Page 7 of Forever Bound

Little known fact: I was originally going to be a journalist. I wanted to travel the world chronicling the stories of others. But then…then everything changed. I changed. I saw the darkest parts of myself manifest and I knew my path had to change.

So I chose psychology, thinking maybe if I could understand the darkness of others, I could begin to understand my own.

Instead, I've just become more proficient at keeping those memories locked in a mental box I prefer not to look in.

But this trip, this devastatingly fatal vacation, has once again reshaped me. Changed me.

However this ends, I won't be the same Evangeline who got on that plane in Los Angeles just a few days ago.

It's quite the marvel of humanity that one moment, one single second, can completely reshape who we are and the directions our lives follow. For better or worse. Often for worse.

My stomach rumbles, and my bladder aches, reminding me of my very human needs that no amount of trauma or crazy god-abductions can smother completely. I need to eat and pee, stat.

Also, my mouth feels like something died in it, but I'm not hopeful about finding a toothbrush anywhere around here. I wonder if my carry-on luggage was saved? Maybe someone in the village has it? It would have my cell phone, a change of clothes, toiletries. All things that would be incredibly useful right now.

Of course if I show up, will they just try to kill me again? Or will they be cool since their god favored me? I need a better guidebook than the one I bought for this trip, because I really don't know the rules.

I slide to the edge of the bed, testing my ability to stay upright. So far so good.

The fire is still burning strong, and the thick rug beneath me takes the sting out of the cold stone as I slowly stand and stretch my weary muscles.

I expect pain, aches, injuries, but I'm startled to discover my body works just fine. Better than fine. In fact, I have never in my life felt this strong, fast, limber, lithe…it's astonishing.

Memories of the night before come back to me like a dream. The abuse at the hands of the man in the village. The vampire who saved me and gave me his blood.

Holy shit, am I becoming a vampire?

I don't know how these things work. There are so many myths out there, and of course I assumed they were all bullshit.

But now? Now I know there's more to this world than I ever realized.

Vampires arereal?

Before I can make a mad dash out of the room to find answers, I'm reminded once again of my need for a bathroom. And I also suddenly realize how badly I stink. I look down at my body and see that I'm still wearing the leggings and shirt I traveled in, only my clothes are torn and bloody and filthy.

I look around and see an arched doorway that leads to a hall. I follow it down a stone pathway into a large cavernous space with a waterfall pouring into a pool that's steaming with hot water. Beside it on a rock there's a pile of clean clothes. And in another corner there's what looks like a place to relieve my bladder… into a hole in the ground. I peer into the hole, but nothing putrid emanates from it. A crude toilet-like device is built over it, and I go on a leap of faith that I'm supposed to do my business here. If not, I'll definitely owe the vampire god an apology.

Once I'm done, I shed my clothing and step slowly into the hot pool. The water is almost too hot, but it soaks into my cold flesh invitingly, and I sink into it, enjoying the warmth it brings.

I'd love to spend the day lounging in this pool, enjoying the beauty of the flowers growing around me, the greenery that winds itself down the stone, despite this being the dead of winter. This is a magical place, and though I use that word euphemistically, I realize that might be literally true. After all, if vampires are real, maybe magic is too?

My pulse quickens at the thought.

As someone who grew up on books about schools for witches and doors to magical lands, I'm 100% down for finding some real magic in a world that is far too bleak most of the time.

Then my thoughts turn to Yana…my best friend. The one person who knew all my secret sins and still loved me. If she's dead, I need to find her body, get her to her family, and give her a proper resting place. If she's alive… Can she be alive?

This is all too much.

I wash my body quickly, my glance darting away from the scars that serve as a reminder of the monster I truly am.

Only my face was left undamaged.

My beautiful, perfect face.

My beauty is a lie I wear to cover up the monster that lives beneath.

But as I touch my face, I flinch, and tears burn my eyes.

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