Chereads / Shadows of Destiny: A Legacy of Light / Chapter 3 - The Bitter Truth

Chapter 3 - The Bitter Truth

All of a sudden, Edward's happiness vanished, leaving sorrow etched on his face. With a heavy heart, he uttered, "We are not gifted like you, Jenny. We are vampires..."

Jenny was overwhelmed with terror, surprise, sympathy, and a range of other emotions. She stood speechless, trying to process the revelation. After a moment of silence, she mustered the courage to ask Edward if it was them who had hurt Bella.

Edward opposed the accusation, explaining that he and his family had trained themselves to survive on animal blood. They were "vegetarian vampires" and vowed not to harm humans. Jenny's fear subsided as she absorbed this revelation.

Curiosity got the better of her, and she inquired further about the girl and the situation with the other clan. Edward revealed that the girl belonged to a different clan that had arrived in the village. They were dangerous and had a thirst for human blood they couldn't control. The church priest had also spoken about them. Edward explained their history, how he had been turned into a vampire, and how he had taken James and his family under his wing, teaching them to sustain themselves on animal blood. He recounted the past war between the clans, the devastating consequences it brought, and the intervention of the king to halt the bloodshed. However, he warned Jenny that the war was about to begin again.

Realizing the imminent danger, Edward insisted that Jenny stay with James until they could capture Victoria. He assured her that he would handle the problem with Bella. Reluctantly, Jenny agreed, concerned for Bella's safety and the unfolding events.

Edward left for the village, and James accompanied Jenny inside. Sensing her hunger and weakness, James offered to cook her a meal. Jenny, appreciating his culinary skills, asked him if he had cooked before. James playfully admitted that he had only cooked for her, starting from the first time she had fainted. Their banter lightened the mood, and James suggested Jenny rest for a while.

Feeling exhausted, Jenny obliged and went straight to bed. The next morning, she awoke to a dark room, but as she drew the curtains apart, she was greeted by a mesmerizing sight—a pure white landscape stretching as far as the eye could see. The beauty captivated her, momentarily disconnecting her from the events at hand.

Suddenly, a knock on the door shattered the serene connection. Jenny opened the door to find Edward and James, carrying coffee and breakfast. They greeted her, and Jenny's curiosity kicked in once again. She inquired about the missing girl, but Edward sadly informed her that they had yet to find her.

Wanting to know how Bella was doing, Jenny eagerly asked Edward about her condition and how he managed the situation. Edward and James exchanged a glance and quietly left the room, leaving Jenny waiting for answers.

As Jenny waited, a sound of breaking glass and screams emanated from her room. Alarmed, James and Edward rushed to investigate. Finding the door locked, they broke it open, only to be met with a shocking sight...

Victoria stood in front of Jenny, while Jenny remained composed with an ice-cold expression. Edward and James attempted to apprehend Victoria, but her thirst for Jenny's blood overwhelmed her. Victoria, weakened, fainted with her fangs exposed. Edward swiftly took her away, instructing Jenny not to leave James even for a minute. However, he didn't disclose where he was taking Victoria.

Jenny spent the day in the woods with James, cherishing their time together. Deep down, Jenny knew that James had developed feelings for her, but she also understood the impossibility of their relationship due to their inherent differences. Despite this, they spent a week together, sharing moments that deepened their connection.

Worries about Bella nagged at Jenny's mind. One night, as Jenny slept, a strange noise disturbed her. Gripped by fear, she sought solace by wrapping herself around James, who was sitting beside her engrossed in a book. James gently ran his hand through her hair, assuring her before venturing out to investigate.

To his surprise, James found Edward on the couch, visibly tense and distraught. In a hushed conversation, James inquired about Victoria's escape. Edward confided in James, stating that Jenny was not a normal girl. Her blood seemed to have an extraordinary allure for Victoria, and Edward believed she possessed unique powers. James was stunned by this revelation. Edward declared that the war had begun and urged James to gather all the members of their clan and their allies for a meeting.

When Jenny emerged from her room, the conversation ceased, and Edward asked if she had any last visits to make. Puzzled, Jenny replied with a question of her own, unable to comprehend the situation. Without further explanation, Edward left, leaving Jenny to wonder.

Throughout the day, Jenny noticed how hard James tried to keep his distance from her, and she realized the changes within herself. Unbeknownst to her, she had also fallen for James, but she convinced herself they could only be friends due to the insurmountable obstacles between them. Edward, too, observed these changes and pondered Jenny's mysterious identity, sensing there was something more to her than anyone knew.

As Jenny's presence continued to touch the hearts of those around her, Edward couldn't help but pursue the truth about her. He couldn't shake the feeling that she was different, and he had countless questions, particularly regarding Victoria's relentless pursuit of her. He wondered if there was someone else Victoria should be after.