Chapter Eleven
Jayd felt trapped in between a bonfire and an iceberg. Her whole body ached, and she was getting thirstier by the moment. All she wanted was something to quench her parched throat. She remembered Patrick looming over her, feeding her his blood, and then hearing Seth's voice before darkness swallowed her. Now her brain seemed a little muddled, but she was able to open her eyes. When she did, she didn't recognize any of her surroundings. Outside, she heard birds twittering and things scampering in the forest. Water was boiling from the sound of the whistle on the teakettle, and there was someone in the other room. Jayd thought she could hear breathing. How is that possible? Jayd inhaled deeply. She smelled honeysuckle, lavender, and something coppery. Jayd couldn't place it, but it made her lick her lips absently when the aroma made her mouth water. Her stomach growled at the reaction.
She looked around and realized she was in a small bedroom lined with bookshelves on all available walls. This was a room she had dreamed about for her own house. Her dining room was lined with four bookcases and still she had run out of spaces for her books. All the shelves here were filled with books, plants, pottery, crystals, and other items she had never seen before. The walls of the cottage were white stucco over stone. The full moon poured through the open window. Jayd was drawn to the night. It was an odd feeling. When she stretched out her hand into the cool moonlight, it tingled up her arm. It seemed the night was ecstatic when it caressed her flesh. The night was accepting her into its world, and the cold rays of the moon were its arms surrounding her. Jayd wanted to run outside and join the darkness. She had a desire to strip off her clothes and run naked so the moon could kiss all of her flesh. Weird. I've never been afraid of the night, but now it's my friend. If I listen hard enough I can hear the moon singing. Jayd sat up a little. When she did, she realized she was not alone in the room. She looked over, and there was a short round woman standing in the doorway.
"Well, you're awake. That's a good sign."
Jayd stared at her. Her hair, strands of red and copper mixed with gold and gray, look like it was on fire the way it moved in the light. Her host's eyes were silver and danced in the candlelight Jayd noticed on one of the bookshelves. “Who are you, and where am I? Where's Seth?"
The woman smiled. Her demeanor was warm and friendly, inviting. “My name is Robyn. You are at my cottage because Seth brought you here hoping to save your life and your immortal soul."
Jayd laughed. “My immortal soul? Why would he be concerned with that?"
Robyn, holding a mug of steaming liquid, came a little closer. She sat on the side of the bed and handed it to Jayd. “Drink this. It will taste vile, but it will slow the progression of the virus burning in your veins."
Jayd took the cup. Dread hit her when she heard Robyn's statement. It was true. Everything Patrick had told her. Everything she had experienced was real and not some made-up nightmare she was trapped in. Her hand flew to her throat. When they did, her fingers brushed over the puncture wounds left behind by her vampire stalker. A twinge of pain enveloped her. The shock of the situation made the breath catch in her throat. Panic settled in her chest and knotted her heart. What am I going to do? I don't want to be a vampire! I never believed in the supernatural until I met Seth! Oh God, Seth. What happened to him? Is he okay?
"You need to drink that, Jayd. Please,” Robyn urged her again.
Jayd barely heard her, but she was parched and getting drier by the second. Without saying anything, she brought the cup to her lips and took a sip of the liquid. Robyn was right. It tasted horrible if dirt was the main ingredient. When she swallowed it, the instant it hit her stomach, Jayd wanted to spit it out.
"Try to keep it down, Jayd. Seth is trying to find a cure for you, but..."
Jayd looked up into her alluring silver eyes. “But what?” Inside Jayd's heart, she already knew the answer, but she needed to hear it from someone else.
Robyn tried to smile, but its warmth never touched her eyes and barely made it onto her lips. “There is no cure. The only way to stop being a vampire is to die. And I'm sure you don't want that."
