Ever After

by Heather McBride

  I stiffened as I heard someone or something walking along the bank of the river not far from me. I had to be quiet, as it could be one of the Dark covens or some big animal wanting to eat me. It moved closer and I tried desperately not to shake or I might be seen. I had enough mud on me to blend in with the underbrush, I hoped anyway.

  “Well what have we here?” A voice too familiar to me broke the silence. It was Todd, and now I knew my luck and defiantly run out this time. I looked up at him slowly as I forced myself to sit up against the base of the tree.

  “Where’s William? Don’t tell me pretty boy left you all alone out here to die?” He laughed, knowing I was alone. I swallowed hard, my throat burning. I couldn’t imagine how he got out here and, why hadn’t Roth and Taylor killed him at the bridge.

  “I took a little swim like you did; Will’s little cousins didn’t expect that! I can see you’re shocked to see me out here. Are you afraid Corrine? All alone with me out here? Nobody to rescue you this time.” I blinked hard trying to keep my eyes open. Something in my neck hurt as I tried to look up and see him better. I knew I was in bad shape, I just didn’t know how much damage had been done yet.

  “If you want to kill me just do it Todd. I don’t care anymore. I’m dying anyway.” The words I said hurt me to say aloud, but I wasn’t stupid. I knew I was going to die soon. I could feel it in my bones and there was no denying it. Todd stepped back and gave me a confused look.

  “What, no begging for mercy?” He leaned down next to me and got it my face. I tried to pull away but had now where to go. I closed my eyes as he pushed my muddy hair off my face. He sat there silently just staring at me as I shook and took shallow breaths. I could hear my heart racing in my chest, that was a death sentence to a vampire and I knew it.

  “What the hell’s wrong with you anyway?” He took my pale limp wrist in his own dirty hands. His eyes narrowed as he felt my pulse going dangerously fast. “Your pulse is going crazy, you know you’re going to die don’t you?” I turned my head away as tears streamed down my face.

  “Well this just takes all the fun out of killing you. It’s like killing a half dead animal or something.” I could tell he was ticked off that I was not going to be a challenge for him to kill.

  “Just leave me alone.” I whispered. I hoped he would just let me lay her and die, and not torture me. He ran his hand through his wet hair and looked around nervously. I hadn’t heard anything, and couldn’t figure out why he was so nervous suddenly.

  I gasped in pain as he suddenly grabbed my arm and jerked me to my feet. I slid in the mud barley able to stand.

  “Oh no Corrine, I have waited so long to kill you. I get a chance and somebody always sweeps in and messes it up. This time nobody is going to mess my plans up to end your miserable life.”

  I stood there unable to speak. I took a step towards the tree as Todd let me go, he knew I could not fight him or run. Everything was spinning around me uncontrollably.

  “Go on and run, now Corrine. You are boring me to death.” He laughed in my face. “Pardon the pun since you are going to be lucky to avoid yours today.”

  “I can’t.” I coughed out as I put my hands to my eyes, trying to stop the spinning.

  “You better try or I will just begin to torture you now. If you run I may not make your death as painful.”

  I winced as he reached a hand towards me and grabbed me by the shoulder and shoved me towards the wooded area of the swamp. I stumbled a few steps and fell to the ground.

  “I just can’t do it.” I begged.

  I thought for a minute he was going to give me a break, and give up this sick game he was playing with me. I was dead wrong, as he kicked me in the stomach as hard as he could. I cried out in pain and curled up into a ball onto the ground. I had no time to react as he grabbed my hair again and pulled me back up on my feet.

  “Run now or you’re dead!” He yelled.

  I took off using up the last bit of strength I had left to run for my life. I ran into the woods, grabbing onto the tree limbs to pull myself along. Todd was right behind me laughing and enjoying my struggle. I paused to long for Todd’s liking at an inlet next to the river where a logjam had piled up.

  I looked around but couldn’t see anything, the fog was so thick it didn’t even seem like it was daytime. Todd grabbed me from behind and shoved me into another tree nearby. I could feel blood running down the side of my face as I struggled to get up. This was a game of cat and mouse to him.

  “Hmm, I’m a bit hungry maybe I will have a little snack and that will be you!” I knew he wasn’t kidding as he eyed the blood on my face with hungry eyes.

  “This fog is making my little game of cat and mouse with you all the more fun.” He knelt down and looked into my eyes. “I can see it in your eyes; you’re trying to think of how to get away from me. It’s that annoying little will to live thing you still have in you, because you’re a half blood isn’t it. Too bad you’re so prone to injury from full bloods, and let us not forget the ever popular death.”

  “You’re sick I wish I had never met you!” I snapped as I wiped the blood from my head.

  “It’s too bad for you that I’m now tired of playing around. I have things to do and I’ve become bored with you.” I could see the color of his eyes get darker, he was angry and ready to kill me. I raised my arm to cover my face as his fist came straight at me, hitting me right on the side of the head. I held my face and cried.

  I knew he was going to torture me before he finally killed me. I wished now that I had just drowned in the river. I wasn’t going to survive all this. I backed up near a log as Todd watched me. I suddenly had a feeling I needed to call out for William. I knew he was here I could feel it, he was looking for me.

