Tainted Freedom {Formerly Stalker} (Book 2) (Completed)

Chapter 1

Kait POV

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I awoke next to my loving boyfriend. Memories of my ex-husband still haunted me and Cory often said that I seemed scared that he'd break my heart like Dave did. I stared up at the ceiling waiting for the dreaded alarm clock to scream telling me it was time to get ready for work. I wish I could say my past didn't haunt me, but that's all anything about my past has ever done.

My mother and sister scarred me as a child, and now my ex-husband scarred me as an adult. At this point I wasn't sure if I could ever love Cory like I loved Dave. I was scared that if I opened up like that to anyone again, I'd regret it just like I have almost every other time. The only time I hadn't regretted opening up to someone was with Melanie when she was my high school Spanish teacher and now we were best friends.

Cory could see that I was distant, there was no denying that. I think he felt that I didn't feel the same way about him that he felt about me. I tried telling him that it would just take some time, Melanie tried the same thing. He seemed to understand, but then again I didn't know whether or not he did. I knew that he loved me with all his heart, but I just couldn't give that back yet. It shakes you to the very core when you love someone with everything you have and they betray you. I felt a single tear roll down my cheek. It was the closest to crying I've gotten in months. I cried out almost every tear I had. The alarm started going off and Cory sat up next to me.

"You're crying again." He said.

"I'm not crying. I wish I could, but I've already cried out every tear I have." I said, he just hugged me.

"I'm trying my best to help you as much as I can. Have you thought about talking to one of the counselors at the school?"

"I debated on it a few times. Melanie said the same thing."

"Maybe you should listen to us. Melanie experiences all this first hand with you."

"Okay, okay. I'll talk to someone. Who knows? It might make me feel better."

"There's the Kait I know. She's still in there, she just needs some help coming out right now." He said, smiling.

"He's right, Rosa." Melanie sent through the bond.

I loved being a teacher. It was a small escape from my semi-depressing reality. My job with Apple was pretty great as well. Along with being rich beyond my wildest dreams, I got free technology. Working with the team of doctors was interesting. Dr. House was an asshole just like everyone said he was, but he was one of the best doctors I've ever seen. I was unbelievably busy, though.

I had little time to get work done around the house. Rachel did the dishes, vacuumed downstairs, mopped, and dusted. Melanie cleaned the bathrooms, vacuumed upstairs, cleaned the counters, and washed the windows. Everyone did their own laundry. Depending on who was readily available, it was either Cory or I who did all the work outside. I usually enjoyed mowing the lawn, but there were times where I was busy grading or something and Cory had to do it for me. Life in itself was pretty good, I just couldn't see it that way sometimes.

My talk with the counselors at the school made me feel a lot better. Melanie was there with me and helped to explain how I was feeling. The best part was that they'd listen without judging. In a way it was their job, but it was nice to have someone there that knew next nothing about my past. The one that I trusted a lot happened to be my counselor from when I was in high school. He listened and gave input just like he used to. Everyone noticed a difference in me after that. I was happier, less depressed. Even Cory said that I was just the way he remembered me to be.

Some of my problem might have been the Spirit element. It was known to cause depression that led to insanity. There have been Moroi who specialized in it that went completely nuts and became a Strigoi to escape its madness. There were ways to keep Spirit's effects down, however. Most of those were bad habits like smoking and drinking. Having someone bound to you, like Melanie, helped the Spirit user, but didn't help the bonded person at all. In fact, the madness just leaked into the bonded person and drove them just as crazy. When I got home the day after the talking with the counselors, it was the first time I'd smiled in months.

Cory, Melanie, and I were sitting at my house talking one night when out bond came up.

"I have to ask. What's the story behind your bond? There's always a story." Cory said.

"Well, when I got back from my honeymoon with my asshat ex, I got news from the one cashier that someone has been asking to see me. That someone was Melanie over here. A few days after I met with her, I get a frantic phone call from Vince, her husband, saying that she wasn't waking up even when he went to wake her up himself. When I looked at her, it was obvious that something was wrong. She had giant bruises on her abdomen. At first, I though Vince had hit her, but none of her bruises were shaped even close to the shape of a hand or fist. I began examining the bruises a little closer to find a series of claw marks down her stomach. I examined closer to find that one had managed to nick a hole in the artery that went down her abdomen without puncturing her at all. I quickly healed her, then took her back to my house to make her the Viu she now stands to be." I said.

"How would that have happened? It almost sounds like a fairy tale gone wrong." He said.

"I've asked myself the same question. It didn't seem possible." I said.

"Well, I should be getting home now. It was nice talking to you guys." Melanie said.

"See you tomorrow, Mel!" I called as she walked out the door.

Melanie POV

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When I stepped outside, I got the feeling of being watched. I didn't know who or what was watching me, but I swore I heard a heartbeat coming from the bushes by the front window. I blew it off as an animal and went home.

Kait POV

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I looked out the window and got an ominous feeling of someone watching me. Cory noticed and asked me if anything was wrong.

"N-nothing. I'm sure it's just me being paranoid." I said.

"Do you want me to look in the bushes?" He said.

"No, it's fine. I'm probably just being a lunatic." I said.

"Ok, well I'm going to bed and you should, too. It's getting late."

"I'll be there in a minute." I said.

I couldn't shake the feeling away.