Page 25 of Haunted Nightmares
Andthatwas two and a half hours ago now.
I walked around aimlessly for a bit, trying to reacquaint myself with the city in a useless attempt to see if I could do it without wanting to feed off of everyone in sight and while it worked in the beginning, it didn’t take long for Zenlothanai to start speaking.
So, I took a detour and found myself in an area of the city I haven’t returned to for ages. Then I sat on a familiar rooftop and contemplated my miserable life while I stared into the abandoned, rundown shack I used to watch for hours on end in hopes of catching a mere glimpse of my gentle breeze.
I wanted to burn the house down, wanted to erase that human and everything he left behind from the face of the planet after removing Zephyr from it, but I didn’t. She begged me not to as a matter of fact, because it would be like erasing her parents as well. And because saying no to Zephyr wasn’t something I could do, not only did I leave the crumbling pile of brick and wood standing, I bought the damn thing and made sure no one would do what I wanted to from the start.
After sitting on the roof of the house across the street for the first time in ages, I’m reconsidering.
That house of horrors is just another reminder of all the ways I failed my mate, a physical representation of one more way I didn’t protect her, and how she suffered because of it.
Which is when I left.
Zenlothanai grew louder and louder, their voices echoing at a volume so great I could barely ignore it, and returning to Declan’s flat seemed like the only solution.
The only solution that would be acceptable by everyone else’s standards anyway because Ireallywanted to let go of my control after the way my night has played out so far.
But here I am, locked out and up shite’s creek without a bloody paddle.
Needless to say, I’m ready to lose my ever loving mind.
Could I break into his house without a key? Yes, yes I could but frankly, I don’t fucking feel like it. It takes too much energy and with my luck, I’d materialize inside a blasted wall and need Declan to break me out, then I’d never live it down. So, that’s a big fat bloody no.
Could I call Orion or Aries and have them come retrieve me until Declan removes his head from thatArcher’sarse? I suppose, but I’m not exactly feeling social right now. My tolerance for interacting with others hasn’t grown in my reclusive lifestyle and if anything it’s lessened to the point of nearly nonexistent, so that’s not a good plan either.
Being thrust back into the political workings of both the vampire government and the Purists is more than enough when it comes topeopling.
With an annoyed huff, I continue down the sidewalk and shove my hands in my pockets, trying like hell to drown out Zenlothanai and their incessant demands.
“You’d feel so much better, though,”they hiss.“Just a few. A few simple, useless souls snuffed out.”
I shake my head but don’t acknowledge them beyond that.
The transfusions have helped keep Zenlothanai at bay but they don’t stay quiet for long and the more I’m out and about, the louder they become.
“We could always go looking for those last few Descendants. Go for a quickpoofand add them to our collection. Rid the world of its filth and…”
Their droning fades as I see a bit of bronze skin turning the corner up ahead, my heartbeat kicking up a notch when the street light catches those flecks of gold just before it disappears.
Then I’m off.
Running again, plowing through people without any consideration as I follow what has to be my mate.
A ghost, perhaps.
Her sweet soul sent back to this mortal realm, if only to taunt me. To remind me further of all I have lost, of all I have done to lead me here.
I slow my pace as soon as I turn that same corner, my eyes scouring the street and store fronts but instead of my gentle breeze as an apparition, I see that tiny little blonde female from the apothecary getting ready to enter Clean Drip.
With that douche bag, Nate.
And because my mood is rather sour, a twisted grin splits my face when I follow.
I nod to Ester as I enter casually, my heart still hammering away despite my forced nonchalance.
My stare remains glued to the couple as I find a small table toward the back, my eyes tracking their every move as they browse the menu and eventually order from Edith’s mate.
“Wh-what can I get for you, my lord?”
