Page 36 of How to Dump a Vampire

Luna levels an eerily human-like look of skepticism at me.Come now. I may be only a fox, but I sense the sadness in you clear as day. Please, let me carry some of the weight you bear.

I stare down at the hole in the ice, watching my faint reflection waver on the inky water. Luna’s right, of course. The burden of concealing my true self and history from everyone has worn on me, even if going it alone was my choice. Still, opening that floodgate feels risky, like I might drown in all the old ghosts that could come pouring out.

I settle back on the wooden stool, turning my attention to the fishing line in the icy water. This quiet moment of solitude is exactly what I need right now.

Luna pads back over, head tilted inquisitively.

I smile but gesture her away. “Go on. Let me focus on catching us some dinner.”

Luna huffs in resignation but scampers off again.

As I wait patiently for a bite, I find my thoughts wandering to Draven once more, despite myself. I’ve been trying so hard to sever our bond, to get him out of my head, but it seems impossible. I shouldn’t have let him—

Suddenly, I’m seized by a vivid burst of fury. Draven is locked in a bitter argument with his father. I wince at the anger boiling between them, thick as blood. Pressing a hand to my temple, I try to block out the sensations flooding through our persistent bond.

But the effort leaves me distracted. As I shift my seat, the ice below groans alarmingly. Before I can react, it fractures completely. I plunge into the dark water, the piercing cold an explosion of pain. I thrash weakly as the icy water engulfs me. I never was a strong swimmer, and the cold makes it hard to move. My robes tangle around my legs. This is how it ends?

A dark shape appears above. Luna! She plunges her head into the hole, teeth gripping my cloak. Bracing her paws on the solid ice, she pulls with all her might. I feel myself rising, the light above growing closer. With a final mighty heave, Luna hauls me out of the hole and back atop the frozen lake surface. I lay gaspingand sputtering, overwhelmed with gratitude for her selfless loyalty.

The chill winter breeze bites at our soaked fur and clothes, making us shiver uncontrollably. We’re far from warm, but being out of the frigid water is some relief. With chattering teeth, I slowly push myself to my feet. My waterlogged clothes cling icily, weighing me down. Luna presses close, trying to share what little body heat she has.

I spot the fish I caught earlier, frozen on the ice. “Grab that, will you?”

Luna carefully picks it up in her jaws. At least our fishing trip won’t be a total waste.

We begin the arduous trek back, each step heavy and clumsy. I try summoning magic to warm us, but my powers fizzle weakly. Luna nudges my leg, and I feel a small surge of magic flow from her into me. It helps steady me as we trudge on.

The walk seems to take ages before the cozy cottage finally appears between the snow-laden trees. Never have I been so happy to see my secluded home.

After stumbling inside, I make straight for the hearth. My frozen fingers can barely grasp the tinderbox,but finally, a flame catches, and I quickly pile on logs.

As warmth slowly spreads, Luna collapses gratefully in front of the growing fire, fish still clamped in her jaw. I settle into my chair nearby, aching but alive thanks to her.

Perhaps it is the dancing firelight or the lingering chill, but I find myself softly opening up to Luna. “Thank you for saving me.” I pause, trying to decide just how much to share. “You deserve to know… why I hide here alone.” I stare into the flames, voice hollow. “My family was hunted. Entirely wiped out by the reigning family. Something about my mixed blood made me a threat to them, and they were killed while protecting me.” I blink back tears. “I only survived because my mother, the last to survive, left me with another family and lead them away.”

The familiar pain rises in my chest. Luna’s eyes radiate compassion.

“They were human. After they were gone, I was angry and wanted revenge.” I pause, not ready to discuss that part of my past yet. “I had to disappear or risk being hunted again.” My hands clench into fists. “Iwon’t let anyone else suffer for harboring me, so I stay hidden, alone.”

I fall silent, the old grief still raw, even centuries later.

Luna rises and lays her head in my lap, grounding me in this moment. I stroke her fur, taking comfort in true companionship after so long.

I, too, know the ache of profound loss.Her voice echoes gently in my mind.Centuries ago, I was but a young fox, my parents and littermates all killed by vicious hunters. I managed to escape into the forest, lonely and afraid.In time, I discovered I possessed a gift. I could connect mentally and magically with beings. I honed this power over the long years of solitude. Never forgetting but learning to open my heart again despite past griefs.Luna looks at me with her wise golden eyes.Finding you, kindred spirit, has brought light to my spirit once more. Our paths were meant to cross. I am certain.

I stroke her fur, taking comfort in this companionship after so long alone. “Perhaps one day, I will have the courage to step from the shadows again, but for now, having even you know the real me feels like enough.”

***

I stare into the crackling fire, lost in thought as Luna dozes by my feet. Despite our peaceful evening, my mind is in turmoil. Ever since opening up to Luna about my tragic past, memories I’ve long suppressed keep bubbling to the surface. I see flashes of my childhood—playing in the village square, helping my mother in the garden, listening eagerly as my father told stories. That happy life was shattered in one horrific night when the king’s men came and destroyed everything.

My heart aches with emptiness. I never properly mourned my lost family and friends after I fled for my life. Perhaps if I returned to the ruins, I could find some measure of closure…

Luna stirs, lifting her head to study me with those too-wise eyes. I force a smile, but she senses my inner conflict.

Nudging my hand gently, she asks,Why do you close yourself off from your pain, Thorn? Confronting the past might be the onlyway to heal.

I flinch, unwilling to revisit that trauma. “I’ve avoided it for so long. What if going back only reopens old wounds?”

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