Red Awakening: (Red Knight #2)

by L. C White

  Adrien opens the front door as I stand by his side. It’s Dom and Ben, both holding more bottles of wine.

  Adrien pulls Ben in for a man hug, patting his back. “I hope you’re well, Ben.”

  Ben pulls back and leans over to kiss my cheek. “Liz, you look great,” he says.

  Daniel comes to stand at my side, and holds onto my hand. Ben looks down at him and crouches.

  “Wow, Daniel. You’ve grown tall.” Ben scruffs up his hair then springs back up.

  “Mom…Mom.” Daniel tugs on my hand impatiently.

  “What is it Daniel?”

  “Who is that?” he points behind Ben, as Dom shimmies inside the house.

  “Oh, I forgot,” Ben says, winking at Adrien. “I bumped into someone on the way here, and they kind of invited themselves.”

  Daniel releases my hand, and Adrien rubs my back, suspiciously. What the hell is this? Whatever it is, it’s damn awkward.

  I shift my head to look behind Ben. I hear heels clopping. Now I see heels. Sara style heels. She’s here, and walking beside her is someone I thought I’d never see again, Nathan, looking all dashing. I turn to Adrien in disbelief. I’m lost for words.

  Adrien offers Sara and Nathan a quick wave before going inside.

  Daniel smiles up at me, like he knows who Nathan is after all this time. In a sudden burst of energy, he races down the steps and grabs Nathan’s waist. Nathan lifts him up, smiling.

  “Hell Liz, what you feeding this kid?” Nathan laughs. “You’re going to be bigger than me soon.”

  I’m beaming, filling up with a warm fuzzy human feeling. I can’t believe he’s here. After all this time with no contact, I thought he didn’t want to see me again. Everything he did for me, and I shit on him, big time. Though, when I look at my existence now, I have no regrets. The past is the past, and we both made mistakes. We needed this time away from each other.

  “Liz.” Sara takes my hand, and I notice that she’s fashioning a big flashy diamond on her wedding finger.

  My jaw falls open and I have to snap it shut. “Oh. My. God.”

  Sara grins at me. “Someone has to look after him.”

  “Yeah-yeah.” Nathan puts Daniel down. “Sara, take Daniel through to the others. I think I’ve got a lot of explaining to do.” He studies my shocked expression, as Daniel and Sara go hand in hand into the kitchen.

  “I can’t believe you’re here,” I say in a whisper. “I mean, it’s been so long.”

  He moves by me, taking a good look around the lounge. “Nice place Liz. Very shabby-chic.”

  He stands in front of the limestone fire surround as I watch him. He’s definitely more vampire than he was before. He has that calm and clear aura about him. Looking at his attire, he’s doing very well for himself. And shit, he’s engaged. The boy I knew, who couldn’t be pinned down, is going to marry Sara. The bitchy vampire, who likes to make men suffer.

  “I guess I owe you a lot of answers,” he says as I approach him.

  “No Nathan, you owe me nothing.”

  “No, I have to set things right Liz.” He’s so straight-talking now. “A lot has been happening over the last three years, and I cannot go over everything.”

  I roll my eyes at him. “Nathan, it’s fine. I’m just so glad to see you.”

  He smiles at me for a second, then shakes his head. “No, I have to. I need to clear the air. So first off, I’m sorry. My job takes up a lot of my time, and I always had this fear that if I got in touch, I’d put you in danger.”

  “You’ve been promoted?”

  “Yes.” He holds his hands out at his sides. “You’re looking at the head of the Vigore council, and head Executive, London. Now I know why Adrien always had a stick up his ass. It’s not easy.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yep. But there’s also a reason I accepted every position, Liz.” He tilts his puppy eyes on me. “So I can be damn sure you’re safe.”

  That’s it. I can’t contain my emotions. He’s done all that for us. All these years serving The Order. I grab hold of him and squeeze. I don’t cry anymore, but that lack of release only intensifies my feelings.

  “You’re safe Liz.” He hugs me back. “Your Mum and Jeff are fine, currently on a world cruise. Cate is married to Pete.” I push myself back and frown in shock. “Yes, be thankful you dodged that invite,” he laughs, “I’ll make sure to send you the photos.”

  Just knowing that everyone has moved on, has lifted the guilt I’ve been carrying. It’s been with me since my funeral. I always thought vampires had no empathy, but that’s so far from true. I feel everything, tenfold.

  “You and Sara then?” I say to change the subject.

  He grins a loved-up beam. “Yeah, she’s done what you couldn’t. She’s changed me. And that’s why we’re here?” I curl my lip, confused. “I’ve spent too much time away from my best friend, and she certainly isn’t going to miss my wedding.” I cover my mouth with my hands. “I was wondering Liz, if I could have my wedding here?”

  I tremble a little, still with my hands pressed against my mouth, to stop myself screaming with excitement. He arches a little, pulling my hands away from my gaping lips.

  “There is something else,” he inhales. “Would you do me the honour of being my best lady?”

  I leap at him and yell, “Yes-yes-yes!”

  He laughs, hugging me tightly. “You don’t have to wear a suit,” he jokes. “But you have to get very, very drunk with me.”

  Adrien appears in the doorway. He leans against the frame, arms folded, smiling. Nathan prizes my arms away from his shoulders.

  “Liz, your husband is watching,” he teases then kisses my cheek. “Right.” He claps his hands together and rubs. “Alcohol, is through there right.” He makes his way to the kitchen, shaking Adrien’s hand before going through.

  I stand in the middle of the room gazing at Adrien’s beautiful, satisfied face. He organised all of this for me. He’s given me back a part of my past, my human past, and I can’t describe how happy I am. I run to him as he walks toward me. I jump up into his arms and kiss every inch of his face.

  “Thank you… god I love you,” I gasp.

  He kisses me back then says, “This is only a small drop in the ocean for what you deserve. You have given me everything… a Son. Every moment with you is the only heaven I’ll know.”

  I rest my forehead on his. “Poetic tonight aren’t we?”

  “Behave.” He puts me down. “Looks like we have a wedding to organise.” He opens up his arm. “Ready to take on Sara?” he chuckles.

  I thread my arm through his. “I’m Nathan’s side. You can have Sara.” He leads me into the kitchen.

  I have everything I need. I don’t care for the human life anymore. Being with Adrien, Daniel, and my new family, is all that matters now. I may be dead, but I have never felt so full of life. All that counts, whether human or vampire, is being content and happy.

  The end

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