Ever After

by Heather McBride

  If I had to offer myself to them and return to their coven in exchange for her safe return I would do it as well. I was consumed by horrific images of what those animals might do to me sweet love. I knew Leo was sadistic and evil, I was not around him a great deal in the short time I was with the Dark ones, but I knew enough about him. The time I was there, Leo had been in Europe.

  I only saw him once when he briefly returned to the coven in New Orleans. He had been angry with Vincent for creating a half blood, and letting me live. He told he should have killed me when I failed to change completely. Vincent would not do it, an open act of defiance against the chief elder. Somehow, Leo let him keep me, and he behaved as a father figure and he did protect me from hostile vamps that sensed I was a half blood.

  I recall many times we would be confronted while out “hunting” in the seeder areas New Orleans late at night, by rouge vamps. They wanted to kill me. Half bloods to the Dark coven, and to rouge vampires were a special “hunt” much harder to catch but so enjoyable to kill and eat.

  Vincent told me my blood to a vampire was like a fine wine, much stronger than a human’s blood. The life essence from the humans I killed in my past flowed in my veins, making my blood very desirable to other vampires. I wondered why, as I had killed very few humans, as I hated it from the very first day I was forced to do it.

  I was concerned for Corrine, as her blood was like mine. Even though she was stuck in mid phase of the change, the blood units given to her while under Doc and Pratt’s care would make her blood a temptation to any one of the Dark coven. I hoped and prayed that Leo would be enforcing the fact he wanted her alive.

  I knew he was using her to bait the Followers in for an all out war. I also knew my love was so very sick and weak, she could not take any stress, and this was the very last thing she needed. Doc and the other elders set a plan; we would go north and search for the Dark ones old house.

  Long ago Leo and Doc as small children lived there with their parents; it was century’s old, but still standing. Doc knew Leo maintained it as it was extremely isolated and private. He was sure they would have taken her there. Leo wanted to have control of the situation and he knew every inch of the heavily wooded area around the old stone colonial house he and Doc had grown up in.

  I worried how we would get to Corrine before they killed her. Doc had told me that was exactly what his brother would do when he knew we were getting close to the house. Leo would not ever negotiate Corrine’s safe return; he simply did not ever do such things. I was sick at the thought, it was all I could do not to go after her alone and steal her back.

  Doc was quick to remind me if I did so, I would serve no purpose to Corrine. I would be killed the minute, they would know I was near the house even before I did. That was one thing I hated about being a half blood so much, was how much more skilled at detection of other vamps, full bloods were. I worked at it, but I simply did not have the ability a full blood did.

  I was forced to wait until Doc and Pratt and the other elders were ready to go. I knew Doc had a plan set and he promised me we would get Corrine back safely. I hope he was right; losing her would be the very end of me. I could not fathom one more day without her it was ripping my heart out to think about it. I could only hope and pray she was strong enough to hold on until we go to her.

  I also hoped the other evil vampires in that coven were kept away from her as well. Now began the wait to get to her and to save her and bring her back to where she belonged, in my arms.

  Chapter 22

  The Plan

  I lay listening to the wind howl all night, ice pelting the windows of this God only knows how old house. The ceilings had wooden beams, and the fireplace was an open-hearth kind of thing. It reminds me of the pictures of old colonial homes in my U.S. history class textbook, from high school. I could never have imagined then, I would be a prisoner in one of those homes, and at the mercy of vile barbaric, evil vampires.

  The house despite being apparently so old was solid. The bitter cold wind did not seep into my room thankfully. I knew this kind of ice storm would paralyze the area, even though people were use to this crappy weather. It would cause William and Doc to have trouble finding me. It was just my luck. I could see long spear like icicles forming on the window, it made me shake just to think how bone chilling cold it was out there.

  I had not seen Sayann since she told me her story and vowed to try to help me. I feared Leo and Todd might have hurt her, since she talked to me. I was surprised she told me so much, and openly admitted to hating the Dark coven. I knew she had to have known they could easily read her mind, and have seen her telling me all of that. If they did hurt her, or worse I was to out of luck and I knew it.

  I had no other options; she was my one and only chance at getting out of here. I knew though, it was really a pipe dream for me now. The hours that had passed since she talked to me had been bad. I was now so weak, turning over in my bed was a major struggle. I had no idea even if she did think up a plan for us to run away, how I would physically be able to do it.

  I thought of my William as I lay there also, as he was always on my mind. I worried the strain of me being kidnapped would aggravate his already weak body as well. Doc never said if mental strain would affect him, but really doesn’t it affect everyone? I knew he must have been going insane not knowing if I was ok or even alive.

  I worried I wouldn’t be alive for very much longer. Pratt’s words right before he started me on the serum rolled around in my head over and over. I had to be kept warm. I could no longer regulate my own body temperature. I had to have every dose of serum, and not miss one.

