Ever After

Chapter 39



Deep South



The massive pillars on the front porch, a heavy wood door with intricate carvings in the middle. It was amazing. I couldn’t imagine how many rooms it had to have. Despite the fact, the coven had not lived here in a very long time, it looked freshly painted and in pristine condition.

The rain let up as we waited to get out of the car and I studied the house. The ancient oak trees surrounded it, giving lots of shade, a key thing for a coven of vamps. They all could tolerate sun of course but that didn’t mean they liked it very much. Security lights came on at each corner of the house and I could see that just beyond the grass was the swamp. I read some about New Orleans and its mysterious swamps. I knew it was infested with hungry alligators and God only knew what else lived in there.

“It’s so huge and beautiful.” I said to Will as we waited for Doc and the others to make sure all was secure before we got out of the car.

“This is the house Doc’s wife picked out, a long time ago. He never had the heart to sell it. I think keeping this house and maintaining it, is his way of honoring her.” Will smiled as he looked up at the stately old place.

“I bet your right that sounds like Doc.”

“It’s very secluded too, so it’s always been a safe haven for the coven, from humans any way. It has always felt like home to me, even though I spent more time up north than here. My childhood home is just in town, if it’s safe I will show it to you later this week.” I leaned on his arm and squeezed it lovingly.

“I would love that.” I thought I felt him shake a little. I worried he was coming down with something too. “Are you ok?” I asked softly.

“Sure yeah, the flight’s got me shook up some. I’m fine don’t worry love.” He kissed me as Doc opened the car door.

“All clear kid’s its ok to get out.” I was so glad to get out of moving things, my stomach was uneasy and I was tired. Will and I quickly went into the house or mansion rather. It was dimly lit to my surprise, I knew it had electricity.

“They keep it like that; the elders that stay here are fond of the dim lights.” Will squeezed my hand seeing the odd look on my face at all the candles. I held his hand as we followed one of the coven members upstairs. When I say stairs, I think it must have been five flights. I was beat by the time we got to my room.

Will opened the door to a very lavish suite. I had a massive cherry wood four-poster bed, and my own bathroom and sitting room. The walls were covered in elegant floral wallpaper and the curtains were done in a heavy lace and pink velvet. It had its own fireplace and I was happy to see it was going since I was cold.

“Do you like it, if not we have many others to choose from.” Will smiled. “Doc wanted you closer to his rooms and mine so we can keep an eye on you.”

“Oh keep an eye on me?” I smirked.

“No, not like that, your health you nut!” He laughed.

“I know, I was kidding. This is perfect; it’s like a five star hotel, not a bed room.” I walked around the room, admiring all the pictures and decorations. “Are these antiques?” I asked looking at a hairbrush, which looked like it was never used, it had a carved bone handle.

“Yes, they are all original to the house, many over 190 years old, some even more because Doc brought them here.”

I sat down on the bed and sank right in; it was like a giant pillow. “Wow!”

“Down comforter.” Will winked at me. “Mom demands every room has one, she say’s we only sleep a few hours a day, so it better be comfortable.”

“I like that; this is the softest thing I have ever felt.” I laid back and sighed. Will took my hand and pulled me back up slowly. He took my face into his hands and stared lovingly into my eyes.

“This will all be over soon. I promise Doc will get all this figured out with Leo and the Dark coven.”

“I know. I just don’t want anyone getting hurt. I can’t stand the idea of any of the coven members getting hurt or worse because of me.” I looked down at my hands sadly thinking how I disrupted the entire coven, making them have to come down here.”

“No, don’t feel like that. It’s more about me and Doc. Leo’s after us and because I love you, he has dragged you into it.” He sat next to me and put his arm around me. “Heck, Vincent and Leo were angry with Doc and Lydia long before us; we just were in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“I’m just scared, I feel like something’s going to go wrong. I have this bad feeling and I can’t shake it.”

“Don’t worry, were going to be ok.” I saw him take in a deep breath. For a moment, he winced and seemed to be on pain.