  “William!” I yelled as loudly as my weak beaten body could.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me. Pretty boys not coming for you. I doubt he’s even still alive by now.” He laughed.

  I saw him look around though, despite how confident he was about Will not being anywhere near here. “To think, I use to peg you as being smart. I can’t say much for your choice in boyfriends’ either. How much could he possibly care about you Corrine? William left you out here to die, that’s pretty crappy if you ask me.”

  “Shut up!” I yelled and glared at all five of him as my stupid eyes kept making doubles and triples of everything around me. I squeezed my eyes tightly trying to stop the double vision. Todd grabbed my arm and pulled me to my feet once more.

  “Good bye Corrine, sorry we didn’t work out, but I need a snack.” I felt his cold fingers on my neck.

  “No please don’t.” I begged in a whisper, knowing it was futile to do so. I felt his hot breath on my neck as he inhaled the scent of my blood. It felt like I was going to be sick with him so close. I braced myself to feel his sharp fangs sink deep into my neck. Suddenly he froze; he sensed something I did not.

  “I knew it damn!” He grumbled. He turned my face to look into his eyes, his grimy hands hurting my cheekbones. “I will kill you. I will hunt you to the ends of the earth for centuries if I have too. Always know that I will pop up someplace when you least expect me and get my revenge on you!”

  “What?” I gasped not understanding him. I couldn’t figure out why he stopped, not that I wanted him to kill me. I just had no idea why he changed his mind so suddenly.

  He got up and shoved me hard into the tree trunk next to me. I felt the air knocked out of my chest. I curled up into the fetal position, as I fought for air. I hated him, and his dammed full blood strength, each hit was killing me. I laid my head onto the wet ground as I watched Todd run off like a scolded dog into the thick wooded swamp.

  I grabbed at the wet leaves next to me as pain wracked my body. I could feel my heart racing, but now I was having long pauses in the beats. I was running out of time now. I took a long deep breath, as I felt my body shutting down. I closed my eyes and I could see William in my mind, his smile, his low smooth voice.

 
I would miss his deep blue eyes, and how they lit up when he saw me. I would miss how perfect and secure I felt in his strong arms and his warm gentle kisses. William was my soul mate, the one I was meant to be with fever. I sobbed into my jacket sleeve. I sighed knowing this was death, creeping up on me like a thief.

  It had been hunting me for over a year, and now my time had arrived. I knew I was to hurt to fight it. I had numerous injuries even a half blood couldn’t survive. I heard a voice in the distance and my eyes flew open.

  “Corrine!” I heard it again, but assumed I was delusional thanks to my head injuries. “Corrine where are you?” The voice yelled again, and now I knew it was William. He was here and he was looking for me.

  “William.” I squeaked out pitifully, unable to yell now. I heard the rustle of leaves, but feared it might be a trick. Todd could be coming back and pretending to be Will. I curled back up trying to protect my head, as the sounds got closer to me.

  “No… no.” I gasped as I felt a hand touch the back of my head. I was ready to be yanked back up by my hair, as Todd seemed to like doing.

  “Corrine it’s me love. I've got you it’s going to be ok now.” I turned my head slowly and looked up into his eyes as he smiled. He pushed the wet, messy strands of hair off my cheek, knelt down, and kissed me.

  “I’ve got you now, ok.” Will pulled off his coat and covered my freezing body; he then scooped me up into his arms.

  “Nobody will harm you ever again. I love you Corrine.” He gently kissed my forehead, closing his eyes. I could see a tear slide down his cheek. “I thought I might never see you again.” He whispered as his voice wavered. The way he looked into my eyes reminded me of the first day we met by the river.

  “I love you too Will. I don’t think I’m doing to good right now though.”

  “What is it?” I saw him instantly see the blood on the side of my head, his eyes narrowed. He then placed his lips to my neck, feeling my pulse. “Corrine, how long has your heart been beating like this?”

  “Since I woke up on the river bank. I don’t know a few hours I guess.” I sighed, feeling another pause in the beats. Wills eyes got dark as he looked at me.

  “Roth!” Will yelled so loud it echoed into the swamp.

  “Pratt’s with us, he will help you Corrine, be strong for me ok, hang on for a little bit.” I heard a crashing of tree limbs as Roth burst through the underbrush into the clearing where we were.

  “You found her? I thought she would be farther down the river.” Roth knelt down next to me.

  “I heard her calling for me, when I cut across that low area back there. Todd took off to the south someplace, I smell him.” Will said never taking his eyes off me as he spoke. “Where’s Pratt? We need him now.”

  “He’s coming; he was right behind me with Andrew.” I could see Roth’s vibrant green eyes get darker as he looked at me. “Is she ok?”

  “No.” Will simply said, and I knew he was right.

  “Todd was about to kill me, but he must have heard you all coming and he got scared. He kept trying to get me to run from him, but I couldn’t. He was about to bite me when you all got here.” Will pulled me closer to him protectively.

