Chapter 5

‘She felt it, I know she did,’ Henry thought to himself while he led his mate to the dance floor. He could see it on her face, she acknowledged the sparks that were meant to exist between two soulmates, and she seemed entranced with his eyes like he was with hers. He saw her pulse quicken on her neck, and her breath seemed to have picked up a pace. But on her exterior, she seemed calm and collected, the recognition was so fast, and it disappeared from her as quickly as it came. If he was not focused on her every blink, he would have missed it. But how she managed to hide it all and act like she didn’t feel it, it was a mystery to him.

“May I know your name?” Henry whispered, bringing himself closer to her and bending his head towards her ear.

“Elizabeth.”

“Elizabeth...” he said almost silently, tasting her name on his tongue. “How long have you lived in New York?”

“It’s been more than 5 years now.”

“Do you like it here?”

“Yes.”

Henry swirled her around the floor effortlessly, and his senses told him that so many eyes were watching them but he never for a single moment strayed his gaze away from her. Her answers to him were short and restrained, so he didn’t ask anything else. Why did she act like this? How? How was that even possible? She was human, of course, but that was not supposed to be a problem. She was supposed to feel for him the same way he felt for her.

As soon as the song came to an end, Elizabeth excused herself and went towards the lady’s room. He used this opportunity to speak to the groom one more time.

“John, congratulations again. Your bride seems like a really nice girl.”

“Yes, she does, and she is,” John answered proudly.

“Does she know…?”

“Yes. I told her, and let me tell you… it wasn’t a joy ride. How about you? What are you going to do?”

“Well, since you are asking… Probably the same as almost all of my ancestors and cousins.”

“You think there is no other way? It’s quite drastic if you ask me.”

“I know. I thought about approaching her and making my moves slow, but she is one hard bullet, and she’s not easy at all. And my time is running out. I am not even sure how long I will be able to control myself. Well, you better than anyone know how it is.”

“I do, and that’s why I hoped… Never mind, man. do what you have to do.”

“See you around.”

John acknowledged him by a nod and went on his way to greet other guests. Henry headed to the exit, and on his way out, he passed by the lady’s room, where he slowed down, sharpening his hearing and focusing on the conversation held inside.

‘I don’t know Marie. He just gives me strange, unpleasant feelings. I think I will stay away from him…’ he heard Elizabeth’s muffled voice before he exited the restaurant.

‘Oh, my dearest Elizabeth, you have no idea what is coming your way.’

≈ ≈ ≈

    Later that night, when Samantha and John already left for their honeymoon, one by one, guests started leaving the restaurant. Since Elizabeth lived in different parts of town than Jenny, Martha, and Marie, she had to take a different cab while they shared one ride. They said their goodbyes, and Elizabeth was on her way to her apartment. It took her more than a half-hour to get to her street. After paying the driver, she headed to her haven, as she used to call her apartment. It was more of a safe space really than anything else. The first place that she got after coming to New York and the place where she stayed for all of these 5 years. Her apartment was indeed small, but for her, it was enough. It consisted of a bedroom with an attached bathroom, a small living room, and an even smaller kitchen. Anyway, it was a place that gave her comfort after escaping her home back in Kansas City, and it was actually the only thing that she could afford then.

Unlocking the door, she remembered herself not to think again about her past. It was behind her, and there was no point in thinking about it anymore. She should focus on the future. But then she felt something weird, a strange smell. Awfully sweet and heavy. Before she had a chance to do anything, she felt a wet cloth that covered her nose and mouth.

She didn’t even have time to struggle, no time to think before darkness pulled her into its embrace.