  He never went into detail about what would happen if I did not get each dose or if it was stopped. He did not have to, that day as he spoke, each and every one of us we all already knew the answer. I would in fact die. This was so brutal, just when my life actually seemed to be getting maybe half way normal, something crappy always happened. It sucked to say the least. I was trapped here alone cold, with no hope of ever seeing William again, it was a real life nightmare.

  I drifted off to sleep a short time later and woke up as a stream of sunlight broke through the curtains. I looked at my watch it was now 8am, the house was quiet. I did not know the habits of the Dark vampires yet, so who knew if they were all asleep or not right now. I really hoped they slept all day, like the vampires I knew of from old movies and stuff.

  I knew of course not all vampires were the same; they each seemed to have different habits. I watched the sun illuminate the many dust particles floating in the air. I worried Sayann would not ever come back, until I heard the door’s lock take in a key, and she appeared smiling at me.

  “I see you’re up already.” She smiled as she walked over to my bed.

  “Yeah, it was a long night. I thought they did something to you, for telling me about your past life and how much you hated them all.” I tried to scoot up, to a sitting position, but it was no use my body was to weak.

  “No, they were mad but I always make them mad. Leo yelled at me as well as his stupid sides kick Todd. How did you ever date an ass like that anyway?” She giggled.

  “Good question, I don’t even know why myself.” I hated thinking about Todd, especially with him in the next room more than likely. I watched Sayann, as she got some pills out of a bottle and a cup of water.

  “Don’t worry; it’s just Tylenol nothing too strong. I did some research on line, and we have to keep your fever under control, and keep you warm.”

  “On line, they have that info on the internet?” I was a bit shocked, how could that be.

  “Oh it’s not easy to find, you look at vampire web sites, and humans think those sites are bogus, or for crazy people who think vamps aren’t really real.” She smiled giving me a wicked grin.

  “If they only knew, we really are real!” I took the Tylenol as she wrapped me in another blanket. I was freezing and I couldn’t stop shaking. “I can’t give you anything stronger, or it might
make you worse. I also brought you some blood; it’s in that Styrofoam cup, with the straw. I know you’re not use to drinking a lot of it, but you need it to get stronger.”

  I made a face as I looked at the cup. I had of course been drinking blood already. I had to now that I was more vamp than human. Doc had the blood units too, but they were in foil like juice bags and did not look like anything weird.

  “I can drink it.” I sighed taking a sip. I felt stronger minutes later.

  “That’s it, now we get you stronger, and …” She leaned over and whispered in my ear. “We are out of here.” I looked up in shock, nearly choking. I covered my mouth.

  “What?” I whispered

  “We are leaving Corrine. I want to be a Follower, and I want to get you out of here and back to William. I have thought about it all night, and if we don’t do this we are both going to die here!”

  “What, are you talking about? I might or well…I probably will, but not you?”

  “Yes, they are angry with me and Kyle is tired of me. I argue with him all the time. I have heard him tell Todd and his other friends here, he wants a new mate.” I leaned back listening to her, amazed she was willing to take this risk.

  “Can’t he just take another mate or whatever, and leave you alone?”

  “No, it does not work that way here, if the male vamp in the Dark coven tires of the mate he has chosen, he kills her.” She looked down sadly at the Tylenol bottle in her hand.

  “Oh my God, that is so like mid evil or something!” I shook my head in disgust.

  “Yes well I know, but it’s true. I either get out of here or die. This coven is so twisted the male vamps rule here, the women are just like slaves. I think sometimes I would rather be dead, than be trapped here with these creatures.” I was sick; I looked at this beautiful girl before me, trapped in this hellish coven.

  “Corrine, I have something to tell you and I have been thinking weather I should or not. It’s totally gross and might make you feel worse.” She wrinkled up her nose.

  Great I thought to myself, more bad news. I figured I was going to be the main course at dinner or something, since half bloods were apparently so tasty to other vampires.

  “Ok well tell me, I am really getting use to bad news, it seems to be theme in my life.” I shrugged my shoulders in defeat.

  “Ok, well after Leo berated me for telling you how much I hated it here, and how I got to be here. I heard him talking to Todd. They had left the room, but I heard them talking about you as they walked away. Leo it seems has taken a liking to you. He told Todd, Kyle, and some of the elders, he might choose you as his next mate. He has been without one for a decade now and he feels you are what he wants!” She looked at me wide eyed waiting for my response.

  “Sick!” I gasped holding my hand to my neck. “I would never have anything to do with him! Hell he is old enough to be my like Great grandfather times five or something! This is just great; it doesn’t get much better than this.” I groaned closing my eyes.

  “Well, now you see why we have to both get out of here and fast. Do you want to know how his last mate died?”

  “Oh why not.” I shook my head. “I can only imagine.”

  “He ripped her throat out for talking to another male coven member. I heard she only asked him if he had the time, nothing bad. Boom Leo grabbed her up drug her away and killed her. He never gave her a chance to explain, he is a total nut job.”

