Sacrifice in Blood

Chapter 43: No More Secrets

That night I didn't sleep much. My mind was working overtime still trying to process everything I'd learnt about Devyn and Aliénor and Talon and his Pureblood affliction.

When I did manage to drift off, I dreamed.

First I dreamed I was back at Woodcreek University, staying late at the Library as I'd done many nights when I was working on my thesis:

I was alone in the aisles, trying to find a particular book. I found the book I was looking for and added it to the pile I was already carrying. As I turned around to go back to my desk a woman was blocking my path. It was the beautiful blonde woman I'd seen by the stream. Her light brown eyes were wide, a sense of urgency in them like she wanted to tell me something.

Then suddenly the dream shifted and I was in a dark, dungeon looking space. I dropped the books I was carrying and ran around trying to find a way out, but there was no door. My heart raced and tears threatened to spill as I realised I was trapped and alone.

The dream shifted again and I was in a street, it was clearly not the twenty-first century, but centuries earlier. The street was muddy and wooden houses lined the dark street. There was no-one around, just the full moon shining brightly down. I heard a whimper coming from an alley-way, and I ran towards it.

It was dark, all I could make-out was two figures, one tall and the other smaller. There was the sound again, it was a woman whimpering. I walked closer and the figures came into view. An upper class man with black hair was leant over a woman with mousy brown hair, her long dress splattered in blood. The man was drinking her blood; he was a vampire.

I stumbled backwards to run and the man's head snapped towards me, noticing my presence. I would recognise him anywhere, even in the era clothing; it was Talon.

His eyes were pitch black, a sadistic smile spread over his lips which were dripping with blood.

He dropped the woman he had been feeding on and advanced towards me. I held my ground, not able to tear my eyes from the monster in front of me. I called out his name but there was no recognition of me in his eyes.

He grabbed me by the arms and suddenly the street around me caught fire. Everything lit up in a fiery blaze; I could feel the heat of the flames against my skin. Talon's black eyes didn't acknowledge the fire around us. His gaze flicked to my neck as one of his hands roughly grabbed my hair and pulled my head to the side and fast as lightning leaned in. I squeezed my eyes shut in terror.

I woke up and sat up abruptly, breathing hard, trying to calm my racing heart.

Talon was awake and sitting up next to me in an instant, obviously sensing my distress.

"What's wrong sweetheart?" he said and I could just make out the outline of his face in the darkness. My dream flashed before my eyes and I saw Talon, eyes black, lips dripping with blood.

I recoiled at the sudden coldness of his fingers brushing my shoulder. I tried to relax, this was my Talon. Not the bloodthirsty monster I'd seen in the dream.

This time when he placed his hand against my head, I sighed in relief; his cool touch a welcome feeling against the warmth.

"You're burning up," Talon commented, his voice worried. Finally I found my voice;

"Just a bad dream, I'm fine. It's been a bit of an overwhelming night," I said, trying to smile as I knew he could see me.
"I'm going to get a glass of water and find some painkillers." I said, after squeezing his hand.

"I can get it for you-" he offered but I cut him off;

"No, it's fine." I said a little too quickly.
"I want to stretch my legs." I added, getting out of the massive bed before Talon could convince me to stay.