Chapter 118
“Stop,” Ann said to Wynn as soon as her compelling was lifted.
Wynn came to a halt.
“I can’t believe you have been taking me for a fool these past few months,” Ann said, followed by a slap.
Michael caught up with them, but Wynn was not going to give him the opportunity to speak with Ann, so he part-shifted and grabbed Ann before taking flight to the nearest next island, Ann screaming and holding on for dear life.
Out of energy from being in a part-shifted state, that was all for nothing because Michael swam using vampire speed to their location.
“I want to go home,” Ann said, crying. “No, wait. Paris?”
“He is back on the Island,” Wynn told her.
“Paris is back there?” Michael asked, not believing his ears.
“You are never to come near me or Paris ever again!” Ann demanded, remembering that she held power over Michael with a promise he made her to always obey her.
“Ah, common!” Michael said, and felt his skin starting to boil. “Fuck,” Michael exclaimed before speeding off. Not able to do anything about Ann and Paris anymore, he went back to New York.
“I can’t belief Paris of all people compelled me,” Ann cried. “Just take me home.”
“I am low on energy, but we can book a flight,” Wynn suggested.
“With what money are we going to buy flight tickets? Are there even flights from here?” Ann said doubtfully.
“Let’s grab a meal and get a room so that I can get my energy back and then we go back to the Island to get our things before going home?” Wynn suggested.
“We can just take a boat back to the Island now,” Ann said and walked over to a small dock that had a few boats. “I am sure you know how to operate a boat?”
“I don’t, but it can’t be that hard,” Wynn said and followed her.
“You are so old, yet you don’t know how to operate a boat? That is hilarious,” Ann said sarcastically.
They stopped at the first boat and Wynn was happy to find someone on the small motorboat. “Good day. Any chance you can take us over there?” Wynn asked, pointing at Koh Rong Island.
“It’s going to cost you,” the owner of the boat said.
“Thanks,” Wynn said and helped Ann onto the boat.
“Pay first,” the boat owner requested.
“Take us first,” Wynn compelled him and got onto the boat.
Arriving back at the Island Wynn sped over to his room and back again in a few seconds and paid the owner of the boat. He knew he could just compel the guy to go without payment, but didn’t feel the need to rob him.
After paying the man, Wynn walked with Ann to her room, remembering that he left an unconscious Paris and his finance behind earlier.
Arriving at Ann’s room, they took the entrance from the beach. The doors were still open.
Wynn sighed with relief when he saw that Paris and Jenna were no longer there.
“What was that sigh for?” Ann asked, walking into her room.
“Nothing,” Wynn said. “I am going to grab a few things from my room and check out.”
When Wynn returned to Ann’s room, she was gone again.
“Seriously?” Wynn thought out loud. ‘It can’t be Michael,’ he thought, since he will never be able to go near Ann again. ‘Did she go after Paris?’ Wynn wondered and followed her scent.
***
While Ann grabbed her traveling documents, she remembered something. “Paris,” she said out loud, remembering that she saw him with another woman earlier. ‘How did he dump me on this island only to fall for another?’ Ann wondered, feeling heartbroken.
Ann walked to the breakfast hall where she last saw Paris and paused at the door when she saw Paris with the woman she saw him earlier with, looking like they were having an intense conversation.
“Don’t worry yourself with those two. They must be stressed over their wedding tomorrow,” one of the servers said, walking past Ann, who she came to know very well over the past few months.
Ann took a few steps back, her back meeting another body. Ann turned around and saw that she walked into Wynn. “Let’s go.”
Wynn looked into the restaurant. ‘Did Paris choose Jenna over Ann?’ Wynn wondered and rushed after a crying Ann.
Instead of using his vampire speed to take Ann back to New York, they took a plane. It was a long and quiet flight that consisted of two connecting flights. Wynn opened his mouth a few times to talk to Ann, but could not find the right words.
Wynn took Ann straight to her parents before leaving for the higher council.
After a warm welcome, Ann realized that their home was empty. “Where are my brothers?”
“They are living with Eero and Ami. We thought it best to send them away,” her mother said.
“Save from what?” Ann questioned, sitting down in the living room, half angry at her parents for allowing Paris to compel her.
“Vampires,” Eljo, her father, started to explain.
“Vampires?” Ann snorted. “Vampires should be scared of them, not the other way around.”
“Geuss, it is time to tell her the truth,” her mother suggested.
Eljo pulled his wife, whose name was also Ann, out of earshot. “We can’t. If a vampire drinks from her, they will see that they can become day walkers by robbing her of her heart.”
“Then how do we explain to her that her brothers and she are in danger?” Ann’s mother questioned.
“Guys, what is it?” Ann called out to them.
“Follow my lead,” Eljo said and walked back into the lounge. “Vampires don’t want hunters around. Not pure or half-bloods like yourself and are seeking ways to rid the earth of all of us.”
“But Michael is the king. Is this his doing?” Ann asked furiously, thinking it was all her fault for rejecting Michael’s affections.
“Um,” her father started, not sure what route to take since he didn’t like Michael very much and would like nothing more than for him to stay away from his daughter.
“I will demand him to make all the vampires promise to stay away from hunters and their half-blood offspring,” Ann said and stood up.
“Wait,” her father stopped her. “Don’t do that,” he added.
“Why not?” Ann questioned, confused.
“It might just anger the vampires even more. Leave it to the higher council to deal with. Why don’t you go back to the island where Paris left you? When the vampires are under control, we will send for you,” her mother suggested.
“Paris is marrying someone else,” Ann said, feeling sad. “Actually, it’s been two days, so yeah, he is already married,” Ann choked back the tears.
“What?” Eljo asked, shocked, looking at his wife and then back at Ann. “What are you talking about? He loves you!”
