In the clinic waiting area, she sat across from me, her silence unexpected after our journey back. Willow had not uttered a single word, an unexpected shift in her usually expressive nature.

“Are you ill, Willow?”

 I observed Willow and could not help but notice her eyes glistening and a shy smile adorning her lips as her unkempt curls fell onto her forehead. It was clear that genuine contentment radiated from her, prompting me to reflect on her enhanced beauty. I found myself wondering “why did she appear more beautiful than ever”.

"Why are you smiling?" I inquired, and instantly, her captivating eyes locked with mine.

“I suddenly feel happy.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Eden sounds worried about me.”

I was taken aback by the surprising remark. "Getting all worked up over something trivial. Are you a child? Ridiculous!" I retorted and turned away, feeling embarrassed yet satisfied.

The nurse's appearance prompted Willow's anxiety to escalate as she informed her mother about signing papers. The nurse's demeanour and the weight of the situation heightened Willow's distress, adding to the already tense atmosphere.

“What papers?” Willow asked. “What is she talking about.”

Her mother reached out to gently touch her cheeks. "There's nothing to worry about. Go inside and say goodnight," she said reassuringly. Willow hesitated, but eventually complied.

“Eden, are you coming?”

I restrained a growl and approached her. Such an infuriating human.

Clinic rooms were usually plain, but this room managed to look vibrant and colourful. Willow explained that her sister's heart does not function properly, as if in response to my unasked question. The sight of the girl with a tube inside her nostrils, trailing along her cheek and around to the back of one ear, evoked memories of my own sister. Seeing Willow's sister in that state stirred a deep sense of empathy within me, reminding me of the importance of cherishing family bonds and supporting loved ones during challenging times.

“She will need surgery and donor,” Willow mentioned. "There are ten people ahead of us. We consider ourselves fortunate because there is a chance. We just need to gather the funds."

"If you're not able to?"

“They will move to those who are able to afford.” She sniffed and averted her gaze.

"What is her name?" I asked as I approached the side of the bed.

“Wren.”

“You don’t look alike.” I noticed.

Wren had a slender and delicate appearance, despite her ailing health, yet her beauty was undeniable. Her long, curly hair cascaded past her waist, framing her features with a distinct elegance.

“We are not biological sisters.”

“Adopted?”

“Yes, I am.”

I was pleasantly surprised. “You are?”

“My parents have passed away, so I now live with my aunt. My mother appointed her as my guardian since they were sisters. Wren is her daughter, and it's simpler to say that we are sisters. I struggle to explain myself to others."

“You do an excellent job explaining to me.”

“I wasn’t trying,” she remarked, her voice carrying a captivating lilt that effortlessly weaved its way into my thoughts. I found it impossible to suppress a smile.

"I know someone who moved between foster parents," I explained. "Although my parents didn't officially adopt him, they essentially did. Our home became his, and he became a part of our family."

I could not discern the reason behind disclosing information to her that was entirely irrelevant to her role or involvement. In fact, I was cool in not analysing what was happening here.

“Those were pleasant times.” I admitted.

“Is he not your friend anymore?”

I glanced elsewhere briefly. "No," I whispered, feeling a tightness in my throat and a pang in the space where my heart used to beat.

“What happened?” Willow continued with her question.

“One of life mishaps.” I suddenly felt eager for a change of topic, so I said, "It's great that Wren mother honoured your parents' request."

Willow grinned affectionately as she spoke. "She's great. Her name is Nora. She works over at the plantation refreshment stall. Wren and I used to help her out, delivering lemonade and water to the workers. It was a blast."

“Sounds very fun,” I commented.

The room door was pushed open and Willow’s aunt stepped inside. I observed her with a sense of curiosity. She had an unassuming physique, neither thin nor heavyset, and her chestnut brown mane resembled that of her daughter's, falling in loose curls just above her shoulder blades. Nora studied me with an inscrutable expression before shifting her gaze to Willow, and the ensuing silence lingered for an extended duration. The prolonged quietness had me considering departure, although I was hesitant to attract any additional notice.