“Will, are you ok?” I whispered putting my hand on his arm. He didn’t or couldn’t answer, and that’s when I got scared. He was always quick to tell me all would be well, nothing was going to happen, and he didn’t this time.

“Uh… yeah, I’m ok.” He finally said has he exhaled slowly, he turned his head away from me and closed his eyes, obviously in pain. I knew he was not ok; he was digging his fingers into the bedspread.

“I’m going to call Doc and Pratt.” I said rubbing his arm.

“No I’m fine, just….” He gasped wrapping one arm around his chest and squeezing his eyes closed. I grabbed my cell, knowing it would take me forever to find Doc and Pratt if I ran around this place. It would be faster to call. I dialed and my hands were shaking, as I was afraid to look at the key pad and take my eyes off Will.

“Doc,” my voice shook. Will wasn’t even arguing with me calling now, he couldn’t speak. “Will’s sick, I don’t know what happened please hurry!” I cried, tears filling my eyes. “What is it? Is it your heart, your stomach? What can I do to help you?”

“Help me to the floor.” He gasped, in sheer uncountable agony. I helped him to the floor and on to the thick Persian rug next to my bed. I couldn’t bear to see him like this, it was horrible. I had no idea what was wrong, and no idea how to help him. It was a flash back to the horrid night of the Halloween party, the night we both almost died.

“What can I do?” I begged him.

“Nothing…” he whispered and put his head on to the rug.

“I have to do something, please Will what’s happening to you?” I cried and put my head onto his chest, his breathing was very shallow. I pushed his hair out of his eyes and put my hand onto his cool cheek.

Doc and Pratt nearly broke down the door as I jerked my head up to see them. Sayann was right behind them, with Roth and Lydia following. Doc knelt down next to Will, and I moved so Pratt could get to Will’s left side.

“William, William.” Doc yelled as he gently shook him. He briefly opened his eyes and looked at Doc. “Is it chest pain?”

“Yes.” Will replied weakly. Doc and Pratt looked up at each other, and I knew, they both knew what was wrong with him.

“Why did you not tell me about this Will?” Doc’s face was strained, as he had one hand on William’s wrist checking his pulse. Will took a staggered breath and closed his eyes before he began to speak.

“I thought I could get over on my own.” He gasped and took another shallow breath. “I didn’t want any of you to worry about me.”

“As I thought.” Doc sighed sadly. I sat back onto the floor watching, to afraid to move or speak. I wanted to help Will but I had no idea what to do for him. I worried Doc and Pratt didn’t either.

“Options here Pratt?” Doc asked his voice had a hard edge to it.

“God…well let’s see.” Pratt closed his eyes thinking hard. “He needs human blood, living blood right from the source it’s self. I don’t have any other ideas, its pretty cut and dried as far as the treatment for his condition.” He shook his head as he watched William still struggling to breath.

“It’s even more critical he get fresh human blood now, seeing as he hid his illness from us for quite some time. His body is breaking down, and he’s only going to get worse. I’m afraid he might go into shock or cardiac arrest if this goes on much longer.”

“I’ll do it!” The words flew out of my mouth, it was instinctive. I had to help him no matter what, he was the love of my life, and I would do whatever I had to do for him.

“Corrine you cannot, you’re nearly fully changed into a half blood just as he is, it’s not possible.” Doc seemed shocked that I even offered to give Will my blood.

“Nearly,” I basically yelled back. Will was running out of time and I was not letting him die. “I’m not fully changed, Pratt told me. I still need a small dose of venom to become a true half blood!” Pratt looked at me and took a deep breath, he looked baffled, but not surprised I remembered his words. He looked at Will and then back at me as if trying to decide if it was possible for Will to once again take my blood to survive.

“It… might be possible.” He said his voice tense and his eyes dark and serious. “Come closer Corrine let me check your pulse.”

