Blood Wars, Book 4 - Alternate Ending

ALTERNATE ENDING - AFTERMATH

AFTERMATH

I made myself busy as I waited outside of the torture room and questioned how I was going to put the pieces of my life back together.

Being the sole vampire of the group, it was all up to me. Rachel, Cain, Nicholas, and Katie had to be entombed in something, and Harry made mention of putting them behind a cement wall infused with venom, along with everyone’s ashes. I couldn’t chance any of them waking up and getting free without us knowing. I’d also cataloged everyone’s ashes in mason jars and started storing them in a locked cabinet, all but Alora’s. Later, I’d give her a proper send off at sea where she belonged.

The room of vampires I’d passed earlier was vacant, and no one knew where they’d escaped to. The only thing we had going was that they were sterile.

“Looks like I’m back in business.” Harry cocked his crossbow and left with his usual bravado, vowing to hunt them down and collect the teeth.

Mimi and Luke went to the fourth floor to find my parents, leaving me alone.

After an hour, Sam and Phil hadn’t left the torture room. What were they doing? I twiddled my thumbs and stared at the door, trying not to imagine them in the throes of passion.

Mimi’s heels clicked across the floor. “Luke took your parents home. He’s a little shook up, but okay.”

“Thanks,” I said, wishing she’d just leave me alone.

“So.” She cleared her throat, and the longing almost suffocated me. “When’s it my turn?”

I turned to her and sighed. Around my neck was Alora’s coveted talisman and it chilled on my skin as if in a warning. “For now, I’m not siring anyone. I think I need to take things one day at a time.”

“What?” Mimi gave me a heated look. “Watch. I’ll leave and you’ll change him.” She gestured to the door.

I shrugged noncommittally. “I’ve had plenty of opportunities to change him, and I haven’t. So you can stop your jealous rant.”

“But you’ve known that’s what I wanted. And after everything I did to save you and your family, you’re going to deny me?”

“After what happened? Throwing yourself at Katie? I’m not sure if I trust you. I’m just asking for time to make better decisions. I didn’t say no, but I will if you keep pressuring me.”

“Fine.” Mimi huffed and stormed to the elevators.

Once the silver doors shut, I slumped into a chair. The nightmare was just beginning, and I was alone in my efforts to make heads or tails of it.

The door slowly crept open. Sam stepped out first, angelic almost, clothed in jeans and a T-shirt from upstairs. She ran to me and hugged my neck.

“I’m so glad to see you.”

I propped up my lips best I could, scolding myself for my stupid selfish jealousy. “I’m glad it worked. Did you…”

My question trailed off. I could ask her about her experience.

Her eyes twinkled. “Actually, well, I… I wasn’t in hell.”

Phil walked up sheepishly and stood behind her, his hands in his pockets. “I’ve been busting my balls this entire time to save her from nothing. I still can’t wrap my head around it.”

“Me neither,” Sam said wistfully. “But… it was nice.”

“Nice?” My eyebrows scrunched together. This wasn’t what Nicholas or Katie had said. “Nice? Like how nice?”

“Nice enough that I’d like to go back.” She squeezed my hand. “But not without you.”

Phil laughed caustically behind us. “I die and go to hell, and she gets some kind of vamp luxury vacation.”

She laughed. “I shouldn’t have gone there, I know I didn’t deserve it. But why I went is clear. I was given a glimpse of what life is supposed to be like. No sadness, just peace and love, completely opposite of here. So many people are worried and focused on the wrong things, and I want them to know that they’re special, and by seeking the One who’s made them, that they can experience that freedom. It’s all that really matters.”

I blinked at her, speechless. Was she talking about God?

She took my hand and pressed against her cheek. “We’ve been given a rare gift, Julia, and I’m not going to waste my time here.”

She smiled at me before dropping my hand. Then she walked towards the elevator.

I swiveled around. “Where are you going?”

“I need to talk to my mom.” She waved and the silver door closed.

My mouth gapped open. I turned to Phil. “What was that about?”

“Search me.” Phil raised his left brow and shrugged. “She’s on a different wavelength now.”

My mouth remained gapped open as I studied him. “Why aren’t you going with her?”

He looked at the ground and worked his jaw. “She’s not interested in a relationship, apparently. She says that I’ve been denying who I really love this entire time.”

Our eyes met and my stomach squeezed. I swallowed, afraid to speak. “She did?”

“Yeah. Who do you think that might be?”

My cheeks heated and tiny goose bumps broke out all over my skin. Was I hearing what I thought I was hearing? Unsure what to say, I just stared at him.

Within two strides he was in front of me, his hands holding my cheeks. His warm sweet breath wafted over my face. “Sam’s right. It’s been you, Julia. This entire time. ”

I sucked in a breath, then his lips met mine. Soft yet wanting. He pulled me close, and all my loss and longing fled my body.

He was the one. He’d always been the one. And I never wanted him to let go.

THE END