Jayd shook her head. Her hands trembled when she forced herself to take another long sip. Nausea made her stomach do flip-flops. The liquid settled into her system. She forced herself to keep it down. If this woman could stop it, she was sure going to do anything the woman wanted her to do. She took another sip and this time began to break down the different flavors in the concoction. There was garlic in it along with something with a harsher taste to it. Jayd couldn't quite place it, but it tasted metallic. “No, I don't want to die, but I never wanted to be an undead creature of the night either. I'm not much for a liquid diet. I love pizza too much. Then again, I never really believed in all of this until I saw Seth disappear into thin air. How do you know him?” Jayd was curious how her massage therapist, aka supernatural being, knew this woman. She hoped Robyn would give her some more insight into Seth's past and maybe more about him in general since Jayd hardly knew anything about him. He was always tight-lipped when he came into the shop. Seth hadn't even given her anything when she had tried to bribe him with french fries.
Jayd saw a flash of anger move across Robyn's face. It was obvious there was some hostility there. “Seth and I go back about five centuries. He was my sister's guardian but couldn't do anything to save her while the guards dragged her away and then burned her at the stake."
"Is that why you despise him?"
Robyn smiled. “It's that obvious."
Jayd nodded.
"No that's not why I hate him. He gave me this life against my will. Seth thought he was doing it to save my life at the time. You see, my sister and I, along with the rest of her coven, had been accused of witchcraft during the Inquisition. My sister was killed first. Seth wasn't able to assume human form because it wasn't the full moon yet. That came the next night. Those damnable priests were torturing me on the rack. Don't let anyone fool you about the clergy of the day. I was near death. Seth wanted to save me from the horrors of the fire and from whatever else those crazy priests were going to do to me. However, Seth just assumed I wanted to live. He felt responsible and gave me the one gift he has with his curse. Some gift."
Jayd was confused. How is it possible for Seth and this woman to be over five hundred years old? It's not logical. Nothing can live that long. Why is Seth cursed? Was that what he was trying to tell me when I begged him to stay? Now his schedule of only coming in on the three days and nights of the full moon made sense. But what was his curse? What had happened to him to be damned to whatever kind of life he led? “So he made you immortal and now you hate him?"
"Drink your tea, Jayd. Ask Seth the details about what transpired between us.” Robyn got up to leave.
Jayd reached out and grabbed her arm not even realizing that she had. She hadn't wanted the other woman to leave, but didn't think her instincts were going to react so quickly. Robyn tried to pull away from her, but she was not able to break Jayd's hold. Both women stared at one another. When Jayd looked into the eyes of her host, she felt power gathering around her. It tickled the little hairs on her arms and made her skin tingle. Jayd also heard the blood rushing through Robyn's veins. The other woman's heart picked up speed. She was afraid. A sweet aroma permeated the air. Jayd licked her lips. Something shifted in her mouth. The sudden movement made her release Robyn and her hand flew to her mouth. Jayd bolted out of bed. The mug crashed to the floor, splashing its remaining liquid over the stones. She stared at herself in the mirror. When she did, she saw the beginnings of two points from her canine teeth sharpened. She touched one tentatively with her fingertip. When she did, tears welled into her eyes. This was not supposed to be happening. Marriage and children were in her future. Growing old with the man she loved and then dying at his side. Not some life where she turned into a monster. The reflection was not her. She didn't know who that was. Was she herself any longer? Her thoughts turned to Seth. Jayd had a terrible crush on him. Now she craved to
have his arms around her comforting her. Robyn said Seth was trying to find a cure for me. That must mean that he cares. Maybe I was imagining it and the kiss didn't mean anything. Jayd shook her head. The kiss had to mean something. I felt a spark between us. I know he must have felt it, too. Would he want me now that I was becoming a creature of the night? Could he really care for me now that I'm becoming a cold, dead thing?
Jayd turned to Robyn and tried to get her emotions back in check. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you if I did."
Robyn picked up the pieces of the mug. Jayd inhaled deeply and realized that she had cut herself. That was what the coppery scent was before. It was Robyn's blood. With the intake of breath, something inside of Jayd fell away. It seemed her personality had split. She was looking at herself through different eyes. Hunger consumed her. The thirst was unbearable. Robyn was going to make it all better. Her host was going to be her next meal. It didn't matter that she was trying to take care of her. Jayd was hungry, like she hadn't eaten in weeks, and her body cried out for nourishment. Without having control of her body, Jayd threw Robyn down onto the bed and was on top of her before the other woman could even blink. Jayd's body was on automatic pilot. Her brain cried out for her to stop this nonsense, but she was disconnected from it. She grabbed Robyn's wrist. Jayd brought it to her nose and inhaled deeply. Her tongue stroked the flesh above the vein where she was going to bite. Jayd felt a rumble in her throat and realized she was purring.
