Page 2 of Mesmerised

I smiled at her words. “My mate is here. I rescued her from drowning. She needs dry clothes and rest. Can you help me?”

I pulled the phone away from my ear when she shrieked with excitement. “I’m on my way. Oh, Antoine, this is such wonderful news. Hang on. Mac and I will be there in a few minutes.”

I grabbed a huge throw from my other sofa and took off her jacket and footwear. I wrapped her in the throw to keep her warm until Jeanie arrived. There was some colour in her cheeks now, courtesy of my blood healing her. I brushed her hair away from her face. It was long, almost down to her waist. Thick, honey-blonde tresses I wanted to bury my hands in. Her lashes were long and silky too, her lips full. A beautiful rose-pink. My body reacted to her closeness, and I tamped down my need to claim her.

“What happened to you, babe? Why did you want to take your own life?” I murmured the words to her as I continued to watch her.

* * *

Donna

My life was over. I had nothing left in the world, only my car and the clothes I wore.

Everything was gone. My family. My friends. My job. My money. Even my home. I drove long into the night, cursing whatever fate had landed all this crap at my door. What had I ever done to warrant such cruelty? Well, whatever it was, I’d had enough. I was sick and tired of living. No point in carrying on.

My memories flitted past my eyes. A medley of what should have been a great life. In one terrible year, I lost it all. My parents perished in a house fire. The two closest friends I’d known since childhood had died in a train crash. And to cap it all, I’d been made redundant, and my bank accounts had been hacked, leaving me with no money. My home was about to be repossessed too because I could no longer afford the mortgage repayments.

I still remembered the police knocking at my door in the middle of the night. Their expressions were sympathetic and grim. And as soon as they asked to come in, I knew. I just knew someone had died.“We’re so very sorry for your loss.”Those words were lost, along with offers of support, while my mind went numb against the pain of loss. My parents had to be identified by their dental records because they’d been burned to a crisp. So, even the chance to say a final goodbye to them had been taken from me.

Losing my close friends not long after almost tipped me over the edge. I’d built up a wall around my heart by this time. It was like a dam holding back the water that wanted to burst free.

Then, to add to my already miserable and traumatic experiences, my job, my money, and my home quickly followed into the black abyss which was my life.“I’m sorry, but due to the financial climate, you’re no longer required. Your job doesn’t exist anymore.”

I laughed when my boss told me this. His raised eyebrows showed me that he thought I was out of my mind. Maybe I was.

And soon after, a male voice in my head began to torment me. It plagued my waking hours, and when I was asleep, hideous dreams filled with monsters haunted me.

The voices in my head had become progressively worse over the last few days. At first, it was more like a deep growly voice whispering in a low murmur. The words were garbled. With each disaster I had to deal with, the mutterings became louder, more insistent, until the harsh male voice was all I could hear most of the time.“Die. You’re worthless. No one will miss you.”These were the words that taunted me, urging me to put an end to my life.

I’d started to believe them.“There’s no point to you living anymore. Kill yourself so you will have eternal peace. No more hurt. No more loneliness.”I heard the words so much that I’d convinced myself death was the only option for me.“Yes,”the voice whispered once I’d made my decision. It sounded triumphant.

And so I drove through the night and kept on driving. Searching for the perfect place to end my existence. I ended up on a wild stretch of coastline, rugged and free from people. And in the very early morning, it was tranquil. Peace was what I needed. I’d never been there before and had no idea why I chose that part of the coast, but I’d always loved the sea. An untameable beast. A fitting place to end my life.

I parked my car and walked for what seemed like miles until I reached a place to end it all. For long moments, I gazed out at the inky-black water. Stars shone down from the sky and glittered on the water’s surface like gemstones. Tears wet my cheeks, and I swiped them away.

Taking a deep, shuddering breath, I headed for the frigid water. The waves caressed my feet as if in welcome. The sea closed around me like a lover’s arms, pulling me ever closer to the death I so desperately sought.

“Yes, that’s right, Donna. Keep going. Not long now.”The voice in my head was right. It would all soon be over.

I had wondered whether I’d feel any fear as I allowed the water to drag me right under. Nothing, only the sense of peace, which I welcomed. And as the salty water filled my lungs, I closed my eyes, ready to meet my maker.

* * *

Antoine

Jeanie strode through the door with Mac close behind her.

“What happened to her, Antoine?”

I tore my eyes from the beauty on the sofa to study Jeanie. She and Mac had been with me for several centuries. I could read her like a book; there was concern in her eyes.

“I think she was trying to end her life. She walked straight into the water without even struggling.” I huffed out a breath and ran my hands through my short hair.

“Take her to the spare bedroom. I’ll change her into something warm and dry.”

I noted the bundle of clothing in Jeanie’s hands. I lifted my mate into my arms and took her to the guest room.

“Antoine, you need to leave while I undress her, love.”

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