Affinity

Chapter 22: The Master

The vampire's mind acted with uncharacteristic mercy, she was not haunted by the horrifying visage of the hapless thrall, or the disarming sensations of another sick fantasy centered around the last Helsing. She almost wanted to retreat back into that black void when she came to. There, she had felt a peace she hasn't felt in a long time, no consuming bloodlust or overwhelming revelations. But that peace was an illusion brought on by the numbing sage. Away from it, reality had to be dealt with.

The room tilted as she tried to sit up, grasping at any rational thought as to where she was and how she ended up there. Hands pushed at her shoulders urging her to lie back down on the bed. "Nash, try not to move so fast or you might pass out again," Pam said.

A nauseous feeling floated up from her stomach, filling her head to the brim. When she puked, she tasted the acidity of the yellow bile. No one hated their own taste buds as much as she did in that moment. Pam was prepared with a plastic grocery bag, a bottle of water, and a sleeve of saltines.

"What happened?" Anastasia groaned as she struggled to simultaneously tuck the mass of her hair to one side of her neck and look around each corner of the room to assure herself it was just her and her best friend. She listened closely for any hints as to the whereabouts of the hunters.

"What happened is you are not taking care---"

"Where is AJ?"

"Not here. Nastia, look at me. When did you eat last?"

Confused for a second, her eyebrows pulled together. "I don't know... yesterday?"

"Were those few bites of the cafeteria's tater tots the only thing you ate yesterday?"

Yes. "Maybe."

"Anastasia!"

"Don't 'Anastasia' me. I can't help it," she argued, then lowered her voice, peering towards the door that was cracked open. She had finally recognized the room as the one her and Pam had slept in that first night at HeadLight. "I can't taste anything."

"Exactly why you should've been watching how much you eat. Especially since you're now more physically active than before. It's no wonder you passed out."

Nastia's flippant defense crumbled in the light of the genuine worry in the red head's eyes. She sighed. "I'm sorry, Pam. I promise I will eat more."

"Good! Not just at school or here. At home, too. Your family will catch on if they haven't already. Here, eat a cracker."

Anastasia munched on the cracker, wishing she could taste the salt. It only served to dry her mouth, the mushy substance sticking to the roof of her mouth. She took a big gulp of water and leaned her head back. "You're literally the best, Pam. I don't deserve you."

"Don't forget that" she laughed then her words sobered. "You've been so focused on training... one way or another, you're going to get yourself killed if you don't slow down. Why are you in such a rush?"

"You sound like Ethan."

"You ought to listen. He does know what he is talking about. And you didn't answer my question."

"I don't have an answer for you... except that, I need to become strong enough to defend myself. Not just from the hunters, but the thralls, too. I can't ask my parents for help... if they knew thralls or hunters were in the area, they might make us leave. Mother is already itching for an excuse."

"You are dealing with a lot. I wish you weren't alone. It feels like there is nothing I can do for you, but watch."

"Are you kidding or are you fishing? If I didn't have you helping me... you have no idea."