Page 8 of Her Immortal Love

"I wasn't always like this, you know," I say, surprising myself with the admission. Alina's eyebrows raise, curiosity replacing fear in her amber eyes.

"What do you mean?"

I run a hand through my hair, memories I've long suppressed bubbling to the surface. "I was human once. Not too long ago, actually."

Alina's jaw drops. "You're kidding."

"Nope." I can't help but chuckle at her expression. "I was a diplomat, if you can believe it. Worked for the Russian Foreign Ministry."

"Russia?" Alina takes a step closer, her fear seemingly forgotten. "I've always wanted to visit St. Petersburg."

The mention of my home city sends a pang through my chest. "It's beautiful. The Winter Palace, the canals... I used to love walking along Nevsky Prospect at night."

I pause, lost in memories of snow-covered streets and glittering lights. "I was in Rome when it happened. Cultural exchange program. One minute I'm admiring the Colosseum, the next..."

I trail off, the trauma of my transformation still raw. Alina's voice is soft when she speaks. "How long ago?"

"Almost a year," I admit. "Sometimes it feels like yesterday. Other times, like a lifetime ago."

Alina nods, her eyes full of understanding. "I can't imagine. Do you... do you miss it?"

The question catches me off guard. I've never allowed myself to truly consider it before. "I... yes. More than I realized."

We stand in silence for a moment, the weight of shared loss hanging between us. Finally, I clear my throat. "What about you? What was your life like... before?"

Alina's eyes light up, and for the first time, I see a genuine smile cross her face. "I was studying biotechnology in Munich. My parents..." Her voice catches, and I resist the urge to reach out and comfort her. "My mom's a doctor, my dad's a professor. They always encouraged my curiosity."

As she talks about her studies, her family, her dreams, I find myself captivated. Her passion is infectious, reminding me of the drive I once felt in my own career. For a moment, I can almost forget the harsh reality of our current situation.

But reality crashes back as a distant explosion shakes the ground. Alina flinches, fear returning to her eyes. I straighten, instantly on alert.

I know I should be reporting this human's magical abilities to Nyx, not chatting with her like we're old friends. And yet...

"We should get you back to the others," I say, my voice gruffer than I intend. "It's not safe out here."

Alina nods, but hesitates. "What about the magic? Are you going to tell them?"

I pause, torn between my loyalty to the vrakken and this inexplicable desire to protect her. "I... I don't know."

Her eyes search mine, and I find myself unable to look away. "Please," she whispers. "I need to understand what's happening to me. If they find out..."

The fear in her voice tugs at something deep within me, a part I thought long buried. I remember my own terror and confusion after my transformation, the feeling of being utterly alone in a world I no longer understood.

"I won't say anything," I hear myself say. "For now. But you need to be careful. If others discover what you can do..."

Alina nods, relief washing over her face. "Thank you…"

"Alexei," I answer.

"Thank you, Alexei."

The sound of my name makes something primal and unhinges jump deep in my chest. I push the feeling aside, focusing on getting her to safety.

As we walk back to the main encampment, my mind races. Everything I've been taught since my Change tells me that humans are inferior, nothing more than a food source or potential recruits. Only the strong can become a vrakken, and I should be proud to call myself one.

But Alina... She's different. Her intelligence, her adaptability, her strength in the face of unimaginable circumstances – it's forcing me to question everything I thought I knew.

I find myself wondering about the other humans. How many of them might have hidden depths, untapped potential? What will happen when someone finds out?