Chapter two
Johnos voice was distant, barely understandable but soft and gentle. I focused on his words and fighting the strong need to ignore him and drift back off to sleep I opened my eyes. Johno smiled at me although it seemed forced, strained even.
"What's up?" I looked at him, my voice thick with sleep and for a second a small smile present on my face. Then I remembered. I remembered everything the mission, the fire, my brother, the burning pain in my shoulder And all the sadness and pain was back.
'What happened? What was that?" suddenly with more urgency in my voice more determined than ever to find out what happened, what was the pain? Why was Johno at the building? Who was the boy with Johno? And what was I supposed to do now?. Questions were running through my head and suddenly I felt sick.
Johno seeing the change in mood and expression moved closer to me holding my hand.
"It's okay, calm down I'll explain everything" his voice was soft and comforting. I looked at him feeling so thankful that he was here and waited for him to explain.
"you were claimed"
It took a minute for his words the register. "Claimed? What's that? Is it bad?"
"Depends on how you look at it I guess," there was a slight tone of humour in his voice but I wasn't in the mood for vague answers.
"Johno, please tell me the truth. Now " I made my voice as soft as possible but it came out a little harsh and by the look on his face he heard it.
"its kinda hard to explain, but important vampires have perfect…" I could see him searching for the right word. "umm perfect consort I guess, someone that is just made to love them and be loved by them" he looked at me to make sure I was following.
"so basically whomever claimed me, now we are just be in love for the rest of my life?"
"yes, pretty much im sorry I don't really know much about this its kinda new to me" he looked at me with an awkward look on his face and I could tell he wasn't telling me something.
"so who claimed me? Do you know?" I asked I wanted to know who the jerk was that thought he could own me like a pair of shoes.
"its not his fault" Johno spoke carefully clearly hearing the edge of anger in my voice.
"who?" the word came out strong much stronger then I felt.
"when your claimed the mark of the vampire that claimed you appears on your shoulder, so other vampires know that you belong to that vampire" he was avoiding the question, trying to buy time while he thought of a way out of it.
All the sorrow id felt had turned to pure anger, I was angry at losing my brother, I was angry at being claimed, and I was pissed off at Johno for not telling me straight up.
" I don't belong to anyone" I couldn't stop the anger from creeping into my voice. He stared at me thinking about what to say obviously sensing my growing anger.
"who's mark do I have?" I said the words slowly making sure they sunk in.
Johno looked at me, his eyes held sadness and regret, regret that he had to be the one to tell me the bad news.
"you have the mark of the chosen one" he said it slow and avoided eye contact not wanting to see my reaction.
I couldn't speak, and suddenly I knew my whole world had changed forever. I was eternally linked to the most powerful vampire ever know. And I didn't even know his name.