Epilogue

Disclaimer – I do not own SVM/TB characters or stories. No copyright infringement is intended and no profit is being made. I just want to play with the Viking!

Epilogue

“He commanded me to tell you he left, he isn’t coming back, and you aren’t to look for him.”

~~~

I would love to say that I cried myself to sleep, but that would be a lie. I wasn’t that fortunate. Did I cry? Of course. Did I sob? Yep, like a child. Though I wished for it, sleep never came. My body needed a break from the racking sobs that overtook me. Therefore, when the physical sounds and shaking ended, that’s when the incessant thoughts in my head began.

“Wish. Mistake. Fucking Bond. Regret.”

I stared at the ceiling as the words played over and over in my head. I could still see the struggle on Pam’s face as she had no other choice but to follow her Maker’s commands, yet still trying to convey something to me without actually saying anything. If the situation had been different, her expressions would have been funny. She didn’t, however, realize that she had in actuality said so much with those five words. I tried to look at things rationally in the wake of my physical exhaustion that brought on mental clarity, as if that would help.

He left. Maybe he always planned to leave right away. The filming just ended sooner rather than later.

He isn’t coming back. It was a one night stand. Sex doesn’t have to be emotional. That’s what JP says.

He doesn’t want me to look for him. Honestly, I wouldn’t want my one night stand to stalk me either.

Hours must have passed during my relentless attempts to believe my rationale, because the sun came up and the room continued to fill with light. I felt a wave of sadness that it was now ‘tomorrow’ and I would no longer be able to speak to Pam. It’s not that we were real friends or anything, but we were finally getting along and she had gone out of her way for me. I still didn’t understand why exactly. The thought that she wasn’t allowed to talk to me brought on another tantrum resulting in hot tears spilling from the corners of my eyes that dripped down to my ears while fists and feet beat on the mattress like a spoiled child who didn’t get her way. Just call me Veruca Salt! When the feeling of frustration passed, again I lay staring at nothing. Still, my mind refused to calm and sleep continued to evade me.

I finally climbed out of my bed. I had a headache from crying, but not a hangover, fortunately. I felt sticky from the previous night’s sweaty dancing, my mouth tasted gross from too much drinking, and I was mentally and physically exhausted, but apparently not enough to sleep. Instinctively, I wandered down the hall to JP’s room for comfort. When I opened the door, I saw his untouched bed and a sudden, painful stab hit my heart remembering that not only was he not here, but he would be gone for at least a week. Fuck!

With a heavy sigh, I changed course and headed to the bathroom. I would feel better once I was clean. I would put on pajamas, lie on the couch, and watch television. I had no doubt that numbing my mind would relax me enough to sleep. On autopilot, I brushed my teeth. I stripped off my clothing when I entered the closet and grabbed some pajama shorts with a tank top.

When I returned to the bathroom the first thing I saw was the bathtub and I stopped in my tracks staring at it as if it was a foreign object. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths, willing myself not to cry. Had it only been two nights ago? I stepped over to the shower and turned on the water. I felt the tears prickling at the corners of my eyes again as I watched the fog begin cover the sides of the glass. I didn’t want to step in there either, but I really needed a shower!

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I sucked it up and walked into the hot water. What would normally be my escape luxuriating in the feel of the raining water washing over me only brought me more pain and memories. I had been so happy that with the overhead showerhead Eric didn’t need to bend over. I grabbed the shampoo, roughly squeezing too much into my hand, and started lathering my hair quickly. All I could think about were his hands washing my hair, massaging my scalp. I rinsed it as quickly as I could, but the shower gel brought on more of the memories. The feeling of his hands meticulously washing my body was all too present in my mind. I wanted to close my eyes, but I knew that would only bring the mental picture of him standing there with me while I watched him wash both of us. I remembered showering the night before, basking in those memories, and it only pissed me off to think of the excitement and anticipation I had felt then. What an idiot I was!

I rinsed off and escaped, wrapping a towel around me as quickly as I could. I dried my body and hair and dressed in my pajamas, though I was sure it was at least noon or later at that point. I walked back into my room and grabbed a pillow. When a waft of Eric’s scent hit me that lingered on the pillowcase, I threw the pillow across the room and almost ran to get one of JP’s.

Finally settling onto the couch in the living room with JP’s pillow and an afghan, I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. When the picture came on, I saw that Peej hadn’t shut off the DVD player. He had only paused the show when he turned off the television the day before. There on the screen was Eric in full vampire mode, sexy, angry, beautiful, vicious, fangs out, mocking me. I was paralyzed for a moment before I felt the tears and heard the agonized wail rip from my chest muffled when I buried my face in JP’s pillow. God damn it!

When my initial reaction was over and I could breathe again, I sat up. I looked at the picture on the screen for a few long moments, breathing deeply, and willing myself to calm down. It didn’t work exactly as I planned.

He left. Without a fucking word!

He isn’t coming back. Despite the fact that he said he’d see me again last fucking night!

He doesn’t want me to look for him. Who the fuck does he think he is, telling me what I can and cannot do?

Why did he pretend to give a shit about my past? Why did he even fucking ask me about it? Was he looking for a weakness in me? What was with all the shit the last few days? Why did he save my life? He made me care about him. What the fuck?!?! Was I simply a challenge to see if he could break through? I wouldn’t do exactly what he said so he made me believe him without the help of his glamour? Narcissistic, ego-centric, selfish, conceited, vain, self-serving prick!

“FUCK YOU!!” I yelled at his image on the screen. Still holding the remote in my hand, I clicked off the TV and threw it across the room hitting the wall causing the back to pop off and the batteries to fall out.

