Clara

I can't believe what Vincent just said to me. Did he just say he was attracted to me? Or are my ears and eyes playing tricks on me?

"That's why I wanted to see you again." he says. He waits for my response.

"I don't know what to say," I ponder, "I'm flattered, but I mean, realistically, it would never work. It's too complicated to even try."

"Right, but you can't tell me that you don't feel the same way." I hesitate, wondering what to say. "No, I get it," he says, "It wouldn't work, would it?"

"I don't know. We both feel something for the other, but it's as if the world doesn't want us to be together. It's like a paradox; you're a vampire, and witches shouldn't even talk to vampires, much less be in love with them. I don't know if I can make that sacrifice..."

"So you do feel the same way?" Vincent asks eagerly. He steps closer, looking excited.

"Yes... I guess I do feel the same." Vincent grins from ear to ear. "I just don't think it will work."

"It can work, trust me. No one will find out about us."

"I don't know..." I hesitate, looking down at the ground and shuffling my feet.

"Clara," Vincent takes my hands, "This will work. I promise."

I do feel attracted to Vincent. Very attracted. And I want this to work, but I don't know if it can. It's too complicated.

"Can I at least think about it?"

"Take as long as you need," Vincent smiles sympathetically, "I'll be waiting here for you."

"Okay," I smile, letting my hands fall back down to my sides. "I should be going now, I've already been out for a long time."

"Alright," Vincent looks disappointed. "Just remember what I told you. We can make it work." He smiles and then walks off into the shadows. I turn around and take the long path back to my village. I think about my options here: I can choose to meet Vincent in secret, betraying my community, or I can leave him behind, staying faithful to tradition and family. It's a tough choice. The one thing that is stopping me is my absolute faith for my community. I can't leave them behind.

But I also can't deny the feelings that I have for Vincent. It's too strong.

It doesn't seem to take very long before I arrive back at the village. I enter quietly and run to my hut. I go inside and look out the window. No one saw me. Phew, I think, that was so dangerous. I don't know if I can handle doing this every night. Not to mention the sleep I'm losing.

The idea of sleep takes over my body and, like a zombie, I throw off my clothes and change into a night dress. I lay in bed, reminiscing my visit with Vincent. It wasn't romantic, to say the least, but the thrill of seeing him when I shouldn't have been... that was amazing.

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I wake up in the middle of the night to hear shouting and yelling outside. I sit up in bed and turn on the lamp, and then I put on some night slippers. When I open the door, I see some girls crowded in the center of the village watching Adriana yelling at a girl. I think her name is Tarynn, but I'm not positive. I run outside to the crowd and stand by Leesi.

"What's going on?" I whisper to her. Agatha is standing next to Leesi and she responds.

"This girl is the one who put the spell over the vampires. Adriana is about to banish her from the village."

"Oh my gosh! How did Adriana find out it was her?"

"I'm not sure, but apparently she told some lie about following a witch into the forest tonight." Leesi says, "The girl she followed was apparently meeting a vampire that she was 'in love' with. Adriana knew immediately that she was just lying to cover her own wrongdoings."