Page 84 of Love Heals
“I will see you at sundown,” Puck said, and with a short wave of his hand, he disappeared.
* * *
When Jared went to check up on Silas, the guest room was empty. His heart sank at the sight of the unoccupied bed. Where had Silas gone? He hadn’t left again, had he? After everything?
Jared turned to his own room, convinced that the vampire wouldn’t just have left him like that. Still, he couldn’t deny the feeling of relief that washed over him as he caught sight of Silas’s silvery blond hair. The vampire was sitting on Jared’s bed, cross-legged, studying a picture frame in his hands.
“This is your family, I think,” he said, holding up the photograph when Jared entered.
Silasreallywanted him to remember, didn't he? Jared took the picture from him, partly wishing he could just pretend that he remembered to ease Silas's mind. The vampire was troubled enough as it was. Jared had never been one for lying, though, so he didn't even try. The faces in the photograph meant nothing to him. Shaking his head, he handed the picture back to Silas, whose shoulders sagged.
"It's okay," Jared said.
"It's not okay! These people were really important to you!"
"I'm sure they were." Jared felt a bitter smile form on his lips. "But I have to protect the family I have right now." After a short pause he added. "That includes you."
Silas's mouth opened, but no words came out.
Jared brushed the pad of his thumb over Silas's lower lip. "You have to learn to be more selfish.”
“But—”
“Hush. I’m glad you’re here with me.” It wasn’t easy for Jared to put his feelings into words. Never had been, but he’d promised himself that he would make an effort, for Silas, so he pressed on. “I love you.” He’d said it before, but he couldn’t be sure how lucid Silas had really been at that point. It had been awful to see him with his skin half-burned, clinging on to life by a thin thread. Jared’s heart ached at the memory. Silas looked much better now, his skin returning to its natural pale state.
“You shouldn’t have to sacrifice for me,” Silas insisted.
“I did it gladly.” Jared glanced at the photograph again. “My old family was important, but the future is also important.” He laid an arm around Silas’s shoulders, pulling him against his side. “I’d like to have a future with you.”
“I’d like that too.” Silas’s voice was so soft Jared almost didn’t hear it, but his words put a smile on Jared’s lips. He kissed the side of Silas’s face, holding the vampire close. There was absolutely no doubt that his sacrifice had been worth it.
Now he only needed to make sure that vampires would never be able to hurt his family again.
* * *
As promised, Puck returned at sundown, materializing in the living room. Aldrich, Vlad, Jared and Silas had gathered there, waiting, Drizzit sitting by Silas’s feet. The dog hadn’t left his side ever since Elena had brought him back from the vet. Apparently the wound had looked much worse than it actually was. Not that it stopped Silas from apologizing over and over. Now though, Silas’s eyes were fixed on Puck.
The witch regarded each of them in turn. “Ready to go?”
They glanced at each other, then nodded.
Puck gave them a smile and beckoned with his hand. "Come closer, don't be shy. Form a circle around me and hold hands, just like they taught you in kindergarten." He glanced at Vlad. "Well, maybe not you. Did they have kindergarten where you're from?"
Jared wasn't sure if Puck was referring to the location or to thecenturyVlad was from, but he supposed it didn't matter. Vlad didn't respond either, just took Jared's free hand.
"Here we go. Hold on to each other. If any of you are prone to motion sickness, please don't face in my direction should you feel the need to throw up your breakfast." As Puck spoke, he made a circular motion with his hands. After that, he murmured a few words that Jared didn't understand. In fact, they might not even have been English. As Puck continued to speak, a soft glow enveloped his body. Silas squeezed Jared's hand, and then all of them were lifted off the floor as if floating. The sudden loss of gravity made Jared's stomach feel funny. He wasn't prone to motion sickness, but he'd never experienced anything like this, either.
Gradually, the floor appeared farther and farther away, until it seemed to stop existing altogether. The whole room around them did, fading away into nothingness. They started to spin, faster and faster, all of them glowing now.
Jared only prayed that he wouldn't have to throw up his breakfast.