~~~

I was too angry to relax and definitely too worked up to sleep. I stormed out of the room tossing JP’s pillow back onto his bed as I passed his room. I needed to talk to him. I was out on the ledge a-fucking-gain and needed him. I remembered leaving my purse downstairs and knew my phone was inside.

When I reached the kitchen, I saw it on the counter and headed over to open it and retrieve my cell. I had two text messages. One was from JP and surprisingly, the other was from Pam. I wasn’t quite ready to read Pam’s parting words, so I read JP’s first.

• Hey harlot! On my way to MS! So excited! Going to sleep now, but I had to check in & tell you where we’ll be. Text me l8r since I know we’ll both be sleeping all day and spending our nights in compromising positions! LOL Don’t get into too much trouble with Mr. Perfection. (yeah you let that little nickname slip out last night when we were slow dancing) LMFAO!!! Guurl, you got it bad! Try not to wreck the house… Then again, fuck it! Enjoy yourself! You deserve it! Miss you! Love you! XOXO

I read over the message a few times, both due to fresh tears forming and the mortification that I actually told Peej that now ridiculous name. At least we were sort of alone when I said it. Ugh! Eric was far from perfection in my current state of mind. Regardless of the fact that he really was in bed…Fuck! STOP IT! I scolded myself.

There was no way I could tell JP now about what happened. He would immediately want to come home and as much as I wanted him to be there with me, he needed to have fun and not worry about me. I didn’t want to ruin his time with Russell regardless of how lonely I was feeling. I would be over this by the time he got home, whenever that may be, and I would tell him then. I typed out a quick response.

• Hey yourself, you hussy! Can’t wait to see pics of Russell’s place! Get tons of rest. I’m sure you’ll need it! (wink wink) No worries if you’re too busy to text. Enjoy your vacation & try not to wreck HIS house! LOL Miss you and love you, too! XOXO

I read it over to make sure it sounded upbeat and that the fact I didn’t mention my situation wouldn’t be noticed. Finally satisfied, I hit send. I probably wouldn’t hear from him for a day or two.

Still not quite ready for Pam’s message, I put the phone down and made myself some coffee, and then opened the drawer in the kitchen for the cigarettes and lighter. I picked up my phone and carried everything outside to the deck sitting at the outdoor table. I didn’t give two shits about the fact that I was barely dressed. My neighbors were at work and if they weren’t, well, fuck ’em.

I took a long drink of my coffee before lighting a cig and put my feet up in the adjacent chair. After a couple of drags and another sip of coffee, I took a deep breath and slid the screen on my phone to open Pam’s text. I didn’t remember putting her number in my phone, but the message had her name on it, so I must have. Thinking about it made me realize that I had been in and out of reality, dreams, and consciousness, off and on practically since they came to town. Why does anything still surprise me?

