Distract my hunger

by X. Williamson

“Some blast you made girl!” Ginny whined. “It was so bright I thought it would burn my eyes off! It even knocked me right off my tree!”

  Corbin said nothing but just smiled at me. I could feel the sorrow being still too much for him to speak and I understood. I smiled back at him. His brother, his team-mate was gone and that was tough to deal with.

  “What do you want to do next Lady Iris?” The old guy asked me and bowed. He was treating me differently I realized, he was making me the leader now. It was strange, but I finally felt I was vampire enough for the task.

  I smiled and looked at them, at all of them. My clan, my vampire family, The Order members, I felt deep pride and appreciation for all of them. They mattered, and they made me really want to make things change.

  Perhaps I truly was the leader they were expecting, and perhaps I wasn’t but I now knew one thing for certain. I was definitely the child of two Council rebels. I remembered nothing of them but I wanted to know what had happened to them, I owed them that much. And to be truly honest, something deep down told me I would someday find them alive.

  “I want to find them, my parents I mean.” I said shyly. I was still unsure of how that would sound after all that happened. “I also want to make sure that Liam and Gwen cannot ever hurt a soul . . . things must change.” I added and felt calm. I had said my heart’s desires.

  I looked at my mates old and new as they all smiled at me. We had been through so much but somehow I had not let them down, not yet at least.

  We had a plan, and that’s how my story started; that’s the end of the beginning or perhaps the beginning of the end. Above all believe me, I’m still me, I’m just Iris.

  EPILOGUE

  My dearest Juniper:

  It’s been two whole years since your last letter, and I miss you like I would miss a part of me. My best friend is gone, and I know nothing of her. I do not even know where I’ll send you this letter, I may not ever be able to make it get to you at all, but I’m compelled to write it.

  I’m coming after you. I decided to do just as I should have done from the very start.

  For some time I was able to withstand The Council’s turmoil, they did not realize both you and Duncan had left with her. Still, they finally guessed you’d taken her as soon as no news about either of you came their way: you two were also a part of it after all.

  Many sessions were convened but none of you ever showed up; it was quite easy to deduce from then on what you had done. We should have known from the very start that you would do it, that you would go away.

  I read your letter, so you couldn’t put an end to her? I must admit I wouldn’t have been able to do so either if she had your face. I can imagine her looking just like you: your eyes, your lashes, your whole face, looking right up from a newborn’s . . . It would have been impossible.

  You should know that it’s not only me that is looking for you. The whole council is chasing after you too. They would be looking for me too after this, but I’m quite sure that I’m one of their least worries; I think it is enough that they believe killing the one is of highest importance; much more important than looking for me. That enough will keep them off my back I guess.

  I hope I find you before any of them do, but if I don’t, I promise I will fulfil your wishes and make sure she sees the end of this all. You said nothing of this in your letter but since you saved her, I’m sure you wish the prophesy gets to be fulfilled.

  Are you well? Are you keeping her with you? I imagine she keeps your heart jumping with everlasting joy at her mere sight. How is Duncan taking this? Though I missed you above all, but to my surprise: I missed him too, you know?

  I will look for you every day and every night until I see your face again. I’ll follow the steps I would have taken and follow my heart, for I was always sure we were more a part of each other than you ever dared to admit. (I’m so sorry Duncan if you read this . . .) Century after century I felt you were a part of me, even though I know I was nothing more to you than a friend. I didn’t care; you were still always there until now. I will find you.

  I’ve contacted “The Order of the Black Iris “just in case you sought their help; they said nothing, just as I had expected: but I’m sure they will seek you and I’ll be following their footsteps closely. They were hard to find, but I have always had my ways.

  They are very secretive and secluded, but they believe in your child with their whole soul. Who knows, I might even join them! After all, the council must have a price for my head by now and I’m quite certain that The Order could use an ancient such as me, don’t you think? I don’t believe they’ve had many from the original council joining them, you two wouldn’t have done so because it would have been too easy to find you, and without you two, there were only four of us left. I feel deep in my soul that I could be of some use once the time has come. I might be destined to even things out, with me on their side there are three ancients on each band.

  Please be safe Juniper; please let the stars allow us to meet again. I’ll stand on your side this time, even if it means my doom.

  Till we see each other one more time,

  Be safe,

  Morgause

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  X. Williamson was born under the wolf moon once upon a midnight with the bloom of a Nightblooming Cereus.

  Her childhood was marked by a storytelling family and books, developing an everlasting love for the art of words.

  She currently lives in South America with her close family in an early Twentieth Century house surrounded by her animal friends: several cats, dogs, parrots and possums keep her in touch with the animal realm every day.

  Every January the Nightblooming Cereus still blooms in her garden, fragrant, fragile and wonderful; bringing new night-stories to tell.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I would like to thank each and every person that made this story possible. To the people who encouraged me earlier on, when only the first manuscript was building up, without you it might have not blossomed later on to this. Thanks too to those of you who encouraged me later on and pushed me to finish it, some pressure has always helped me get things done.

  To my friends, well guys, what can I say? I honestly want to thank you for all your support and for asking me constantly how things would end in “Distract my Hunger”. You made my characters feel real and truly come to life. Caro and Juan especially made me believe that my vampires existed at times. Thanks! I know that I was unbearable some days with all the book and vampire talk and completely nonexistent other days, still, you kept my back.

  I really have to acknowledge all the inspiration I got from the tons of supernatural books and movies I’ve been surrounded by since I have conscience. Therefore, thanks to each and every person that ever gave me a fantasy book or DVD as a present. Thank you Dad for all the gruesome stories you told me while I grew up and Mum for piling my room with books.

  Thanks Bruno for helping me with the first cover idea! I think I will never be good enough with spoken words to thank you enough.

  Dorothy, your advice was invaluable! It really takes a librarian to truly know how to take a writer to the next level. You are an angel.

  Thank you all for believing in me and for waiting patiently for the book to come out. I hope it was at least half as good as you expected. Don’t worry Taka, you’ll get to know the end of the story in book two (or three); hang in there!

  My characters were only believable because of my students, so thank you all for just letting me be your teacher. You helped me maintain a fresh memory of my teenage years.

  And last but not least, I have no idea of how to thank enough my awesome boyfriend and my beautiful family after all these months of constant book mumble and extra stress. You made juggling work, studying and writing possible. Your love is truly what makes my world go round; it inspires me and brings me to the next level. Thank you so much! I love you!