“Yes,” Gavran’s voice was but a whisper.
Troen looked back at me. “Thayde still lives.”
My heart flew through the roof.
“He’s not who he once was though,” Troen’s dark eyes filled with sadness. “You’ll find him with the Farasi in Italy. They live in Florence.”
When he exited the room, I ran after him, catching his elbow in the hall.
“Where are you going?” I cried. “You’re not leaving?”
He turned a tired eye to me. “Morgan, you don’t need anyone to survive. You are the most powerful being there is now. You can’t doubt and you can’t give up. Find your strength. There are too many lives counting on you.”
A lump formed in my throat; he was saying goodbye.
“Focus on your love for your people. Focus on the power God has given you. The problems you have will force you to look and depend on Him instead of yourself and once you do that, you’ll be able to do anything.”
He leaned forward and kissed me on the cheek. “I love you like my own daughter.”
With that, Troen pulled away and left me standing in the hallway with Gavran the Keeper by my side.
CHAPTER TEN
THE FARASI FAMILY
I slept. I slept even though my heart was desperate to find Thayde. I knew I would need all of my strength to face the Farasi Family and instead of leaping into the ocean, I slept until my body ached and then I slept some more. By the end of the second day, I dragged myself out of bed, my back screaming in protest. It was Monday and we would be at war tomorrow. The plans were set and I needed to prepare for it.
Trudging into the guest bathroom, I nearly screamed as I was greeted by some disgusting looking thing staring at me from across the room. My reflection was hideous; greasy clumps of hair lay in uneven patches about my scalp. The dark circles under both of my eyes reminded me of those scary clowns in the horror movies. My skin had paled so much I looked like I used to in the middle of winter in Idaho.
“Wow,” I whispered and promptly gagged. My breath smelled like something had been run over and lay decaying for hours in the sun. If I was to find Thayde, looking like a corpse wouldn’t do, although, it might deter the vampires from trying to bite me. I smiled in spite of myself.
When the bath filled, I submerged myself in the healing gel for an hour before pulling myself together. Finally dressed, I stood before the mirror, turning sideways. Already, my stomach seemed a little more pronounced. Could this really be happening? I ran my hands over the tiny bump. The baby. Thayde’s child. I had to get him back.
A knock at the door averted my attention from my tummy.
“Come in?” I called and Tiesa opened the door.
“Can we talk?” She asked.
“Sure,” I sat on the edge of the bed, my knee bent underneath me. She hesitated before sitting next to me.
“I’m really sorry,” she began, “I hate vampires.”
I winced, knowing full well that Thayde was most likely half vampire.
“My mom was killed by them and Ezen nearly died. I have a reason to hate them.” Her voice was traced with doubt. I didn’t answer.
“I think they’re awful things and to have one around us,” she broke off and rubbed her nose.
“Tiesa, I’m in a bit of a situation,” I chanced. “I’m obligated not to take sides because of my place. Maybe it’s good I don’t have any history with them.”
“It’s probably for the best,” she added.
“You’re my best friend. I respect your opinion, but what would you do if Thayde was one of them?”
Tiesa’s head swiveled to face me. “Is that what’s happened?” She gasped.
“Troen said he’s still alive.”
“If he survived Flynn’s attack, he will be one of them.” Tears welled in her eyes. “What are you going to do?”
“Try and get him back.”
“But he’ll be hated by everyone!”
“That doesn’t make me love him any less, Tiesa.”
Ashamed, she hung her head.
“What would you do if it were Ezen?” I asked.
Bringing her knees up to her chin, she shivered. “I don’t know.”
“Are you serious?”
“He wouldn’t be the same person, Morgan! When people are turned into vampires, they don’t retain all their memories. It’s like a re-birth. A mer-vamp has never been done! What if he doesn’t remember anything? Ever? What if he becomes a spy? He’ll turn against us! It’s what they do. They can’t be trusted.”
“Would you give Ezen the benefit of the doubt?”
She thought briefly and then gave me a slight nod.