Lust by Abigail Livinghouse (good ebook reader TXT) 📖

think I was terrified of what he is, and that’s the last thing I wanted. Pearce reached out and gently cradled my face in his palm, his eyes a soft shade of gray.

 

   “You know you can tell me anything.” He assured me, waiting for my response. I nodded, refusing to meet his eyes as I pulled away and stood.

 

   “I know.” I said, my voice robotic, and grabbed my sheath of arrows along with my bow, slinging my bag around my shoulder and opening the door.

 

   “Where are you going?” Pearce called, sounding surprised and a bit hurt. I cringed at that, realizing that by attempting to avoid hurting him, I had in the process.

 

  “Hunting.” I responded, and left without looking back, not wanting to face the vampire that I loved, the vampire that I most certainly could not confide everything in.

 

Chapter Six

Walking through the forest, with the music of nature surrounding me, if felt amazing. I walked, hearing birds singing their sweet songs, smelling moss and clean earth, and I thought about the changes that had occurred recently.

 

 I was no longer Kyla Tyler, living a normal life in a moderate village, just trying to support her struggling family. I was now living remotely in a place that as far as everyone in my village was informed, didn’t exist, and neither did anyone in it. Except of course, for Pearce.

 

 I sighed, thinking of Pearce’s reputation in my former home. His deceased sister Carline had invaded my village prior to our meeting, and that was when the hunt had begun. During that hunt, Pearce had been spotted and found by me. I had let him escape, but he had returned to the Square later on in search of me. A foolish decision, however, because he had then allowed himself to be seen, and identified. I then knew who he was, and I, being the idiot I was, went after him.

 

One thing led to another, and here we were now, after many fights, many deaths, and many decisions. I knew, without any need of confirmation, that Pearce was still wanted back home. I worried that the people of my village would come looking for him, and even though they haven’t yet, doesn’t mean that they won’t. I considered this possibility, and dare I say, I still haven’t found a solution or figured out what to do about it yet.

 

Another problem is: what will happen when I come face to face with my people? What will they do when they see me sided with vampires? Our very enemies since the dawn of creation? And again, I honestly do not know the answer to any of those questions. I fear that I may not until the events actually occur. Well, until they do–

 

Suddenly, there was a rustling just two feet to my right that abruptly broke me out of my train of thought. My head swiveled sideways as I jumped backward, sheltered poorly behind a hollow trunk. I peered around, seeing no one but knowing that I was no longer alone. Leaning my back against the tree, I snatched an arrow out of my pack and strung it, holding my bow taught and ready.

 

 I felt my heart pounding quickly, my hands clenching tightly around my weapon. The reason I was so flustered was because I knew this wasn’t an animal. Animals would’ve run away and made more noise, usually showing themselves at the sign of a possible attack. No, this was either human or vampire, and both would mean nothing but trouble for me. If it was a vampire, then they would attack me, not knowing who I am or that I’ve been on their side for months now. If it was a human, then they might even challenge me, seeing as I trespassed in their area which they had already claimed for hunting, unbeknownst to me. Either way, I’d be faced with an obstacle that I did not want to face.

 

 And to make matters worse, this was land dangerously close to the Outlands, marking this vampire territory, which means technically, I am not supposed to be here. Damn it, I shouldn’t even have come here in the first place. Cursing silently at my stupidity, I decided that the best way to confront the unknown person was to basically just come out from behind my hiding place. Which was especially risky, considering if it was a human then they will most likely have a weapon on them. And, if it was a vampire, then I’d be leaving myself completely exposed, freeing myself up as easy prey.

 

Weighing my options I decided to test the waters a bit. Crouching down, I scooped up a rock and clutched it in my hand. Leaning forward so that half of my body was uncovered, I chucked the rock a few feet outwards, landing loudly on a pile of dead leaves. I quickly hid behind the tree once more, scrunching my arms and legs in an effort to make myself as small as possible so that the least of my body was exposed. Turning to the side, I listened closely for any sign of movement, holding my breath.

