I wanted to put that incident behind me, and to my relief it seemed like he did too, as I didn’t see him again. My swim bag somehow had made it back to my room, maybe as a peace offering but I pretended it didn’t exist anymore. I built my walls back up, perfectly, and focused on making plans. I had decided to follow that note I had received, and made arrangements to be there. It could be a trap, it could potentially mean my death, but at the moment I didn’t want to care, I just wanted to know. And I wanted a way out.

Victoria, however, suddenly became relentless. It was a relief to not feel like I’d run into Zain again for a bit, but Victoria, who had up until this point only taunted me from a distance but otherwise pretended I didn’t exist, now made an effort to mock me at every turn, loudly, to everyone. And her groupies would join in physically, trying to trip me (and succeeding) around every corner, dumping my tray, deliberately running into me when passing in the hall. People started avoiding being anywhere near me because of the targeted harassment. The worst thing is, I didn’t know how to make it stop. There wasn’t anyone I could complain to, and even if I did she’d have them in her pocket.

The only thing I could think of is that he set her on me, leaving me alone as I wished but ensuring I still remained miserable. Fine. I’m getting out of here anyway. I shouldn’t have to deal with this crap.

The day arrived, and I tried to keep from being nervous so as to not tip anyone, especially Zain, off. Dmitri was demonstrating a new dance form in class that we tried to mimic. With the Ball coming up the whole castle was abuzz with excitement and nervousness, which meant Dmitri’s classes fluctuated in participants. To my embarrassment the class came up odd today(Zain was attending), and since no one wanted to be my partner and the girls had already paired up, Dmitri paired up with me instead. Somehow my body was able to move effortlessly as he explained the steps to me, but then when I’d try again, I stepped on his feet and elbowed him accidently in the chin. He seemed patiently amused, and I could tell he had underestimated me when I told him I’m no good, but there was a fierce determination in his eyes. At least I had some solace in that I won’t break my teacher this time.

Also he apparently has super powers. He can use telekinesis, and I think that’s why I was moving perfectly at first and then not. I have no idea how he’s able to do that, but I wish it was a spell he could just permanently cast on me. That’d be pretty great.

The class ended and the girls and I split; I’d have two hours left before I needed to be out there, I decided to go hang out in the library as per usual. On my way though, I heard quiet murmurs of protest around the corner. I tried to keep walking, pretending not to notice.

“...been acting really strange! It’s not like you!”

“Everything is fine, Victoria, don’t worry, I’m fine.”

“It’s still her, isn’t it? I don’t like this, I don’t like it at all.”

“I know, I don’t either. I don’t know why it happened.”

“I mean how did she even get in?! I don’t trust her Zain, what if she tries to hurt you?”

Zain laughed, and kissed her forehead. “As if anything could hurt me.”

I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my chest and it took all my willpower to ignore it and fight back the tears threatening my eyes. A sudden start in Victoria’s voice told me Zain had felt it and reacted, and I hurried along and away before either of them could accuse me of eavesdropping.

I sat in the empty library banging my head again the table, trying to push the feeling out with pain. What is wrong with me? I’ve never had this much irrational reaction to anything, to anyone. There was no control, no reason behind it. He’s an ass, a jerk, a bully. And he hates me. So why the hell?

The hard desk beneath my head turned soft. I looked to the side to see Ms. Lorely had placed a pillow between me and the surface. She had a quiet, almost motherly smile of amusement.

“Hard day, Ms. Morris? You’ve been doing that for a bit now.”

I groaned in response. “It’s Zain...and this stupid bond thing.”

She sat down next to me with cup of cocoa. “That’s the trouble with being a Bride, it does tend to hasten certain emotions.”

“But I don’t like him, and he loathes me, why would I…?” Then I sat up, realizing what she said. “Wait, are you saying this stupid feeling of jealousy is because I’m the Bride?”

She nodded sadly. “It happened to me, too. I became the Bride of my late husband by accident. We had only met briefly, talked in passing, and I found him at the wrong place and the wrong time. He wasn’t too happy about it happening, was very...angry, with me. In those days it was pretty common for everyone to resort to violence. I thought he was attractive, but the connection made me desire him despite my inexperience.”

I listened with interest, and a little bit of shock. “But...you became a vampire?”

She nodded. “It was the only way to be strong enough to be free from him.”

“What...do you mean?” I asked, trying to keep the baited excitement out of my voice.

Ms. Lorely gave an almost sassy, crooked smile. “I killed him of course.”

My insides chilled.

“I’m not saying at all that’s what you should do, far from it,” she said hurriedly. “Lord Zain’s behavior as of late has not been...his usual self. He really is a kind person, but he’s been through a lot, well before you came along. I just wanted you to know, though, that I do know what you’re going through. The forced feelings, the unwanted desires, the frustration of it all.”

I nodded, trying to get the image of her killing someone out of my head. “So then, you were able to break free of it because you killed him?”

