Page 15 of Beautiful Nightmare

Then it all stops. The wind. The light. The chaos.

The world is calm.

Breathing deeply through my nose, my eyes open, and a man points at me. “Oh my god, they’re white.”

Memories of New Orleans flash into view.

From moths fluttering around me to the humid air washing over me. Raising my arms, I embarked on a journey that changed the trajectory of my life. It’s what led me to Hollows Grove, to Agatha, towhat’s mine. Royce. And I wouldn’t change a fucking thing.

I regret nothing. I crave it all more with each day that passes. And now, the all-too-familiar feeling coursing through my veins has returned.

I am free.

9

ROYCE

“Baby, let me walk you home. Please,” Beckham pleads.

It’s not something I’m willing to further risk, since Prince has seen too much, and if Agatha knew as well, that would be the end of it all between us.

But I would take my own life before they are able to take his. I am nothing without him, and to live a life alone is no life at all.

Cuddling into his sweet embrace, I say, “I’ll be okay, I promise.” The words are a lie, and his body tenses, worried. He believes them as much as I do.

Witches cackle, demons ride briskly past us on unicycles, and warlocks brood with their brooms.

Looking up at the most beautiful man, I kiss his thin, cool lips for what may be the last time. He feelsit too, that fact that the passion, our connection, could be compromised.

Slowly we part, his forehead resting upon mine, and hushed words are spoken so only I can hear them. “Forever mine, and I am yours. I love you, Royce.”

Tears prick my eyes. Squeezing them shut, I allow one to fall. “I love you, my sweet vampire boy.”

With tangled fingers, we stay like this for only a moment longer. A crack of thunder startles us.

“I should go,” I painfully state.

His lips press against my forehead a final time before we separate. Sliding his fingers delicately under my dress and up my thighs, my flesh warms at his touch, along with the bite mark, which connects our souls.

Looking into his eyes, I vow, “I promise you’ll see me again.”

It’s a lie.

I can’t see Prince letting me live a life with Beckham now that he knows about him.

We disconnect.

Turning on my toes, I hoist up my dress and dash through the carnival. Weaving through bodies also fleeing, but not fast enough. I must escape beforehefinds me.

Briskly I pass through the exit gates and proceed up the hill to the forest, never looking back. Another crack of thunder follows. Looking up, the dark clouds spin as I seek shelter beneath the trees.

Panting, I stop, placing my hands on my knees and hunched over to catch my breath. I’m safe; the forest will protect me.

As my breathing becomes stable, I stand tall and follow the worn path through my home. Agatha’s is where I reside, but the forest and cottage are my sanctuary of solitude. But for the first time, my home offers me a crossroads. Options and confusion. In all my years on this earth, I have only taken one way. I could close my eyes and allow instinct to guide me, and it would guide me down the same beaten road each time. But tonight a new trail has appeared; it’s dark with fog dusting over the tree limbs. Each time I attempt to look away, I am pulled back, drawn to the possibilities it could present. Therefore, against all logic, giving in to curiosity and impulse, I step forward and walk down the ominous opening.

An energy pulls me forward, and I allow it to take me.

Bright eyes loom over, forest creatures watching on nervously. “I won’t hurt you, precious babies.” My voice is hoarse. I want to reassure them not to worry,to not fear me. I could never harm them, as I know all too well what pain feels like.