"Jayd, let me go. No matter what I promised Seth, I will kill you if you keep this up. Do you understand?"
Jayd felt something sharp and cold against her throat. It didn't bother her. All she wanted was the blood. The woman below her was a harmless fly. She was only human after all. The blade pressed against her throat.
"Does something in you remember Seth? If you care for him at all, then you'll get a hold of yourself."
At the mention of Seth's name, something clicked in Jayd. Her mind recalled him. The kiss they had shared made her heart race even now. Something about the man made even her hunger stop and reconsider what she was doing. Something about the two of them was connected. Jayd closed her eyes and forced herself to reconnect with her body. This was not what she wanted. She was not a monster. She was not going to kill people. Fighting against her thirst, Jayd released Robyn, stepped away from her into the corner, and sank back against the wall. Her whole body was on fire. The stone wall was cool and felt good. Feeling tears of frustration, hunger, and disgust coursing down her cheeks, she slid down against the wall and curled into a ball. Jayd was still surprised that she could cry. She heard Robyn get up and close the door behind her. After a moment, she smelled the horrible tea again. Her host had left her another cup. It was supposed to halt her transformation. Jayd shuddered at the aroma of it, but took the mug and downed the contents. It tasted of dirt and moldy water now, but she drank it anyway. This time once it hit her system, instead of making her want to throw up, it sent blinding stabs of pain through her stomach. Her system was not taking lightly to it. She fell to the floor and doubled over. She clutched her abdomen, wondering if she had ever felt any kind of pain similar to this before, and was sure she hadn't.
This is horrible. What did I do to deserve this? Why is this happening to me? Jayd wept pressing her forehead to the floor, hoping it would make her feel better, like hugging a toilet after a night of heavy drinking. It didn't help. Not knowing what to do, she tried to think of calming and happy things to take her mind off the agony. The only thing that kept coming back was the image of Seth.
However, it wasn't the man she had come to know. He glared at her with loathing. He didn't want anything to do with her. The normal jovial smile that turned up his lips was gone, replaced by a look of revulsion. His eyes told her how he felt. They were cold and dead. There was nothing of the kindhearted man she cared about. Jayd reached out to him, but he shook his head, the charms in his hair jingling, except this time, they were not making happy chiming noises. They were ridiculing her. Taunting her.
"Please don't leave me alone, Seth. Please don't go."
Why would I want a monster like you? You're a murderer, Jayd. Nothing but a filthy creature of the night. Do you know what I do with vampires? I kill them. Her imaginary Seth smiled and laughed. A silver sword appeared in his hand, and he brought it to her throat. With one slice, the sword came barreling toward her neck. She put her hands up to stop it, but Seth and the sword disappeared. Taking his place was Patrick.
You don't need anyone but me, Jayd. The blood in your veins is telling you that. Listen to it.
Jayd shook her head. “No,” she screamed. “I'm not like you! I'll never be like you!"
Patrick squatted down and moved his hand across her forehead. It felt cool against her burning skin. But you are like me, pretty Jayd. Even if we're separated, I'm always going to be with you. It's my blood inside your veins. It's my voice that makes you hunger. Give into the thirst, Jayd. It's inevitable that you'll completely turn. No remedy concocted by a backwoods witch will be able to stop that. You're mine. Now and forever. Give into your hunger. I know you can smell her blood. It will taste sweet once you let your fangs slice into her throat. You know that. Part of you almost took her. Your instinct emerged and almost had her. If you don't want to listen to me, then at least listen to it. It might save your life one day.
"Shut up! Get out of my head!” Jayd yelled at her imaginary visitor. Everything in her told her to heed Patrick's voice. If she did that, her pain would be eased. All she needed was blood. Then everything would be okay. Her body fought against the herbal concoction trying to keep her human, but Jayd could tell that it wasn't going to last. She would become a full vampire. When that happened, she didn't know if she could live with herself.
