TALON'S POINT OF VIEW-
The grip I had on the world was slipping away from me, hopefully forever. I had hurt people a lot in my time. This was the fate I deserved. Goodbye world.
I felt Damien shaking me. I wanted to say "Hey, stop it. Accept the fact that I'm gone. Let it go", but my body had completely lost itself.
"I can't live with myself if you got hurt", I heard Damien.
No, please don't say that. Don't even think that.
I felt a light kiss on my lips. I frowned internally when she backed away. I wasn't done yet. I knew it, Damien was gone. So was her heart that fluttered excitedly when she kissed me. I wanted her to come back. I wanted to hear her heart beat one last time before I would be no more.
Oh well, sometimes, last wished don't come true.
Thank you, Damien. You were able to forgive me for the monster I had been to you. I'll think of you forever. I'll miss you. I promise to watch over you from time to time. I can still protect you. Be safe.
DAMIEN'S POINT OF VIEW-
No! no! no! He can't die. He CAN'T die. He can't DIE!
I was running along with the hospital gurney on which my angel's lifeless form had been strapped. I was screaming at him. He had no right to leave me.
How could he leave me? After everything I had done for him? No, I wouldn't let him go away. Please Talon, don't leave me alone again.
I banged on the hospital surgery door, demanding that they let me see him. I had to be with him. He needed me. More than that, I needed him.
I didn't respond when I felt Stephanie and Dex wrap their arms around me to soothe me. Somebody must have called them here to pacify me.
Well, it wasn't working.
After what seemed like an eternity, the surgery room door opened. A middle aged doctor came out, looking relaxed. I leapt up to him, "Is he okay?".
"He's fine, Ms Westwood. He's stubborn and horribly irritated that he was given blood. But other than his injured ego, he's fine", the doctor smiled and showed me into the room.
My eyes darted eagerly to the bed where Talon lay, I ran my eyes over him, his dark hair fallen over his forehead, his pale skin and his mouth set into a scowl looking up at the ceiling. I sat by his bedside, waiting for him to acknowledge me.
"What do you want?", Talon asked, not looking at me.
"An apology, and a promise", I retorted.
"Sorry", he pouted at me like a five year old. I laughed. "What promise?", he asked.
"Promise me that you'll drink blood properly from now on. No pig headedness. Okay?", I told him sternly.
He shook his head, "No way, you don't get to tell me what to do", did he even realize how adorable he looked when he was pouting and acting like a baby?
I shook away that thought, "Uh, yeah. I do get to tell you. Now shut up and drink", I ordered. He simply rolled his eyes.
We just chit-chatted for a while. And then, the principal of Moon Heaven, Mr. Wren Sprite came in to tell us something.
"Hello, uh, Talon. I hope you're feeling better. I just have to inform you that you'll have to go to the Edmunds' mansion for a month to recuperate. And of course, Stephanie and Declan will be joining both of you. You'll find it an interesting experience, I suppose", he smiled at us and left.
I looked at Talon questioningly. He sighed, "Well, some acquaintance of the school's has a rehab center and it's also to learn values of life and stuff. We're going to have to go there because I tried to kill myself, blah, blah, blah", he shrugged.
"But then, I would really like to go. I haven't met my good friend, Rane Edmund for about 20 years", he smiled.
"20 YEARS? How old are you?", I asked curiously. He looked about 18. Talon grinned at my confused face.
"I am about 500 years old. But I was turned when I was 18. You'll be turned too, don't forget", he laughed, his voice like crystal bells blowing in the wind.
Talon looked like he was going to say something but he just smiled and said, "You'll see for yourself when you get there". Something about this struck him funny. He kept chucking and it got me more and more agitated. I mean, the sound made him so irresistible. Wait…what?
I shook my head to try and clear it.
"Um, so, what time do we leave?", I cleared my throat self consciously. I was feeling really awkward, which was unusual for me because Dorothy, the imposter who I was raised by, had trained me well.
Talon thought for a moment and said, "I think in about half an hour. I heard Mr. Sprite telling Mr. Gray. Uh, super vamp hearing", he shrugged.
