Wings

Chapter 36

Chapter 36- Forever Changes

After the healer had assessed me I sat in a chair in his small office, bandage on my neck. I swallowed and winced at the pain. Arman and Ashered stood outside speaking feverently to Dr. Vance.

There was an exasperated sigh and then the door was pushed open. I looked up and held the fabric of my shirt in my hand tightly.

"Am I going to become like Delilah." I asked, heart pounding against my chest.
Ashered sat beside me and placed his hands over my hands. I couldn't stop them from trembling in anticipation to the answer. " I won't let that happen."

My skin grew cold. "You won't let it happen." I drawled. "That doesn't mean that I'm not changing into something else." Panic filled me and Ashered grabbed my face in his hands as I began to hyperventilate. "Its okay, Hope, Breathe." Arman walked over to me and placed his hand softly on my arm. Ashered pulled slightly back as Arman calmly looked to me.

"You won't change if the body is burned."

I looked at him confused. "Then why don't you burn it."

Ashered and Armans eyes met and I felt like I could vomit.

"Allaric." I choked out. I suddenly felt a burst of anger and all I wanted to do was rip Alaric to shreds. I didn't realize I was drawing blood by digging my nails into Ashered until the metallic smell hit me. "It hits fast, the change begins to happen right after you're bitten." Arman said.

I looked to him and Ashered tugged me closer to him, his arms like a cage. " I am going to kill him." I seethed my heart racing at the smell of the blood Ashered had dripping from his arm.

"Don't let her leave."

Ashered said this to Arman passing me to him before he shut the door and the lock clicked. "Why do I need to stay here." I snapped to Arman as he let me go. He watched as I tried to pull on the door before walking over to me and redirrected my gaze to the mirror. I stopped in my tracks. My green eyes were dark and had swirls of black swimming in them.

I gasped stumbling backwards.
A spew of curse words flooded my mind and then panic. "How long do I have before I change?" I asked quietly.

Arman looked at me through the mirror and leaned against Dr. Vances desk. We both watched as she emerged from the door and shut it locking it tightly from the outside.

"You have until you drink blood, then you will be gone."

I rubbed my neck anxiously and watched as the looked at me and my reaction.

"Is there anything that can be done?"

Dr.Vance sighed and sat in her chair. She shook her head, her blond ponytail brushing her neck. 
"The only option we have is Ashered."

I looked at her perplexed trying to figure out what she meant by that. "You would have to do a blood transfusion and then complete the ceremony for new leaders."

I felt my heart pound rapidly against my chest. "Ashered is getting what he needs to set it up. Things should be ready by sunset."
I looked between the dark curtains to see the sliver of sunrise. "That's a long time." I said swallowing.

Arman nodded. "It is, which is why Dr.Vance will be giving you a elixir that will slow down the need for blood so that you can make it until then."

I nodded, rubbing at the sides of my arms and nearly jumping out of my skin when there was a feeble knock on the door.

Dr.Vance and Arman looked at me expectantly letting me decide what to do.

I shuffled to the door and gently opened it before my heart dropped. I felt a hiss bubble in my throat when I saw Alaric.

His hair was disheveled, shirt torn, eyes downcast, skin bloodstained.

I felt a pull of sadness for him and just as quickly I wanted to latch onto him and sink my teeth into his skin.

Allaric looked at my swirling eyes with understanding.
"I'm sorry, Hope."

My heart felt like it could shrivel at the sadness in his voice.

I reached my hand too touch his and it was cold against his hot skin.

He slightly flinched and looked at my hands, eyes widening.

"It's already started." He touched his hand against my cheek and I could smell the strong scent of dog on him.

I crinkled my nose as a wave of nausea hit me.

"He smells pretty bad." A voice snickers dryly from behind Allaric.

Xaviers eyes were heavy as he made his way to me.

I swallowed hard trying to figure out a non offensive answer when Alaric shook his head.

"What can be done?" He asked brokenly.

Xaviers eyes darkened.

"One of two things, she changes or she completes a ceremony with one of her soulmates. Either way she has to choose who she will be with."

If I wasn't already panicked or stressed those words pushed me right over the edge.