Just One Bite »ᴄɵᴍᴘᴌᴇтᴇ«

THIRTY-SEVEN

THIRTY-SEVEN

"Blue, Red, and White light."

Maize turned at Galina's childlike voice. Even though she looked as though she was ten years old, she wasn't. No, Galina was over two-hundred years old. God, Suresha was a bastard. It was cruel to change a ten year old when they were soon to hit puberty. Maize had heard horrifying stories of what had happened to others who had been changed at a young age. As their minds had grown older and there bodies hadn't. The wants they wanted but could not have because of their young bodies. None wanted a ten year old. Unless they were a paedophile, of course. Maize snorted. All vampyre's were paedophiles when it came down to it. Maize herself was over four hundred years old. Most humans didn't even live until they were a hundred years old. She shook her head, Maize was glad Ashley had refused to change any until the legal age. That she knew of.

Emerald green eyes looked wide as they stared up at Maize set in a young, pretty face framed by pure red curls. Again, words fell from Galina's lips. And Maize wished that she'd had a chance at Suresha before he'd been destroyed by Vivian True/Roza White, the Elite draca, the last of the Elite White clan, mate – or as the dracan apparently called it, rumag – of Dee Dager, son of Tim and Kai Dager, who were also an Elite clan.

"Many will be lost. But peace will be lost when a bird is harmed. Then... we will all die." A single bloody tear fell down Galina's cheek.

Maize went and crouched between Galina's knees where she sat on the pale purple sheeted bed. "Don't cry," Maize pleaded. But as another tear fell, Maize switched to Galina's native tongue. "Don't cry, little one. We will not die. Ashley is too stubborn for that. Even more so since she has found her mate."

Red curls flew as Galina shook her head. "We will all die, Maize." Galina hiccuped on a sob. She threw her arms around Maize's neck and rested her head against Maize's shoulder. Maize cradled her. "The bird will be harmed and then there will be no hope left."

Maize didn't know what to say. Instead, she just held her mate in her arms. After centuries of solitude, but for Micah, his family and the twins, Maize never interacted with others, other than those who came to be served at the bar. She had no idea how to comfort another. She knew how to wield a blade. Knew how to communicate with animals of the sea and move water as she willed it. But she didn't have a clue how to help her mate. Should she call Rose? Rose generally had an idea. She was good with soothing and calming others.

"If we have, as you say, no hope, would you like to return to your family?" Maize asked, pulling away as she did.

Galina's cheeks still held the blood red tracks from her tears. "Will you go with me?"

"Is that what you want?"

Galina's nod decided Maize's future. But before she could nod, Galina threw herself at Maize and started saying "thank you, Maize."

"I'll start packing."

Moving away, even though she wanted to stay next to her mate. Maize packed. Most was clothes, but then Maize packed a couple of her weapons since she would call Kayline and hopefully, get Galina and herself booked on the next flight out to Portugal where Galina's family were settled, instead of using a human-made plane. Grabbing her phone once everything was packed and ready, Maize phoned Kayline.

"Hello?"

"Kayline, can you book a flight to Portugal for Galina, her brother, and myself?"

There was a moments pause. A question hung between them. But when Maize offered no more, Kayline turned professional.

"Of course, when for?"

"We're visiting Galina's family. And as soon as possible."

There was another pause that was filled with the clicking of the keyboard. Then Kayline's voice gave Maize what she wanted. Just as she knew she would. Thank god for Kayline. And thank you, Ashley, for changing her.