CHAPTER 15

**AMY**

With my heart racing, I descend the stairs alongside Aaron, curious about what he wishes to show me. I've never been in this corridor before, and a sense of mystery envelops me as we move forward. Each step seems to echo in the corridor's silence, amplifying the anxiety building up inside me.
"What is this place?", I ask, my voice barely containing the excitement and curiosity I feel.
Aaron looks at me, his gaze serious and determined.
"I built this when I realized that at some point I would have to fight other vampires.", he replies, his voice laden with meaning.
He flicks a switch, and the room is flooded with bright light. My eyes widen as I realize where I am.
It's an arsenal of weapons, a veritable storehouse of war instruments. Weapons of all kinds adorn the walls, each one representing a deadly threat to be faced.
I gasped in surprise at the impressive sight before me. Bows and arrows, swords and daggers, bullets made of silver—the only material capable of inflicting irreparable harm to a vampire.
The variety of weapons shocks me, as it's the first time I've seen myself facing something so powerful and dangerous.
While I meticulously examine the neatly arranged weapons, I feel the weight of Aaron's gaze upon me.
He remains silent, watching my reaction with a mix of concern and expectation. It's as if he's waiting for my approval, or perhaps my acceptance of this dark aspect of his existence.
I turn to face him, finding his intense eyes fixed on me. For a moment, it's just the two of us, lost in a sea of weapons and secrets.
There's so much he hasn't told me yet—so much that still needs to be revealed about his world and who he really is.
Then, on impulse, I make a decision. I walk up to him, placing my hand on his arm.
"You're determined to protect me, even if it means putting your own life in danger...", I whisper, looking at him.
He stares at me for a moment, a glimpse of gratitude passing through his eyes before being replaced by an unreadable expression.
"I made a vow to your mother, Amy. I swore that I would protect you, no matter what happened. You will always have my protection."
I blink back tears, feeling like they will dominate me when I feel his hand touch mine. I feel the temperature contrast of our skin at this moment.
"Where have you been all these years?", I ask, and he raises his hand to touch my face.
"I'm sorry I took too long, but those people who should have loved and cared for you will never hurt you again, Amy."
I nod my head, being able to understand this perfectly at this moment.
As I look at the weapons arranged around me, one in particular catches my attention.
I pointed to it, and my curiosity awakened.
"What does this weapon do?", I ask Aaron, my voice containing a mixture of fascination and apprehension.
He looks at the weapon in question and then at me, his expression serious.
"This is a powerful weapon. It's capable of killing multiple vampires at once.", he explains, his voice laden with gravity.
My eyes widen at the revelation. The idea of a weapon capable of inflicting such devastation is both terrifying and fascinating.
I can't help but wonder about the stories these weapons could tell, and about the dangers they pose in the wrong hands.
I continue examining the weapons, drawn to a sharp dagger resting on a nearby shelf. I pick it up carefully, feeling the weight of the deadly weapon in my hands. It's a strange feeling to hold something that has the potential to take a life.
Aaron approaches me, his gaze serious as he speaks.
"We need to be more prepared than ever. Hearing the vampire's leader's voice means he's looking for you. We need to be ready to fight.", he says, his voice filled with determination.
I swallow hard at the seriousness of his words. The idea of being on the radar of the vampire leader is frightening, but at the same time, it fills me with fierce determination. I won't allow him to find me.
"But I don't know how to use a weapon. I almost died when that vampire attacked me.", I admit that a sense of vulnerability was creeping into my voice.
Aaron placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, his touch firm.
"I can teach you. I can teach you how to defend yourself against vampires. You won't be alone.", he says, his gaze conveying confidence.
An involuntary smile spreads across my lips as I nod quickly.
I trust Aaron. I trust his ability to protect me and to teach me how to protect myself.
I examine the different weapons laid out before me, my eyes scanning each one in search of the right choice. Finally, my gaze settles on a shiny dagger, its thin tip gleaming in the light. I pick it up carefully, feeling the reassuring weight of the weapon in my hands.
Showing the dagger to Aaron, my heart races as I await his approval.
He smiles, his expression conveying approval.
"You made a good choice. It's a simple but effective weapon, perfect for starting your training.", he praises, his eyes shining with pride.
Aaron then grabs a sharp sword and skillfully positions it behind his back.
He quickly gathers other weapons and puts them in a bag. Watching him, I arch an eyebrow, a mix of curiosity and concern crossing my thoughts.
"What are you doing?", I ask, seeking to understand the purpose of his preparation.
He looks at me, his expression serious.
"We need to visit a witch who lives in the center of town.", he explains, his voice filled with determination.
"She can help us find answers and maybe even a way to protect ourselves against the vampires. But we need to be prepared for anything that might happen."
I nod, taking his words seriously.
I look at the dagger in my hands thinking about the first time I will use it against a vampire, while Aaron is busy choosing the weapons I think about my life.
I touch the sharp blade of the dagger realizing that this is my life now, I am married to a vampire, a vampire who has the mission to protect me against everything no matter what happens.
"Should we be so exposed in the town center? Isn't that dangerous?", I ask, looking at Aaron, and he nods.
"Yes, revealing our identity to humans can worsen our situation, but I know how to be discreet, Amy.", he says, and I nod my head, being able to understand that.