22. Maeyve

Latching onto the vampire's arm, his sour blood coated my tongue. But I didn't care. Anevae dropped to the ground as his grip loosened. He began thrashing me around, and I clenched my jaw around his arm even tighter. The bastard wouldn't take her. I wouldn't let that happen. I didn't give a fuck who he thought he was or who he thought Anevae was; she was not his. She may not be mine, but I would protect her like she was.

The sound of the greenhouse door creaking open reached my ears. Anevae was safe, a small amount of solace that allowed me to relax. The vampire took advantage of my distraction and smacked my body against a nearby tree. I felt one of my ribs crack. Releasing my jaw, I yelped in pain and slumped to the ground.

The vampire hissed, "I should kill you where you lay, but I've been given strict orders not to harm you. We'll see each other again soon enough."

As the vampire's footsteps retreated, I tried to roll onto my back, but a searing pain spread through my side. Letting out another, quieter yelp, I gave up, coming to rest on my unaffected side, and cursed to myself.

Sucking in deep breaths, I tried to relax, and the bone began to heal. I didn't hear Anevae come up behind me. What the fuck is she doing out here? I don't even know if the vampire went back to Caellaias. He could still be around, waiting to take her when I'm not capable of protecting her. Fuck.

Then, she knelt behind me and touched my side. I let out another yelp, and she jerked her hand away. I wished I could tell her I was okay and that she needed to get back into the house before the vampire came back. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened to her.

After a few minutes, she stood back up, and the grass rustling beneath her feet grew further away. When I heard the greenhouse door slam shut, I breathed a sigh of relief. I was thankful she went inside. Once I was healed enough, I'd find my clothes and make sure she was okay. If I moved too much during the healing process, it would stall, or the bone wouldn't heal properly. She's safe. She's inside. The vampire is gone. Those were the words I chanted in my head until I could finally move.

As the pain eased, I sprung to my feet with a wince and rushed toward my clothes, waiting to shift until I reached them. When I began shifting, the pain and healing in my rib made things ten times harder. I had to stop several times, so I didn't pass out.

After getting dressed, I limped to the cabin's front door. Standing on the porch, I listened for Anevae; she was crying, likely scared for her life.

Raising my hand, I pounded on the door.