“Aunt Nora,” Willow said. “Meet Eden, my friend.”

Nora's sleepless nights were clear in the black circles under her eyes. I blinked and cleared my throat.

“It's a pleasure to meet you," I greeted her.

“The pleasure is all mine.”

I stayed silent as Nora approached me, gently taking hold of my hand and shaking it with a warm smile. It was clear that she must have been aware of my identity.

“Willow rarely extends the designation of "friend" to individuals outside the temple, particularly to a vampire. You are indeed fortunate to be an exception.”

Nora was aware of my vampiric nature, yet she stayed remarkably gracious towards me. I stole a swift glance in Willow's direction, observing her with a subtle air of amusement as she regarded her aunt with a discerning frown. Suppressing a chuckle, I could not help but appreciate the nuances of the situation.

“As of now, call me Aunt Nora,” she said to me.

"Why must she?" Willow asked. She appeared visibly mortified by the notion that I would be required to address Nora as "aunt."

“It's out of respect, darling," replied Nora with an amused tone. “You should come over sometime. I like to get to know you.” Nora’s gaze never wavered from my face.

“There is not much to know,” I told her.

“Nonsense. You are a vampire, there is always something to know.”

Her exuberant enthusiasm proved to be almost stifling, permeating the room with an intensity that bordered on overwhelming.

“Are you and my niece just friends, or is there something more between you?"

I inspected Nora’s face. “Something more?”

“You know,” she said. “Committed relationship.”

It had come to my attention that vampires, despite their seemingly invulnerable nature, could indeed experience the inconvenience of choking on their own saliva. It felt like I just did.

“Willow and I..." Why did my throat feel constricted?

“Don’t be modest,” Nora said. “She is beautiful and smart. Too smart.”

Nora's assumption left me speechless. Her uncomplicated words still managed to befuddle me. How could she perceive us as a couple? Didn't she know that Willow had a boyfriend? Perhaps Nora was merely teasing. The mere thought of it was confounding, shattering my composed facade.

“Aunt Nora, your wild talk might scare her," Willow said with a wince.

“Do not be dramatic, dear. She does not seem the frighten type.”

Willow frowned slightly. "There is nothing a type for that now?"

The silence between them lingered.

Willow sighed as she approached us. “Aunt Nora,” she said gently, “you can let go of Eden now.”

I exercised my fingers, silently grateful to Willow.

“I am staying tonight. Go home and rest. You need it.”

Nora gently placed her hands behind Willow's head and offered a warm smile as she gazed up at her. Her expression bore a sense of contemplation, yet her weariness lingered, refusing to dissipate.

“Are you sure? You stayed last night.”

“I am sure,” Willow confirmed.

“What about the temple?” Her aunt asked.

Willow snarled. “I won’t go tonight.”

"I have noticed that you haven't been going as frequently lately. Is everything okay?"

“Everything is okay, auntie," Willow said, her voice a strained.

“Let us talk some more about it later. I love you.” Nora kissed both girls and then smiled at me, but I did not reciprocate.

Following her departure, I turned to Willow.

“Your aunt's decision to leave her daughter and niece alone in a room with a vampire is quite surprising. Her enthusiasm about it is peculiar. It seems to be a common trait in your family.”

She chuckled. “My family has been called worse.”

“Is that so?”

Willow nodded and straightened her posture slightly. The faint glow of the fluorescent light was mirrored in her eyes.

"My sister, Alexandria..." I murmured, swallowing hard and shutting my eyes. "She was often unwell. I would always be there for her when she was hospitalised."

“Are you older, by chance?”

“We are twins actually.”

Willow gently touched her cousin's cheek. "I am sorry about your sister," she said softly.

Alexandria's life was tragically cut short, leaving a void that words could hardly fill. As the tension built in my head, I found myself blocking out the pain, seeking solace in memories that now felt all too fleeting.