Here I was….. back again! I stared through the gap in the trees at my town as Kyan took my hand and helped me down from his back. It was just as gloomy today as it was last time, and my stomach churned with nausea as I looked at the street ahead where only a few days ago I was holding my dead mother. I already knew coming back so soon was going to be hard, but my legs felt like jelly and my head was starting to feel dizzy and hot.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Kyan asked and it was only then I realised he was still holding my hand. I just nodded glumly as I squeezed his cool palm, wishing I didn’t have to go alone. “We’ll be right here if it’s too much”. Del reassured me as he rubbed my arm supportively and once again I just nodded in reply as if I’d completely lost the ability to speak. “Remember keep your wits about you!” Kyan reminded me as he stepped closer, looking right into my eyes. “You runMy legs were tired, and my brain felt fried. I had spent hours last night doing my resume and printing numerous copies. I had headed out first thing this morning to hand deliver them, but finding an open position I could fill was more difficult than I’d hoped. I cycled from building to building, streets and blocks. I had gotten to the point where I practically pleaded for them to notify me of any positions available…. At this rate, I would be happy to be an errand girl or a janitor if it meant I’d have some wages for the time being! Out of the fifty copies I made, only five got handed in and I still didn’t know where I could stay. Apart from one little old fashioned hotel out in the hills, there weren’t any others, it just wasn’t a needed thing here. But that place was for campers and hikers. I doubt I could afford to stay there on a nightly basis. My head hadn’t stopped swimming today with everything I had to secure in time, before the house was no longer our
Kyan's POV:“FATHER!” I shouted as soon as the castle doors were opened. I set Ellie down on the edge of the table as I quickly scanned her for any injuries. But when my eyes clocked the red palm mark on her cheek, my stomach lurched, and my throat let out an unvoluntary growl.Father came to the balcony and with one look at Ellie, he sped down the stairs and stopped right in front of her with a furious look. “What happened??” He asked in demand for an answer.“Two rogues got into her house and tried to take her. We managed to ambush them once they crossed into the forest”. I informed him.“What?” He asked as his eyes widened and his mouth turned into a scowl as he looked back at Ellie. “Did they attack Bluebay?” “No”. She replied quietly and I could see her trying to gulp through her nerves. “At least… I don’t think so”. “No, we were near the border, nothing happened!”. Zekan informed them both.“How did they get in?” Father asked her.“Through the yard doors, it was boarded up, bu
Ellie’s POV:I opened my eyes to see Kyan already awake looking back at me and my whole body fuzzed as I looked dreamily into his eyes.“Good morning”. He whispered.“Good morning”. I said with a little smile and a little wish that we could just stay like this.“Did you sleep ok?”“I did”. I nodded against my pillow. “Thank you for staying here, I hope you got some sleep too”. “I did, don’t worry. In fact, it’s probably one of the best nights’ sleep I’ve had in a while”. “Me too”. I grinned and my stomach flipped when he gave me one of his own right back.“I’m sure you didn’t expect to be back here again”.“I wanted to come back at some point. I would have always wanted to come back, I just didn’t think it would be so soon. I was only gone a day and now I’m back already and you all have to put up with me again”. I smiled with a chuckle, trying to lighten how heavy my heart was feeling.“No, we’re always happy to have you here Ellie”. “Wow Kyan, you’ve gotten softer, carry on like t
I sat at the table in the main hall with Del and Kiko as we decided to take an extra long break in between training. Kiko was telling Del about my improvements, that I had been able to floor her more often than not and, with a cheeky grin, Del looked at me. “How about I come on in these training sessions, see if you can knock me down?” “Yea, sounds good to me!” I said confidently with a shrug.“Del!” Kiko groaned. "I’m trying to build her up so don’t be too full on." “I won’t, I won’t! I’ll try to take it easy. Don’t worry Ellie, I won’t be too hard on you!” he said with a playful wink.“Bring it on!” I replied, feeling competitive.“You think you can take me down that easily?” He said with a cocky smile.“I think you’re scared I’ll be able to!” I shot back at him.“Ooooh” Kiko cooed, chuckling. “Del, you’re not going to back down are you? But you can if you’re too afraid!” She joined in with goading him.“Alright, alright girls! I know what you’re doing. But I’ll join in, don’t you
“You’re quick” Del said as he walked back across the mats, “But you’ll need to be quicker”.I bent over leaning my hands on my legs as I tried to catch my breath, I had so much sweat forming all over my body, even my pulled back hair was wet! “I’m being as quick as I can!” I told him in annoyance. “You do have an advantage, in case you’ve forgotten”. “If you find it hard now, how are you going to defend yourself against rogues? He asked with a frown.“I’ll just have to do as best as I can, Del”. “I don’t think you’re at your best, Ell’s, and so far I’ve taken it pretty easy on you!” “Easy? You call that easy?”. “Del, let her have a break!” Kiko suggested as she watched our training. “She looks like she’s about to topple over!” “Fine!” He slightly eased up. “Get some water, then we’ll go again!” “Fuck!” I said as my chest heaved, trying to catch my breath. I dragged myself over to the bench and drank what was left of my water.“She’s improved a lot, Del. If we go too hard she won
