Capture

Chapter 29: Resonance

"Not yet, but it should any day now."

He was sure that Manu had survived the raid of the coven. He said that I couldn't have survived so long without him still being alive. I was being to think that me falling ill was only the effect of withdrawal from the Beta and that Manu had been dead this entire time.

"Any day," he repeated.

I wasn't a doctor but I knew if they didn't get back soon, I would only have a few days left...

"Mom?" I asked. She was frozen mid-sentence, though I couldn't recall what she was telling me. I was seated at the dinner table, morning sun came in through the window above the sink. Something was being cooked behind her, but I paid no mind to it. I think it had cinnamon in it.

The wooden table had always been in this position, I always sat in this seat. The distance from the wall seemed farther, everything seemed bigger than it always was.

I need to do something, I barely remembered. I was going to tell mom something, a good bye maybe? I had to be somewhere. Was it a school day? No, mom only made breakfast on the weekends. No, this was all wrong!

I scrambled off the chair but found it hard to move, my movements were slow and heavy.

I need to go...

I hated this waiting. Being fully conscience had begun to become unbearable. It had started with a need to move, to do something even though I had no strength to even support myself. It manifested into spreading pain that took root in every inch of my being.

I was kept sedated as much as possible and awoken less and less frequently. I couldn't talk but Pierre knew exactly how I felt and saved me from the pain during those times through heavy pain medications. They caused me to lose focus to the point the only difference was wither or not my eyes were open.

Someone at some point brought me flowers. That was nice. Everyone here was just so nice...

I was scared, they were just behind me. I knew if I turned around they would be gaining on me. I was running up a steep green hill that I didn't recognize, the dark night obscured my view.

I opened my mouth to call for help, to yell, to scream. Nothing came out but my gasp for breath. I had no time for my lungs to catch up with me, I had to keep going.

They were so close behind me.

I needed to get away...

"Natalie." The soft voice.

No, it hurt too much. Don't bring me back. There was a loud beeping too close to me that wasn't there before. I didn't like it and as if it wanted to irate me more, it grew faster and louder.

"Natalie, please!" Pierre. He sounded worked up. "Can we get some help in here!"

My eyelids were pinched back. My eyes swiveled about the room, Pierre and a woman.

"No, no, Natalie, they found him," Pierre cried out. "The team freed him and he is coming."

A soft hand ran down the length of my face.

"Honey, I know it hurt but you need to hang on, Manu is running." The woman's face was in mine but oddly it didn't bother me. It seemed all my anger was focused on the beeping.

Manu, a warm feeling filled me. He was alive and coming back to me. He was running. Hm, he does run fast. But the thoughts quickly returned to wanting to go back under, I was so tired and I hurt.

"Hey," she shouted. "Don't you dare!"

I didn't have the will as strong as her. I wasn't ever one for fighting, most the time I hid or let Emilee fight my battles. I didn't have the strength needed, required to be a fierce spirit. I was fading back and I folded quickly under its pressure...

"I love you," the beast said through sharp teeth. "I won't let go. I will always chase."

I ran but only ended in his embrace. My body didn't move.

"I love you," he whispered and bit down.

I couldn't, I needed...

It wasn't a dream, it wasn't a nightmare, it was real.

Someone was biting me.

A dark head pulled back from my neck. Dark eyes stared down into mine. A tug at my wrist directed my attention to the IV tube. It was no longer the clear saline and medications but a dark blue. Vampire blood was being pumped into me.

I didn't understand but I didn't need to, Manu was here. A smile stretched itself acrossed my face. He replicated it.

"You can sleep blissfully now, I will remain here." I had missed his voice.

His dark hand stayed in mine and I was very much sure that it keep there even after I fell asleep. As I did, I felt a peace that had been missing since the coven. I had truly missed him.

I may even have told him so but it was all very unclear.