Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Both our heads turned to meet the new visitor or rather visitors. Three figures stood at the door; the head doctor of the clinic, the leader and Lacey. The greying old lady who was in charge of the clinic was the one who had spoken. She stood beside the leader with a hand tucked in her white lab coat and a stethoscope hung over her neck. Her greying hair, which was the only indication that she was a woman well into her 50’s was cropped into a bob that barely touched her slender shoulders.

Her dark eyes glinted with mischief and the cheeky grin on her face made me want to crawl into a hole and die. She was one person who knew about my feelings for Damien and the one person who didn’t hesitate to give me hell for it. She stepped forward, coming to the edge of my bed and placing a hand on my forehead.

“Are you running a fever? You’re red as a beet.”

My face only grew warmer at her words.

“I’m fine.” I said as I slapped her hand away, hating the way my voice cracked when I spoke.

“You sure?” She leaned forward a bit, her grin now drawn into a smirk. “You’re just recovering, it wouldn’t be strange to run a fever at this point. Or is that blush because of something else? Maybe a certain someone?” Her eyes drifted to Damien and then back to me on the last sentence and I was almost positive smoke came out of my ears from how flustered I was.

“Stop teasing her, Miyu.” The leader finally said, walking up to us and placing a hand on the doctor’s shoulder. “It’s not nice.”

Her lips formed a pout as she glanced back at the leader.

“But she’s so fun to tease and they look so cute together.” She turned back to Damien and me. “See? He hasn’t let go of her this whole time.”

My eyes fell to the hand that was still linked with Damien’s and in an instant we both snatched our hands away. Damien backed away from my bed, his eyes on the ground as he rubbed the back of his neck in what looked like embarrassment. Maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me but his ears were tinged the slightest shade of pink.

So even he can get flustered. He always seemed so poised and cool-headed, it was hard to imagine he was the one reacting this way right now.

I hated to admit it but his reaction gave me the slightest bit of hope. Maybe, just maybe…

“You know it’s not like that, Dr Miyuki. Al is like a baby sister to me.”

And there went the hope. Crushed like it never existed. I already knew he didn’t see me as a woman but I never failed to be disappointed when he vocalised it.

Why couldn’t I just get rid of these feelings?

“That’s right. He’s like an infuriating big brother.” I said with a smile, hoping my disappointment didn’t leak through my voice. I avoided locking eyes with anyone because I feared my facade would crumble but Lacey’s gaze caught mine and the sad smile on her lips made me feel even more miserable.

I hated how she always seemed to see through me, especially in moments like these.

Damien suddenly cleared his throat.

“I know you didn’t come all this way just to tease us. Did you need something?” His question was directed at the leader.

“I came all this way just to tease you though.” Dr Miyuki said smugly, her smile ever present.

“I wouldn’t put it past you.” I muttered under my breath and her grin only widened.

“You know me so well.” She playfully tapped my nose.

The leader pulled her backwards by the collar of her lab coat and took her place beside me.

“I heard Al was awake so I came to check on her condition. Am I not allowed to do so?” The leader said with an arched brow directed at Damien. The air around the two men grew thick and everyone grew uncomfortable at the tension. Even the smiley doctor looked hesitantly between the two of them.

“I was just worried you would pester her with questions about the mission this soon.” Damien responded coolly. “But can you blame me? You do have a streak for being inconsiderate.”

“I’m fine now.” I hurriedly said, hoping to ease the tension in the room. “Just a little pain for now but I’m sure that will be gone in a few days. I’ll be back in action before you know it.” I tried to flex an arm for added emphasis but the move put some strain on the wound and I winced

“Don’t push yourself!” The two men said in unison, eyes now on me. They glanced at each other after the synchrony, frowning before returning their attention to me.

“Take time off to heal, there’s no reason to rush back into hunting so soon.” The leader said with his lips in a thin line.

“But there’s a royal on the loose possibly targeting us. I can’t just sit back idly at a time like this. I can bear a little pain.” I retorted.

“You were out for two days. That blade only slightly missed a vital organ, any closer and it could have pierced your heart. There’s no way you’re in just ‘a little pain’. Listen to Greyson and take a break.” The Dr said, her expression uncharacteristically serious.

“I was out for two days?”

“You have no idea how worried we all were. You really gave us quite the fright.” The leader placed his hand on the top of my head. “I’m just glad you’re alright.”

“We all are.” Damien added. “So take the time off.”

My chest felt warm and fuzzy from all the affection they poured on me. It felt awkward coming from these seemingly strict individuals but it wasn’t unpleasant. In that moment they truly felt like my family. After I’d lost mine, I never thought I would get to experience this kind of love ever again. But here I was.

Yet despite the joy that came with knowing I had people who cared so much about me, a dark feeling lingered in the background.

‘Would their smiles still remain if they ever discovered what I was changing into?’

I wanted to believe in unconditional love but deep down I knew the answer to my question.

No. That could never happen. I had to find a way to reverse it. I couldn’t become a vampire. I wouldn’t become one.

I’d rather die.

After what felt like an eternity of Damien and the leader scolding me on how I needed rest, the two men eventually left to tend to other businesses. The Dr had left as well, leaving me alone with Lacey.

As soon as they were gone, she dropped into the chair Damien had previously been sitting on.

“That was rough.”

“Tell me about it.” I sighed aloud, leaning back into the bed.

“You okay?” Lacey asked, her green eyes full of worry. “And I don’t mean just the wound. Back there- we weren’t prepped to face a royal. I just-“

“I’m fine.” I said with a smile, knowing exactly what she was trying to ask.

Besides Damien, Lacey was the closest person to me in the association. Neither of us would admit it aloud because it sounded cringe, but she was my best friend and the first friend I made after my escape from him. She’d witnessed my struggles to adapt after my escape, back when nightmares kept me from sleeping and shadows hid images of his silhouette.

I had been a mess back then and Lacey was one of the people who helped me through that period. She knew how much the idea of royals terrified me.

Her brows creased with a frown, she didn’t seem convinced.

“I mean it. I wasn’t at the time but that was just because it was so sudden. I’m really am fine now.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line.

“I won’t press any further but I want you to know I’m always here for you. If you ever get tired of the tough girl act, I’m here for you. I always am.”

I loathed it so much but despite her kind words, the only thing I could think of was if she would still utter those same words if she found out about the change.

That night, for the first time in years, I dreamt about my time as a blood slave.