My Vampire, page 17
I have a lot going on, and strangely, I’m not numb from grief. My thoughts are clear. My chest aches as if a massive hole has been punched clean through. Despite this, I know what I must do.
Become healthy. Don’t let vampires drink from me. This baby needs its mother with a full blood supply.
Wallowing in sorrow can come later.
My future will seriously change. I tuck the amulet into my pocket. I suppose I won’t need to siphon my child’s powers. I don’t see any harm in him or her having Killian’s abilities now that he doesn’t need them. Enhanced senses, strength, and supernatural healing might be nice to have. They’d at least remind me of Killian and keep my child safe.
I didn’t acquire Korbinian’s powers though. I suppose they vanished with Anya’s life.
So I’m still a supernatural treat, without my vampire to protect me. Korbinian didn’t have a chance to lift the curse. I could test it out—see if I become sick—but Korbinian had one of his henchmen cast it. The only way the spell will break is by that demon’s death, unless he willingly lifts it. I might never know who the caster is. I don’t discount hunting him down. Later. After my child is born and I can take the baby to Belyven where it will be safe.
Hang in there, Sasha. You can do this. What’s another seventeen or so years until I return home? I’ll have my mother send a fae guard. She should have done that to begin with. Forget a low profile. Maybe I’ll hire Natalia and Dumitru as bodyguards. I will never doubt their loyalty to Killian. I bet they would be more than happy to help in my quest to suck power from demons.
I rub my stomach. Okay, little boo. We’ll be all right. Eventually. Killian will always be a part of us, just not physically.
My brain tells me I’m being too logical. The clarity racks me with guilt. Shouldn’t I be inconsolable? My level head, despite my sorrow, must be a coping mechanism.
I unfurl my wings, feeling heavy. For a fleeting moment, Killian had wings. My vampire had wings. I would have loved flying with him.
He would have loved it.
I take one last look at Killian. I’ll come back for you. Natalia and Dumitru will help me.
I jump into the sky, turning my back on the setting sun.
EPILOGUE
The room’s dead silent. Warm and comforting. My roommates sleep soundly. The center of the room is lit with a soft glow, and oddly, it won’t wake Lexa and Mandy because they can’t see it.
I’m not surprised to have woken and found myself shimmering beside my bed in the middle of the night. I am surprised to see the person standing in front of me.
I smile.
It’s not my mother.
This visitor is so much better than my mother. And much more handsome. My gut churns with wishing—how I ache to run my fingers through his hair.
I dare take my eyes off my guest as I peek behind myself at the form on the bed. I lie on my side, rounding over the huge bulge in my belly. My breath is steady. I’d have to say this is the best dream, but I’m glad it’s not just a dream. Apparently I can see him when I’m an astral projection.
“The drop in my heart rate can’t be good for the baby,” I say.
My vampire grins. “He has vamp healing to keep himself safe.”
“How are you here?”
“Your mother owes me. Let’s just say we worked something out.”
“From the beyond?” How is this possible? I long with all my heart to hold Killian, but if I have to settle for him haunting me, I will take it.
“Yep, from the beyond.” His eyes brighten. “I didn’t think you could become sexier, but I was wrong.”
I gaze down at my projection. Projections can’t look pregnant. Then I glance at my physical form. “Are you talking about my body, with the basketball-shaped stomach?”
“Yes.” He hovers closer and whispers. “I don’t crave your blood anymore, but that doesn’t mean I don’t crave you. You’ll always be my storm sprite.”
He winks out of sight, and I’m shoved backward into my body.
I gasp awake, disappointed our visit was so short. With some difficulty, I roll up and curl around my baby belly. I whisper into the morning hours, telling my little boo all about his daddy. As my eyes become blurry with exhaustion, I’m lost to visions of silver-blue eyes. Sometimes they’re black in my dreams. Sometimes the prick of fangs stings my neck.
As I settle back on my soft bed, a shiver races up my spine and folds around my shoulders, like a hug from behind.
I sigh.
My vampire will never leave me. I know this with a surety.
I have just over sixteen years until I can return to Belyven. I wonder if Killian will follow me there. For now, my vampire will help me stay brave.
And that’s all I need.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I want to thank my beta readers. I’m always so grateful for their input, especially my rock star reader Julie L. Spencer. Many thanks also go to Rachel John, Diana Barker, and Lisa Swinton, whose keen eyes caught errors and suggested fantastic improvements. I am ever so grateful. And for my sister, Laura, who likes everything I write.
E.E. EVERLY
once trampled through the Appalachian woods and built forts in bramble bushes. She loves the sun in winter and the rain in summer. She believes in miracles, the power of love, and magic. Other worlds do exist, and her writing opens portals to them. Cake is always to be savored, and her soul animal is a cat. Meow.
E E Everly, My Vampire
