Scarlet Desires: Last High Blood

Ch. 21: He Is My Priority

"I hate falling in love. Because when you hit the ground, it hurts so badly."

~Author

   Two days passed in a blur. My anxiety grew with each passing hour - the fact that Desmond still being dead in the attic rustled my nerves badly. Sometimes when I pressed my ear on Margaret and Gwendoline's bedroom walls, I could almost make out pained moans and suppressed sighs.

   My head spun around like there was no tomorrow. So many questions to ask, so little answers to get... I mentally said to myself. Something was missing yet I couldn't place a finger on it; as if someone or something disappeared. The gap between my eyebrows creased. 

   If that presence is not missed by me or anyone else, surely it's not important!

   With that, I walked away from the maids' bedroom and went to the attic for the umpteenth time. My skin tingled with fear mixed uneasiness once I reached the top of the stairs. The heat gathered in the attic always made me want to run away and hide in somewhere cold. Fists balled and gritted teeth, I stared at the still male figure.

  "When are you coming back to us...?" I croaked, trying to hold in tears.

  Memories of him confessing his love to me filled my mind as I sat beside his bed. Regret rose within me as I continued to watch him. Is it too late for me to love him back? Will he ever know how I truly felt about him? Was I being too emotionless whenever I was with him? Endless trails of thoughts overflowed and the longer I looked at him, the more desperate I became.

   Soon enough, the skies darkened and the sun got replaced by crescent moon. My stomach growled in protest; it's been two days since I drank blood. In an attempt to lessen my guilt for Desmond's death, I resisted the temptation to sink my fangs into someone's neck. Sure - since I'm a hybrid, blood isn't the only thing I can take to survive. I could eat solid food but their flavor made my insides turn upside down since it taste exactly like cardboard paper. Or even worse.

  Clasping his hand within mine, I uttered a few words. "I'll drop by again tomorrow, okay?"

   If I tried really hard, I could pretend that his lips moved an inch higher for me. A weary sigh escaped from my chapped lips; only then it sounded more like a sob. Once I left the attic, Lincoln was waiting for me with his hands shoved in the pockets. Instead of wearing his usual bored look, now he seemed almost concerned for me.

   "What are you looking at?" I snapped, sounding bitter.

   His unwavering gaze deterred me from spouting more venomous words. My lips turned into a thin line as I stormed past him. Walking into my bedroom, I plopped on the bed and stared at the ceiling as memories of Desmond filled my mind. I stayed like that till the point of me breaking down. Tears rolled down my cheeks when a knock on the door dragged me out of sorrow.

   Without my approval, the door opened and revealed Lincoln. The mere sight of him stirred anger within me. How could he come barging into my weakest moment without my permission? A string of profanities left my lips, followed by several objects flying across the room. With his lightning speed, he dodged all of my attacks and slowly made his way towards me.

   "What do you want from me, asshole!?" The words must have stung him.

   The next thing that happened blew my mind. A pair of cold yet strong arms enveloped me in a gentle embrace. My jaw dropped a little, trying to figure what is going on. Even though his physical appearance looked like he's in his early teenage years, the actions he carried out had an air of superiority surrounding it. Right now was no different but this time, I could not decipher his intentions. I wanted to look at Lincoln's face but he prevented it by putting a hand on my head. A soft sigh could be heard from him and it would not take a genius to guess why. Nobody forced him to comfort me. Moron.

   "This is unlike you. Stop it." I murmured, attempting to push him away.

   "I can say the same about you too. I don't expect a princess to back down and cry when there's a setback." Lincoln retorted.

   "A princess also has emotions!" The gap between my eyebrows ceased. "Since when you treat me like a Princess, anyway?"

   His piercing crimson eyes seemed like he could stare right through my soul. "You're right. I take that back."

   "Why you little - " I began, only to be cut off by his next words.

   "I expect the Artemis that I know to be tougher than this." 

   This time, I managed to break off his embrace. Words could not possibly describe the emotional roller coaster I experienced. First I felt shock, then anger and eventually replaced by a weird feeling of warmth. Lincoln must have sensed that I was not going to say anything. Turning his back to me, he walked out of my room like nothing astounding just happened.

   It was difficult for me to admit but he distracted me from my grieving.

   I spent the whole night racking my brain for solutions. No matter how I tried to deny it; Lincoln's words had nothing but truth in it. After all, if I would not pick up the pieces and solve the puzzle - who would do it in my stead? When the first ray of sunlight shone through my window, I already had a few things figured out. 

   I said it before and I would say it again; admitting my defeat without trying my best were never or ever would be in my dictionary.

   I left my room to find for Margaret and Gwen. My insides lurched at the pained noises they were making but with enough determination, I twisted the doorknob. The mere sight of them collapsed on the floor broke my heart. It was hard to picture them transforming from dainty maids that took care of a royal household to a pair of worn out maids who lost their master. Despite the fact that I did not know them too well, they served my grandfather with loyalty and I was certain that they never had a mean bone in them.

   Margaret was the first one to notice my presence. "Princess, forgive us for this... unsightly view."

   Her voice sounded hoarse, as if she need a drink desperately. Blood, an inner voice concluded. I helped her up by offering my hand. A small, weak smile of gratitude emerged on her chapped lips. Soon enough, she turned around to wake up the unconscious Gwen. I quickly stopped her and shook my head. 

   "Margaret, I know this might seem out of the blue but I decided to be you and Gwen's new master." I declared, causing her eyes to widen.

~~~

Oh I know this surprises all the B. Immortals out there. Heck, maybe ya'all are gone in a poof - never to return again. But my point is, I'm back for half a year before continuing my studies in a college. Yes, you saw that right, I graduated from high school! Can you believe that 2 years just passed by? Goddamn. Stay tuned for more updates! Love ya all.

P.S: Please remember to vote, comment and save this to your reading list! <3

-Jenny.