Heart Bitten

Chapter 20

I don't know which is more horrifying; Maxine's blood all over me or Horatio's.

Horatio tried to attack me and failed, again.

But this time, blood gushed out from his mouth and it flowed right into my open mouth. I gagged and I felt strong arms pulling me from underneath him as he turned to ashes. I looked up to see Julian with an unfathomable look holding me up. Victor, the Horatio look-alike, stood watching as we all were but he had something that looked like a wooden stake in his hand.

"Your mouth is bloody." Victor said; his fangs fully extended.

I looked at him, "He bled onto me."

"Well, did any go down your throat?"

"Probably," I used the back of my hand to wipe off the blood on my mouth as I eyed him with narrowed eyes. He seemed awfully calm for someone who just murdered your own father.

"What are you going to do now?" I asked no one in particular.

No one said anything at first.

"You are all free to leave."

Everyone turned to Christopher. He had a pained expression on and Grace was practically clinging onto him. "Anyone of you, if you want to leave this place...I won't stop you. There's too much memory here, I understand...but I am staying." He turned to me, "Adele, you were right when you said I will be free...now you're free too. You can stay here with us, human or not," then he smiled at Julian, "or you can go free."

Dominic turned to me; his sapphire blue eyes finally meeting mine, "Do you want to leave?"

Is he pleading with me?

"I..." Julian's grip on my shoulders tightens and I looked up to meet his emerald green eyes. Pleading eyes; why do the both of them have to look at me with those eyes? My heart clenched and I looked away, instantly Julian's grip on my shoulders loosens but he didn't remove them.

Dominic's gaze fell on the hands on my shoulders and he looked away, a hurt look.

Great, now he looked like a kicked puppy.

Does Dominic really want me to stay? But, why? He doesn't love me so why? Unless...

Edwin was the one to break the silence, "How 'bout you stay overnight and think things over? The rest of us can have some rest too, before we decide whether to stay or leave tomorrow." He smiled at me, his fangs slightly revealed, "And you definitely need a bath."

I smirked at him, "Oh, look who is being old and wise."

He smirked back at me, "Those bloods are so turning me on."

"Gross."

Christopher sighed, "Edwin is right, you need a bath. Maybe Grace could help you?"

I shook my head and gave him a cheesy smile, "No, I can manage just fine. Anyway, I was thinking of taking a nap after the bath so I'd prefer to be left alone. Besides, I think you need her more than I do. Thanks for the offer though."

"We will be doing a little funeral at the backyard for Maxine and father," Christopher looked at me and Grace placed a hand on his arm, "So if you want to join..."

"I will be there."

"You don't have to-"

"No, I want to." I smiled slightly, "After all, I owe Maxine this."

Everyone left the remaining Donahue brothers alone so they could talk. Without saying anything to Julian, I went to my room and shut the door behind me. I pulled the blood-stained clothes over my head and headed straight to the shower without bothering to take clean clothes with me. As soon as the warm water hits my skin, I relaxed immediately and without realizing it myself; I cried.