Chapter 38

I don’t remember falling asleep again, but I must have, because when I open my eyes, Mihai is gone, and I’m alone in the strange looking room. I’d almost forgotten about the pain, until my eyes opened and it came back with a vengeance. Who’s fucking idea was it to bring Amanda along on the mission? Whoever it was, I’m killing them next.
I look around the room, searching for something to keep my mind occupied , but there is nothing to stop the Bordom, or the anger.
The continuous beeping of the machines I am attached to are almost certain to drive me to the brink of insanity, if Mihai doesn’t come back soon, maybe further, and I swear if someone doesn’t shut them off in the next ten seconds, I am going to smash them. They’re giving me a major headache.
The door opens while I’m glaring at the heart monitor, Garne walking in sporting a smirk, “You don’t look very happy.” He quips, following my line of sight as he laughs, “what’s that machine ever done to you?”
“All it does is fucking beep.” I growl, shaking my head, “Fetch someone to turn it off or Mihai will be buying this place another one.”
“It is there to let the doctor know that you’re alive.” He says, walking further into the room and sitting on one of the chairs beside the bed.
I pull myself up, no longer able to lay on my back, “I don’t care if it is here to wipe my ass, I want it shut off.” I snap at him, and then instantly regret it. “Sorry.” I murmur, “it’s been a while since I was this badly hurt.”
“You aren’t that bad.” He smiles, “My little sister on the other hand, she has a temper straight from the underworld.”
I smile back at him, “You have a sister?” I ask, “Does she live with you?”
Garne shakes his head, “No, she lives back in new York with our parents, I left the city when Lord Mihai did, and I’ve never been back.”
I frown, “Mihai is from New York?”
What is he doing out here in the middle of nowhere in a mansion when he could be living the high life in New York of all places?
He needs to get his priorities in order, if I ever got a chance to go there, I’d never leave.
“Not originally, but he has a home there.” Garne murmurs with a shrug, “He prefer the quiet life now, after a few hundred years you might too.”
“Your right, but I will never have to live that long.” I laugh, and then wince at the pain, “My mortal body won’t handle the strain of that long of a life.”
And I’m glad for it too, I couldn’t imagine fighting just to survive for hundreds of years, it must be tiring.
Vampires have it much harder than humans, they have to deal with the shit parts of life for a lot longer.
Garne smiles wider, “You’re right, a weakling like you would never handle it.” He teases.
I growl, “This weakling could knock your ass out.”
He scoffs, “In your dreams maybe.”
I growl again, but a second later I burst out laughing , and so does he. Who knew that the stone faced Nati could make jokes and smile. Normally he’s grumpy and silent.
Regardless of what has made him change his attitude, i was grateful, i need the distraction, no matter how small. I've always hated hospitals, not that i have ever been to a normal mortal one, hunter’s and their children can only attend sanctioned hospitals with trusted doctors employed by the council. There are no exceptions, and i was constantly ill as a child.
I used to believe that i spend more time in these places than with my family, and at one time, it was true. My body's immune system has never worked as it should and as soon as the other children got so much as a cough, i ended up attached to a monitor similar to this one.
It got better as i got older, and my body got used to catching bugs and colds, but i could never get back the days i spent confined to a hospital bed.
My father was gentler back then, it was before my mother met her end and she used to sit with me, reading me stories where the brave prince always saved the beautiful princess. She used to tell me that whilst the stories were nice and relaxing, that is all they were, fairytales made to make people happy. In real life, the princess must save herself.
“What’s on your mind?” Garne asks, leaning forward in his chair.
“I was thinking about my mother.” I say, leaning my head back against the pillow. “She used to read me stories whenever i was poorly or injured from training.”
Garne frowns, “Where is she? Is she with your father?”
I shake my head, “No, she was murdered when i was younger, she betrayed the council and they put her to death.” i sigh, “I think i am a lot like her, sometimes.”
“Didn’t your father try and stop them?” He asks, his eyes full of rage. “Mihai will never allow the council to put you to death.”
“My father told me that we all must face the consequences of our decisions.” I say, fighting back tears, “The council never allowed us to say goodbye, she was hung the same day she committed the crime.”
Garne’s eyes widen for a moment, “What was her crime?” He asks.
I turn to him, my eyes filled with emotion, “She let a family of Nati with small children go free.”
Garne growls, clenching his hands into fists, “And for that she was killed?”
I nod, “I think that is why the council want me dead, they see a lot of her in the way i am.”
“If I were your father, I’d be proud of how much like your mother you are.” He says, rolling his shoulders, “it is time the council pay for their crimes, against my kind, and against yours.”
I nod my head, silent for a moment before I say; “It is time they learn that they do not own the world, they are a part of it, but it is not their choice to be the judge and executioner of other races just because they are different.” I turn onto my side, the pain getting worse, “Do you think the doctor would give me something for the pain?” I ask.
Garne stands, “I can ask for you, don’t leave this room whilst I am gone.”
I frown, “why not?”
“Because this is a Nati hospital, and you have been claimed by Mihai, if you wonder around alone, you could be hurt. The other Nati may believe you are trying to run from your master.” He turns towards the door, stopping just before he reaches for the handle, “promise that you won’t leave this room.” He says, his voice a little colder.
“I won’t leave the room.” I say slowly, “Not for any reason.”
He nods, not once turning back to look at me as he leaves, the door quietly clicking closed.
That was strange. He was so cold one minute and smiling with me the next, perhaps he is conflicted because of who I am. I couldn’t blame him if he were. For most of my life I obeyed the council, I never killed, but I never saved the ones who were either.
Perhaps I am just as guilty as the rest of them.
I always thought that I would change my mind and fight along side my family, but I know now that way of thinking is what got me in so much trouble.
I can no longer just bury my head in the sand and hope for things to change, if I want to help the Nati, I need to take action.
I need to fight, and possibly even die, if that is what it takes.
My mother died because she showed mercy to the enemy, but maybe she did the right thing, she showed me that the Nati were people too, and I have never forgotten that.
My heart wouldn’t let me forget, nor would my mind.
It is time to make a stand, and deal with the consequences should I be caught, because that is what my mother did. She knew she’d be hung for her crimes, and she did it anyway.
She did it because she believed it was the right thing to do.
And I cannot help but agree.
She changed my mind, and after her death, many hunters quit and moved away, they decided not to fight for the council anymore and I should have done the same, but I was only a child. I couldn’t leave.
But now I can, now that I am older, I can fight, and I can show the council they are wrong.
The time for hiding is over.