Almara’s Pov It’s been a week since Bess’s euthanizing, which means it’s been a week without joy. Even Grace seems to hold this vague sadness inside her, as if knowing if not for the life of Bess then she wouldn’t be here either. Though it breaks my heart to see, I can’t help but marvel as the wisdom that seems to be imprinted on her soul, a piece of Bess herself. Today in particular is the crux of sadness and acceptance as we attend Bess’s funeral as family. I always figured Arthur and my first outing with Grace would be happier and certainly not quite as important. I assumed our first outing would be normal, at least normal enough to get buried beneath the rest of our many days ahead. I almost want to apologize to Grace for what her first outing is as I button her fluffy black dress, but doing so almost feels disrespectful. Besides, something tells me that Grace actually doesn’t mind. I catch myself in this line of thinking and wonder if I’ve gone crazy. Can Grace really be r
Almara’s PovArthur and I sit across from the mystery lady, Chirstina, at a high end coffee shop. We’re separated from other guests by a velvet red rope and security guards. Arthur wanted to bring Christina here to remind her who she’s in the presence of, lest there be any tricks up her sleeve.Although, Christina seems to be at home in this elegant atmosphere. She stirs her tea precisely three times with her spoon before clinking the silver against the fine China and bringing the tea to her rosy pink lips. Arthur leans back with his arms crossed and I fidge
Almara’s PovLater that same night I recount to Arthur the wild tale that Bess, Robert, Roman and I ventured on in order to secure the ingredients for Arthur’s remedy. We lay in bed with Grace between us looking between her mother and father as we speak completely enthralled by our voices.To my surprise, Arthur listens to the story with a child-like interest. I tell him everything from running down the gate, to my unfortunate run-in with Claire. I half expected him to be concerned, enraged, or even embarrassment, but by the end of it all he cups my face and says
Almara’s Pov“So did it hurt?” Cathy asks hunching forward and popping a fry into her mouth. Her cherry red lips ae curved into a smile as she focuses on Roberts words. The whole night Arthur and I have been exchanging amused glances with one another.We’re both amazed that this date is going so well. “Nah, I mean I have a really high pain tolerance.” Robert says, clearly bluffing but Cathy just laughs and seems genuinely impressed by him.Arthur looks at me
Almara’s PovHow did we end up here, again? The car rolls up to gray building that looks like it’s about to be knocked over with one final strong gust of wind. If only we could be so lucky. Granted, we haven’t been in this part of town yet but nonetheless were still in vampire territory.Never in my life did I expect to have seen so much of this town. I suppose, much of my life wasn’t what I expect- for better or worse. As if on the lookout, three more guards emerge from the crippling cinderblock building as soon as the car goes into park.The doors are swung open and bone hands are prying us out of our seats. Arthur gives a growl and one instinctively pulls his hand back, causing Arthur’s lips to curl in smile that I find incredibly sexy, the guards on the other hand handle him much rougher now- not that he can’t handle it.Once inside were immediately walked to a holding cell. The cell is just past the entrance waiting room, if you can even call it that. There are no chairs, only ye
Almara’s PovRoman was right. A few days have passed and we’re still locked in this cell which seems to be getting smaller by the day. I desperately want to change out of the little red dress that I’m wearing, which seemed fun and flirty on date night and now has become nothing but a pain.We’ve been using Arthur’s jacket as a community pillow and Cathy’s sweater as a blanket. I have the feeling they offer more comforts to the vampires they arrest, though there’s no way to prove it. At least a guard escorts us to the bathroom five tim
Almara’s PovI think another day goes by and the delusional giggles have died down. Arthur suggested we defend ourselves just to get some sort of process going. So, instead of making up stories we’ve been reliving the same one in excruciating detail.We told the officer watching us that we are going to defend ourselves and he didn’t seem like he cared one way or another about it. He got us the files that showed what the vampire police report has against us and Calvin was at least right about the case being built of straw. Still, we want to be prepared.