 

 Seconds passed without a sound, and after a while I was beginning to reconsider my decision to stay. Maybe leaving would just be a better idea, because honestly, this trouble wasn’t worth it. I became to relax my posture when I heard a footstep, and then another, and another. Sucking in a gulp of surprised air, I slowly removed one of my arrows, prepared the bow, and waited. The footsteps were heavy, someone large and struggling to make their movements light. Translation: male. Definitely.

 

 Females have lighter steps, and a better chance of making less noise while moving. So, this meant I was in for a bigger surprise then I thought. Keeping my breathing steady and even, I moved slightly so that I could see who this person was. He was partially hidden since my vision was obscured by the tree trunk, so I could only see half of him. His back was to me–not a very wise decision when hunting or being hunted–he was muscular, wearing dark clothing that fit him well, he had black hair, and was crouched over, observing the ground for tracks. I nearly huffed in frustration. From behind I could not tell if he was vampire or not. Well, whether vampire or human I was hoping I would not have to shoot him.

 

Taking a step forward in approach–a very loud step might I add–I was about to speak when the guy suddenly shot to his feet, spun around, and hurled a knife at me. I had just enough time to duck and for the steel weapon to stab the trunk of my hiding spot behind me before I received a knife in my forehead.

 

  Irritated, I straightened up and raised my bow, ready to shoot seeing as this person was in no mood to speak when I saw the man’s face. All the blood drained from my cheeks, all fight left in me evaporated, as I lowered my weapon, my mouth open in surprise. He seemed just as shocked, for he dropped his replaced weapon, a finely crafted stake, to the ground and stared at me with wide brown eyes.

 

 “Oh my god.” I breathed, feeling my legs quiver.

 

He took a step towards me. “Kyla?” He asked. “Is it really you?” 

Chapter Seven

I ran forward and collapsed into his warm embrace, sighing and closing my eyes as I buried my face in his strong chest.

  

“Trine”, I murmured, “I’ve missed you so much.”

 

  And as I said it, I realized how true that really was. I hadn’t seen my once best friend in nearly three months, and his absence left a hollow feeling in my chest, burrowed out from sadness of missing him, my family, and my home. But now, the hole was receding a bit. Trine held me close, smoothing down my hair with his hand.

 

  “I’ve missed you too Kyla, considering you basically went missing.” He said, and I could hear a hint of bitter hurt in his voice.

 

 Even though we were both happy to see each other, this meeting just presented unanswered questions that I could not provide responses for, and I knew that would only give Trine reason for suspicion. But, I decided to take it step by step, and see how things went for now. I pulled away from Trine, looking at his face. Hard set jawline, dark brown eyes, and lips smiling almost in a sad way. I recoiled from the fact that I had most likely caused this sadness. Shaking off that feeling, I gestured for him to sit down as I did, and I began the string of unavoidable questions, starting with something easy.

 

   “So how have you been? How are things in the village? How’s Katina? How are mother and the girls?” I realized after I spoke that I had begun babbling, and I shut my mouth before I could ask anymore.

 

 Trine chuckled however, seeming amused at my interest. “I’ve been well. Katina and I have been married, and Tiran was born just a few weeks ago in fact.”

 

  I smiled at this, remembering how he had wished his baby to be a boy, a hunter, just like his daddy. I listened as he continued answering my questions.

 

  “The village is doing fairly well also. We have had no further attacks, the food supply has been steady, and your family is wonderful. The girls are beginning their required education of our language, reading, writing, and your mother’s paintings have been selling for decent amounts at our latest fairs. All in all, things are quite fine.” He explained, and I nodded, pleased that things were doing as good as he said.

 

  However, even though I received updates now and then via Mr. Bo and Tirana, I still wished that I could be there myself, so that I would not require a written description of things, rather I could see them myself.

 

  I then looked up to see Trine staring intently at me. I knew what was coming next, and I would not like it. But I would answer any questions he had about my current conditions. After all, he answered mine. Although my situation is a bit more complicated than his, therefore making questions harder to answer. Again, I would just go along and see how things went for now.

 

  “Where the hell have you been Kyla? You just disappeared completely and didn’t send word to us until weeks after your