Soon, the two of us were riding in the back of a silver hybrid, on our way to the Edmunds' mansion. I was told then Stephanie and Declan would come there in a week's time. Apparently, this place was like a bonding club and we had to go with our creators. I was annoyed that I would have to spend a month under the same roof with crazy Blondie. My over protective side towards Stephanie and Dex was showing again. And Talon thought it was hilarious.
We passed the lovely, ragged coast and went into the mountain terrain. It was beautiful ride through the greenery.
We reached the mansion in 2 hours. It was very lonely and beautifully nestled in a valley. I could just imagine being comfortable here. I mean, the house was huge like a palace. It looked inviting and I walked up to the door. But I didn't want to knock so I glanced back at Talon. He was standing with his back to me, looking at the scenery.
Then suddenly, the heavens opened up and it began to pour. I was about to step away from the mansion porch when I saw Talon's shirt was soaked through, showing off his chiseled muscles. I just stared at him, my heart pounding. Oh god, he was so … drool-worthy.
The phrase popped in my mind, but I ignored it and just couldn't look away. I finally stopped my ogling and walked up to him.
TALON'S POINT OF VIEW-
I was just enjoying the scenery when I heard it. The steady beat of Damien's heart became crazy stuttering and pounding. I knew why and I groaned. What was wrong with her? Did she not hate me for everything I had done to her?
Then I heard Rane's footsteps and wheeled around, ignoring Damien who was standing beside me.
"Hey Rane!" I bashed my shoulder blade into his chest, throwing him into the house again. We wrestled and I felt like a child again. It was just so much fun being with Rane. He was really funny, perky, carefree and just bright.
I glanced away from Rane and looked up at Damien, whose heart had clamed down considerably.
"Damien, this is Rane Edmund. Rane, this is Damien Westwood", I said formally as Damien extended her hand and Rane ignored it, pulling her into a bear hug.
I laughed softly, noting Damien's shocked expression. Then I suddenly remembered Rane's special talent. He could read minds.
I gently put up a mental wall to block him. But I didn't tell Damien. I thought I would ask him to tell me what she was thinking, later.
Evil of me.
Rane gave me a funny look, probably noticing the wall. He couldn't break it easily, only when I let my guard down. And after a few days Rane could actually telepathically communicate with a person. But my thoughts kept wandering to Damien. How her heart began to hammer why she saw me like that. It was getting on my nerves. Maybe it was just my vampire body she found appealing, I told myself. I mean, I was really good looking to humans. But I really wanted her to forget about what had happened between us in the past and just focus on being friends. But did I really want to be just friends with her? JUST friends?
I didn't know. But I forced myself not to think about it and I sat down on the couch and stretched, relaxing.
Finally, I thought, sighing. This was what I really had come here to do. Relax.
DAMIEN'S POINT OF VIEW-
I was speaking to Rane, just small talk. And I saw Talon laying out on the couch and closing his eyes. He was so sleek and streamlined when he just stretched out, like a panther in the sun.
I just looked at him, unable to stop my heart from accelerating. This guy saved your life TWICE, I reminded myself. And well, I liked him. Liked or…loved?
I reluctantly tore my eyes away from Talon and looked back at Rane. Rane was looking at me with an amused expression. We spoke for a while about my family and about Talon's 'incident'.
Then he got up to poke the fire in the huge ornate fireplace. Suddenly, the way I kissed Talon when he passed out and the way we kissed in the library flashed in my mind, sharper than anything. I just dwelled in the moment of the library.
Rane suddenly coughed like he was being choked or suffocated. But the corners of his lips were pulled up. I narrowed my eyes at him, thinking he was hearing my heartbeat.
Rane shook his head, "I really didn't need to see that". I just stared at him, not getting what he wanted to say. He grinned.
"You really like him, don't you?", he asked.
I shrugged, "He's a good friend".
"That's not exactly what I was getting at", Rane smiled and told me that he read minds. Then embarrassment surged through me. Had he really seen all that?
"Yeah, I did. Sorry", he laughed. I groaned.
"Uh, it's okay. I won't tell him anything. I know the…..situation between you two is weird. But I promise to help you out if you tell me the whole story", h snickered, enjoying himself.
I sharply glanced at Talon's sleeping form. But Rane assured me he was deeply asleep and Rane could even see his dreams. But I still shook my head.
"Later", he mumbled.
I sighed; I couldn't wait for Stephanie and Dex to come.
