“That’s what you’re eating? It looks like fish food,” he commented.
I found myself laughing. “Well, I wouldn’t normally eat something like this but I don’t think I can stomach much else,” I said lightly.
Diana walked in to the kitchen, “Hey, Kylie. I didn’t know you were down here. Oh my God what’s on your shirt?” she asked her eyes bugging out.
I looked down to inspect the stain. I blushed, “Oh, um, it’s my blood. Jonathon woke up.”
“Oh,” she said. “Let me get you a clean shirt,” she said before disappearing back the way she came.
I shook my head. Diana. Despite what we had all just been through fashion was still on the forefront of her mind.
Gabriel chuckled, “She’s something isn’t she.”
“She’s a girl,” I said.
He raised an eyebrow, “And you are not?”
I nibbled on a cracker, “I’m a girl too but I’m not quite as concerned with how I look. Well, at least not anymore. I know now that there are more important things. I guess seeing people murdered does that to you,” I said and shrugged my shoulders.
He leaned back in the stool. “Do you think that you’ll ever be okay?” he said. He looked sad which surprised me.
I tucked a piece of brown hair back that had fallen out of my pony tail. “Honestly, no. I lost my mom. I saw my dad and my best friend killed. And I’ve seen plenty of other people’s deaths simply because they died for me. I know that I have to put it behind me and move on but that doesn’t mean that it didn’t happen. I mean, look at the girl who was killed at the hotel, her family will never know what happened to her. It hurts to know that I caused that. I know that I have to go on and live my life and find some sort of happiness but, no, I won’t ever be okay.”
Gabriel sighed, “I was afraid you were going to say that. You remind me so much of myself. I can’t put the past to rest either and I’ve had thousands of years.”
“Maybe we can help each other Gabriel,” I whispered hesitantly. I didn’t want to push him away when he was making such progress.
“Maybe we can,” he sighed as Diana came back in with a new shirt.
“Thanks, Di,” I said.
“No problem. No one wants to go around with a bloody shirt on,” she smiled. “Do you need anything else?” she asked.
“No,” I said.
“Okay,” she smiled and disappeared.
I nibbled on my last cracker while Gabriel and I sat in companionable silence. I was suddenly very tired and desperately wanted to go to bed and never have to leave. Jonathon had taken more of my blood than he had before and it had left me feeling weak and tired.
Gabriel seemed to sense this and said, “You look tired. Are you ready to go to bed?”
“Yeah,” I said, depositing the cracker wrapper in the trash can.
The living room was starting to clear out but the ones with the most serious injuries still lingered. Isobel was still unconscious and I saw Diana tending to a young man in a darkened corner. Her movements were soft and hesitant like a butterfly. I could see the boy was whispering to her and I swear I saw her blush. I told myself that I would have to ask her about it later but for now I needed sleep. Hopefully a prophetic-dream free sleep. Gabriel walked with me. I wasn’t sure if he was just meeting the others or making sure I didn’t fall over. I couldn’t believe how sleepy was since I was sure I had slept for a while but when I looked at a clock I saw that I had hardly slept an hour before Jonathon’s convulsions awoke me.
Patrick and Joseph were sitting by Jonathon’s bed in chairs they had pulled over. They both looked tired and strained. It was strange seeing the normally energetic, full of life, vampires so exhausted and run down. I knew they needed rest but I also knew they wouldn’t get any until Jonathon woke up and was okay again. I saw that they had managed to get clean sheets and bed covers on and even Jonathon was wearing clean clothes. Jonathon was still asleep, or in hibernation, and it didn’t look like he would be waking up anytime soon.
“Do you know anything about what happened to him?” I asked quietly.
“No,” said Patrick, “We’re just going to have to keep an eye on him and hope that there is nothing seriously wrong with him.”
“Okay,” I said a nodded my head. It wasn’t the answer I wanted but it was the only one I was going to get.
Joseph and Gabriel left but Patrick lingered. “We’ll be checking in periodically to make sure you’re both okay.”