“Because he died,” she corrected. “It could have happened another way, by someone else; that is a benefit to being a Bride. Your life is not as dependant on his, the way he is dependant on you. The changes...will remain, you’ll always be a Bride regardless how long your vampire stays alive. But if he were to perish, you will continue to live.”

“Ms. Lorely,” I began after a moment. “Are...are you by chance…?”

She waited, a patient but very confused expression on her face. “What is it dearie?”

I shook my head, deciding it wasn’t her. “Nothing, sorry. Just a silly thought.”

She chuckled. “You’ll make it through this just fine, Miss Helen. Right now you are both still quite young and inexperienced. But you’re both very level-headed individuals; you’ll find a balance soon, and the forced feelings will begin to fade.”

I smiled appreciatively. “Thanks Ms. Lorely.”

We chatted a bit longer as she told me stories from her time as a human, and the time period she lived. Apparently she was as far back as the middle ages, just before the renaissance period. She had been the daughter of a successful baker and had always dreamed of being a scholar of some kind. It made me warm to realize the extensive collection of books and documents, both old and new, were because of the years she spent looking for them. It was strange, yet comforting, to know that should I decide to be made a vampire myself, I wouldn’t suffer the brain deterioration that’s supposed come with created vampires, either.

Before I knew it the clock chimed for 8pm and she bid me off to bed. I left with a wave back towards the Day Wing, but kept walking past the entrance that led to the dorms. Hard determination set in my core, and I was careful to keep my walls up. I monitored the tugging sensation, paying close attention to the intensity and hoping it was actually a gage of his attention and distance, like I had been assuming. It was low and idle, as per usual on a night like this. I kept my pace even; if someone saw me I didn’t want them to think I was sneaking off.

The information I learned was useful to an extent; it was possible to break this little curse, but...as much as I dislike Zain, I wouldn’t actually want him dead. And I don’t want to turn into a vampire myself, like Ms. Lorely had. So that option was out of the question.

The stone floor gave way to dirt once more as I headed towards the stables. My breath came out in puffs, everything had frosted over by now. I started being more careful, not wanting to be spotted by the stable staff and very thankful they were human; I’m pretty sure they’d smell me or something if they had been vampires. I passed by the building quickly, heading west as the note had said. I could feel my heartbeat quicken in anticipation, but tried to keep it level; I didn’t want to get my hopes up too much.

It took a little walking into the trees, maybe only a minute at my pace, as this side of the castle opened out into the woods. It wasn’t hard to spot the large oak tree; It was very wide and almost spindly, branches turning every which way in long, twisting arms. Like roots growing outward. With a chill I realized this could actually be a prank, that Victoria could have been the one to send that note in order to make it look like I was running away. She could tell Zain, and he’d believe her 100%.

I leaned against the tree facing outward, my heartrate beginning to climb in anticipation and debating now whether I should go through with this. In the distance I heard a clock chime; it was 9pm. The cold bit at my cheeks. I held my breath and listened.

A small snap! and a rustle of leaves was heard in front of me, further into the trees. My heart was reaching thundering speeds as I felt a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach; something was wrong. This was wrong. I shouldn’t be here. But it was too late now. The shadow of a figure grew clearer as it walked towards me, almost casually. I saw his eyes, glowing bright red, and a flash of white teeth as he smiled.

“Well well well,” a new voice purred that turned my insides to ice. “Info was right; lookie here, right where he said, right on time.”

I skirted around the tree, slowly backing away from him. “S-stay back,” my voice squeaked. My throat was feeling tight.

“Now, see, that’s rather unfair,” he spoke again, his voice caressing the air with thick desire. “You see, they won’t let our kind in the castle, says we’re too much a danger to your kind.” The moonlight lit up his face and I gasped; it was manic, ragged, like a dead man walking. Not at all a match for the smoothness in his voice. A fear I had never felt exploded through my body like a ruptured artery; I turned and ran back towards the castle as fast as I could.

I heard a laugh and collided into something hard; a rancid smell assaulted my nostrils.

“Oh no you don’t little lady, I’ve been hungry for far too long,” I heard the vampire purr again. I had no time to be shocked, I rolled back immediately upon hitting the grass and scrambled to my feet in a manic sprint into the woods. Branches cut at my skin but I couldn’t care. This was so stupid, I’m so stupid! I don’t want to die, of course I don’t want to die! Tears blurred my vision and a tree branch caught me in the face. I fell, and heard more laughter all around me.

“You smell absolutely exquisite, I’m so going to enjoy this.” He fell into a hunter’s crouch, approaching me quickly. My head was still spinning as I tried and failed to stand back up, something wet was running down the side of my face. This was it. Everything in my life was leading up to this; a moment of stupidity. Tears ran down my cheeks and I squeezed my eyes shut. I could only hope that it would be quick.

Screams filled the forest but they weren’t mine. I opened my eyes in shock to see the vampire, upright and convulsing, screaming in pain. Whatever it was that possessed him released, and he looked back incredulously. “You-!”