Page 9 of Of Shadows and Blood

“How did you…” I trail off, not daring to think another. The healer whirls to face me again, anger across her brow.

“Elivienne, we are alone now. Speak the truth. Are you in danger?”

“Am I?” I question.

“I must examine you; your brain showed no signs of severe distress when you were in the coma but now, I wonder if something was missed.”

“Or perhaps I am not who you think I am. Perhaps Elivienne has a doppelganger,” I chuckle, inching towards the stairwell slowly. I make a mental note that I am now able to hold myself upright with more ease. I dare a glance at the stairwell.

Enough with this.

“Don’t,” she warns, holding her finger up.

I sigh and slouch back against the cushion. How can she read my thoughts. “Again, I know nothing of what you speak of. My name is Liv. I am from…” My words lose me.

What was the name of my village?

“I thought the cessence would heal you and your mind rather than trying to feed you again. But, they’re bringing a chest for you which should hopefully tide you over. Thank Erees, for that even being an option. But,” she starts, pondering her next words, “either it did not or you are hiding something.”

“What is cessence?”

“It’s a medicinal formula used to revive a cess. Some find it as an energy boost in the morning or after long hours of wielding. In your case, I hoped it would heal and clear your mind.”

“So, I’m a cess?” I laugh, clapping my hands together. What in the world is happening?

“You’re a few things,” Avonde responds, looking inquisitively at me.

“I need to get home.”

“This is your home.”

“It is not.” I clench my teeth.

Avonde conjures a book on the table in front of her, turning through the weathered pages until she finds what she was searching for. The book appeared without hesitation, as if her thought willed its existence. I can’t help but jump a half step towards the stairs, trying to find a way out of this nightmare. My muscles strain to stay rooted when my fight or flight is begging me to go.

Pressing her lips into a thin line, Avonde examines the page again. The book is large and from what I can see over the cover, ancient words and symbols I know nothing of are scribbled all over the pages. It’s a language I’ve never seen.

“My only other option is to examine your mind. I am a healer, I will not hurt you. You have my word,” she says glancing up from the book, pausing my slow progress towards the exit. She moves closer, examining me curiously.

“You speak of options, but what are you trying to determine? I am well. You are the one who is confused,” I respond, immediately tensing up.

“We are trying to determine if what you speak is true. That you have forgotten everything, everyone. That the injuries you have sustained are far worse than we measured.” Her fingers tighten.

A voice responds from behind me. “Amnesia is not uncommon in vampyr, though we have limited experience with those who have both blessings.”

I whirl around and find a man in robes dressed similarly to Avonde. “Who are you?”

He smiles and lifts his hands up, approaching slowly. “I am Henry, a healer.”

“You two are both… cess?” I try to understand the different roles and titles here. Henry nods and joins Avonde in front of me, looking down at her tome. “Avonde believes you are suffering from an ailment we rarely see in our kind.”

“But I am a human, not cess. I’ve never even heard of it.”

“Liv, you may believe that, but you have been asleep upstairs in that room for two years. No one has been able to reach you, heal you, or wake you up. That injury on your head was an open wound the entire time. I’m sure you don’t feel like a human, not truly.”

Static silence.

A gut-wrenching knowing washes over me.