Page 42 of The Awakening

“I know it wasn’t fair to leave you behind with him, but I believe he regrets his behavior. He’s been my best friend for as long as I can remember and was put in a terrible position by my mother. I feel obligated to make it right. Not only for us, but for his family and the council as well.” Spoken like a true prince, he will do well when he assumes his seat on the throne.

David’s a noble man, but being reminded of this doesn’t make it any easier. “I’m near the castle. I’ll contact you whenever I can. I love you, Jess.”

“I love you, too, David.”

I roll over, assuming the all too familiar role of crying myself to sleep. When I wake, my eyes are red and swollen and my stomach aches. Depression makes me want to never leave the bed, but tending to the dogs force that decision from my hands. Though when I get up and stretch and my eyes land on empty dog beds, I panic and rush downstairs.

The scene when I reach them, playing with Tristan, has me second guessing my inability to trust him. The dogs are no longer alarmed so maybe it’s time I back off. They’re chasing him around the kitchen island and I swear, Dash is smiling. Jowls raised as he strikes a proud gait following behind his new friend. As soon as they see me they stop playing and run over. “Um, thanks for taking care of the dogs,” I mumble to Tristan.

He bows and tips his head. “What do you think about getting out of the house tonight and seeing a movie?” he asks as he tosses one of the dog toys into the basket. At my pause he quickly adds, “You can drive and pick the movie. I’m just tired of being cooped up.”

“It would probably do me some good to get out of the house. Have you heard from David?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “No, have you?”

“Last night after we talked in the hallway he called and told me he arrived at the castle, but that was it.” Nothing this morning which has me back to worried.

“Well, Jess, the dogs have been fed so pick a movie and I’ll take you to dinner afterward.” His gesture is sincere so I agree and we go out.

Chapter Fifteen

David

Meanwhile in Varna…

I’ve barely entered the castle when my mother comes barreling down the staircase. Either she had prior warning I was coming, or she heard me drive up.

“Son, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?” she nearly purrs, far too pleased with my visit.

“Jessica left me,” I say, devoid of any emotion.

She attempts to suppress the pleasure this announcement brings her, but does a shitty job of it. I have to bite my tongue to keep from blowing my cover. A bite so hard my fangs pierce my bottom lip. She slithers over and wraps her arms around me. “Come, my son. You’ll find your room just as you left it. How long will you be here so I can let the staff know?”

“Until I figure things out,” I say.

“You’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like. The Brandts arrive around midnight. They’ve just returned from visiting their family in Belgium.”

Great, I just walked in and she’s already pushing Amelia down my throat. I’m sure her conversation with Tristan led her to believe I was headed this way.

I take. my luggage up to my old room and it’s just as she said, untouched. Now to figure out how to avoid Amelia. In the past, Amelia was unable to keep her claws off me. This will be prove to be quite the challenge given the reason I’m here. I hadn’t factored Amelia into any of this. Amelia’s not a virgin, quite the opposite. Tristan’s warning about her and her family is still fresh in my mind and I need to tread lightly around them.

I unpack and leave my room in search of Tristan’s parents. After the long flight I’m famished, but assume my parents will insist on a hunt after the Brandts arrive. That will be the perfect opportunity to see the group in action. Something I haven’t witnessed in years and unfortunately need to now. The way a vampire hunts says a lot about their character. Any vampire with a soul will do so with care and compassion for their victim. We can feed without killing and are taught to do so.

Strolling through the castle brings back a wave of memories. Some good, some bad. I wrack my brain in search of something I might have missed or ignored about my mother from the past as I walk around. Oddly enough, nothing about the castle has changed. Paintings of past elders and their bloodlines adorn the hall walls, in the same spots they’ve been in for centuries. My mother’s despicable family displayed on a lone wall, in embellished gold frames with embossed placards above the top,Vasquez Family Elders.Most of which are still assume to be walking among us, though they’ve fallen out of contact. My father’s lineage is displayed several rows beneath theirs, reminding them of their place.

How does that not bother him?

As I stand here take it all in, the reality of how many members of my mother’s family have been excommunicated from the council over centuries for various reasons sheds some light on the current situation. Things I’d only heard in passing but as a child meant nothing. Until now. The Vasquez apple didn’t fall far from the proverbial tree. Maybe her lineage isn’t as she portrayed it to be.

Sensing another presence, I turn to my father. “Welcome home, son. Your mother shared your unfortunate situation with me and I am sorry to hear of it. I really liked Jessica.”

I detect sincerity in my father’s voice and body language. Outwardly his facial expression is pure, but I’m still apprehensive. He opens his arms, inviting me in. As we part, he slings an arm over my shoulders and guides me to the nearby balcony.

“Son, aren’t these grounds breathtaking?” He gestures to the vast meadow below.

“Yes, Father, the countryside is divine.” It truly is a sight. How many nights Tristan and I spent out there just being boys. Unwinding after a stressful day of training, basking in the moonlight, talking about futures we wanted versus the ones that we were expected to carry out.

“This will be yours to govern one day, my son.”

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