After I gave her my blood, I placed my index finger near her nostrils and could feel her breath. I stared up at the cliff, and my vision seemed to sharpen to an extraordinary degree. I saw farther than I ever had before. I gazed at the edge of the cliff but couldn't see Jack anywhere nearby. I also noticed that my sense of smell had intensified; I could smell the blood on Meredith's gown and the wind brushing against my skin. I watched Meredith as she breathed in and out. My sense of hearing was heightened—I could hear her heartbeat.
"What? What's happening to me?" I muttered under my breath. The wind felt colder at night, and I feared wild creatures might be nearby, eager to tear at our flesh. The scent of her blood was overpowering, and, as I feared, I squinted into the distance and saw two pairs of glowing red eyes encroaching upon us from the darkness.
It wasn't on all fours but stood like a human. Slowly, as it approached us, the moonlight cast its gaze upon the creature.
"What the hell is that?" I muttered, gasping at the seven-foot-tall figure with a hunched back. Its body was covered in black-grey fur, like that of a wolf, and muscles rippled all over it. Its eyes glistened blood red, and its fangs were visible. It growled, and I could see trails of saliva falling from its mouth. Its face resembled that of a wolf. It stared at us with murderous intent, and I could feel its predatory aura from where I knelt.
It slowly tilted its head upwards, gazing at the moon as though admiring its yellowish hue. With a loud cry, it howled into the air, clenching both massive paws. I covered my ears with my hands and gritted my teeth against the intense pressure of the sound. I had never felt such malevolent energy in all my life.
It slowly tilted its head, and at first, with slow steps, it began running toward us, baring its fangs and extending its talons. I embraced Meredith tightly in my arms. I shut my eyes, ready for the creature to devour us, but in a searing moment of dread, I felt a huge force pierce the air and collide with the creature. I still clutched Meredith, my body pressing against hers. Slowly, I lifted my head and saw the creature on the ground, a short distance from us, sprawled and panting heavily. From where I was, I could feel its heartbeat. The rhythmic thumping was loud at first, but it slowed, each thump growing fainter, until within a minute, its heart stopped beating.
I heard a crisp sound from behind a boulder. Even with my heightened vision, I couldn't see who was hiding, but my sense of smell identified the person as a female human.
"Get out of here. Now!" the woman commanded. Her voice, strong yet familiar, indicated she was likely in her mid-40s. For a moment, I thought the voice sounded oddly familiar, like someone I knew. I lifted Meredith in my arms and began running. My steps were slow at first, but then a spark of energy spread through my body. I felt a sudden clarity, an awareness of everything around me. My body felt lighter, even as I carried Meredith. I could feel my aura intensifying.
"Meredith, are you doing this?" I muttered under my breath, my voice steady and surprisingly calm as I sped inhumanly toward Meredith's house.
I arrived at Meredith's house within minutes, speeding into her room and gently laying her on the king-sized bed. I pulled off my glasses and, with a smile, stroked her dark hair. Even though she looked pale, almost ghostly in her sleep, she was still so beautiful. I could see her fangs slightly poking from her mouth—she looked like Scar. There was a trail of blood on her lips. I was about to use my thumb to wipe the blood away when her fangs sank into my palm. I grunted in pain as she bit deeper into my flesh, holding my palm tightly with both hands. Her eyes, despite being shut, glistened with a reddish glow. Her face radiated, and the paleness of her skin faded away. Her natural beauty returned. I could hear the back of her neck sewing itself together, and in an instant, her entire appearance was healthy and whole, as though she had never suffered any affliction, save for the cream-colored gown stained with blood.
She slowly squinted her eyes open and met my gaze,
"Jaze.Jaze, are you alright?" Her voice was weak and gentle as she placed her right gloved hand on my cheek. I could feel my eyes starting to tear up.
"I'm fine, Merry. I'm glad you're awake," I responded, kissing her palm. I felt terrified by the fact that she wasn't human. The reality I once knew seemed like a lie. Vampires existed, and I was in love with one. This could be the answer to the questions about my mother, my strange cancer, and why the pendant I had worn since childhood had a healing effect on my body.
She slowly sat upright, gently removed her gloves, and placed her forehead against mine. She held my face with both hands, and the familiar static sensation spread across my skin. I could feel her heartbeat thumping in her chest. There was a strange, delicate feeling of faint excitement, as though she was relieved but also burdened by the fact that I knew her true nature.
"Aren't you afraid of me?" she asked, her voice as soft as a whisper, her eyes closed.
"Look at me," I replied, holding her right hand, which was resting on my face. "I love you, no matter what you are." I meant every word I said,though I was conflicted with swriling emotions. If she transformed into another creature, I would still love her. She drew her lips closer to mine, and we kissed. I could feel my tongue go deeper into her mouth; her tongue came into contact with mine, and in a moment of bliss, our minds connected and became one.