The Sound of Their Presence

Chapter Twenty: I Will Wait- Oh, Wait!

Cheyenne's POV

    All I know, as I awaken, is a stiff neck and God awful pain. Moonlight still shines through the gaps of treetops in the small clearing. I sit up, the overwhelming smell of blood clear on the air. Looking around, I gasp.

    Lilith stands over Shane, clutching to of the golden, jewel encrusted goblets. A dark liquid- blood?

     "What are you doing?!" I shreik, when Shane brings one of them to his lips. He spits a mouthful of the blood out and whirls around. "Whose blood is that? Why would-" Oh God, she was trying to turn him. It wouldn't work it couldn't . . .

    "Drink it, or we cut off her head!" The man I recognize as Damian shouts at him. He clasps a hand over my mouth before I have the chance to protest. Shane gulps it down, making a face at first, before it eases. He looks to me, his eyes blazing. Why Shane, why?

    Thick blood drips from his chin, and Shane begins to shake. Lilith puts a hand on Shane's shoulder, grinning wildly. He quivers, as she makes him stand. She drags him over to me, gently nudging the ornate blade from before into his hand. He looks at her, the blood still dripping from his pale chin.

    Lilith whispers something into Shane's ear, giving an encouraging nod when he gives her an inquisitive look. He shakes his head, his eyes suddenly gaining a frantic qaulity. He gives a pleading look. It looks like a light bulb goes off in his mind, for he finally speaks.

    "I want her unshackled. She must stand on her feet when I do it. I musn't have to look into the eyes of a bowing, pathetic looking girl." He speaks so cruelly. I am unfamiliar with this cruel tone, the way he seems to brace his shoulders. It is as if he hides his face from me, but not the others.

      When I am dragged up by my elbows, to my feet by Damian and Shane's father, it clicks. I know what they are doing. How could he do something like that? Except that they back away- holding the leashes of several doberman pincers I had not noticed before. 

    The growling dogs behind me lose my attention when Shane leans in. 

    "Run," he whispers gently, but with an urgency. I realize he is sparing my life, at the likely cost of his if the transformation doesn't work. Screw the transformation! He still might be murdered by Damian or Lilith for some form of family betrayal.

    "I won't leave without you," I control the pain and quivering of my own voice the best I can. He looks angry at first, then panicked. Out of nowhere, SHane just leans down and brings my lips to his, cuppping my face. The moment only lasts a second, before he pushes me away and screams.

    "Run Cheyenne! Before they can catch you! You are- Just run!" He sees the disputing look on my face and continues, "As long as you run, I will sing. I will sing for you, and you will know I am here for you. I will find you!"

     I spin on my heels, as I cannot stop my own legs. God, it feels amazing to run freely! I hear the first lines of the familiar tune break out. I can't help but turn around for a second, when I see Lilith and some of the other hunters kicking Shane. They are breaking him down, coating him in more and more of his own, fresh blood, yet he continues to sing.

     "Well, I came home

Like a stone

And I fell heavy into your arms

These days of dust

Which we've known

Will blow away with this new sun

But I'll kneel down,

Wait for now

And I'll kneel down,

Know my ground

And I will wait, I will wait for you

And I will wait, I will wait for you

So break my step

And relent

Well, you forgave and I won't forget

Know what we've seen

And him with less

Now in some way shake the excess

'Cause I will wait, I will wait for you

And I will wait, I will wait for you"

     And his amazing voice is cut off by a choking sound in the distance. I know, as I run so far, already in my alternate form, that my love has been struck down. He better find me. It would be a waste for my heart to be twisted in so many painful ways, only for him to leave this Earth-