• Cricket, I cringe writing that because I think it is a stupid fucking name, but calling you Chelsea will only piss you off. ‘Songbird’ is only slightly less ridiculous, so either give me a different one to use or I’ll come up with my own and you probably won’t like it! Before you go off on a mental tangent over that, focus on what I’m going to tell you. As it is still tonight, I’m able to type this before I die for the day. I want to repeat that I think my Maker is being an idiot. You seemed to have some understanding about what he was talking about when I told you. I can’t say that I do, but I could tell that it upset you even more than you were about his departure. That being said, GET OVER IT! Knock off the fucking crying jag I’m sure you’ve been on and probably still are! Don’t get pissy. I’m not being mean. I’m pragmatic and I have a question for you. Where is the girl that stood up to me, both to my face and in her song that was so obviously telling me to back the fuck off or basically just to fuck off? Find her! I do hope that one day my Maker gets his head out of his ass and allows me to talk to you again. I would really like to get to know that girl. – Pam

Well, I wasn’t expecting that. I think I ran the gambit of emotions in that brief message. Pissed over the whole name thing, and then laughing at what she would possibly come up with when left to her own devices. Tearing up when she obviously knew I would fall apart and upset, thinking again about his words she overheard. I felt empowered when she told me to find that part of myself that was fearless in her presence. Finally, I was saddened, yet hopeful that someday we would be able to speak again.

I knew that she couldn’t respond, and more than likely had to block my number so there was no communication between us, but I still felt the need to answer. Any profound words escaped me, so my reply was simple.

• Thank you. – Cricket, the Songbird (I don’t care if you hate it.)

It wasn’t much, but it was sincere. I was thanking her for everything, not just the text but for coming over. For telling me he was gone, driving me home, and staying to talk. I drank the rest of my coffee and went inside to refill my cup. I brought it with me when I returned to my seat outside and lit another cigarette. I watched the stream of smoke as I blew it out and thought about whether I wanted to take up smoking again. I had quit after my last relationship to make a change. Now, in a new emotional upheaval, maybe I should make another change and start again? Not that this compared in timespan to my previous relationship, but I had invested in it nonetheless.

I thought over her words. Find her. Find that girl who held her own. She was right. In the days that I had known Pam, I had never been afraid of her. When I suspected and later found out they really were vampires, that I had Eric’s blood to save me from dying after that horrible accident, that Bill disliked me, Sookie really could read minds, and I had met at least one werewolf who apparently had a crush on me, I hadn’t been afraid of any of it. In fact, the more I learned; the more normal it became. What an odd feeling to have so many things revealed as truth in such a short amount of time and have none of it surprise me.

I’d felt vindicated in my beliefs. I took it as fact and was honestly curious to find out what else might be out there. I thought about my excitement and speculations that I jammed down JP’s throat until he not only began to question everything around us, but my theories were proved to him through Russell. I didn’t even want to know how that had happened.

Then there was Eric. Eric was the aloof, stoic, and stubborn vampire who had feelings. At least he pretended to have them. It seemed likely that the latter was the actual truth. In a thousand years, no doubt he had perfected the art of lying. I didn’t care how many people told me how different he was with me or really that he told me as much himself. He had played me and I believed him. I bought into it hook, line, and sinker. I was allowing the situation, no, I was allowing him, to hurt me. I didn’t have to. I didn’t need to.

Did I regret it? I wanted to regret it. I really did. I wanted to regret it like he did. I wanted to walk away as easily as he had. I had crossed the line I had drawn for myself, let down my guard, let someone else in finally, only to be slapped in the face.

On the other hand, if I took it for face value, what it truly was, one night of unbridled and uninhibited passion, then how could I possibly regret it? He was the best lover I had ever had. Not that I had many, but I was quite certain no one would or could compare. I could be content just having that memory of an incredible night and rein in my feelings that I shouldn’t have allowed myself to have in the first place.

A once in a lifetime experience with a man I had only ever fantasized about until I met him and saw what was underneath and recognized him as more, at least I thought I had come to know him. That was the ridiculous part. I had been warned and ignored it.

However, I knew him now. I knew what kind of man he truly was. I was blinded by him before, but now I could see the truth. He was an excellent liar. He was a master in the art of seduction.

“Time wounds all heels,” I said aloud, chuckling, quoting Marissa Tomei from ”Someone Like You.”