I woke up early, the birds outside my window tweeting away as the sun was beginning to rise. I could already hear Talon in the next room rummaging around and I knew we weren’t the only ones awake. Everyone would now be getting out of bed to prepare themselves for the day ahead. I quickly put on all of my clothes I had chosen to wear whilst we hid in the tunnels. I knew it would be cold down there, so my three layers of tops and jumpers would hopefully keep me warm enough. I tied back my hair and clicked open my bedroom door, to see Talon putting away a handful of papers in a big black folder. “Good morning Ellie, you’re ready to go?” “Yes, what are you doing?” I asked as I watched him neatly place the folder on the main table. “Just getting things in order, in case I don’t make it back”. He said so calmly as if he didn’t realise exactly what his words meant. “You WILL make it back, Talon, I know you will”. I tried to reassure him and myself, even though doubt was ma
Kyan's Pov:I couldn’t wait to get away from here again! As much as I love being with my father and maybe even my brother, it felt like time just stood still here. The same shit every day! Not to mention we couldn’t even step outside our territory because of those insufferable humans!Sure, we had more than enough wildlife for us to feast on and, I’ll admit, there were some things about this forest that I liked, but I just didn’t feel like there was a real place for me here, it was just too drab…. Too confined with no real reason to be here. Father tried so many times to keep me from disappearing every few weeks, but it was different for him. He had a place, a reason! He was a vampire lord for fuck sake! Even my brother had his little underground gambling ring he seemed to take so much delight in, not to mention, for some warped ass reason, he seemed happy here with that vixen Lyra.I just couldn’t stomach just how many humans my father had allowed to roam our home now. One by one the
Ellie's POV: I rode my bicycle through the mundane hustle and bustle of the town, on my way to work… or as I like to call it, my one peaceful sanctuary that I immerse myself in to escape the boredom of my life. I pushed open the heavy wooden door that led into the town’s library. It had been one of the first places to have been built and has been around for generations with stacks and rows of books from floor to ceiling. It used to be wildly popular according to my mum, but most days I’m here, the only ones that seem to come in now are kids and teenagers that still attend school. They come to us to know more about our history, our land or poetry and for most girls…homemaking.Apart from me and Andrea Collins, the energetic and hopeless romantic who oversaw everything within these walls, no one else seemed to have a passion for this place anymore. When I was still attending school, as soon as the bell rang for home time, this is where I’d spend most of my evenings, reading book after
I woke up early, the birds outside my window tweeting away as the sun was beginning to rise. I could already hear Talon in the next room rummaging around and I knew we weren’t the only ones awake. Everyone would now be getting out of bed to prepare themselves for the day ahead. I quickly put on all of my clothes I had chosen to wear whilst we hid in the tunnels. I knew it would be cold down there, so my three layers of tops and jumpers would hopefully keep me warm enough. I tied back my hair and clicked open my bedroom door, to see Talon putting away a handful of papers in a big black folder. “Good morning Ellie, you’re ready to go?” “Yes, what are you doing?” I asked as I watched him neatly place the folder on the main table. “Just getting things in order, in case I don’t make it back”. He said so calmly as if he didn’t realise exactly what his words meant. “You WILL make it back, Talon, I know you will”. I tried to reassure him and myself, even though doubt was ma
“You’re quick” Del said as he walked back across the mats, “But you’ll need to be quicker”.I bent over leaning my hands on my legs as I tried to catch my breath, I had so much sweat forming all over my body, even my pulled back hair was wet! “I’m being as quick as I can!” I told him in annoyance. “You do have an advantage, in case you’ve forgotten”. “If you find it hard now, how are you going to defend yourself against rogues? He asked with a frown.“I’ll just have to do as best as I can, Del”. “I don’t think you’re at your best, Ell’s, and so far I’ve taken it pretty easy on you!” “Easy? You call that easy?”. “Del, let her have a break!” Kiko suggested as she watched our training. “She looks like she’s about to topple over!” “Fine!” He slightly eased up. “Get some water, then we’ll go again!” “Fuck!” I said as my chest heaved, trying to catch my breath. I dragged myself over to the bench and drank what was left of my water.“She’s improved a lot, Del. If we go too hard she won
I sat at the table in the main hall with Del and Kiko as we decided to take an extra long break in between training. Kiko was telling Del about my improvements, that I had been able to floor her more often than not and, with a cheeky grin, Del looked at me. “How about I come on in these training sessions, see if you can knock me down?” “Yea, sounds good to me!” I said confidently with a shrug.“Del!” Kiko groaned. "I’m trying to build her up so don’t be too full on." “I won’t, I won’t! I’ll try to take it easy. Don’t worry Ellie, I won’t be too hard on you!” he said with a playful wink.“Bring it on!” I replied, feeling competitive.“You think you can take me down that easily?” He said with a cocky smile.“I think you’re scared I’ll be able to!” I shot back at him.“Ooooh” Kiko cooed, chuckling. “Del, you’re not going to back down are you? But you can if you’re too afraid!” She joined in with goading him.“Alright, alright girls! I know what you’re doing. But I’ll join in, don’t you
