Chapter 98: Creature Of The Night…

***Selene***.

I hear him, but I don’t want to hear him.

There’s this whoosh of air that leaves my lungs. My heart beating fast as his words make meaning to me. 

I suddenly recall those nights I will wake up in the middle of the night, confused, a cold compress on my body, Albert watching me keenly. I don’t recall telling him I saw replicas.

I don’t recall that. But the confidence at which he confessed this, I think he knows what he speaks of. 

My mind goes frantic, yet I manage to ask. I need to know.

“Why…If you say I knew these, why can’t I remember? Why can’t I…Albert, tell me.” I plead desperately.

I want to understand. 

He looks chagrined, avoiding my eyes. 

“Albert…” 

“I…I blocked your mind.” There’s a tremor.

And something else; remorse. I see the truth. Am speechless. Watching Albert as he lowers his gaze. 

“Blocked my mind? What does that even mean? What are you saying? Is it like a mind control thing?” I ask, my lips trembling.

I recall reading something about it in the book Dr Woodsburg lent me. It’s like the man was trying to prepare me for this moment.

I recall how he broke up with me in Amsterdam.

“That means you can do mind links, like I read in the book?” I watch him. 

“Yes.” He quietly mutters.

I hitch my breath. Something else floods my mind. I recall the day I heard his voice in the elevator and I thought I was hallucinating from the heat. I want to know. 

“Can I…Can I ask you something?” My tone is soft, barely holding in the spiraling feelings inside me.

My head hurts and I’m fucking exhausted. But most of all, I need this truth.

He nods. 

“Were you the person who infiltrated my mind in the elevator at my work? Was it you who killed those men, those people who hijacked our work?” My eyes are keenly holding his and the significant change in his expression, gives Albert away.

A knowing look crosses his face. His eyes dancing with a play of indiscernible emotions. 

After a few seconds, Albert nods. I exhale heavily. My chest aching from holding my breath so long. I pant, stagger back, putting distance between us.

Everything I read coming to life. 

*1\. Vampires can read thoughts*

*2\. Vampires drink blood.*

*3\. Vampires mind link with their marked ones.* 

*4\. Vampires heal fast.*

*5\. Vampires are burn from silver bullets. Inhibits their healing.*

*6\. Weak in fire.*

“Am I your marked one? Did you ever drink my blood?” I ask, weakly.

My eyes brimming with tears. My mind conflicted between fright and love.

Yes, am in love with Albert. I have fallen in love with him. I found out on my way here, rather I realized on my way here. I became confident about it, as I watched Albert on the bed between life and death. 

“There are marks on your neck; bite marks. Am responsible for them. I bit you again, on Valentine’s.” Albert ruefully reveals. 

A throaty sound erupts from me. I stifle a sob, turning away. Tears flood my eyes. 

“I’ve fallen in love with you Albert. I have fallen in love with a fucking vampire. Creature of the night.” I mutter more to myself in between sobs. 

“I know.” 

Albert’s voice comes. It’s quiet. It’s regretful. And my heart breaks. Hating myself for saying my thoughts aloud.

I gasp turning to him. His eyes hold something tender. I back away, not wanting to see the pity look in his eyes, knowing he has no such feelings for me. Never has and never will. 

I back away until I’m at the door. I open it and leave. He doesn’t follow me. I only feel his eyes on me. 

*Don’t leave Selene. Let’s talk this out.*

I hear his voice. He isn’t hiding anymore. He just mind linked me. 

*Get out of my head!*

*Okay. I’ll be waiting for you.*

*You killed those people who hijacked us.*

There’s a heavy pause, before I hear Albert in my thoughts again.

*They were trackers. They were around to find my marked one. To find you.*

A sob escapes me as I reach the balcony. Am panting for air now, as I’m in the cold. Am struggling to breathe. I’m crying, because I now know the truth.

*Selene, come inside. Let’s talk. I can’t reach you when you are like this. In pain.* 

*Get out of my head!*

I don’t hear him again. I stand, clutching the stone balustrade tight. My hands ache from the intensity of my hold.

Am crying. My heart hurts and I don’t even know what hurts the most. Knowing this truth or knowing he just found out am in love with him and he doesn’t even feel the same way. 

My head spins, recalling what I read from that book about the marked ones.

They are the ones bonded to a vampire for a life time. It means I’m bonded to Albert for a life time. The book also said the vampire would be able to know everything about the marked one. 

“Don’t leave Albert.” 

I still, turning my head to Raoul’s stern blue eyes watching me. He has this intense eyes that look like beautiful icicles. I look away, focusing my attention on the city below. 

“Go away, Raoul. I need to be alone,” I say, curtly.

He inches closer, standing beside me. I feel his warmth, as he stares ahead of us. I wonder what he sees with those eyes of his. 

“He has suffered a lot and has never had anyone.” Raoul turns to me, locking gazes with me for a few seconds. “Until you.”

Tears roll down my eyes as that declaration comes out from Raoul. I want to believe him. I know I can believe him. I should believe him. 

“His dad separated him from his mum, when he was only six years old.”