Jayd glanced up at the window and saw the moon outside. It was sinking lower in the sky. Its silvery light was whispering good-bye to her. Soon, the sun would rise. Her chemistry would react to it. She knew that from the feeling in her gut and not from watching too many crazy vampire movies. If she stepped out in the bright rays, she would die. Sunlight would solve her problems. Jayd felt her will turn to iron. If Seth wasn't back by the first rays breaking on the horizon, she was going to do the only thing she could think of to save her soul.
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Chapter Twelve
Seth willed himself back to the clearing where the Raven Warriors trained. It was here Jet did his mediation, Darius fought with an invisible opponent, and the others spent some of their time. Surrounding it were thirteen small cabins. Each belonged to a different Raven Warrior. It was up to them if they wanted to use it. Seth barely used his. When he did, it was to store things. For now, he walked to his cabin feeling the burden. The council had refused to help him. Betha had kidnapped Tremain's heartmate. Caleb had turned his back on the rest of his Warriors. Now Jayd was going to suffer and become a night creature all because Seth didn't know what else to do. There had to be someone else he could appeal to.
Seth slammed the door and threw himself down on his bed. It sagged underneath his weight. He didn't know the last time he had spent the night here. Even in human form, he'd remain human at night and just walk. Sure he got tired, but he didn't want to miss anything, and after surviving for twenty-five hundred years, a few days without sleep was not something he minded. The Raven Warrior hung his head in his hands and stared at the painting on the wall. It was a scene he had Arik paint ages ago that reminded him of his homeland. It had the ancient pyramids in the background, with a large marketplace where people strolled. Giant obelisks, nimble fingers worshipping whatever god they had been carved for, shot toward the sky. For years, Seth had worshipped the god Ra, but he stayed within the ranks of the Ravens, the more he realized that Ra didn't give a flying flip about him and that the only one who did was Nephthys.
Seth sighed when he stared at the dark wings in the corner of the painting. Arik had put the representation of the goddess there on a whim so she would keep a
watchful eye on him. Horat was right. The only person he could appeal to was Nephthys herself. She would be the only one to free Jayd of her curse. Without Jayd, he wouldn't be free, either. He squeezed his fists together and knew what he had to do. Seth pulled his legs up under him and sat crossed-legged on the bed. He mentally checked on the other Ravens. They were searching for Betha. They did not need him at the moment. He quieted his mind and thought of darkness and black wings. Nothing surrounded him except shadows and nightmares. This was where his goddess lived.
Seth felt his body drop away, leaving his mind to wander the halls of her domain. He smelled incense, myrrh and jasmine. They were earthy scents. Her corridors echoed with the caws of ravens. The pillars that held up her temple were made of the blackest onyx and so polished he could see himself in them. There were thirteen pillars in all. Each of them inscribed with the runes for each Raven Warrior. At the end of the passageway, was Nephthys's dark throne carved from obsidian. He saw her dressed in a white silk shift, with a necklace boasting falcon wings, but he knew they were raven wings. Her face was pale. She appeared to be molded from white marble, and her black wig plaited so perfectly the gold circlet resting on it didn't even disturb it. The dark kohl accentuated her silver eyes. Her gaze held all the knowledge of the world. He approached her slowly and bent on one knee before her, waiting, hoping she would grant him an audience, praying she would hold the answer to releasing Jayd from her torment.
"Seth, you have no need to kneel before me."
Seth looked up into her wisdom-filled eyes. Warmth surrounded him like he was being caressed by a thousand wings. This was his goddess. This was how he saw the ruler of the Raven Warriors who went by a thousand different names. To him, she was Nephthys, the sister of Isis and ruler of the dead. “I have no other choice. What I come to beg of you, I don't know if you have the answer for."
Her soft hand on his cheek urged him to look up at her. When he did, he came to his feet. “Seth, I know why you are here. You seek salvation for the human you have brought into the other realm. You do know that by doing so, you have broken one of our laws. I could punish you just for that."
Whispers in the Dark [A Raven Saga Book 3] Page 12