As I sat outside in the sunlight, I began to feel how tired I really was. However, I was newly determined not to sleep until nightfall. I didn’t want to see the moon at all for a while. I decided I wanted to be asleep at any time that he was awake. If we had started a bond, which I strongly believed had happened due to his mumblings that Pam had shared, I didn’t want to project anything that he might feel from me. I didn’t know how much distance was between us at the moment or if it mattered, but he didn’t deserve to know what I was feeling.

I would save it all up for the daytime and get my head straight while the sun shined. That way there would be no urge to try to contact him or Pam. Even though I knew it would be fruitless anyway, I didn’t even want the temptation. I could do it. I would do it. I would suck it up and ‘get over it’ as Pam so eloquently yelled at me in her text. I would take JP’s advice about sex and move on. Enjoy it and forget it. That’s what he planned to do with Russell, right?

It was only one night. I had never been ‘that girl,’ but I would be now. Forget all the flirting, temptation, and sexual tension that had been between us. Forget his actions that preceded that one night. Forget how he drew me in to get what he wanted. Fuck Him! If ever again given the opportunity, I hoped I wouldn’t. Who am I kidding? I’ll never even see him again so enough of the ‘what ifs’!

My decision was made. There was nothing else to do. I was tired of contemplation. I needed to get out of my own head. So, what to do? I opened a bottle of wine, went upstairs, cranked the stereo, and drank right out of the bottle. I danced and drank. I sang and drank. I stayed away from love songs and songs of angry break-ups. We hadn’t broken up. I didn’t lose him. I never had him to lose. It was one night! I refuse to feel sorry for myself!

