The Last Corvus (completed)

Ch. 23 Isadora

Chapter 23

Isadora

I wake from my dreamless sleep to find Mrs. Jones, er... Winnamine (she wants me to call her that, even though I've been taught my whole life to call my elders by their last names), knocking on the door. I open it to reveal her, slightly overexcited, smiling face. "What?" I ask somewhat testily, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "What is it? Why are you so happy?"

She grabs my hand, bouncing lightly on her high heels, and practically squeals, "guess who's awake? We weren't expecting him to be awake so soon; but this being the only time this has ever happened, we had no idea what to expect. And now he's awake!"

Who? The only other person that I can think of that was out when I was (besides Henry, but that's unfortunately permanent) would be Linden.

Linden!

My heart gives a little flutter at the remembrance of how peaceful he looked and how soft his hair was. I still can't believe I did that! Winn misinterprets my ashamed blush, "I thought so. Come on." Knowing it would be futile to fight her, I let her lead me to the fated "infirmary".

He's sitting up on his cot, occasionally wincing as the good Doctor pulls out one IV after another. He sees us enter and gives me a weary smile, fangs gleaming in the artificial light. Huh, something's different about them and I can't quite... oh, they're shorter. Now they more closely resemble my own than that of a normal vampire's. I give him an encouraging smile, flashing my own fangs at him.

I barely even notice them anymore; every time I accidentally bite myself my lip heals over almost instantly, before my mind can even register the pain.

He smiles more warmly, wincing once again as Dr. J pulls off one of the monitor pads from his temple. He points to his temple and then mine, and my fingers graze one of them. Oh. I hadn't even felt it. I pull it off, and, unlike Linden, don't wince. It barely felt like anything coming off, but now that it's off, it stings like crazy.

Dr. Jones finishes tinkering with the machines and leaves, saying something about needing to finish another experiment. Having not realized that Winn left, I'm surprised to find we're now alone, in the same room, for the second time in just as many days (then again, I might be off in my count, I don't know how long I was just asleep for). At least this time we're both coherent.

"I know what happened to me, but what happened to you?" I ask, intrigued.

"Well, erm... Shortly after I carried you here, Paul told me he'd finished formulating the Cure and I took it, being the guinea pig that I am. It doesn't seem to have any adverse effects; besides the fangs. How can you stand them?" His words slur slightly, almost lisping. It's cute, like he's a six-year-old with the voice of an adult.

Wow. Hilarious mental image. Think someone wearing a diaper, sucking a pacifier, hobbling around with a walker. Okay, that's extreme from both directions, but still hilarious.

"You get used to it. After a while your lips will get used to talking around them." It kind of reminds me of when I had braces. Blasted things. At least my fangs are straight. Why did I have to mention lips? Now all I can think about is kissing him and running my hands through his hair again.

He looks at my mouth, studying the way my lips move around my fangs. I can feel my face reddening beyond the range of the average tomato... and the lights go out.

I don't panic. For some reason I can still see, even if only by the light of the emergency exit sign. Wondering at yet another of my new-found abilities and how everything now looks pinkish red, I don't feel the hand on my chin. Slowly, as to not startle me, he guides my face to his.

And kisses me.

His fever-hot, cracked, dry lips scrape against my own. His eyes grow wide as he feels me jump, acting instinctively. I push off his chest with both hands, sending him flying across the exam table and sprawling with his legs in the air on the other side. He groans and I sprint for the door.

I have to get out of here. Sprinting down the hall, the door frames start to blur. It only takes me a few seconds to get to the furthest point; the elevator. Pressing the up button repeatedly, I slide to the floor when it won't open, putting my head between my knees and trying to breathe deeply.

WHY?!

Why did I have to be part vampire? Why did Linden have to find me? Why did Henry have to bite me? And, most important at the moment: why did Linden kiss me?! I thought we were starting to be good friends- and now this! He ruined everything!

Oh, of course the elevator won't work. There's no electricity. As if some higher power hears my comment, the lights turn back on. The intercom in the wall (what is this, high school? Is it time for the morning announcements?) blares to life, making me jump. Dr. Jones's voice booms, "sorry for the brief power loss. That was entirely my fault. Have a wonderful evening." It's already evening? Just wonderful.