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My dreams were plagued by anxiety. I was so worried about how things would go tomorrow that my mind was a swirling vortex or worries and what ifs. I woke up after only a few hours’ sleep. Vas was still in my bed, his breathing even at my back. I knew I needed to feed when a gnawing hunger took over. My vision was red and all I could hear was Vas’ blood pumping in his veins, his heart beating the same steady tempo.
“If you need to drink then drink,” he said and I jumped. I could’ve sworn he was asleep.
“I’m fine,” I replied, embarrassed to be caught thirsting over him. Literally.
His hand came up and gripped my chin, turning my face to his. I stared at him over my shoulder, pulse pounding. “Darya, you cannot go into this tomorrow hungry.”
“I’ve fed from you too many times now. If I do it again you’ll become addicted to my bite.”
“Do you not think I can create the same spells your donors cast to stave off addiction?” he countered.
“I wasn’t sure if you knew about those,” I lied. Of course he knew about the spells. They were incredibly simple. If I really dug down deep, I was the one who feared addiction. Vas’ blood was far more drugging than any I’d tasted before, even more so than Peter’s, and that was no small feat.
“You can rest assured I won’t become addicted,” he said, touching my jaw then lifting his wrist to my mouth.
“But what if I do?” I whispered and his expression darkened, his voice lowering to a soft, seductive caress.
“Like I said before, I would happily let you drain me. It would be such sweet oblivion.”
“You don’t mean that.”
His eyes blazed. “I wish I didn’t.”
Unable to resist any longer, my fangs emerged, biting hungrily into Vas’ offered wrist. He held my gaze the entire time. I only took a few gulps before I snapped back, breaths coming hard and fast. His blood stained my lips and my tongue snaked out, licking it away.
Vas cupped my face in his hands, his expression fierce. “How could I ever resist loving you?” he whispered and a second later he was gone.
20.
I fell back into the pillows, my stomach full of butterflies as his words replayed in my head.
How could I ever resist loving you?
My heart raced like crazy. Goosebumps covered my arms. A blossoming, warm feeling spread across the centre of my chest. I didn’t immediately realise it was the mark, glowing bright like a beacon, until I saw how it lit up my entire bedroom.
I scrambled for the blanket to cover it up but it was no use. The glow was far too luminous.
A second later I heard my parents stirring down the hall. So that was why Vas left so suddenly. He’d sensed them waking. I took deep breaths, trying to centre myself and get the mark to quit glowing so brightly in case one of them came into my room to check on me.
Finally, the glowing faded, and I hurried into my bathroom to shower. When I was dressed I stared in the mirror, hyping myself up for the task ahead. Today was the day. Vas’ blood electrified my body, invigorating and strengthening my resolve.
A knock sounded on my bedroom door.
“Come in,” I called and my mother stepped through. Her jet black hair was tied in a long, neat braid, her blue eyes searching, assessing.
“Are you still sure about this, Darya? Because you can change your mind. Your father and I will support you no matter what.”
“I’m not going to change my mind. You heard what Allora said. This is my destiny. My story was written long before I was born and now I have to step into the future that I’m meant for.”
Mum nodded, surveying me with both worry and pride in her gaze. She might not have wanted this for me, but she was proud that I was brave enough to go ahead with it.
“Okay, well, in that case let’s get some food into you before we go.”
***
The portal was to be opened in the middle of the Yellowbranch forest. Everyone had gathered there to begin the spell. I stood next to Ren while my mother, Rita, Roman, Belinda and Peter all huddled together, speaking in hushed tones. Of course, Mum and Roman were the only ones who could see Belinda, but that didn’t mean her ghost magic wouldn’t come in handy.
My father, Mr Roe, Principal Wolf, aunt Delilah, my uncles Alvie and Gabriel, Grace and Rebecca were all there, too, as back up. If anything went wrong, for example if anyone came through the portal who wasn’t supposed to, they would be there to fight them off. They were also there to provide help and assistance to the miners when they got there.