It was mid-afternoon when I started drinking and by the time I saw the dimming of the sun lowering in the sky, I had finished that bottle and half of another. Despite the fact that I was quite drunk, I swallowed one of my pain pills I still had. I wasn’t in pain, but I knew it would help me sleep, and maybe it would keep me from having a hangover in the morning. I really wanted to be asleep before the sun set completely. I lay down silently cursing the fact that my pillows smelled of him, vowing to wash them the following day. Sleep came quickly and I was unconscious moments after I closed my eyes. Unfortunately, I didn’t consider the consequences of such a deep sleep given there was no way to escape the dream.

~~~

I opened my eyes when I felt fingers ghosting down the side of my body. Eric was next to me, awake and watching me sleep. He was smirking in that way only he could make sexy. Though I could see it was very late at night, his bare torso lit by the moonlight coming through the window and his eyes sparkled as he looked at me, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Hey,” he said quietly.

“Hi,” I replied in kind, “Why are you watching me? It’s weird” I giggled.

“It is not weird. You are beautiful and I cannot seem to get my fill of you.”

“Pfft,” I said as I tried to roll over.

He slid his arm around my waist holding me in place while his fingers pressed into my lower back.

“No, let me look at you.”

“Why?”

“Must there always be a reason?”

He moved forward to kiss my forehead before pressing his to mine and letting out a very human sigh. I smelled his sweet breath and smiled.

“Why are you here?”

“I missed you.”

He propped himself up on his elbow to look down at me. My smile grew wider at his words and I watched his grow to match mine.

“I missed you, too,” I said, rolling onto my back.

“I am here now.”

He moved closer and covered my body, caging me between his elbows that were now on either side of me. I locked eyes with him and watched his turn dark as the storms began in them. He leaned down and kissed me tenderly. So gentle was the first kiss, but the next one deepened and I felt his tongue lick my bottom lip requesting entrance. I opened my mouth and welcomed him in. We kissed for a long time, tasting, touching, and reacquainting ourselves with each other.

“May I touch you, Chelsea?” he asked against my mouth.

I nodded in response before I felt his hand move under my tank top pushing it up to uncover my breasts. He cupped one, kneading it, as he kissed down the side of my neck to my collar bone continuing down until he took my other breast in his mouth and teased the nipple, hardening it before he pulled back slightly to blow his cool breath across it and pebbling it even more. His hand pushed my top up and over my head, tossing it to the side without breaking the movements of his mouth as he took my nipple in again and groaned against me. I let out my own moan as my hands found their way into his hair pulling him closer to my breast, and relishing in the feel of his tongue lavishing me.

My back arched when he began kissing his way to my stomach. His hand followed his descent down my body moving to my inner thigh, and then slowly cupping my mound, sliding his fingers through my lips. He kissed and licked around my belly button while his fingers teased me. My clit pulsed and my hips wriggled, seeking friction and silently begging for his fingers to move into me as they continued their tortuous ministrations, caressing and touching everywhere around my pussy but not where I needed them.

I writhed under him as his mouth continued toward my aching, throbbing, bundle of nerves. My hands fisted tightly into his hair pushing him down to where I wanted, but he continued slowly at his own pace. He finally arrived where I wanted him, and I felt his cool tongue flick my clit before sucking it into his mouth entirely and lightly nibbling. The sensation drove me wild, and I sucked in a breath when he slid two fingers inside me. He growled in response and the vibration sent a thrill through my body. I felt his fangs run down on either side of my clit as he continued licking, circling, and sucking on it.

One hand lifted my leg over his shoulder while the other continued pushing, in and out, deeper than before. I closed my eyes as my head fell back onto the pillows.

“Watch me,” he commanded quietly.

My eyes snapped open, and locked onto his as his tongue darted out and licked around my most sensitive part again; sending more shivers and tingles across my entire body. His fingers slid out of me, and he lifted my other leg over his arm. I let my knees fall open where they rested against his elbows which he pushed out, spreading me open further. I felt his flat tongue lick up my length, and then he began tongue-fucking me, pushing in deeply and pulling out slowly, growling. I hissed when I felt the tightening in my stomach and knew I was getting close.

“Mmm, so sweet. I want to taste all of you. Will you cum for me?”

I felt fingers slide back into me and a small pinprick in my thigh as euphoria washed over me and my eyes clenched tightly closed.

“Fuck! Oh God, Eric…” I called out.

I felt the sucking of his mouth on my thigh and knew he was drinking from me as his fingers continued to pump in and out, never slowing, but keeping a steady rhythm. Then his cool tongue licked my thigh, and I felt his eyes on me again.

“Look at me,” he said.

I did as I was told, and watched him lick his lips while the smirk grew on his face as his fingers began to speed up, thrusting harder and faster inside me. His thumb circled my clit as his fingers kept up their relentless thrusts until I was once again quickly nearing the precipice.

“Again! Cum for me now!”

His command sent me over the edge, but my eyes stayed locked on his and I fought to keep them open. His smirk grew into a full smile as he growled with satisfaction and a look of pride on his face while he watched me quiver with aftershocks. He slowed the movements of his fingers to help me ride out the feelings until sliding them out of me completely. He took them into his mouth and sucked my juices, licking them clean before kissing his way up my body again.

“You are exquisite when you cum, Chelsea,” he whispered when he reached my lips.

He kissed me hard and I tasted myself on his tongue. His fangs had retracted, and it was all tongue, lips, and blunt teeth as he devoured my mouth dancing against my own tongue. I felt his tip at my entrance and I moved my hands to his hips pushing him slightly down and away from me. He pulled back from our kiss and looked into my eyes.

“Will you allow me inside?”

“I…,” I panted.

“I want to feel you. Let me.” he said quietly, moving to touch against me again at my center while peppering my face with kisses.

“Eric…”

“I will not hurt you. Tell me no and I will stop. I would never force you.”

“I know.”

“Make love with me,” he said in a low voice almost as a question.

“Yes,” I breathed.

“Min sǫngr,” he moaned against my lips as his cock pushed inside and filled me.

My legs wrapped around his waist and he stilled, allowing me to adjust to his size. Then we both began to move. His mouth attacked mine again, this time with desperation, and he pumped into me. I matched his thrusts and gripped his shoulders. His arms slid under me, his hands came up to hold the back of my shoulders, pulling me down with his thrusts as they became deeper. We moved in sync for what felt like hours until I felt him thicken and grow inside of me, and I knew he was as close as I was. He pulled his head back to lock me in his gaze once more, never breaking contact as we exploded together and I felt his cool seed fill me in bursts coating my inner walls.

He lazily continued pushing into me slowly until I could feel his erection return and the firmer thrusting began again.

We were in my bed.

We were on the couch.

We were on the floor in front of the fireplace.

We were outside on the deck.

We were on the sofa.

We were in the kitchen with me on the counter.

We were against the wall in the shower.

Sated, we lay cuddled on my bed again, my head resting against his chest as we both came down from our orgasm induced highs. His fingers were caressing up and down my back as he placed a small kiss on my forehead.

“Thank you, min sǫngr,” he said reverently.

“Where are you?” I asked, barely audible.

“I am here.”

“Not now. Not in my dream. You’re always here when I dream. Where are you really?”

“Away.”

We were quiet for a few minutes. I took a deep breath steeling myself for what I needed to say.

“I’m done, Eric.”

“Do you still love me?” he asked tentatively.

“I never said I did.”

“You said JP thinks you do. Do you?”

“You hurt me,” I sighed and rolled onto my back, moving away from him.

“I am sorry.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“You no longer trust me,” he said sadly.

“Who cares?”

“I do. I care, Chelsea.”

“Are you not listening? I’m done with this.”

“You will not answer my question?” he asked.

“Stop coming to my dreams.”

“I cannot. As I told you, I am part of you now and…,” he trailed off.

“And?”

He didn’t answer, but stared at me so intensely that I had to close my eyes to break his gaze. When I opened them again, he was gone. I told him I was done and I meant it. It didn’t matter that I was dreaming. That was the only way I would ever be able to tell him.

