Page 7 of Pieces of Halves

I just met her. She is a stranger, but I don’t want to part ways.

“Where are you running to?” I ask and watch her tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Prie is the goal,” she answers, and I notice her swallow an uncomfortable lump. “How about you? Where are you going?” she asks and finds my eyes again.

“I’m looking for someone, actually.” I close my eyes, relaxing into the soothing motion of her fingers against my scalp.

“For who?” Her voice is calm.

I am not sure I should be sharing my personal life with her.

“A few witches,” I respond, and wait for her reaction.

She is not human. I know that much. The essence in her being has a dark pull to it, but there is something else to it as well – something sweeter.

Her warm hands go around my face, and she moves my face up a little. The action is slow and gentle, but my hearthammers. I peel my eyes open and look at her, savoring the way she holds me.

“Theresa and Rosa?” she asks, her gaze intense.

“Yes.” My eyes widen at her question.

Squinting down at me, she bites the inside of her lower lip.

“If I help you find them, will you help me get on the ship that goes to the Islands?” She finally speaks.

She knows the witches. This makes it a good time to learn who she really is. I inhale and focus on her heart, soul, and the core of who she is. The aura coming from her is magical, light, and beautiful, but there is something else. There’s a hint of red floating around her soul.

Vampire.Well, shit. I personally don’t have any problems with them, but they are known to be greedy and violent. Most beings avoid them or kill them. The woman before me is not greedy and violent, but I don’t know if I should trust a vampire.

“You’re a vampire,” I state as a matter of fact.

She pulls her fingers from my scalp and moves away, dropping my head to the grass. Quickly, I get up to my knees and notice her hands shaking as she scrambles away, panic and fear written all over her face. When she moves to get up, her already light skin pales further.

Shit.Maybe I should’ve taken a lighter approach to this subject. She is running. A gnawing sensation tugs at my heart.

“Slow down. Stop.” I take her shoulders, but she jerks and tucks her head in. “It’s okay. That’s not how I meant it.”

I cup her face as gently as I can and lift it to look her in the eyes. Her eyes water, and something in me snaps. Fear. Iam terrified that she will start crying. She blinks a few times but doesn’t move away, and I don’t dare break the stillness of the moment.

“Who are you?” Her voice is shaky while she holds back her tears.

For the love of everything that is mighty, don’t cry.

“Halfling,” I answer and wait for her to panic again – and if she knows who halflings are, she will.

Her eyes widen, and she tries to scurry away with her head shaking. She knows and she is terrified. I don’t know what to do, but I can’t let her go. Not like this.

“I will take your offer. Help me,” I breathe out and move my hand behind her neck, making sure my actions are slow and careful.

She pauses and stares at me, her chest rising heavily.

Alright.I exhale. Maybe this is not our last day together.

“How will I know that you won’t hurt me because I am a vampire?” Her eyes still shimmer, but at least she isn’t running.

I don’t know what comes over me, but I smile lightly, move my hand away from her neck, and offer her my pinky. “We can pinky promise.”

She blinks and her eyebrows furrow. Moving her eyes from my hand to my face, her gaze softens, and she intertwines her little finger with mine. This is ridiculous, but it works.

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