Redemption (Page 74)

"He is," Braith confirmed.

He turned and led the way into the backroom. Aria was still hovering by William’s side, a bag of blood in her hand as he tossed aside an empty one and took the full one from her. He was paler than he’d been before, his face was thinner and his beard thicker, but otherwise he appeared the same.

"This is gross and delicious all at once," William muttered as he ripped off the top of the bag with his newfound fangs.

"You get used to it," Aria assured him as Xavier handed her another bag.

Daniel took the empty bag from him and dropped it into a trashcan next to the bed. "I’m not so sure about that," William told her as he tossed aside another empty bag and grabbed the next one from Aria. "I need a bath."

"You do stink," Aria confirmed. "But then I’ve had better smelling days myself."

"That you have," William agreed.

Aria shot him a dirty look that quickly turned into a loving smile as she handed him another bag. "Lucky you brother, you get to deal with the twins for an eternity," Jack said as he grasped hold of Braith’s shoulder.

Braith groaned but his eyes were loving as he turned to Aria. "I’m ok with that."

Aria grinned back at him before turning her attention to Jack. "So do you."

"So do I," he agreed with a laugh as he approached William. "How are you feeling?"

"I’ve been better, but then I did die so I guess I’m supposed to feel a little crappy," William told him.

"I would have to agree with that," Aria said as she handed him another bag.

Hannah had never seen anyone consume so much blood, but then she’d never seen a human survive the change either. Aria was the only survivor she’d ever met before and may have been the only one in the world, until now. William tossed the bag aside, wiped his mouth and shook his head at Aria when she offered him another one. "I think I’m good."

Aria sat on the side of the bed next to him. "It’s going to be difficult for the next couple of weeks to restrain your hunger. It will probably take you a couple of months to get full control, but you’ll get through it."

"I’ll be fine," he assured her as he pat her hand. "Did you catch the asshole that did this to me?"

"No," Braith answered as he moved to stand beside his wife. "Kane has disappeared with at least a dozen of Calvin’s men."

Aria’s hand tightened on William’s as both of them focused on Braith. "What’s with the tone?" she inquired.

Braith rested his hand on her shoulder. "It’s taking more time than I had anticipated to hunt them down, they’ve gone into the mountains, but we’ll find them soon enough."

"Maybe you should come back with us," Aria said hesitantly to William. "At least for a little while. I can help you get through what remains of the transition while we prepare a larger search party for Kane and the rest of Calvin’s followers."

"Aria…"

"I know why you couldn’t stay at the palace before William, but it’s been a year. You can’t run forever."

It was almost entertaining to watch the twins face off as they glared at each other with nearly identical obstinate thrusts of their jaws. Hannah wasn’t certain which one of them would capitulate first. "I’m not running," William grated from between clenched teeth.

"You’ve always been a bad liar; don’t try to start now."

"Aria," Braith said quietly.

She closed her eyes as her head bowed. "You’ll do whatever you want, but I am the only one who knows what you’re going through. The only one that can help make sure you don’t injure someone else. Braith and I can’t stay here for much longer, we have to… we have to go back William."

"I know," William assured her as he squeezed her hand. He glanced over at Jack before focusing on his sister again. "But this town has been devastated Aria and those men are still out there. We can’t leave these people and vampires undefended. If anyone can find those men within the woods and forests, it’s me."

"William," she whispered in a forlorn tone but she glanced at Braith before focusing on her brother again. "I can’t bring you back from this death. Please be careful."

His eyes crinkled at the edges as he smiled at her. "Always, that bastard got me once, it won’t happen again."

"I’ll be leaving plenty of soldiers here," Braith assured Aria.

"That man killed me." William’s eyes flashed with red as that realization seemed to sink in. He shook his head as his fingers went to his mouth and he poked at the fangs that had quickly extended. "Huh, that’s going to take some getting used to."

"Yep, you are dead," Aria agreed as she handed him another bag. "The trickiest part is remembering that you no longer have to breathe and not breaking things. I still destroy door handles, curtains, and dishes sometimes."

"She does," Braith confirmed.

"We’ll stay for as long as we can," she glanced at Braith who nodded his consent. "I’ll help you as much as I can before then. When you’re done here though, will you come home?"

"I will come home when it’s done," he vowed.

Aria threw her arms around his shoulders and clung to him as she hugged him. "Thank you."

William rubbed her back before releasing her. "As soon as I am able to, I am going to go after Kane and the rest of Calvin’s followers."

"I know," Aria told him.

"I think, when it’s time, we should all return home for a bit." Jack turned toward Hannah. "If you’ll come with me?"

Hannah started to protest but then she remembered that she could travel now, that she could see the things she’d always dreamed of seeing. That she could experience the world that had been denied to her since birth. "My family…?"