The Vampire's Sweetheart

Chapter 27.

The Vampire's Sweetheart

Chapter Twenty-Seven

───────────────────────────────────

I stood in front of the fogged window, watching anxiously as the sun began to set preparing itself for sleep; completely unaware of the blood that would be shed upon the clearing. I placed my shaking hands on top of one another to try and calm my nerves, but that only caused the shaking to increase. I couldn't describe how I was feeling on the inside. It was strange-almost how quickly I had grown fond of these unique individuals. I felt sick to my stomach whenever an image of one of them harmed flashed in my head as it taunted me; warning me of what could happen to them. It wasn't fair. None of them deserved to be in the situation they were in, yet they all welcomed the battle with warm open arms; as if welcoming a long, lost child home after years of endless wandering. As if this is what they had been preparing for their whole lives. As if this moment, this battle, defined who they were.

I placed my hand on the cold, glass staring off into the distance. My thoughts were scrambling around as I begun to think of Locaine, my beloved. The man who I was destined for. It was too soon for me to reciprocate the feelings he had for me; mine were not as strong as his-yet. He had known all his eternal life that he was meant to love only one, and had been preparing himself to love me. I, on the other hand, had not. I was prepared to love many, and have my heart broken by them too. I had not had the chance to learn what love was; I knew what family love was, but this was different. It was a different emotion all together.

A tear slowly began to trail down my cheek, and I made no move to brush it away. It landed on my bottom lip and I tasted the familiar saltiness. This was only the first of many tears that will be shed today. Waterfalls will be created as lives are taken. Lives will be taken. People will die. And It will all be my fault.

"It is time to go, kid." The raspy, scruffy voice spoke from behind me, and I continued to stare absentminded out the window. My chest felt heavy, as if someone was standing on top of me, pushing the weight of all my emotions down against me. Heavy footsteps made their way towards me, yet I still ignored the strange voice that continued to call out to me. Their voice growing deeper showing their agitation with my failure to move. "Novienna." The voice stated simply, their voice demanding my attention- which I unwillingly gave to them, as I turned around and stared upwards at Demetri.

"I do not know what is going through your mind, but I do know that there is a team of undeniably remarkable fighters downstairs willing to give their lives for you-including myself. You do not get to cry. You will go down there, and smile for them. Show your appreciation, and your respect. It is the least you can do." His tone was bitter and sharp, but his words were honest nonetheless. I could not argue with what he was saying, because it was the painful truth.

I gave a humorless laugh, choking on the sob that was crawling up my throat. "So, you want to see me fake a smile? I can do that." I spat in anger. I wasn't angry with Demetri, specifically. I was angry with how calm he expected me to be, knowing I was going to be the reason multiple people died tonight. I shook my head, wiping away the frustrated tears that continued to pour down my face, no matter how hard I tried to keep them at bay. I tried to walk past Demetri, but he reached out and gripped my arm causing me to look in his eyes that were filled with a foreign emotion.

"No." He released his grip on my arm, and puffed his chest. "I want to see you be brave." I let out a quiet gasp at his words, not expecting them. He stared me down waiting for a smart remark, which I could not give. When he noticed my silence, he turned to walk towards the doorway leaving me staring at him in shock. He stopped and turned on his heel, and bowed respectfully in my direction. "Novienna Valentina, I will fight for you, but only if you fight with me." I know he meant me fighting figuratively, but it still caused me to shiver all the same. I nodded politely at his words, and he turned and went down the stairs. I want to see you be brave. I pressed my lips into a thin line, repeating his words in my head as I tried to build up some form of courage.