Almara’s PovMy heart sinks as the odds stack up against us. By the looks of Cathy and Roberts fallen faces, they seem to be thinking the same thing. We’re doomed. Only Arthur maintains his disposition and holds his head high with an air of respect pouring from him.“Please sit.” Delfino says as he takes his own seat in what appears to be a throne.“How do the defendants plea?” Delfino asks looking at us like we’re gum on the bottom of his shoe.
Almara’s Pov5 Years Later“Cheers,” Arthur sys clinking his mixed drink of vodka and lemonade with my non-alcoholic lemonade. I’m pregnant, again. This pregnancy is completely different than my first two, I actually get to relax. Which is exactly what we’re doing in the manicured garden of our backyard.We sit stretched out on zero-gravity pool chairs, sweat
Almara’s PovAfter a much-needed week of rest and restoration, Arthur and I are back on the vampire territory. I suppose that it can officially be called that again now that it has been reclaimed.My body healed magnificently after months of not only growing another being, but also fighting a war. It’s amazing what good rest and proper nutrition can do. Of course, the real healing ingredient came from the sacrificial love of my wonderful husband.Even though he suffered his own inju
Almara’s PovFinally, after several journeys back and forth from our homeland to the enemies we come to the final steps. We saw plenty of wolves making their expedition back home and there was a unspoken agreement that what everyone needs right now is peace.Thankfully, no one came up to us with questions, grief, or comments. It’s like we have this new kinship with the gammas in our world that we didn’t before. We seem to understand each other, or at least truly see one another.
Almara’s PovOn the way home we make a pitstop to a very special place. “Why are we seeing more dead bodies?” Grace asks, her tone telling me we are nearing a full-blown tantrum.“This body belongs to someone very important in our family,” I tell her calmly and hike her up on my hip. I’m not sure if my words got through to her, or maybe it’s her father's serenity as we ascend up one final hill to where Bess lays.Bess’s gravestone is set apart fro
Almara’s PovWith the vortex closed off and gone, the air becomes breathable again and the storm lessens. Still, my paws squelch in the wet terrain.Unfortunately, as I look around at the battlefield and see the piles of bodies slumped over one another, I think it’s more than just mud causing the stickiness.I try not to look down at the innocent blood shed on the ground. As I take careful consideration to step over and around the bodies, I tell myself they chose to come out and hel
Almara’s PovCathy and I weave through the castle, barely missing rubble crumbling off from the stony walls. We leap over counters, using everything we have in us to catapult ourselves past knocked over statues of gargoyles and shredded velvet furniture.“Catch!” Cathy calls out and reflexively I snatch a jagged shard of ceramic in my hand. I recognize it from a broken pot on the ground. Then out of the corner of my eye I see something else flying at me, though I don’t catch it this time, I duck.
Almara’s PovI’ve never seen Cathy look more confident and proud than she does at this moment. She stands tall, cuts strewn across her body, but they only add to her tough exterior. She’s covered in her enemy’s blood and she has a thrilling look in her eyes.“Have you seen Arthur?” I ask cutting to the chase. Cathy nods back towards tall white cabinet doors. I turn back to look at my mother who nods in confirmation. I rush over to the door and throw it open.
Almara’s PovI awake to a familiar beeping sound. It’s faint at first, like a distant call from far away until it’s suddenly blaring in my ears. My eyes shoot open and the blood in my body rushes to the important organs and I sit up with a jolt.“Where’s Grace?” I ask before I can make out anything else. “Arthur? Robbie?” I call out, hoping the sound of my distressed voice will cause Robbie to cry back.“Shhh,” a gentle voice says with
Almara’s PovArthur flings open the door, this time it breaks off the hinges. I guess there’s no changing our mind now. I keep Robbie wrapped up in both my arms and under my shirt.Arthur uses his body to guard mine, outstretching his arms and a puffed-out chest as he keeps his eyes zeroed in on every moving body around us all while moving us forward and falling in exact pace with each of my steps.We fight through sideways rain and vicious winds, it dawns on me that this storm isn&