I moved next to him right away and knelt on the floor to the right of William. Pratt pulled up my shirtsleeve and placed his fingers on my wrist. He then held my wrist to his mouth, closed his eyes, and took a long deep breath. I knew he was seeing if my blood was still human enough to help Will. The elder vamps could smell the difference in a human even without tasting the actual blood, only smelling the skin.

“I’m still sensing you are human, you are very nearly done changing though. I think your blood may still be strong enough to get Will out of this. It is all we can do to let you try; no other humans are near here. We would have to break the coven rules if we go that route and take a human from someplace.”

I swallowed hard trying to fight back the flood of tears in my eyes as I watched Will; he was in horrible pain as Doc held him. “I can save him then?” I asked desperately hoping they would let me try.

“No she can’t.” Will managed to say in a forced whisper. “She’s too weak, I won’t do that to her again!” He was angry as he looked at Doc and Pratt; he had to fight to keep his eyes open.

“Will, its ok. Corrine is nearly fully changed, she is very strong now, and doing this would not hurt her at all. The only thing she needs is a slight bit of venom to push her change into completion. If she gives you her blood, some of your venom will, of course get into her system and help her and her blood will help you.”

“Are you sure about all this Pratt, we must be certain.” Doc asked nervously.

“Yes, trust me, you smell her wrist and tell me what you sense.” He snatched up my wrist, obviously annoyed with Pratt now. Doc took my arm gently, smelled my wrist, and nodded in approval.

“Yes, you are right.”

“Then let’s do this, Will is fading quickly we have not got much time.”

I scooted closer to William, this time Pratt held my small pale wrist next to William’s lips. Will looked up at me sadly; his blue eyes seemed so dark now, a royal blue almost.

“Are you sure?” He whispered.

“Yes Will, you heard Pratt and Doc, you must do this before its too late.” I begged him, tears sliding down my cheeks uncontrollably now.

I knew if this did not work, he would die. Doc would break the coven rules and steal a random human from near here if he had to, but we no longer had time to find one. If my blood was too weak, nothing could be done for William.

“Do it!” I ordered him and sniffed, making myself stop crying. There was not going to be any more negotiation about this, Will could see the steel in my eyes, and that I meant my words. He slowly nodded and looked up at Doc who now held my wrist.

I quickly kissed Williams lips, and whispered I loved you to him. His eyes were closed now; he was too weak to even speak anymore. Doc held my wrist to Wills lips. I felt him kiss it softly before I felt his razor sharp fangs sink deeply into my tender skin. I quickly shoved my hand over my mouth to muffle a cry of pain. Pratt put his arm around me to comfort and keep me from falling over.

“Breath Corrine, it will be ok.” He whispered to me.

I nodded, my eyes squeezed tightly shut, the venom was starting to burn my wrist, but I fought the pain. Suddenly the room began to spin, and weak. I fell back into Pratt’s arms; they were wrapping my wrist with a towel or something.

“Pressure, put pressure on her wrist, he bit deep.” I could tell that was Doc’s voice now.

“Ok I have it.” Pratt answered. I could hear Sayann in the room. She was helping Pratt with my wrist. I could not open my eyes, and felt so tired it sounded like many people were in the room now. I heard Roth’s voice and Lydia’s as well. Doc was booming out orders like a drill sergeant to everyone.

“Roth get Will up to the top floor office, and into the bed closest to my office, Sayann, you go along and help him please. Pratt and I will be up shortly after we see to Corrine.” I heard then both say yes, and movement as they took Will to Doc’s office somewhere in the massive house.

I was picked up and carried to my bed, by Pratt. I knew his scent, as each vamp had one, somehow the guys all smelled like some good cologne. Lydia and Emma tucked me in and I felt a heart monitor put onto my finger. Pratt was at my ear again and I had to think hard to understand his words.

“Corrine dear, were giving you a sedative, as the venom will begin to hurt you soon. You will sleep through the pain, all will be well.” I felt a prick in my arm, the shot I assumed but I didn’t care. I felt like I was floating, or in a dream. I soon drifted off to sleep all of their voices became muffled. The one thought I kept having as I drifted, was where William was, and was he still alive.

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