“Okay,” I said, “but be sure and get some rest yourself. You have to be drained.”
He gave me a small smile. “I’ll get some rest eventually.”
“Patrick, you need to rest now. You will be help to no one if you suddenly fall over,” I said.
“You’re right. We’ll rest in shifts,” he said rubbing his face. His dark hair hung lank and lifeless over his forehead as if it too was exhausted.
“Shifts are better than nothing,” I replied.
He smiled and closed the door behind him. I climbed into bed and hoped that this time I might finally get some rest.
Chapter Twenty-Five: Coping
Two weeks have passed since the night Selena and so many others died. Jonathon stayed in his comatose state for five days before finally waking up. When he did he needed my blood again. Like Gabriel predicted he wasn’t acting his normal vampire self. He kept getting sick which surprised us all and he complained of pains in his stomach. Danny and Mason finally figured out that he needed food. When Jonathon ate human food, scarfed it really, it surprised us all. Even Danny and Mason were surprised even though they were the ones that figured out what he needed. His body wasn’t healing rapidly and he was weak so he’d had to get around on crutches. He’d been sleeping on a normal human schedule and eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner with snacks in between. At first my hopes soared thinking that somehow, through some miracle, he had become human but my hopes were quickly dashed. He still had to drink blood and he still had his power even though the fire burned only slightly. But every day he was gaining his strength back. All though at first I was sad that he wasn’t human I quickly got over it. He was alive and that was what mattered most.
“Are you okay?” I asked leaning over.
“I’m fine. Just like the last ten times you asked,” he said smiling sweetly at me.
I scooted down the couch to be closer to him. The others were out hunting and it was just the two of us home. “I’m just a concerned fiancé. Plus, this is the first time something has happened to you and not me. It’s nice to dote on you for a change. Are you hungry?” I asked.
“I am actually,” he said.
“Do you know what you want?” I asked.
“No idea. Surprise me,” he grinned. Jonathon was loving this chance to eat human food and he often experimented. Pickles dipped in yogurt had been the grossest but he claimed it was delicious and tried to get me to try it. I politely refused.
I left him sitting in the living room and went to get him something to eat. I grabbed a bag of chips and tossed them to him. He ripped them open and inhaled the scent. “Mmm. My favorite. Salt and vinegar,” he said and stuffed a couple of chips in his mouth.
“They’re my favorite too,” I smiled. I settled back on the couch and cuddled gently up next him. I was so scared of hurting him. I did not want to cause him any pain.
“Jonathon, I’ve been wanting to ask you something?” I prompted hesitantly.
“Ask away,” he said while chips crunched in his mouth.
“That night, when you did your fire thing, how did you kill her? I know she had her shield up so I don’t see how it worked.”
“Well,” he said chewing, “I don’t know. I know she’s dead. I- I felt it,” he said and his eyes seemed to glaze over as he remembered. “I could feel her burning and screaming. It was terrible. I had no idea I even had the power to do what I did. I was just so angry. She killed so many. She killed Benji. And-and Isaac,” he said and turned to look at me, “I
’m really sorry. I tried to stop her. I did. And then the fact that Aleksei, their leader, betrayed us made me even angrier, and I just couldn’t take it anymore. I could feel the power building in me. I could feel it growing bigger and burning brighter and then I just kind of exploded. And then, wait- I do know how it worked,” he said suddenly as the puzzle pieces clicked into place. “The power and the heat of the fire was so strong, almost like a bomb, that it burned straight through her shield. She didn’t stand a chance. I hope I never have to do something like that again. It’s been so draining. But at least she’s gone and we don’t have to worry about her anymore. We can go on and live our lives in peace, I hope,” he smiled, “We can get married and live happily ever after. I think it’s about time don’t you?”
“It is time. I feel like in the time we’ve been together so much has gotten in our way. We haven’t even known each other a year yet,” I said.
