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It crosses my mind that soon I’ll look like Mara, like a shadow of who I once was. A husk of life, vitality blown out like a candle. All because I can’t feed. Every labored breath feels as if it's pressing against too-brittle bones, as if I breathe too deeply I’ll shatter my ribs. My limbs move in slow motion, dragging behind me whenever I roll over on the cold rocks to ease the pressure of my skin on stone.
In the silence, I’ve noticed things I would have never noticed before. I find silver veining in the rocks, mixed into the mortar used to cement them. Were these cells always intended to hold my kind? Is that why Sebastian, in all his mortal strength, can pull the rocks away while I cannot? I’ve tried while he’s sleeping, in a desperate attempt to get through and drink from him. I’d never forgive myself, but my need is so raw that I know if I could, I most definitely would.
Can I even come back from this? Would any blood be enough to revive me? My skin is beginning to look like old, wrinkled parchment, my hair shedding in clumps. It's as if without the blood of humans, my body is falling apart one molecule at a time.
“Mara?” I croak, looking for comfort in her clouded, dead eyes. “Remember…remember when we shared blood? You said you wanted to be bound to me, not like a Forever Bound, but bound by blood regardless. We held each other in a tight hug, bit each other's shoulder at the same time. Before being captured, before the vampire slayer, that was the most intimate thing I’d ever felt.”
Mara grunts, her head tilting to the side. She struggles with her bound wrists day and night. She never tires, but as of yet her body has not begun the dangerous and rapid decay like the others. I stand, my joints popping and cracking with age I haven't earned. I trudge over to her, leaning my head on the bars, holding her hands in mine.
“You know, before that day, I thought maybe…” I let my voice trail off. I hear Sebastian move on the other side of the rock wall. I know he’s listening. That’s all he ever does anymore. “I thought maybe you were my Forever Bound.”
A wry chuckle escapes my throat, sounding as dry as my mouth feels.
“I used to dream about it, about you staying in my bed. I didn’t know what it meant, all I knew is I never wanted you to leave. I know better now, though. That’s one thing I owe the vampire slayer for. He taught me what real connection feels like, and it wasn’t what we had. I loved you, Mara, but not like I…”
I let my voice trail off. I can feel Sebastian’s eyes on me, gauging how weak I am. Trying to determine when it will all end and he can finally have his secluded dungeon to himself.
“I’m so hungry, Mara…” I sob, but no moisture escapes my eyes. I have none left to spare. I bring my head to her hands, pressing my forehead to her cold, dead skin. “This is…the worst way to die…”
Thump.
What was that?
I press my face to the back of her hand, feeling, sensing.
Thump thump.
A heartbeat?
My head jerks back, eyes flying open in surprise. A heartbeat means blood is flowing, albeit slowly.
“Mara? Are you alive?” My voice is pleading, desperate, but she just growls and snaps her jaws in my direction. Hurriedly, I untie her wrists, letting one hand grab my shoulder and viciously try to tear me apart so I can hold her opposite wrist to my ear. “I hear it!” I shout, excitement coursing through me. “You’re still alive in there, somehow!”
I wish I could cry, I wish I could summon the energy to leap for joy, but I feel myself fading faster and faster.
Thump.
The movement of blood, the trudging, slow sludge of clogged up veins.
Thump.
If blood is moving, blood can be sucked…
Thump.
Hunger overwhelms me, obscures my mind of reason. I no longer smell the scent of putrid death wafting off her, no longer see her clouded eyes or distant stare.
Thump.
Her blood is calling me, teasing me, begging me to relieve my hunger now. Now!
Thump.
My lips part, eyes growing heavy as I hold her wrist in front of my face.
“Fayla?” Sebastian’s voice pulls at my consciousness, a realization in the back of my mind that he’s speaking to me, but I can’t focus.
Thump.
