Chapter 37 - The Dark Celebration

It was a mostly silent journey back to the house. There was nothing that could be said in front of Bullet. I only learned that Maria had not heard any news about the silver just before I got into the car. It was impossible for me to think of Damon and the potion while staring at the blue houses and trees. I felt like I was in grief after seeing my father; my heart and mind were sad.

In addition to sadness at his current condition, I felt relieved that he was still alive and well. He was a single man without a family, working long hours at this job in order to make ends meet. He almost caught me, and I cursed myself once again. Despite being warned not to, I went ahead with the foolish notion.

Maria was right—I needed to be very careful. Finally, Maria and I were able to have a conversation when Bullet dropped us at home and we were alone in the foyer. 

"I went to see the woman who gave Evan the recipe; I figured if anyone knows where to find silver, it would be her."

"And? What did she say?"

“She doesn't know where to find it. The hybrids had long since destroyed all of the silver's hiding places." 

"What do we do now?" 

"Although the silver doesn't need to be added until day five, she stated that the potion must stew for eight days before it is ready. Although we have only five days to locate silver, I want to begin the potion nevertheless." 

"How is it possible? Where would we even begin to look?" 

Maria sighed. "I don't know but it's better to start than to do nothing." Loud footsteps accompanied an angry-looking Damon, now decked out in a navy suit.

He barked, "Where the hell did you go?" Maria gave him a nod and ran away.
All by myself, I had to put up with his rage.

"I went to Akbur Hills with Maria." 

"And you didn't ask me first?"

"Obviously not; you would have known." 

"Funny girl, you pull something like that again; you'll be in the cellar for days," I said nothing since I was certain I did not want to return to jail. Of course, I was wrong to believe that our intimate moments from the previous evening would change anything about the way Damon treats me. 

"You didn't bleed last night." He said something that shocked me.
"What?" Scars on my stomach and neck attested to the fact that I had undoubtedly bled.

He abruptly changed the topic and said, "There will be a celebration tomorrow night at eight." When Bullet comes to get you, get clothed and prepared."

"What kind of celebration?" 

“Approximately five hundred vampires in eastern Canada were forced to escape to nearby towns when we cut off their blood supply. Hoards of hybrids were waiting for them, and they promptly killed everyone." 

"Hmm, I see," I murmured, "and by killed off blood supply you mean murdered humans." 

He exhaled deeply as he leaned into my face and said, "Yes." 

"I'm really not in the mood to celebrate."

"I have a meeting; wear black."

"Did you not hear me?" With his sunglasses pulled over his face, Damon had already left the house. 

Even after I ascended the stairs and entered the bedroom, there was a sort of disappointment that persisted for some time thereafter. I thought he would be nicer to me, but why? I had to remind myself once again of what kind of man this was.

After a few moments, I realized the meaning of his previous remark. That meant I was not a virgin because I did not bleed. How and when I'd lost my virginity was a complete memory. 

The event that would practically commemorate the murder of hundreds of defenseless people occurred to me when I considered tomorrow's celebration. Akbar Hills could have been that. The five days were running out, and we still needed to find the silver. 
Suddenly, Evan was on my mind. My chest started to hurt a little. My neck bruising was starting to heal, so I would have to stay away from him until Damon backed off once more. Approaching my window, which overlooked the backyard, I looked out. Even if I couldn't communicate with Evan right now, at least I can see him, so that's what I was hoping to see.

Unfortunately, Evan had vanished from sight. My dissatisfaction was evident as I decided it was time for a nap. After some time, Tessa burst in, and I finally woke up. As soon as she arrived, she said, "There's a phone call for you from Tiffany." 

"Jesus Christ, can you knock?"

“It is urgent,"  she stated. "After Tessa exited the room, I got out of bed and walked down the stairs while wearing a furrowed brow. Saying "Hello Tiffany," I hurried to take hold of the phone. 

"Ava," she gasped, "any news?"

"That's the thing, Tiffany." 

"When is it happening?"

"Tiffany, it's not." 

"What?" Her breath came in fast spurts. "Why the hell not?"

"Are you alright?"

“I am not okay, I assure you! You said we were going to do this!”

"I know, but the earring you gave me is not enough."

"No," she let out in a voice that sounded like agony, "please don't say that." 

"We are trying to get more; we have five days to find some but we have no idea where to even look." Tiffany seemed to be holding back her tears. Maria and I combined didn't sound as agitated as she did. 

"Tiffany, what happened?"

"My sister, she was in the village in New Brunswick." A sinking realization filled my chest. My want to hold her suddenly surfaced. 

"The village they just killed?" 

“Yes. She was a mother of two." 

"Tiffany, I'm so sorry."

"The rest of my family, they're in prison in Nova Scotia; Luke says they might be next; we don't have any more time; we have to get this done as soon as possible!" 

That my father was the only relative I had and that he was present rather than many hours away made me feel better. "I know," I said.


“And tomorrow is supposed to be the day I commemorate my family's murder. How sick is that?” Blinking away the tears, I said nothing. 

I briefly contemplated getting that silver by going to The Stationary on my own. "Tiffany, find out where The Stationary gets their supplies."

"Why?" 

“Well, they have to obtain the silver for the fences somewhere. I'll work on Damon; you try Luke, but be very careful.”

"Okay, I gotta go now; he just walked in."
Clank.