He crumpled up the empty bag of chips and tossed it on the coffee table. He pulled me close trying to prove that he wasn’t as breakable as I thought. “When you’re soul mates time doesn’t matter. We’re meant to be together.”
“Then why does everything try to tear us apart?” I asked softly.
He sighed, “I don’t know. But hopefully that’s all over now.”
“You don’t sound so sure,” I said pulling away to look at him.
He rubbed his face, “I’m not sure of anything anymore, unfortunately.”
“Well,” I sighed, “please tell me before something bad happens. I’d like to be prepared next time.”
“I’m going to make sure there isn’t a next time,” he said with conviction.
“You can’t promise that, Jonathon. You can’t control fate,” I said.
“You’re right, like always, but I am going to try. I don’t want you to have to go through anymore horrors because of me,” he said quietly and turned so I couldn’t meet his silver eyed gaze. I knew he was lost in thought most likely worrying about something that was completely unnecessary.
“I can’t believe he’s dead,” I said suddenly, hiding my face against his shirt so he wouldn’t see my tears. Sometimes, it would just hit me all of a sudden that Isaac was dead and I would just lose it. It didn’t seem fair that he had died. But I guessed they had the saying, life isn’t fair, for a reason.
I felt his fingers run through my hair. “I tried to stop her. I really did. I know what he meant to you. He was your friend,” said Jonathon sadly. I knew he truly did regret that he couldn’t save Isaac and it made me love him even more.
“I thought he was finally going to accept our relationship and realize that we were just friends and that’s what always would be. But I guess fate had other plans,” I sighed.
“Fate,” mused Jonathon, “ruins a lot.”
“I didn’t even get to go to his funeral,” I said.
“Well, if it makes you feel better, you wouldn’t have been able to. The Coven holds a ceremony for their dead and with all that they lost I imagine it was very elaborate and only Coven members are allowed to attend. They only honor the ones that die in a battle or fight against a vampire with a ceremony. It doesn’t happen often so it was probably quite the thing,” he said.
“You’re not making me feel better. You know that right?” I asked.
He chuckled, “Sorry, I’ll have to try harder. Why don’t we go to his grave?”
“Now? Are you sure that’s a good idea? You’re still weak,” I said and my hands fluttered over his body.
“I’ll be fine and maybe we can stop and get something to eat,” he grinned.
“Jonathon! Stop thinking about your stomach,” I laughed.
“I haven’t eaten real human food in seven hundred years and the food when I was alive was nothing like this. So if all I want to think about is food that’s what I’m going to think about,” he smirked.
“Whatever,” I said and helped him to stand. He picked up his crutches and started to hobble feebly. I laughed. “Are you sure you don’t need a cane or a walker old man?”
He laughed and swatted at me with one of his crutches. “You’re mean. This is a whole lot cooler than some walker.”
“I don’t know. I think you could pull off the walker,” I said with a laugh while assessing him.
“So, now injured men with a walker turn you on?” he joked.
I laughed, “No, but you might.”
“Well, while we’re out let’s stop and get one,” he said.
“Oh, I’ll be sure and do that. Um… How are you going to get down the steps to the driveway?” I asked.
“You mean you’re not going to carry me?” he said smiling.
“I think you might be a bit heavy,” I said.
He sighed, “You’re right. I’ll just hobble along. It’s not like I have a broken leg. I’m just weak is all. I’ll be fine, you go get the car.”
“Okay,” I said.
I got my car and pulled it around front. Jonathon was about halfway down the steps. I got out of the car to go and help him. I jogged up to meet him. I saw that he was beaded with sweat and his muscles were strained.
“This was a bad idea. Just go back to the house. I can do this another time,” I said trying to turn him around and guide him back inside.
“No-I’ll-be-fine,” he huffed.
“You’re going to strain yourself. Come on I’ll help you back to the house,” I said sternly.
“Kylie,” he snapped, “I can do this.”