Ellie’s POV:I opened my eyes to see Kyan already awake looking back at me and my whole body fuzzed as I looked dreamily into his eyes.“Good morning”. He whispered.“Good morning”. I said with a little smile and a little wish that we could just stay like this.“Did you sleep ok?”“I did”. I nodded against my pillow. “Thank you for staying here, I hope you got some sleep too”. “I did, don’t worry. In fact, it’s probably one of the best nights’ sleep I’ve had in a while”. “Me too”. I grinned and my stomach flipped when he gave me one of his own right back.“I’m sure you didn’t expect to be back here again”.“I wanted to come back at some point. I would have always wanted to come back, I just didn’t think it would be so soon. I was only gone a day and now I’m back already and you all have to put up with me again”. I smiled with a chuckle, trying to lighten how heavy my heart was feeling.“No, we’re always happy to have you here Ellie”. “Wow Kyan, you’ve gotten softer, carry on like t
Kyan's POV:“FATHER!” I shouted as soon as the castle doors were opened. I set Ellie down on the edge of the table as I quickly scanned her for any injuries. But when my eyes clocked the red palm mark on her cheek, my stomach lurched, and my throat let out an unvoluntary growl.Father came to the balcony and with one look at Ellie, he sped down the stairs and stopped right in front of her with a furious look. “What happened??” He asked in demand for an answer.“Two rogues got into her house and tried to take her. We managed to ambush them once they crossed into the forest”. I informed him.“What?” He asked as his eyes widened and his mouth turned into a scowl as he looked back at Ellie. “Did they attack Bluebay?” “No”. She replied quietly and I could see her trying to gulp through her nerves. “At least… I don’t think so”. “No, we were near the border, nothing happened!”. Zekan informed them both.“How did they get in?” Father asked her.“Through the yard doors, it was boarded up, bu
My legs were tired, and my brain felt fried. I had spent hours last night doing my resume and printing numerous copies. I had headed out first thing this morning to hand deliver them, but finding an open position I could fill was more difficult than I’d hoped. I cycled from building to building, streets and blocks. I had gotten to the point where I practically pleaded for them to notify me of any positions available…. At this rate, I would be happy to be an errand girl or a janitor if it meant I’d have some wages for the time being! Out of the fifty copies I made, only five got handed in and I still didn’t know where I could stay. Apart from one little old fashioned hotel out in the hills, there weren’t any others, it just wasn’t a needed thing here. But that place was for campers and hikers. I doubt I could afford to stay there on a nightly basis. My head hadn’t stopped swimming today with everything I had to secure in time, before the house was no longer our
Here I was….. back again! I stared through the gap in the trees at my town as Kyan took my hand and helped me down from his back. It was just as gloomy today as it was last time, and my stomach churned with nausea as I looked at the street ahead where only a few days ago I was holding my dead mother. I already knew coming back so soon was going to be hard, but my legs felt like jelly and my head was starting to feel dizzy and hot. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Kyan asked and it was only then I realised he was still holding my hand. I just nodded glumly as I squeezed his cool palm, wishing I didn’t have to go alone. “We’ll be right here if it’s too much”. Del reassured me as he rubbed my arm supportively and once again I just nodded in reply as if I’d completely lost the ability to speak. “Remember keep your wits about you!” Kyan reminded me as he stepped closer, looking right into my eyes. “You run
Two days later: “Does the coat fit ok?” Talon asked as I put on the black coat he had insisted I wear with the black knee length dress that belonged to Cecelia. “It’s perfect!”. I replied, trying to muster a smile, but I was thankful for him letting me wear these clothes. It’s not like I had packed anything smart enough to wear, especially for something like today. “I know today will be very hard on you Ellie”. He said with a long sigh. “Me and the whole town”. I said as I flopped down onto a chair at his room table. “I very much wish I could be there to help you through it. If there was a way….” “Of course, I know you would!” I interrupted him, not wanting him to feel any guilt for me having to go alone. “I’ll be ok. I have my friends and my dad will be there!”. “I know… I just”. “You worry!” I smiled a watery smile. “You’ve worried and kept me safe the whole time I’ve been here”. I told him as I got up and walked over to him, placing my hands in his. “So, f
Ellie's POV: I woke up, blinking open my eyes that felt almost as dry as my mouth and I could see by the light shining through my curtains onto the wall, it was daytime. My stomach sank once again, just as it did every time I woke up from my perfect dreams. I’d sleep and see her just as she always used to be… smiling, happy, dancing! Then the moment my eyes opened, I’d see her face breathless in my arms and the reality would hit me, like I was seeing it for the first time all over again. I pushed myself up against my pillows, relieved to see the glass of water on my nightstand. I gulped it and felt the coolness run through my body, finally hydrating myself, but unfortunately it didn’t wash away the heaviness in my chest. I can barely even remember coming back here. I knew someone was holding me and in my mind I saw Kyan. I wanted it to be Kyan, but I only noticed the cold breeze, but just for an instant before, I slipped back into the peaceful darkness of my sleep. I h