I was nine again and wondering around the woods. It was twilight and the wildflowers were singing the oak trees a lullaby. I decided to dance in the open field of grass. The song was so pretty. I saw many little lights jumping from limb to limb. I heard little giggles coming from behind the tree trunks. I wanted to see the fey. Grans always told me that when a little girl was good and dance to their music, you would get to see them. I danced as best I could. Then I decided to sing along. It was as if the words were in my head and wanted to get out. When the lullaby stopped, I stopped to. I bowed gracefully to the claps that I heard. Then I said in a loud clear voice, that their song was beautiful and thank you for letting me join. I kneeled down into the wild lilies around me and started to smell them. The fragrance was electrifying.
Then darkness fell across the field. I looked up and saw that clouds had covered up the last of the sun. I looked around in hope of seeing the fey. They disappeared and all the animals went quiet. I didn't like what I was feeling. Then I heard a faintest whisper from the flowers around me. "Run! You must run!" repeatedly. I got to my feet and started to run back to the camp. Before I could take two steps, something sharp grabbed me from behind. I wanted to scream but couldn't. I felt blood rolling down my chest. I took a deep breath and gagged. I was choking on my blood. I tried to push whoever it was away from me. The thing grabbed my hands. I heard the words, "Wake up Ana! Wake up Ana!" Why would a creature say that when it clearly wants to kill me?
I felt a cold cloth brush across my forehead. I tried to keep my eyes open but couldn't. They were getting blurry. I was dying. I couldn't breath. I could still hear, "Ana, please wake up! Wake up, Sweetheart!" This time I wasn't going to die. I was going to keep my eyes open. I forced myself as hard as I could. My eyes popped open. I was back in the apartment. I was on my back in the floor. Everyone was grouped around me. I gasped for air as if it was my first breath. I think I started to hyperventilate. Armand sat me up fast and put my head between my legs. My breathing slowed after a few quick breaths. I was little light headed from all the breathing. A glass of water was given to me. I took slow sips as requested. I gave the glass back to Abby, drained of its contents.
"You were having a nightmare. Are you all right?" I touched my throat and then looked at my hands. No blood, I'm all right. I turned both my hands over, I was shaking like a leaf, I could see the backs of them and no claws were on top of them. To be honest I had this dream many times over, during the first four years after my attack. They were all the same except tonight's. Tonight was the first night I remembered seeing my attackers hands. They were claw shaped with brown fur and black spots. This was the first time in my life I wondered if my attacker was someone else and not Adam. The shake with the soft words of Armand startled me from my thoughts; "Ana you’re scaring me, are you all right?"
I looked into his eyes, "Hold me?" I asked. His arms went around and held me tight. Doctor Peters was still there. He was upset at Armand for letting me fall asleep to soon. He knew something like this was gong to happen. He looked into my eyes. It dawned on me that I was able to see clearly up close. Things far away were a little hazy still. The doctor flashed his nifty pen light into my eyes. I blinked when the light hit them. "Tell me what you can see, Ana?"
I looked at him. He has short brown curly hair. He has freckles all over his face and beady yellow-green eyes. "I see that you haven’t been wearing your sun screen. You got sun freckles." That comment made him smile. "That's good, what else do you see?"
I looked around the room the sectional was still fuzzy and so was half the people in the room. "Everything else seems fuzzy. I can make out color and some shapes but other than that just fuzziness."
That got me a "I am on the right track" star. I was free to go to sleep whenever I felt like it. I didn't feel like it right now. I wanted Armand to keep a hold of me. I wanted to make sure no more bad guys show up, before I went to sleep.
Dr. Peters gave in on the meeting with Logan. Another person had shown up while I was in dreamland. It was the Ulfric of the wolf pack. He was tall from what I could tell. His hair fell to his hips and the voice was sexy. Not sexy deep like Armand's voice but sexy soft. It's the type of voice that makes you want to smile while he talks. I didn't though. Don't want to make anyone think I am easy. Armand called him over and introduced us, "Michael, now that she is awake, I need you to come over so Ana can see you." He glided over. I have never seen anyone besides a vampire glide before. This is what he did. He knelt down in front of me and his eyes were a dark blue. He had a nicely built body and a smile that could knock you off your feet. "Hi there. So you are the Master's animal?"
