Darkly Devoted (Book 1, 2, 3)

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

The day before Blake died, Vivienne found him in his bedroom. He wasn't showing up for his lessons with her father. Lady Thorne said that he was sick and was lying in bed. He wasn't showing up to meals either.

Vivienne waited for him at their usual place in the garden by the willows, but he never came. She had found a bird's nest she wanted to show him. There was a bird with a long shimmering green tail who could change its colors to blend in with the tree. Her father told her it was called the Paramour Nightjar because it was usually found in pairs. Vivienne had only found one. She needed Blake to help her look for the other one.

Vivienne found Blake sitting in a dark corner of his room. He had his arms wrapped around his legs as though he was trying to make himself as small as possible. He lifted his head when he saw her, and a quick smile played on his lips. Then it faded, and he continued staring out the window.

"You promised to meet me by the willow trees today," Vivienne said with her hands on her hips. She sighed and sat down on the dusty old armchair beside him. His hair was messy and tangled as though he hadn't brushed it in days. "Come outside with me. I'll protect you. Promise."

Blake didn't respond to her words. It was as though he didn't hear them at all. Finally, he slowly reached out with one hand and stroked her palm. Where his thumb passed over her skin, she felt a twinge of intense sweetness. She drew her hand back.

"What was that?"

"Something evil," Blake replied. He replaced his hand on the armrest and continued staring into the darkness. "I'll sooner die than to become one of them."

"A vampire?" Vivienne asked, sarcastically.

"No, a monster," Blake replied. His voice turned bitter. "Get out, get away from me. Leave me alone!"

"What's wrong, Blake?" Vivienne asked. "Has something happened to you? You're not like this."

"You need to get away from me. They're going to come for you, one day," Blake whispered. "You're special, Vivienne. One day, you'll see how remarkable you truly are. They're going to try to use you."

"Them? The vampires?" Vivienne asked, exasperated. "Really? I'll never help them."

Blake smiled. He stroked her hand but as his fingers traced a vein along her wrist, he drew his hand back as though he had been burned. He shoved his hand in his pocket. "You need to be careful. You have a rare gift, Vivienne."

"You're the only one who thinks so," Vivienne joked. "I'm not very good at anything."

She sighed and laid her head down on his chest. Vivienne felt at peace there, lying on top of him. She could hear his breathing smoothly traveling in and out of his chest. Blake wasn't paying any attention to her. He was distracted by something that he wasn't sharing with her. There was a peculiar sadness in his eyes; she would have almost preferred anger. Finally, Blake sat up.

"Will you promise me something?"

She nodded absently. Vivienne wondered if he was upset that a couple of Lady Thorne's lapdogs had recently gone missing. Perhaps he wanted her to help look for them while he was sick. She couldn't think of anything else that she could do for him. He had a mansion full of servants to take care of his every need.

"Keep the necklace I gave you close, always."

Vivienne nodded. "Because of the fang, I hid inside. I know. I believe you, about the vampires." She reached under her shirt and felt the cameo necklace hanging around her neck. It was far too long for her back then. She wore it with the gold chain tied in a knot to shorten it.