The Gambler

Homecoming

I walked silently through the hallways, the workers I passed cast me weary smiles. I kept my eyes straight ahead.

I wandered into Xavier's office, stopping in the doorway.

"Elizabeth" he looked up from his desk and I rubbed my arm.

"You said I had mail?" I spoke nervously and he nodded, smiling. He walked over and handed me an envelop.

A letter from Grayson.

It had been 3 weeks since he left. There was no word from him until now...

I stared at the envelop in my hand. Anger filled me again. I walked over to the trash can and I let the heat build in my hands, setting the corner of the envelop on fire with the tiniest spark. I grabbed the envelop with my other hand, watching it burn into nothing.

Xavier's smile vanished, we stood silently as the ashes fell into the trash. He sighed and I dusted my hands off, turning around and quietly exiting the room without another word.

Olivia stayed by my side most days. Some days I just wanted to be alone, locking myself in my room. I cried every night. My chest ached from the separation, and I convinced myself that he was not coming home. This made it easier every time I felt someone enter the castle. It made it easier, than waiting hopelessly.

I went into the kitchen absentmindedly, craving chips. Some days I craved blood like crazy, other days I just wanted human food. Without Grayson being here, I couldn't have his blood. So my training was harder. Everyone praised me for the strengths I showed, still being able to use my powers despite not feeding on the blood that was required to fuel it.

Their praises only hurt.

It was like they were congratulating me on living without my mate.

I was showing now, a small bump on my stomach. I spent a lot of time speaking to it. It was growing so healthily... and Grayson was missing every second.

Jewel greeted me in the kitchen, sitting next to me. She stayed silent because there were other vampires in here, back to the pet role she went.

We sat quietly until the room cleared and she sighed.

"How are you feeling today?" She gave me a sympathetic look and I shrugged.

"How's the little bean feeling today?" She spoke in a baby voice to my stomach and I couldn't help but giggle. We were referring to it as the little bean for now. She distracted me a lot, and I was thankful for it.

When I told my mom and Erica the news, they were so excited. It made them want to come visit even more. Jewel and I both looked to the door suddenly, hearing some loud talking. Something was going on outside.

"Weird" she muttered, looking kind of concerned. We shrugged it off, she started telling me about Xavier. He had gotten so much more open with her, and they were practically friends now. He said he hated the role she had to play around others. She couldn't be relaxed unless it was around me or Grayson... well, when he used to be here.

Olivia walked into the doorway, knocking lightly. We both looked at her and I stood up.

"What's wrong?" She looked out of sorts.

"Grayson is here" she blurted out and my eyes widened. Jewel looked at me in shock and I froze.

Grayson was here?

My hands started to tremble and I placed them on my stomach, swallowing hard. My heart jumped now, and I suddenly could feel him near. I had spent so much time blocking that out that I didn't even notice. I nodded slowly and walked to her, rubbing my hands together nervously. Why was I nervous? I should be angry. . But I was so tired of being angry.