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Freda’s POV
Though the fight was over, my mind continued to be in turmoil. With every stride I felt my body returning to the castle. This was not what I planned for, I was meant to be in my pack by now. I didn’t notice, but Damien's muscular arm was leaving my body and now dropping me on the bed. The head was aching, the screams, and the frigid, dead bodies strewn across the ground dominated my thoughts. I don’t know what was happening to my thoughts right now but I definitely didn’t feel normal.

"Freda," Damien's voice was gentle yet wary. "I—I regret you had to go through all that and have a vampire venom in your blood. I never wanted you dragged into this world."
Looking up at him, I saw a different face, my eyes were definitely seeing things. "You did what you had to," I said in a hollow-sounding voice even to my own ears. “But that doesn’t solve anything”
Damien sighed and ran his dark hair between his hands, remorse clouding his gaze. He mumbled, "I know." "I wish there was a way I could easily let everyone accept you but that will be difficult."

Though I had an objection to what he said, his remarks ought to have calmed me down. Rather, they helped to widen the gulf between us. Not sure what to say, I nodded faintly. How could I tell him that although I appreciated his protection, the violence I saw tonight had changed something inside me? Damien could do anything to make me the queen and I didn't like that.

"Rest now," Damien whispered gently, stooping to kiss my forehead. Though I felt cold, terribly cold, his lips had a warm touch as he pecked my forehead. "I will be close by when you need me."

I watched him go; the door closed silently behind him, then I was by myself. One tear slid down my cheek, then another until they were running freely.

"Freda?" A familiar voice cut through my mental fog. I looked up to find Christie worriedly waiting in the doorway. "I listened to what transpired. Are you... ok?"
I shook my head, words stopped in my throat. Christie hurried over to sit on the bed next to me and without words drew me into an embrace. Since the fight , this was the first true consolation I had felt; I let myself sink into it and started to weep into her shoulder.

"It's okay, Freda," Christie said, holding me and softly brushing my hair. Let it flow. I am here to be with you.

We sat like that for what seemed like hours; her presence healed my broken spirit. The tears slowed down finally, and I withdrew, rubbing my eyes with the rear of my palm.

My voice shaking, "I don't know what to do, Christie," I said. "I feel... and so lost."

Christie nodded, understanding warmth in her eyes. "It's alright to feel that way, Freda. Tonight you went through terrible things. But you're stronger than you know, really. You will come out of this.

I said, "I'm not so sure," staring down at my hands. "I never sought any of this. Simply said, I wanted to be normal. But now... now I live in this world whether or not I enjoy it."

Christie groaned and stretched out to grab my hand. "I know what it's like to feel that way," she added softly. "To feel as though you are caught in a life you did not pick. Sometimes, though, the only way out is through living, just by living and you'll figure everything out."

Startled by the range of feeling in her words, I stared at her. "What do you mean?"

Christie's eyes clouded, as though she were remembering something from her own life. "I did not grow up in this world, either," she said, her voice firm. "Like you once, I was a regular girl going through a regular existence. Then, though, something happened that fundamentally altered everything."
"What happened?" I enquired, intrigued by this.

Christie stammered for a bit then sighed. "My family… Some vampires rouge attacked them. In fact , they attacked my town. The only person that made it was me. I lost so much and was quite furious. Where to go or what to do eluded me. Then Damien located me. He brought me here, saved me, and assigned me fresh meaning. I am so devoted to him and will always be faithful to you."

Her comments felt to me like a stomach punch. About Christie, I had never known this; I never realized that beyond her composed façade was a past full of suffering.

Whispering "I'm so sorry," I squeezed her hand.

Christie shook her head, and I started to smile sadly. Don't be. Long ago is what it was. It did, however, impart a crucial lesson: you cannot flee from who you are. Moreover, you cannot flee the planet you have been dragged into. You have to face it, battle through it, and settle into it.

Her words spoke to something deep within me. She was right. Ever since I first came upon the supernatural realm, I had been attempting to flee; yet, it was abundantly evident now that there was no turning back. I belonged to this planet and it belonged to me.

"Christie," I murmured gently, meeting her eye, "thank you." For everything and being here with me."

She grinned, a real kind smile appeared on her face, for the first time I saw her smile. "You are not obliged to thank me, Freda. We are here with each other.

I nodded, a weird peace falling over me. I had to take charge of my life if I were to live here. I couldn't keep playing the pawn in everyone else's games. I started with Damien and had to define my own terms.

"I've made up my mind," I said.

Christie slanted her head, a questioning glance in her eyes. " about what?"

" About my future," I said. "My terms will define whether or not I stay here. And thus I should be speaking with Damien to get him to grasp my needs and wants. Christie, I cannot keep living in terror. I have to assert control."

Christie nodded in agreement and her smile became wider. "That is the Lady Freda I am familiar with. Strong, wilful, and ready to battle for what she is due."

I grinned back, motivation rising inside me. Sure, I would go up to Damien. I would help him see that although I might live on this planet, I would never allow it to rule me.

But a sudden knock across the room startled both of us just as I was getting ready to stand.

" Who could that be?" Heart skipping a beat, I asked.

Christie wrinkled, got to her feet. "I'm not sure." Stay here; "I'll check it."

She went to open the door warmly. I watched as she spoke a few words to whoever was on the other side, her demeanor becoming more austere every second.

Her face was pale, her eyes wide with amazement, when she turned back to me at last.

She murmured softly, Lady Freda," her voice shaking. You have to arrive right now. Someone here says they know the truth about your past and wants to speak with you.