Page 2 of Stalked

I looked over to the path leading to the town’s main square, hearing angry voices in the distance.

“Try to stall them as long as you can,” I said. “I won’t make this decision for her, Roland, but I’ll give her the warning she needs to decide for herself.”

A heavy sigh escaped Roland’s lips. “I have faith you’ll do the right thing, boy. But don’t think that just because of what I am, she doesn’t mean something to me, too.”

Roland disappeared into the forest before I could respond. There wasn’t a moment to spare, so I ran to find Mercy.

After arriving at her home, I crept to her window—peering inside. I breathed a sigh of relief when I noticed she was still in her house, speaking with her mother. I listened intently—her mother was pleading with Mercy to run away, to stay mortal and flee. Maybe if there were enough people warning her, she would listen.

I climbed through the windowpane, slipping into the room silently so as not to be detected. Time was running out, and every second that passed meant the clan was getting closer. I stood in the corner of her room for a moment longer before I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. To not startle her, I swiftly rounded to the edge of the doorframe, staying flush with the wall.

I watched Mercy rush to the dresser and sift through her clothes and other items in her room. Quietly, I tapped on the door. “Mercy,” I called softly.

She turned around, her eyes growing wide at seeing me in the doorway. I had never been to her home before. When we were together, we always met in my lair, as she was afraid her parents and the coven would find out about me. “Dorian, what are you doing here?”

My heart skipped a beat when I saw her face. I searched her features, trying to remember every detail of her beauty and warmth. We both knew what this night meant and that whatever she chose to do would forever change the course of history. This moment would be the last time I would see her face. This clear night would be the last time I would hear her voice. A lone tear escaped down my cheek; I swore to myself right then and there that I’d never love another woman as I had loved her.

How could I tell the love of my life to sacrifice herself, so she’d be free from being enslaved by the most powerful vampire clan? Was I wrong to do so?

I pushed away from the wall and walked over, stopping by her bed, and I breathed in her scent. “Your mother is right, Mercy?—you cannot allow Caleb to make you immortal. The vampires know you’re doing the ritual tonight, so I came here to warn you. Maurice is on his way. Once the ritual is completed, his men plan to take all five of you and enslave you behind their walls. I’m not strong enough to stop them.” I took her hand, pulling her closer to me. “You saved my life once, love. Let me save yours.”

The look on her face pained me.

How can I ask her to do such a thing?

“I’m dead either way.” She gripped my hand and placed it over my heart. “Do you feel that, Dorian? My heart is steady. I’m not afraid. At least if I were immortal, I’d be stronger, fight back, and not need you to protect me anymore?”

I will always fight for her, whether she is immortal or not.

My breath hitched as I forced the words out, “I’d rather for you to be dead than tortured by them. At least if you’re dead, you’ll be free.”

Mercy shrugged. “We’ll be apart, either way.” She squeezed my hand and released it.

I wanted to reach out and hold her, knowing the moments we had for over a year would be taken from us.

She stepped closer to me, touching her forehead to mine. She drew in a deep breath as if she were taking in my scent for the last time, treasuring every moment she could before she had to say goodbye.

I closed my eyes but hesitated to pull her closer to me. Of course, I wanted to, but the pain I felt, even for a vampire, was too much to bear. Vampires didn’t have that kind of emotion toward humans, especially witches, but I did. She was my everything.

She stepped back, picked up her bag, and walked to the door. “The coven is waiting for me, Dorian. I … I must go.”I watched as she rushed down the stairs.

No, I can’t let her do this. They’re going to catch her.

I moved swiftly, using my vampire speed, rushing down the stairs before she reached the door. My speed caused her hair to fly back over her shoulder as if caught in a breeze. “Mercy,” my voice wavered as I whispered, “You don’t have to do this. You can choose death. If the vampires catch you after you become immortal, you’ll want to die, believe me.”

Mercy dropped her leather bag at her feet and her eyes shined with silver tears that fell down her face. We didn’t speak as she closed her eyes tightly, her mouth hardening into a thin line. I wondered what she was thinking in that heavy silence. But when she opened her eyes, the tears had dried, and she gave me a nod. My heart leaped and broke simultaneously; I knew what she had decided.

“I love you, Dorian,” she said. “I love you more than my own life. Nothing in this world has ever meant more to me than the moments we’ve shared this last year. Every kiss. Every touch. Every moment of pleasure.” Her smile was small before she turned from me and slowly opened the door.

I saw the sky crash with lightning, outlining the tall pines and her silhouette. I heard screams and shouts coming from the line of trees to the front of her house, and lit torches appearing from the wooded glen behind her home. The villagers, not the vampires, had come for Mercy.

She turned on her heel, rushing back to me and leaping into my arms. Her lips collided with mine with raw passion, our emotions flowing down our cheeks.

Mercy released our embrace, stepping back to create distance. “Don’t forget me, Dorian,” she said, before walking out the door and into the night.

Mercy fell to her knees and put her hands up in the air as crowds of angry villagers formed around her, carrying ropes to bind her wrists behind her back.

She had chosen death. Mercy had trusted my warning and chose freedom.

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