There was no time to ponder these mementos of her friends. She didn’t know how long they would be out, and she didn’t want to risk being seen. She placed a note conspicuously in the middle of the bed. They wouldn’t be able to miss it.
Once she left their room, she knew she should leave town, but she couldn’t help wanting to see, or rather feel, Meg’s reaction. It was another six hours before Amaia saw Meg and Liam return. As soon as Meg entered the boardinghouse, Amaia turned away from her window. Once Meg found the note, she was likely to look for Amaia. Standing at the window would put her within Meg’s line of sight.
Amaia closed her eyes and focused on Meg’s energy. It was warm and comforting, like being wrapped in a familiar blanket. How had her life become so complicated? Everything in her told her that she should be across the street, laughing and chatting with Meg and Liam.
It didn’t take long for Meg’s aura to buzz. The corners of Amaia’s lips lifted. The excitement in Meg’s energy revitalized her, made her realize that she had been nothing more than a walking corpse these last years. The buzz came closer. Amaia clenched her fists to keep from turning to the window. She hoped Meg would go straight to Notre Dame as the note directed and not bother looking for her.
Once Meg’s energy was a distant hum, she retreated from the village. It was time to wait for a reply. She didn’t want to risk running into Meg, so she would check the hiding place in a fortnight. Wandering aimlessly, Amaia closed her eyes and relived the excitement of Meg’s energy. She pictured Meg and Liam’s room, imagined them in it, the air alive with their presence. When she opened her eyes, nothing but the stillness of night greeted her. She was alone.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Naples, December 1843
Receiving your letter was a shock. Liam’s impressed by how well you’ve obviously become at hiding your energy. We haven’t felt a vampire in quite some time. I’m just happy you’ve managed to escape Zenas.
On that note, it appears that he has indeed forgotten about you for the time being. I don’t know about Lawrence. I haven’t seen or heard from him since shortly after you left.
As for your problems, I ache for you, my dear friend. I wish I could see you now so I could help you, but I understand your reasons for staying away. I’m grateful, because as you know I would want to follow you, and even though Zenas appears to not hunt you anymore, I know Liam would not approve. My advice to you is this: you have a good heart, Amaia, whether or not you want to admit to it. Follow it. It will take you to where you need to be.
I’ll check back here often in hopes that you leave another note. Please, let me know how you are doing. I miss you daily.
Love,
Meg
Amaia clutched the letter to her chest. In her mind, she heard Meg speaking the words she had written. Her voice, the scrawl of her handwriting, her scent on the page, it all gave Amaia strength. She might be alone in body, but not in spirit. The support was heartening, and she’d reread the note frequently in the months since retrieving it.
She wished she could pen a reply, but there was nothing to say. The next chapter of her life was yet to be written. She couldn’t contact Meg again until she knew what would happen next. Soon, she would know whether her note would elicit celebration or comfort. Whichever outcome, she knew Meg would play the role of best friend perfectly, far better than Amaia ever had.
Less than a week remained until Michael’s birthday. If Amaia followed her heart, it would always take her to Michael. But was that the best choice? She knew the answer was no. Her presence did nothing but complicate Michael’s life. He deserved peace and long life, two things that she would never be able to give him.
But what would she do if he didn’t want her? Could she really just walk away, never see him again? No. As Meg had told her before, the thought of endless time without him was enough to drive her mad. She would have to keep watch over him. Liam’s words flitted through her mind. Michael was hers to protect. She would keep him safe, and if he ever needed her, she would be there. She could content herself with being in the shadows of his life, intervening only when Michael’s best interests were at risk.
In less than a week’s time, she would face judgment. She knew Michael thought his love was strong enough to withstand the trials of their life together. Even if he was right, and he chose to open the gates of heaven to her, she would still have to be strong enough to do what was best for him. Her resolve must be absolute. If he welcomed her into his life again, she must be prepared to do whatever it would take to give him the life he deserved. She would live up to his exalted opinion of her. And if he shunned her? Then she would have to find the courage to do all of that without him by her side.
***