A/N: I changed the type of POV for this chapter, and I don't know if it works better than third-person point of view or not. Reviews with comments are greatly appreciated, and if you want me to change it back to he/she, I will certainly do so if I get enough reviews that say 3rd person is better. Responses to reviews are at the bottom, near that 'pretty little blue button' that I still encourage you to push. --
Disclaimer: I do not own any of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes' characters, nor do I own her vampiric world. All characters that have not been mentioned in her books are mine, and if you wish to use them, please ask for my permission, and I'm pretty sure that I'll gladly give it. Hey, if you like them that much, it must mean that they're good, and that makes me happy! --
Upstate New York
"She's so… little. How are you going to sell such a little girl?" This voice is unlike any voice that I've ever heard before. There is no human emotion in it... just…. I cannot describe it. I'm waking from a dream it feels like… and there is something about the dream that I need to remember. I must remember.
"You are awake?" This is a different voice, male, like the other, but younger… more child-like, and yet not so. I discover that I am lying in a warm bed, underneath a pile of soft sheets, as a weight sits next to me on the mattress. A warm hand brushes away strands of hair that cover my neck.
The first voice speaks again. "She is pretty though. You might get a good price on her… look at that neck. Hell… I might even buy her… if I can get some cash."
"That is the difference between you and the rest of us. You are the only vampire that I know of that has a shortage of funding. Why not just quit doling out your money like a rich king and actually save it so that you can get something that you want?" I like the second voice more than I do the first. His voice, this male that is sitting next to me, as his voice is nearer than the other's, is softer, more subdued than the harsher voice that is farther away from me.
I have yet to open my eyes. They feel almost sealed shut, and I don't know why.
"And you tell me that she was in a fire? I don't see any burn scars at all… amazing… that she escaped unscathed like that."
"She did not escape."
"Oh right." The other voice takes on a sarcastic tone. "The great Kaelyn went into those flames and rescued the helpless human child." Alright, now that bugs me. I think I'm going to open my eyes and give this guy a piece of my mind.
"I am not a child," I say, punching myself mentally for whispering. Who knew that it could take such an effort to speak? I struggle to sit up amongst the pile of pillows behind me. The person that is sitting next to me wraps an arm behind my back and helps me to sit up, leaning my body against his. I shiver in the cool air outside of the bed and shift closer to his warmth.
"So she isn't a mute, pity." I don't like this other's voice. I'm fighting to open my eyes that are putting up a pretty difficult battle. I reach up with one of my hands and rub at my left eye. Ok… not a good idea. That hurt like hell. It feels as though a fire is in my eye, and damn, that really hurt. My eye is watering now, and I think that I can open it. A crack of grayish light peeks through my lashes. Since I can see something I rub my right eye, wincing at the pain, but rewarded with a twin crack of light as I try and open my eyes more.
"Gavin, I think it would be best for you to take your leave." I feel a presence leave, but I can't explain how I know that the room that I am in is empty, save for me and this person beside me. That arm is still supporting me, and, I hate to admit it, I don't think that I'd be able to sit up without it.
"I take it that your eyes hurt the most?" The voice that I like has turned to me. I nod softly, wincing as I try to open my eyes further. A warm hand brushes my cheek and passes over the lids of each of my eyes. "You managed to escape without scars from the fire… but I'm afraid your eyes were burned when you fell."
Why can I not remember any of what he speaks? Is he kidding me? The voice laughs softly.
"You are not being fooled. Your memory might be a little foggy for a while. Let it come back as it comes; don't tax yourself." He pauses, bushing my cheekbone with his thumb. Something about his touch makes me shiver slightly, but I cannot determine what is putting me off about him. He seems normal enough, but, then again, I can't even see him in the shadows in front of my eyes. "So innocent…." His voice fades to a whisper for a moment and then regains its authority. "I'm going to let you rest for two days. Your meals will be brought to you by one of mine; her name is Sonia."
"She is wise?" I ask; my voice is still as soft as the wind in a forest. He laughs again.
"She could be called that. You know the meaning of Russian names?"
"I know some meanings." Speaking is tiring me out, and I find that it's becoming harder to continue sitting up, keep my eyes open, and continue our very short conversation.
"You surprise me there, little beauty." His voice is growing quieter, and I feel dreams singing me to sleep. His arms lay me back against the pillows of the bed. "Rest… someone will be here when you wake again." My eyes drift shut, not that they had far to go, and I dream of gray rainbows and flaming phoenixes that try to bring me home.
Review Responses:
lovenotknown: Yes, you did press the lil' blue thingy (Go you!), and congrats to you, my first reviewer! This chap.'s in your honor. I'm so glad that you like my story! I hope you liked this chapter-- I was a little unsure about changing the POV, but it was a hard to do third person without displaying the blindness well enough. I went onto your profile page, and it looks like you're big into Harry Potter. Have you read the sixth book yet? OMG, it's so good! I finished within 12 hours!
Kalista Turner: Glad you like DP. Give me your opinion on the POV change next time you review!
Between2Worlds: Evan shall be explained! I haven't read the Tithe book, but I'll definitely be sure to check it out. Thanks!
jega: Thanks for the sp comment. I do pride myself in my grammatical skills, seeing as I had two years of school with the greatest English teacher in the world, a.k.a.: The Grammar Nazi, The Grammar King, and The Cat Killar. Hope you liked this chapter!
Note to Readers: I've just recently posted a new story called Winter Ice and Summer Fire on Check out my profile to get to the link. WISF is under Beyblade, but that's just 'cause I'm using a couple of her characters. It's about WWIII, and I think that if you like this story, you might like my other one.