Chapter Seven
A month had passed and my life had changed drastically. That night when Mikael had offered me immortality, my mind was in turmoil. I had woken to an empty bed with just a note on the pillow to bid me farewell, to let me make my own decisions when the time was right. I still had that letter, still read that one sentence in elegant calligraphy each night as my mind and body raged war with each other.
Over the past month I had quit my job, despite George’s and all the other girls pleads for me to stay. I had enough saved up that I could live comfortably for a considerable amount of time. I had yet to move out of the city, partly because my health had started to deteriorate, but mainly because I couldn’t bring myself to move so far away from Mikael, and the excitement and life he gave me in that one night. My whole life, twenty-seven years worth that I had been on this planet, hadn’t amounted to much of anything. I had never went through my dream of becoming a teacher, didn’t have the time or health to even attempt to get my degree now.
So here I was, in the same cramped apartment that I had swore I would leave as soon as I had saved enough money. I made my way to the bathroom and stared at myself in the mirror. I ran my finger around the dark circles under my eyes and over my ashen skin. I lost weight, nothing too substantial, but enough that I noticed it in my clothing. I was a girl who used to be an escort, but now was just an empty shell of a person.
I made my way into the living room and sat down, looking at Mikael’s note again. The paper was butter smooth from my continuous reading, but the ink was still black as night. I re-read the letter, imaging he was speaking to me directly in his deep compelling baritone voice.
When you’re ready, Sophie, I’ll be waiting.
Isn’t it strange how our life can change so dramatically in just a day? One night, a month ago, I had shared my body with four vampire brothers. That same evening, I had given my mind, body and soul to a man that wasn’t even human. I had shared my deepest secret with him, confessed my greatest fear, and he gave me the choice of life or death. Maybe it was fate. I may never truly know what I want in my life, but I do know that Mikael was all I could think about, all I wanted.
I grabbed my keys, one destination in mind. When I got in my car and started driving, I feared my heart would explode, feared I was losing my mind in following through with this. Here I was, taking the biggest leap of my life, and praying I wouldn’t get hurt. After all, what’s the worst that could happen?
When I pulled up to the giant gates they opened for me as if I was expected, as if a lover was welcoming me home. I stopped in front of the mansion and turned the car off. My mind whirled with a thousand different thoughts as I sat there staring at the front doors.
Feeling resolve, I got out of the car and made my way toward the entrance. I lifted my hand to knock, but the doors opened before I made contact. Standing on the other side was the object of my thoughts, of my affection. I may have only known Mikael for that one night, but there was a spark between us, a power that pulled us together. Maybe it was fate, just like he proclaimed?
Mikael held his hand out to me and I took it without hesitation. “Sophie.” He said my name like it was gold and diamonds, like it was the sweetest thing that had ever graced his tongue.
“I’m ready, Mikael. I’m ready to accept what fate has given me.” I let him lead me inside, the sound of the heavy doors closing behind me, sealing my destiny. As he wrapped me in an embrace, I knew I was making the right decision.
“My brothers will be happy you’ve come home.” I looked up and then over at the open doorway. Standing there in all their glory was Eli, Jonah and Benjamin. Mikael took my hand and I followed him. This was, after all, fate leading the way.