Chapter 32

I wake slowly, my eyes burning against the bright light above me, my mind unable to comprehend where its coming from. maybe I'm dead and it is the light of god that has come to collect me. I almost laugh at myself, almost. I would not be going to heaven when i die, especially since i have fallen for a Nati.
Our love is forbidden, and both of us could be killed for it, or worse, i would watch him die and spend the rest of my days wondering if i could have saved him from the very people i used to love. My family.
Sean made it perfectly clear that i was a traitor, and i would now and forever be dead to them. He'd tell father, and i can only imagine the rage that he would feel.
In a way, i am a traitor, i betrayed their laws and i hated their way of life. I decided long ago that i would never be one of them, and if Mihai hadn’t have come for me, I'd probably have been killed for my failings.
I always knew that hunters who fail are punished, some more severely than others, but i never expected death. It never occurred to me that they’d kill their own people.
The hunter council is pure evil, they speak about how the Nati would destroy the world, but it is them who hunt and kill children. It is them who torture and slay pregnant women. It doesn't matter that they are Nati, they are still people, they are just different from us. And maybe that is a good thing.
Being different isn’t really that bad. Not like people make out. I'm glad to be different.
I open my eyes for the fourth time, finally being able to see against the bright light above me, a long strip of light that spans half the warehouse i am currently in.
I am laid on an old, faded, red sofa, a small blanket draped over me. But i do not see Mihai anywhere.
The warehouse is empty all except for three large black SUV’s, a few crates and a large table covered with screens that show the entire building through small cameras.
I push the blanket away from me and stand, I'm a little bit weak, but it's nothing that i can’t handle. I already knew that i would feel this way when i let Mihai drink from me, and i still let him.
I guess i wanted him to know that I'd always be there for him, just as he is for me.
I walk over to the computer, glancing at the footage, and i spot Mihai in a room that appears to be a kitchen, and he’s making what looks to be coffee and toast.
I wonder if that is for me.
I smile to myself, and go back to the sofa, pulling the blanket back up to my shoulders, I'd much rather he comes to me than trying to find him on my own. I don’t know this place, and i don’t want to get lost.
I'm not waiting for long before Mihai appears, using his speed to rush to my side, “Your breakfast.” He winks.
I smile up at him, taking the coffee and gulping some of it down. “Thank you.” I say, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.
Mihai sits down next to me, placing the toast on my lap. “How did you sleep, my little hunter?” he asks, his eyes lingering on my neck.
“Fine.” I say, “I slept fine.” i look around again, “But where are we? I thought we were moving to somewhere else?”
I’d hate it if we have to stay here, there is no privacy.
“Are we alone?” i ask before he can answer, the thousands of questions turning around in my head making me dizzy.
“It’s ok, Mae, calm down.” He says slowly, “We were being followed so we had to make a detour, we are not alone, there are my most trusted men with us to keep you safe.”
“What about you?” i ask, “Who will keep you safe?”
“I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself.” He chuckles, shaking his head, “You don’t need to worry about me.”
I take another long gulp of my coffee, feeling embarrassed, of course he can take care of himself, he is hundreds of years old.
I rub the side of my neck, “How long do we have to wait here?”
“A day, maybe less.” Mihai says, tracing the movement of my hand with his eyes.
The way he is staring at me is beginning to make me nervous, is he hungry?
I wonder if he managed to have blood before we left, if not, it would weaken him.
If the hunters come whilst he weakened, he won’t stand a chance of getting out of here alive, none of us will.
“I need a weapon.” I say, breaking the silence.
Mihai raises a single eyebrow, “And why would you need a weapon?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” i ask, frowning. “I need a weapon so that i can protect myself, the council won’t just kill you and leave me alive. They are coming for the both of us.” my chest tightens, “I need to be able to protect myself, i won’t go down without a fight, it isn’t who i am.”
He smiles at me, stroking a hand down my cheek, “You are one of the bravest people i know, and i am certain you will not die like a coward.” He pauses, pulling a blond blade from his boot. “Take my knife, and keep it with you at all times, you never know when an attack may come.”
I look down at the simple joggers and jumper I'm wearing, i have nowhere to conceal a blade. I need some heavy boots, or a belt.
I look into his eyes, “Did you dress me after the bath?”
He nods, “I thought it would be best to let you rest.”
When did he become so considerate, and when did i become soft enough to like it?
I'm losing my edge, and I'm not sure i like it.