Almara’s PovThe media tightens the circle around Robert and Roman, thrusting eager questions their way and shutting me and Arthur out. In the midst of this, one voice captures my attention.“Almara! Almara!” I hear over the excitement. I turn around and instantly see who’s calling me. My mom and dad are pushing their way through the crowd.“Mom? Dad?” I respond, mostly to myself. Wasn’t expecting that. Lily jumps in. Her voice startles me.
Almara’s PovThe moon is a silver crescent high in the sky casting just enough light on my parents faces to accentuate the concern wedged in between their furrowed eyebrows. I lock my eyes onto theirs hoping they pick up on the utter exhaustion and save this conversation for later. Of course, they don’t.“Why have you guys been so cold to Arthur? You’re acting like you don’t even know him.” I say and slightly regret the attitude in my voice. I’ve never been rude to my parents, but they barely know the half of what I’ve been thro
Almara’s PovArthur and I retreat back up to our bedroom with Grace. I have her sprawled out on the king-sized mattress while I lie my side next to her. “I’m sorry about my parents.” I tell him absent-mindedly as I stroke small circles on Grace’s pudgy belly.“Nothing for you to be sorry for,” Arthur calls out in reply from the walk-in closet. “Can’t say I really blame them. I mean, does it sting? Sure, but there coming from a caring place.” Arthur returns down the hall with two designer suitcases in his hands.
Almara’s Pov“Arthur, where are you taking me?” I ask for the fifth time since we’ve gotten in the car. I mostly want to know because the suspension is killing me, but also Arthur blind folded me and I’m starting to feel car sick.“We’re almost there.” He says, which is what he said the last two times I asked.“Will you at least tell me what Grace is doing?” I ask.
Almara’s PovWe’re about to dock at Azaela National Park. It’s noon, the sun is shining bright, giving Arthur a warm glow to his skin. We stand at the front of the boat with Arthur’s arm looped around my waist and Grace seated on my hip. I can’t believe how big she’s gotten over the last few months.We stand united soaking in the ethereal beauty of nature. The air is crisp and cool, and the only thing taller than the trees that line the permitter of the water are the mountains in the distance.
Almara’s PovI finally catch a fish. I pop up from the water and wave my arms in the air. “Did you see that?” I call out frantically to Arthur and Grace who are sitting on the shore watching and cheering me on.Well, technically I caught a fish before with Arthur’s help, but this one I got all by myself. Arthur lets out a howl of approval and I see Grace try to mimic him and I sound my own back. Arthur was right, we do rule this land.I swim my way back over to them, wat
Almara’s PovI stomp my way through the jungle, pushing foliage out of my way and cursing through my blurred vision. I know I’m not being the most effective searcher right now, but I can’t seem to get my emotions under control. So, I stop trying to.I sink down onto the sand and let the softness hold me. Bringing my knees up to my chest, I burrow my head into my hands letting my hair fall down and weep. I cry uncontrollably and just allow myself to feel every anxiety, every worry, and every concern.
Almara’s PovWe don’t find Grace. Darkness has now blanketed the sky and with it the feeling of defeat. The once welcomed dazzling stars now seem to mock me as a reminder that time yet another day has come and go and I am’ without my daughter.Arthur and I sit side by side mindlessly watch the waves lap one another. My open wounds from getting cut my branches and torn skin from stepping on shells stings in the salty air. I don’t mind the pain though, I hardly pay attention to it.
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&