“Fine,” I said stepping away. “Go be macho.” I left him and got back in the car. After about five minutes he finally climbed in the car. “About time.” I said angrily. He was breathing heavy now.
He raised his eyebrows. “Are we having a fight? This is a first.”
“Well, if you weren’t so stubborn we wouldn’t be having this issue,” I said and banged the steering wheel for emphasis.
“Come on, Kylie. Let a man retain some dignity,” he joked.
“Whatever,” I said and rolled my eyes. I had just wanted to help. I didn’t want to fight but he was just so stubborn. This would be the only time I would ever get the chance to take care of him and he just wouldn’t let me have it. Traitorous tears began to leak out of the corners of my eyes.
“Kylie,” he said, his voice soft. He leaned over and wiped one of my tears away. “Are you crying?”
“Oh no, I’m just leaking,” I said sarcastically. “Of course I’m crying!” I snapped. I was way too emotional these days.
“But why?” he asked with a quizzical glance.
“Why? You seriously have to ask why? Because I’m mad at you. You won’t let me help you. You always get to come to my rescue, but the one time I have the opportunity to help you, you won’t let me.” I tried to regain myself. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I’m just so sad,” I sobbed.
He put his arms around me or as much as he could in the car. “Shhh, principessa. It’s okay. I know. I understand that you’re grieving and I’ve been so insensitive to how you’ve been feeling. I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?” he asked and his silver eyes reflected sincerity.
“There’s nothing to forgive,” I sobbed. “I’m such a bad person.” I wiped my eyes on the back of my hand and tried to compose myself.
“I think we’ve both been a little short tempered as of late. Why don’t we both just say we’re sorry and move on. I’ll go first,” he grinned and held a hand to his chest. “I am most sincerely sorry, my love,” he said and smiled.
“I’m sorry, too. Really sorry,” I said.
“Good. See, we just managed to get over our first fight. Now hopefully it will be our only one,” he said relaxing into the leather seats.
“Okay,” I said wiping my eyes, “Do you know how to get there because I certainly don’t.”
He chuckled, “I do actually. Did you think I was going to lead you on a wild goose chase?” he asked rhetorically.
“Okay, then lead the way.” I said with a wave of my hand. He gave m
e the instructions and I followed them and was surprised by how long the drive was. It took about an hour to reach our destination. I pulled up in front of a chain length fence that I was sure said the equivalent of the American: NO TRESSPASSING, sign. I put the car in park and stepped out. I walked up to the fence and shook it. Locked.
“It’s locked,” I said to Jonathon who was starting to get out of the car.
“Not for long,” he said taking the padlock in his hand. His hand glowed a faint pale blue and the lock melted.
“Well, that’s one way to get in,” I said and smiled.
He led me through the gate into what looked like a park. But soon I saw the headstones in the distance. We passed one large tree and then everything widened out to encompass all the graves.
I could see several, about ten, freshly dug graves. These graves didn’t have gravestones yet, only little sticks shoved into the ground with names handwritten on a piece of paper.
“What is this place?” I asked. “I know it’s a cemetery. But it looks different.” I said looking around at the intricately carved headstones. They seemed to have scenes engraved on their surface.
“It’s the Coven’s cemetery. Only those that died by the hand of a vampire are buried here. Their death is carved on their headstone. I think this is the first time they’ve lost so many members by the hand of one vampire. They will probably have one giant headstone for all of them depicting the battle.”
“It’s kind of beautiful in a somber way,” I said sadly looking around.
“It is,” he said. “Isaac’s grave should be right there,” he said pointing to the freshly dug earth. “I’ll stay over by the tree until you’re ready to leave. Take your time,” he said and began to hobble back over to the large tree. I walked over towards the fresh graves and noticed that the last grave before the fresh ones was from the nineteen-eighties. I was surprised that so much time had gone by. I guessed they either didn’t encounter many other vampires or maybe they were just really good at not getting killed. Whatever the case it hadn’t applied to us.
Forbidden (Fallen Series Book 2) Page 26
