Page 64 of Vampire Bite

“You saved me, too,” I admitted, my voice rougher than I intended. “More than you know.”

Her lips parted slightly, her breath catching, and for a moment, the weight of everything between us, the battles, the fear, the impossible odds, it all seemed to fade away. It was just us, here in the dark, on a road to a new beginning.

“I love you,” she said, her voice trembling slightly, as if the words were too big to contain.

I felt my chest tighten, and for a moment, all I could do was stare at her, the woman who had somehow become my entire world.

“I love you too,” I said, the words falling from my lips like they’d been waiting there all along.

Her smile broke through the quiet, and I reached for her hand, threading my fingers through hers.

In the backseat, her mother snored louder, and Annika laughed again, resting her head on my shoulder.

We drove on, the road stretching endlessly ahead, but for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t worried about what was waiting around the bend. With Annika beside me, I could face anything.

Epilogue

Annika

The morning light poured through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection in the white gown that hugged me perfectly. It felt surreal, like I was watching someone else. My heart was racing, a mix of nerves and excitement making my hands tremble slightly as I adjusted the lace along my shoulders.

Then, a soft knock on the door broke the quiet.

“Come in,” I called, turning to see my mother step into the room.

She looked beautiful, radiant in a way I hadn’t seen in years. Her health was fully restored now, but more than that, there was a lightness to her, a joy that had been absent for so long.

She held something in her hands, wrapped delicately in a piece of silk. “I thought I’d give this to you before things got too busy,” she said, her voice warm and slightly thick with emotion.

I tilted my head, curious, as she unwrapped the fabric to reveal a string of pearls. They were delicate and slightly imperfect, their luster catching the light.

“This belonged to your grandmother,” she said softly, her eyes glistening. “And her mother before her. It’s been passed down through the women in our family for generations.”

I couldn’t stop the lump that formed in my throat as she stepped closer, holding the necklace out.

“I want you to wear it today,” she said, her hands steady despite the tears brimming in her eyes.

“Mom, I…” I whispered, but my voice broke.

Her lips curved into a small, almost bittersweet smile. “It’s yours now, Annika. And when I look at you, I see the strength and grace of all the women who came before us. I know they would be so proud of you.”

I turned back to the mirror as she clasped the necklace around my neck, the cool pearls settling against my skin. The weight of them felt significant, like I was carrying a piece of my family’s history with me.

When I looked up, our eyes met in the mirror. Her hands rested gently on my shoulders, and for a moment, we just stood there, silent. There was so much love in her expression that it nearly undid me.

“Thank you,” I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

She leaned down, pressing a kiss to my hair. “I love you, sweetheart. And I’m so proud of you.”

I swallowed hard, blinking back the tears that threatened to spill. “I love you too, Mom.”

Her arms wrapped around me, and I hugged her back. When we pulled away, she was still crying and so was I.

“Well, all right then,” she said with a smile. “You mustn’t be late now.”

“It wouldn’t be good, no,” I chuckled.

I watched her leave the room and close the door behind her. I took a few more moments to myself, then I inhaled deeply. I took the bouquet of soft, white roses and wildflowers, allowing their subtle scent to calm me down, to ground me.

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