  “I’m sorry all this happened.” He whispered softly. I felt tightness in my chest, and curled my fingers into his arm. “Are you ok?”

  “No, it’s hurting.” I cried. Roth quickly pulled off his coat and spread it on the ground.

  “Lay her down on my coat, you have her all scrunched up in your arms, she needs air I think.” He knelt down as Will carefully placed me on Roth’s coat. Roth eyed the finger marks on my wrists and arm.

  “Downs gave you a rough way to go didn’t he?” Roth shook his head.

  “Yeah, you could say that.” I sighed as I closed my eyes.

  Chapter 48

  Rescued

  Pratt and Andrew came running into the clearing where we were. Pratt’s eyes found me instantly; he looked at Will and to Roth and his face looked tense. Pratt knelt down next to me. He had on a black baseball hat with our covens dragon symbol on it, he reminded me of a high school football coach for some reason.

  “Corrine can you tell me what happened?” I looked at them all and took a deep breath.

  “I rolled Roth’s hummer down a hill, and hit my head in the wreck” I bit my lip as I looked at Roth. “Sorry about that.”

  “No don’t be Corrine, it’s just a vehicle. I can get another. I’m just glad you are ok.” He smiled as he shook his head. I was glad he wasn’t mad about that, so I went on.

  “Then after the bridge thing, I woke up on the river banks. It wasn’t long until Todd found me; he kept trying to make me run so he could hunt me down. I couldn’t so he got mad and hit me and threw me up against trees and logs.” I could see Wills eyes narrow and his jaw clench, he was trying to control his anger.

  “I’m going to hunt him down and kill him!” He said in a low angry voice. Roth and Pratt looked up at him.

  “Will, there will be a time when Todd Downs will pay for this, but right now we can’t go after him.” I could see he was not happy with Pratt’s attempt to cool his temper. He sighed and ran his hand gently along my cheek.

  “He will pay though, and I will be the one to do it. Nobody but me will end his miserable life.”

  “Yes Will. Todd will get what he deserves and I doubt Doc will argue with you about how you would like to deal with him, either.” Pratt sighed.

  “Oh I’m helping man; no way am I missing out on that!” Roth added.

  “Ok fine you two.” Pratt said his voice carried a sharp tone. “Corrine how long has your heart been beating so quickly?”

  “Hours, it got worse not long ago, right before Todd ran off.” Pratt shook his head, as he turned my face to see the bad cut on the side of my head.

  “Roth get my bag it’s over by the tree.” In an instant, Pratt was cleaning my cut, with stinging alcohol. I winced as he carefully cleaned it. I dug my nails into Will, who was oblivious to what I was doing. His eyes were locked on me, as he whispered softly to try to keep breathing.

  “We must get her back to the house. I need to get her heart rate down in the next hour it is critical.” Pratt wrapped my head with a bandage with his expert hands.

  “Andrews getting the car, he’s over a half mile from here, it’s the closest road. He will call us when he is close.”

  “Where is Riley?” Will asked.

  “He took off after Todd; he’s tracking him and will call us when he gets a good lead.” Pratt said as he dug in his bag. “I’m going to give her a mild sedative to calm her down. The lack of blood has caused her heart to go out of control. Roth, call Doc and have him prepare five units of blood, when we arrive she will need them immediately.”

  “Got it.” Roth flipped open his phone and dialed Docs number.

  I shivered, even under Will’s heavy wool coat. Will held me close to him to block the cold wind form blowing on me. He bent his head down on to mine as he rubbed my back trying to comfort me. Pratt held my wrist in his hands, I barley felt the needle in my skin. I didn’t care about the shot at all. If it helped with the pain and I was in Wills arms nothing else mattered.

  “Are you ok?” Will asked softly his deep blue eyes filled with concern.

  “I think so.” I whispered as I felt a wash of relief go through me as the sedative went into my system. I closed my eyes, suddenly feeling too tired to hold them open any longer.

  “Sleep my love; I won’t let anything harm you.” Will kissed my forehead as I rested safely in his arms.

  I heard them talking about the arrival of the Irish coven, the McClain’s. Pratt voiced his concerns about them. I knew they had issues with Leo and the Dark coven and were very angry. Pratt worried they might cause more trouble than help when the all got here. I had not known the main elders were already at the coven house with Doc.

  More of the McClain’s were to arrive later this week. Leo had been making threats against them for weeks,
along with bugging us. I had no idea how Doc was going to deal with Leo, he was insane and dangerous and hell bent on killing me apparently. I heard silence for a moment, all I could hear was the sound of the river near by us.

  “Is she asleep?” Pratt asked softly.

  “Yes it looks like it, she’s so tired.” Will replied.

  “William we need to speak about something.” I heard a change in Pratt’s tone of voice. I had been about to drift off to sleep, feeling so warm in Wills arms. The edge in Pratt’s voice woke me up. I didn’t open my eyes though. I could tell what ever Pratt had to say he did not want me hearing, so it must be bad.

  “I’m glad Corrine is asleep now. I needed to speak with you about this and it cannot wait. I also did not want her to hear this.” I knew it had to be really bad now. I did my best not to let them know I was actually still awake.