~~~

I woke up resolved. The sun was up, but it was still early. I climbed out of bed and made a decision. I needed to get away for a few days. I had no idea where I would go, but I needed to step away from these constant reminders. I would return when JP did. I went to the bathroom and took care of my morning routine. I was standing in the closet with my suitcase on the floor in front of me staring at the clothing racks when I heard my phone ring in my room. I decided to let it go to voicemail as I continued contemplating what I would take and where I would go. As soon as the ringing stopped, it started again. It wasn’t JP’s ringtone and I didn’t really want to talk to anyone else, so I ignored it. The instant the call went to voicemail again, it rang again. This better be fucking important!

Irritated, I walked back to my room and picked up the phone just as it started ringing again. I looked at the caller ID and smiled as I answered.

“Maggie?”

“Cricket! Thank God! I didn’t think I would get ahold of you!” she sounded relieved.

“Well, it wouldn’t be for your lack of trying,” I laughed.

“Why didn’t you answer?”

“I…,” I started.

“Never mind, I know you have a good bit going on with you right now,” she said quickly.

“How…,” I tried again before she interrupted me.

“Forget about that for now. This is more important! I figured it out!”

“What are you talking about?”

“At least I think I did,” she said mostly to herself.

“Figured what out?”

“I mean, I’ve been researching and it makes sense, well mostly, and Octavia thinks…” she continued to mumble to herself.

Octavia?! Does that mean Maggie’s a witch?

“Maggie, focus! Tell me what you’re talking about?”

“Oh! Sorry! You! I think I figured you out!” she squealed.

“You’ll need to be a little more specific,” I chuckled at her enthusiasm, but I needed her to get to the point.

“Sorry. I was telling Octavia about you.”

“Are you part of a coven? Are you a witch?” I asked intrigued.

“Well, of course! I assumed you knew. I mean, don’t you know everything now? You need to come see me. I mean, you were leaving anyway, right?”

“How do you know that?” I guess that decides where I’ll be going on my trip!

“We can talk about that later. Right now, I have a theory and Octavia agrees, but we’re not sure.”

“You realize I have no idea what you’re talking about, right?”

“I know, but I’ll explain everything on the way.”

“Are we going somewhere? I thought you wanted me to come there?”

“Yes, but then you and I need to go see him. I think he’ll be able to tell us more.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know him personally, but I know someone, or really Octavia knows someone. She wants to meet you before we go so she can see for herself.”

“See what? And who is he?”

“He’s pretty old. I heard he’s kind. I think he’ll know for certain. Well, he’ll probably know. No, I’m sure he’ll know. He might want to talk to you alone, but we’ll try to avoid that if we can. I mean, you don’t even know what to ask and I don’t know for sure. Like I said, I don’t know him myself…” she continued rambling half to me and half to herself before I interrupted her.

“Maggie?! Slow down! Who are we going to see?”

“His name is Godric.”

~~~

Aurelia Gliwiski as Chelsea ‘Cricket’ Kerrigan

Alexander Skarsgård as Eric Northman

BACK 

 A/N: Thank you to MsBuffy for editing this chapter and putting up with me throughout. I don’t know what I’d do it without her. Thank you to Gyllene for creating my beautiful banner! Thanks to you all for your patience.

**Look for part two “Back Into the Blood” to begin sometime in October.**

Please leave a review and let me know what you thought.  🙂  Thanks for reading!