  “Uh…ok no doubt, we do have to get out of here, and really fast!” The problem was I had no idea how to get out of here, or even where we were. I hoped Sayann had a good plan.

  “Ok now look, we have to do this just right, we mess it up, and we are dead.” Sayann went on to tell me we had one shot at getting out of here alive. The Dark coven had called a meeting of the elders. It was during these meetings that we could possibly escape.

  Chapter 23

  Details

  The dark vamps within a 100-mile radius would come and they all hated the Followers. They would have meetings and be totally engrossed for hours on end. I would be watched as usual, but with so many vamps in the house, it would be easier to sneak out. Sayann would drug the vampire on guard, probably Kyle. She would pack a bag with everything we would need to get me back to the Followers.

  The only thing that was hard to protect me from was the cold. Sayann said we would bundle me up and we would move as fast as we could. She would try to call William as soon as she could get a signal. Huge trees and brush surrounded the stone house we were in now, cell phones were useless here. I was ready, I knew it might not work and I might die in the woods. A death like that was far better than becoming Leo’s “mate” it was a risk I was willing to take.

  It all happened, just as Sayann said, the other Dark vamps in the area converged in the stone house, in groups. The hum of voices filled the air and seeped through the ancient paper-thin walls. I tried to block out the numerous conversations I heard. They all seemed to be curious about me.

  I was the one Leo the head of all Dark vampires, had chosen. I heard them say I was still bate to get Doc and the Followers here. They still intended to kill every one of the Followers as soon as they sensed them in the area. I knew it was going to be a massacre, the Dark coven did not intend to let any Followers live. I could not allow this to happen, and I wouldn’t.

  I ate Tylenol like candy, it barley dulled the pain but it was all I could have. I waited as I heard the icy rain now beating on the windows, it was wet and cold. I really doubted I would even make it one hour out there. Sayann swore she would get me back to the Followers.

  I was to wait for her to come to get me. She was getting Kyle drugged, but in the mean time I had to behave normally around the other Dark vamps. It was critical she not let them see into her mind what she and I had planned. If they did, we were both going to be killed instantly for defying Leo.

  Chapter 24

  The Escape

  It happened so fast, it was nearing mid night, the height of the Dark ones meeting. I could hear music and chanting, it sounded like a demonic vampire frat party just outside my room. I curled up and figured Sayann was not able to drug Kyle away from outside my door. I just wanted to sleep and try to forget where I was and my impending fate.

  The door to my room opened, it was dark so I couldn’t see. I heard Sayann's voice in a whisper, telling me to get up and put on the heavy down filled coat she had in her hand. I struggled to get up, but the adrenalin kicked in and I got to my feet. I followed her as she went to the window. She had the key to the barred gates of my prison. In an instant, she had them open and pulled up the window, bitterly cold wet air filled my lungs and I gasped.

  “Here we go Corrine, be strong it’s really cold, but you can do this ok.” She squeezed my hand and encouraged me to go on. I was thankful the room I was in was on the first floor. Sayann helped me to the frozen wet ground just under the window. It was icy and I held onto her desperately trying not to slip.

  If she had been human, I would have pulled her down. She was nearly the exact same size as me. The fact she was a full-blooded vamp made me hanging on her arm feel like nothing for her, as we moved along the narrow path into the massive thick woods. It felt like hours since we had broke out of my vampire prison. It had only been thirty minutes Sayann was quick to tell me.

  I knew we had to get as far from the stone house as possible before the older vamps sensed we had escaped, or Kyle woke from his sudden nap. I lagged behind her as we darted through the woods, it was becoming too much. I could feel myself getting weaker and colder, my legs felt like lead weights. I started to slip and fall. Each time Sayann pulled me up begging me to go one, promising we only had a little further to go.

  Finally she let us rest in a small thick ice covered thicket of opine tress. I was thankful they blocked the icy wind. I was numb all over. I couldn’t feel anything anymore and I was desperately tired. This plan wasn’t working out as well as we had hoped.

  “Corrine we have to g
o another three miles, there is a main road there and my cell will pick up a signal.” She crouched down next to me as I sat on the pine needles, my legs pulled up to my chest shaking.

  “I don’t know. I just want to rest for a little bit please.” I whispered. I had no energy left to use my voice. “Maybe you should go on ahead. I can hide here; you can come back for me and bring Doc and William.” I could see by her facial expression that she was not going to go for it.

  “Corrine are you crazy? The Dark ones will be on our trail in no time, you have to go on we can’t stay here.” She rubbed my back trying to comfort me. “There is a river near here, we must cross it. If you can make it that far we can hide you. The dark ones rely on their strong sense of smell, the pungent river will mess them up. I have to get you across it, or they will find us both. I will carry you if I have to, please Corrine you must!” I took a deep breath and looked at her eyes pleading with me. She had risked so much; I owed it to her to try.