...
Serena could tell her driver was getting nervous about driving in the weather. He kept apologizing for the car skidding slightly.
Serena smiled at him through the rearview mirror and took a sip of her drink. "It's okay. I know it's terrible to drive when it rains She looked outside and frowned, it was hardly snowing at all.
Serena remembered looking down at her phone and then hearing a huge crash. She didn't know how long she was out but she woke up to her body in so much pain she thought she was going to pass out. Her seatbelt prevented her from falling but the car was upside down. She looked out the window to the trees that were visible in the moonlight. "Dave!" She called out to her driver but heard no response. She clicked her seatbelt off and slammed against the roof of the floor. She let out a painful yelp and started crawling out through the window.
Serena crawled to the front of the car and found Dave still in the drivers seat. "Dave, please wake up!" She felt tears sting her eyes when she couldn't feel his pulse. She looked around; they'd driven off a bank and must have flipped over. Where was the other car? She tried to see the road or listen for sirens but her eyelids were getting heavy. She used the car to push herself to stand and then noticed pieces of glass sticking out from her side and her stomach. There was so much blood everywhere. She grabbed Dave from his arm and tried to pull him out of the car but she was too weak.
The feeling of death crept over her and she was too overwhelmed by pain and grief to stand. She let herself fall to her knees. She touched her stomach gently and realized she could hardly feel any pain there, she held her hands out in front of her face, and they were bloody and trembling.
She fell backwards and stared at the full moon above her. She felt the grass in the back of her neck and her eyelids got heavy. Strong arms grabbed her shoulder and dragged her slightly. Someone had pulled her so her head lay on their lap.
Her eyes locked on blue eyes staring back at her. She blinked to focus on his face. She opened her mouth to tell him to call her mom but she was too tired. She let her eyes close and fell into a deep sleep.
…
"You brought her here!? Are you insane? You could get in so much trouble for this!" Blair paced up and down the infirmary.
Nate nodded. "I know. I don't care."
Another voice spoke. "She's awake."
Serena heard voices but didn't recognize them. She opened up her eyes and saw a woman with kind eyes smiling at her. She suddenly remembered her horrible accident and that she was dying. She sat up with a loud gasp and started hyperventilating. The woman tried to calm her down. "You're okay, darling. You're alright."
Serena gave her a confused look. She gently touched her side where all her injuries were but there was no pain. She looked at the woman with wide eyes. "Am I dead?"
A man with an authoritative voice answered her. "Not exactly." He looked at her and immediately understood his grandson's decision. "I'm William Van der Bilt."
Serena blinked at him. "Where am I?" She looked around the room. "Wait, Dave! He was driving my car. Is he okay?"
He shook his head at her. "He didn't make it, I'm sorry." He looked at the clothes on the nightstand. Get dressed and nurse will escort you to my office. There, I will explain everything.
Serena got up and fumbled with the knot of her hospital gown. She pulled at the string and it ripped. She looked at her hand. Since when was she so strong? She looked around the room and noticed that the colors looked different, has everything always looked this clear? She was probably just happy to be alive. She quickly got dressed and was escorted to William's office.
The nurse smiled at her. "He'll be with you soon. You can wait here." Serena nodded and watched her walk away. She wasn't close to the door but she could hear the conversation.
"What was I supposed to do? Let her die!?"
William looked at his grandfather. "Yes, Nathaniel. That is exactly what you were supposed to do. We are not supposed to intervene with the affairs of the mortals."
Nate gave him a dirty look. "Well, I couldn't do that and I won't apologize for it. I know what the consequences are."
"You will come before the council tonight."
Nate nodded. "Fine. Are we done here?"
"Just because you're my grandson doesn't mean –"
Nate cut him off. "I'm not asking for special treatment. I made my decision and I don't regret it."
William gave him a ridiculous look. "You don't even know this girl. You're risking a lot for a pretty face." He let out a sigh. "It's going to be at 8. Don't be late."
Nate walked out of the office to find Serena admiring a painting outside. She turned to him and recognized him immediately but he kept walking before she could say anything.
Serena frowned and knocked at the large wooden door. "Come in."
Serena walked in cautiously. "Who was that who just walked out? I've seen him before. I think he saved my life."
William smiled at her. "That's my grandson, Nate." He took his seat and motioned her to sit too. "We have a lot to talk about."