"Yes, I am." That was all I could get out. I was feeling like one of those women in the romance novels. Surrounded by beautiful men can definitely get your blood pumping. Jason and Abby sat closer to the three of us. Then Jason had to ruin it for me, "Armand, looks like you have a little competition. She gives off sexual vibes like crazy." I felt my body go warm. I had to have turned beet red from that comment. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I gathered all the emotions leaking from me. I built a wall around myself. I'm thankful that I was feeling a little better. I couldn't do this an hour ago.
Michael's smile went down a notch; "You're powerful to be able to close off like that. I can't even tell you are what you are."
"Thank you, I think?"
"How did you learn to do that?"
"No one wants their child in a class with someone else that's been infected. I was out of school my entire fourth grade year. My mother used the excuse of reconstructive surgery. My grandmother's father schooled me and taught me how to control my powers."
"How old are you?" Michael asked. I could see the gears working in his head. Figuring out how long I have been what I am.
Before I could answer the question, Abby jumped in. "She will be twenty-one tomorrow. I'm taking her out clubbing tomorrow night. Want to come?"
I could feel Armand's arms tense around my body. He really likes me. Should I make him beg forgiveness or should I tell Michael that Armand was going. Decisions to make. I sat a little straighter, within his arms. I cut Michael off before he could answer. "I think Armand was planning on going with us, Abby. Maybe Michael can come another time." That avoided anymore problems tonight.
At least I thought it did. Darcy walked into my eyesight. She looked to be about 5'6" tall. Her hair was shoulder length and a mousy brown. She had hazel eyes and a curvy body. She wasn't beautiful but she wasn't plain either. She was a little in between. The look she was giving me told me I was going to have to watch myself around her.
"Michael you could go with me tomorrow night. I don't like being a fifth wheel."
I looked over at Abby to see if it was all right. I wasn't sure she was invited. Abby just smiled. Jason on the other hand wasn't very amused. That right there told me, that Darcy was higher in the pard than they were. Well, now that I have been outed as a leopard. I guess I could start defending myself, should she start anything with me. Michael turned and looked at Darcy. From what I could see he wasn't very amused either. "I would take you Darcy but I have a feeling that Gabriella would have a problem with that." He turned back to look at Abby and she had a grin from ear to ear.
"Well, Darcy, looks like your going to be dateless. I won't mind if you decide not to come." Abby looked like she was enjoying herself too much.
"Don't worry I'll have a date tomorrow night. So when are we leaving?"
Abby was about to answer when Armand stood up from where we were sitting. Damn! He has graceful moments. I had a little ride and no nausea.
"We will be leaving tomorrow when Dr. Peters clears her from bed rest. Am I correct, Doctor?" Dr. Peters looked up from his conversation with Professor Grant. "Yes, I think you are right on that Armand. Ana cannot leave her bed until I give her a clean bill of health. Sorry."
That made me smile a little. I looked over to the fuzzy shadow of Professor Grant. "Then I will be happy to inform you that I will be missing the second half of my mid-term tomorrow morning." Giving sarcasm is my best around friendly people. All though it was shattered when he responded with, "Well, I guess I will have to come over tomorrow at lunch and let you take it here." My smile vanished and my head fell on Armand's shoulder. Michael had the nerve to laugh at this situation.
"It seems that are little one here doesn't like that idea." Michael's remark was innocent but I knew Armand didn't like it at all. He started for my bedroom, "I think Ana has had a long night. Is there anything else you need from her, Grant?"
"One thing, Ana how are we to contact Logan with a place and time?"
"Just tell me. I have contact with him twenty-four hours a day."
"Then let him know that we would like to meet with him the day after tomorrow; an hour after sunset at Hart Park. We'll be waiting at the old water slide."
I relaxed in Armand's arms when I felt Logan's response. He was very relieved that they would meet him. "No problem, we will be there one hour after sunset."
"I don't think you were invited, Ana. The Master wanted to meet with the leaders."
I looked into Armand's eyes. I have a feeling that he and I would be fighting a lot in our future. I had better keep my feet firmly on the ground around him. "I am his animal," I touched his forehead and moved some of his hair behind his ear. "I need to be with him whenever he has anything important going on." I could feel everyone watching us. I was so not going to give a performance. I whispered, "Please, can we finish talking in my room?"
He walked into the room and before he closed the door, I heard Jason yell, "You go girl!"
Index