Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 122030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
I look down at the clock again, but it still says 11:11. Then I blink, and it changes to 11:12.
I have never liked watching the numbers change like that. Even if they don’t read 11:11 when they’re doing it. It feels like a countdown, even though time runs forward, not backwards.
And that must be part of it. My new beginning is Ryet. I know it is—the numbers say so. But they’re telling something else too. They’re telling me to make a decision or it will be too late.
With this realization comes another revelation.
This choice is permanent. It’s a new direction. And when you turn towards something you are turning away from something too.
If I turn towards Ryet, who will I be leaving behind?
Zusi is who comes to mind.
But would she really abandon me if I decided to help the hunter? I mean, he’s my problem, right? They’re only hunting him because he’s hunting me. But he’s not hunting me. At least, not consciously. Because I just had sex with the man and he didn’t even know I was his prey.
So if I say it’s fine, he and I are good—the Guild should be OK with that, right?
It’s not likely.
It’s also not likely that once Ryet figures out who I am, the hunt will be over.
He will probably be conflicted the way I am now, but I doubt he will give up his mission in life because of a one-night stand.
But what about the vampire?
He came to me. It was a dream, but he came to me. He told me Ryet was sick and he asked me what I was going to do about it.
And here I am trying to decide.
No. I’m not, actually. My decision has been made because while all this internal conflict has been happening, I’ve been driving and I’m now pulling into the parking space in front of Ryet’s cottage.
I’m going to stay and I’m going to help him, and once he’s feeling better, I’m going to tell him exactly who I am and whatever happens after that… well. Then it happens.
I get out, grab my little bag of tea, and open the cottage door.
It’s not bright outside by any means. But it’s a lot brighter than it is in here because the blackout curtains that cover the only window are closed.
It’s one moment. That’s it. One moment of confused blindness as my eyes adjust.
I close the door behind me. And then, just half a moment later, my eyes adjust to the low-level light and I realize I just made a fatal mistake.
The vampire is sitting in the bed next to Ryet, back up against the headboard, flipping through soundless porn channels on the TV.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN - RYET
You exist.
I stagger out of the bar, so drunk I can’t even focus my eyes. I crash into the cinderblock wall as I cut the corner into the alley, then stumble away from it, my boots shuffling through a puddle.
They’re gone. My entire family—just gone.
And I’m still here.
Why?
That’s what I’ve been asking myself since the fire at the church burned them alive. No one else, just them.
He wants me to think it was God, but it wasn’t God. It was him. The Devil has been following me for weeks.
So when I look up, focus my eyes as best I can, and see him—in all his evil glory. Wings, and teeth, and grotesque face—I am not even afraid.
I hold my arms out wide, practically begging him to take me.
Because who cares?
They are all gone.
My life is over.
The next thing I know he’s right up next to me. Holding me, like we’re lovers about to kiss. I know time has passed. I know I’ve been talking to him. I also know I’m giving in.
And now he’s asking me a question. “Are you sure?”
I’ve been looking into his eyes and they are not the evil I was expecting. Oh, he’s ugly as fuck and doesn’t smell very good, either. But his eyes—there’s something behind them. Something hidden.
In my drunken state, I imagine it could be a soul.
“Ryet.”
“That’s not my name.” I slur the words like a drunk.
“It is now. Listen to me. I need you to be sure. I need you to make this choice of your own free will. I need you to see me. Look at me.”
His command comes out harsh and sharp and suddenly I find myself looking at him.
“No. Look at me.”
My eyes wander away from his and I take a step back because we are so close, I have to do this in order to see his whole body. He’s a demon. Something right out of Genesis or Revelation. Something… fallen.
When I look back up he’s smiling. Changing, too. There is something behind those eyes of his. Someone else. Something beautiful.
“You’re making that up, Ryet. I’m not beautiful. But you certainly are.” The demon is a man now. A tall, broad-shouldered, square-jawed, ice-blue-eyed man with dark blond hair that is a little bit slicked back and long enough to touch his shoulders and curl up a little bit. He lifts up his hand and pushes some wayward hair out of my eyes. He’s staring at me. Expectantly. Like he’s waiting for something. “I need you to answer.”