Page 71 of Bloodlust

"Yes," I say. A warm breeze blows through the white gown wrapped around my body, the delicate fabric flowing behind me as I step in front of the priest. "I'm ready."

"Good," Daniel whispers. "I love y?—"

The fastest bullets can travel over 2600 feet per second. Twice the speed of sound. That's the thing with bullets. Once you hear the sound. It's already over.

One shot.

Two shots.

Three.

"So was the priest," I add, opening my weary eyes. "I should be dead too, but I was last." I pause, taking a shaky breath. "My family... My family has lots of enemies. That day... They won."

"Enemies?" Hayden asks, a perplexed frown marring his forehead.

"They're everywhere," I say, fatigue setting in as I rest against my headboard. "All the time." I place the glass of water on my bedside table. "I think I want to sleep now."

"Okay." Hayden tries to stand up, but I grab his wrist, meeting his sharp, greeneyes.

"Stay with me," I whisper, loosening my grip. "Just until I fall asleep."

"I shouldn't," he says, not moving. Not standing. No conviction in his tone.

"I won't bite," I whisper. "I'm not a shark, remember?"

"No..." His jaw sets. "No, you are not."

The mattress lifts as Hayden stands up, his footsteps distant. Deflated by his departure, I turn on my side, hugging my knees. The light switches off and moments later, the edge of my bed sinks down. I open one eye, flipping around, Hayden's glowing silhouette in front of me.

"Sleep," he says, keeping his distance. "Close your eyes, Camilla, and sleep."

"Okay." I slide closer to him and rest my head on his chest as I grab the edge of the comforter and drape it over our bodies. "Just don't leave me." I yawn. "Not yet."

I can feel his hand hovering over my waist. It stays there for a long time. Like a polarizing magnet. But magnetic fields sometimes lose their charge.

I'm not sure whose charge deactivates first.

But he holds me.

All night long.

Chapter 19

Supernova

Iforgot what it was like to sleep. Really sleep. The type of relaxation and zen that only comes from the comforts of a peaceful mind. My mind hasn't known peace in years. It's always on guard. Ready for battle. Armed and alert.

Except for last night.

My eyelids flutter open, greeting the soft yellow hues of the morning sun. Warm. Everything feels warm. Like my skin, my soul, my entire being is wrapped in a universal embrace.

I've never known death to bring comfort. The thought itself is uncomfortable and yet...

Flipping on my side, I trace the ruffled linen folds of where he slept.

He slept here, didn't he? I didn't make that up, did I?

It's all a bit of haze. But not the type of faded memory that I'm used to though. This haze doesn't scare me. It's not something I'm trying to forget. Iwantto remember. I think I do.