Everlasting Embrace (Embrace Series) (25 page)


  

  


With a soft rap at the door, Alexander enters
,
holding a red file folder. We
color-coded
the folders
,
and red indicates vampire. This is something I
’
m very aware of already. Now to find out what
’
s inside
.

Alexander walks over to the sofa and takes a seat
.
“
H
ey
,
bro. So what do you want with Siobhan
’
s file?
”

With a quick check on the beautiful creature in my bed, I walk into the living area and sit next to Alexander.
“
I need to learn more about her
.
I can
’
t explain it
,
but there
’
s just something about her.
”

“
So you
’
re telling me you like this girl
,
and are too impatient to learn about her the old fashion
ed
way. By cutting corners and reading her school file
,
you think you can find out why you like her.
”

“
Well, yeah, kinda. I just don
’
t know what it is
I
feel for her. I
’
ve just
—
I
don
’
t know, maybe you
’
re right
,
and I should get to know her the old fashion
ed
way.
”

“
Everyone knows I
’
m a fan of the old way, but just in case
,
do you want me to leave the file?
”

With my head in my hands, I contemplate my options. I take a deep sigh and shake my head
, which
flops my black hair into my face.
“
No
,
take it; if it
’
s here
,
I
’
ll just want to read it.
”
 

“
I think that
’
s better. So how
’
s she doing anyway?
”

“
She
’
s resting peacefully. The healing took a lot out of her. I
’
ve never seen one of our kind survive from silver poisoning
,
and tonight we had three survivors. With such destruction
,
we found miracles
.
I found my miracle.
”

“
What do you mean
,
your miracle?
”
Alexander questions my slip
-
up.

“
There
’
s just something about her
.
I can
’
t describe it, but there
’
s something there.
”

“
Do you want me to talk to Mati?
”

“
No, just leave it for now. I think this is something I need to figure out for myself.
”

“
Got it bro
;
y
our secret
’
s safe with me.
”
Alexander smiles
.
“
I better go, everyone is kinda in an upheaval over Carlina
’
s passing.
”

“
Rightfully so
.
I think we
’
re gonna have some major
counseling
to do. These kids have become very close in a short time.
On
the outside
,
they all felt like freaks, but here they can be themselves and
are accepted for their differences.
”

“
I agree
100
percent. We
’
ll talk more later
. C
all if you need anything else.
”
Alexander takes the red folder as he leaves.

Taking back my seat next to Siobhan, I brush the hair out of her face
,
and smile at the feeling I get.
Why didn
’
t I realize this before?
I relax in the chair while resting my feet on the bed ne
x
t to her. I turn on the T.V. and lower the volume, flipping through the channels and stop at one of the movie stations
;
‘
30
Days
of
Night
’
is airing
. N
ow
,
this is the kind of movie to watch
after a major vamp slaughter.

Shutting all
brainpower
off while I watch the movie, I get a tingle in my leg. Looking down, I realize Siobhan
’
s hand
is
resting just above my knee. Excitedly
,
I check to see if she
’
s waking. Her eyes begin to flutter
,
and a small moan escapes from her throat.

“
Siobhan, you
’
re safe. I
’
m here
,
and I won
’
t let anything happen to you
,
”
I plead
,
unsure if she can hear me.

She begins to stir
.
“
U
uuhhhh, Cas...
”

“
Ssshhh, you
’
ll be okay. I
’
m here for you, just rest.
”

“
Thirssssttttyyy.
”

“
Okay, I
’
ll get you something
,
”
I reassure
her
as I frantically text Alexander
, but
before I can send the text, he runs in with a warm glass of blood for her.

“
I heard, here you go,
”
he says while passing the mug to me.

“
Thanks bro. I take it you left a connection open to me?
”

“
No
,
man, to her. With her being injured
and out of it, I thought it would be helpful to know what
’
s going on in her head.
”

“
Why the hell didn
’
t I think of that?
”

“
Cause it
’
s my job to think of it.
”

“
Is there anything else going on?
”

“
No
,
it was pretty much a blank slate until I heard her screaming for something to drink.
”

I lift Siobhan slightly in my arms and hold the cup to her lips. She is slow at first, but after a few sips
,
she wraps both hands around the cup and finishes it in no time.

“
Thank you,
”
she says with a rasp to her voice.

“
You
’
re welcome,
”
Alexander says
,
taking the mug and leaving.

“
Where am I?
”
s
he asks
,
looking around the unfamiliar room.

“
This is my room
.
I brought you back here to care for you while you heal. I didn
’
t think the dorm rooms would be the best place for you right now.
”

She begins to perk up
.
“
Thanks. Nice room
.
I may have to play sick a little longer.
”

“
Making jokes already
; you
’
re
a fast healer.
”
I smile and tuck the loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“
Yeah
,
I guess so, but I know
I
’
ll
feel a lot better after a shower.
”

“
I don
’
t know
. A
re you really strong enough for that?
”

“
Not sure, but I
’
ll never know if I don
’
t try.
”

“
Why don
’
t I get Connie to come help you?
”

“
What
, you
’
re
too good to help me? I
’
m not shy, are you?
”

“
No, but umm
....
Yeah
,
okay
,
whatever. The glass is frosted, so I will just sit there in case you need me.
”

“
Fair enough.
”

I help Siobhan to the washroom
. S
he
’
s still weak
,
and sore
,
and I
’
m not sure if she will be able to hold herself up in the shower
, but she
continues to insist a shower is what she needs. I sit her on the small bench in the large washroom and lean in
to
the shower to set it to a comfortable temperature. The washroom is just as grand as the rest of my room. A large
,
j
etted
,
soaker tub is in the far corner
,
with a private toilet directly across from the large
,
glass
-
enclosed
,
shower. The walls and cupboards are all the purest white
,
with the floor and backsplashes done in white tile with black accents. I
’
ve never understood the double sink as it
’
s just myself. In between the two sinks is a lowered counter with a stool
. T
his makes a good grooming area, but is better suited for a woman. A large
,
white
,
Roman
-
style bench is situated ne
x
t to the tub
,
and a tow
e
l rack
is
directly behind it on the wall.

When ready
,
I help Siobhan in
. S
he undresses in the shower
,
placing the dirty clothes over the edge.

“
Are you sure you
’
r
e
doing okay?
”
I ask with concern.

“
Little dizzy, but
…
”
A
thud against the shower wall proves my point
that this wasn
’
t a good idea.
“
I
’
m okay, just holding onto the wall for support.
”

“
One more slip like that
,
and I
’
m putting an end to this shower.
”

“
Well Caspian
,
it turns out I need your help after all. I
’
m holding myself up with one arm and can
’
t move the left arm well enough
,
because of the injury. I know it
’
s a lot to ask, but can you please just help me get washed up?
”