Chapter 8: Chapter 8

“Do you know his name?” he asked, tone calm and silky as he tried to coax the answer out of her.

“No,” she breathed.

“Too bad.” He gave a mysterious smirk that made her shudder. His crimson eyes screamed murder. “I would love to meet this person.”

Something told her he didn’t intend to have a friendly chat with that particular vampire. Maybe it was the emotionless tone of voice, or maybe the darkness in his eerie gaze—the desire for revenge burned deep within him, she just knew.

\---

Elena returned home late that evening. She had missed the train she usually took and reached the apartment building about half an hour later than normal.

Her nerves had skyrocketed for a while because she had sensed the tenacious presence of a vampire latching onto her—despite her protective spell. Only one person was able to do that, and once she had realized this, she had calmed down a little bit. She hadn’t spotted Ryder anywhere, but she knew he was in the vicinity. He lingered close until she had reached her front door.

Elena wondered why Ryder hadn’t shown himself, but she concluded that he didn’t want to frighten her. Obviously, he had no idea she could sense the dangerous aura of a vampire from far away. Elena didn’t know why he would follow her without actually having any bad intentions. Vampires always had bad intentions.

She entered the flat and discarded her light summer jacket and shoes. Lately, she had been wearing dresses often, but those tended to be a bit cool in the evening. Since her boyfriend was already home, she began to prepare dinner for them, making bulgogi and fetching the leftovers from the fridge that she had made the day before.

As they sat at the table together, Steph’s disapproving glare made her shrink in her chair. She evaded his inquiring gaze and looked at her plate instead, fidgeting with her chopsticks.

“Elena,” he finally said. “Why did you return so late?”

“I missed my train because I was distracted,” she mumbled and shoved some rice in her mouth, chewing listlessly.

“You have been acting strange. Did something happen?” Steph asked. “You can tell me anything.”

“It’s nothing, don’t worry about me,” she smiled convincingly, but Steph didn’t give up. He reached over the table and put his hand on hers.

“I would prefer if you told me,” he said sternly and captured her gaze with his freezing blue eyes.

“There is nothing to tell.”

His grip on her hand became painfully tight and icy. The cold magic prickled like needles on her skin.

“You’re hurting me,” she said through clenched teeth.

His eyes studied her, looked for something, but he didn’t find it. A scowl twisted his handsome features. “I don’t like dishonest people, Elena. Have you already forgotten all the things I did for you? The least you can do is listen to me when I ask something of you,” he reminded her, using his usual argument.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled and cast her eyes down. She finally managed to pull her hand away and hid it below the table where he couldn’t reach it anymore. It felt uncomfortably cold, so she cupped it with her other hand to warm it up.

“I’m not hiding anything,” she insisted.

He cocked his head and scrutinized her skeptically. “We will see about that. Whatever it is that you’re not telling me, I will find out.”

The threatening edge in his tone wasn’t lost on her. She hated lying, but she could hardly tell him the truth—that she had a soulmate. He would lose it if he found out.

When they had finished dinner, and the atmosphere in their small kitchen grew increasingly uncomfortable, she got up and collected the dishes, putting them in the dishwasher. While she was busy, Steph approached her and hugged her from behind, pressing her body into his chest and resting his chin on her shoulder. His minty breath ghosted over her neck.

“I hope you understand I only want the best for you,” he muttered.

“I appreciate your concern,” she answered somewhat stiffly, turning her head away as she took another plate and put it in the dishwasher.

“Good,” he smiled and let go of her, walking into the living room. Moments later, she heard the television and let out a breath. At least he hadn’t figured out her secret. She needed to take care of the issue with Ryder soon—but the vampire had made it clear he wouldn’t stay away from her.

Like she didn’t have enough problems to deal with.

\---

A nightmare held Elena in its grasp. She tossed and turned, seeing flashes of the past, encountering the vampire who had taken her family from her. His face was ingrained in her mind—she would never forget what he had looked like, his features contorted in bloodlust and his eyes glowing with an ominous shade of red. This man was still out there somewhere, and if she ever crossed paths with him, she would be doomed.

She awoke with a scream, her body trembling and covered in sweat. The room was dark, but she recognized it as her home. She wondered if her nightmares would ever end. They had accompanied her for years without ceasing.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Steph snapped, turning his back to her. “I have to get up early tomorrow, and I can’t lose sleep because of your pathetic whining.”

Elena stiffened under her cover, pulling up her shoulders. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“Your endless apologies are very annoying, do you know that? How about you stop making mistakes all the time? Then you can keep your mouth shut and don’t have to say sorry,” he growled. He was livid—she sensed the unnatural cold he exuded as his magic began to boil within him.

She was upset and didn’t answer. In order not to disturb him further, she got up and snuck out of their bedroom, closing the door behind her. Her cover was bundled up in her arms. She spread it on the sofa in the living room, leaving the lights on as she lay down. Her cold hands pulled the cover up to her shoulders so she could hide beneath its warmth.

Only here, in the loneliness of the empty living room, did she allow herself to let her feelings out. The contours of the gray coffee table blurred. She sniffled and hiccupped, trying hard to hold the noises in so he wouldn’t hear them again. Within minutes, her nose was clogged up, and she felt like she was sick, her throat raw, and her eyes burning.