Part 24 (1/2)

There were only a handful of vampires left. They saw they were outnumbered and they fled, disappearing into the forest.

n.o.body relaxed until the sun poured into the harbor. I don't know how it's possible, but the warehouse and neglected harbor seemed more deserted and creepy during the day.

Guardian angels that weren't cleaning up the mess were ordered to bring the cars they had abandoned down the road into the harbor. I heard Mr Aleksandrov tell another guardian we had to get out of here now if we wanted to make it back to Sage before nightfall. His robe was torn and dirty. He walked over to me. I was sitting on a not-so-comfortable rock by the edge of the forest.

”It's good to see you again, Ruby,” he greeted.

”You too.”

He sat down beside me.

”Thank you for rescuing us.”

”I told you I wouldn't let any harm come to you. I wish I could have helped you sooner but I needed to make sure the school was secure and the students were safe before I could do anything.”

”I understand.”

We sat in silence for a few minutes.

”Lucian said he'll come back for me.”

”I a.s.sumed as much.”

”I can't go back to Sage ... That'll be the first place he'll look. He'll hurt Mila and Eli... and you. I can't let that happen.”

Mr Aleksandrov reached into his pocket and pulled out a small necklace. It was the ruby one Camilla got me for my birthday.

”I had a hunch you wouldn't want to come back to Sage, so I charmed your necklace. When you wear it, vampires that know who you are won't be able to recognize you.”

”What do you mean?”

”It works as a hallucination in a way. If you're wearing it and Lucian happens to spot you, he won't know it's you because the charm projects a new image, changing your appearance. To everyone else you look the same, but to vampires you'll look completely different.”

I took the necklace from his hand and ran my thumb over its warm surface. This was all I needed to start a new life... a life without death, vampires, and magic... without Eli.

I watched Eli as he strolled toward us.

”Everyone is ready. We should probably leave now, we can't waste any more time. Even if we leave now we still might not make by nightfall.”

”Yes, well, I'll round everybody up. Let me know when you're ready, Ruby.” Aleksandrov rose to his feet and walked away.

I knew I had to talk to Eli about my decision to leave but I couldn't find the words. If I left him now, I'd lose him forever. Is being miserable worth his safety? What a silly question. I'd rather be depressed and alone than have his death on my conscience. When Lucian discovered I wasn't at Sage, then he'd leave them alone. Hunter's words rang in my mind, 'this has nothing to do with them, this is about you. If you want to protect the ones you love, then you need to face this on your own.'

If I stay away from Lucian and keep him away from Eli, Mila, and Mr Aleksandrov, then that's all I could ask for. That's all I want.

I wasn't oblivious to Eli's presence but I pretended I was.

”You did well.”

”Thanks.”

He crouched down and briefly my eyes fell onto the dry blood stain on the front of his s.h.i.+rt. Eli was as good as dead, I knew it and he knew it, but Hunter saved him. Hunter gave me a chance to say goodbye.

”Eli, there's something I need to say to you.”

I glanced at him, his green eyes were watching me intently. There was a sadness on his face, as if he knew what I was going to say. There was no easy way to say it. I needed to get it over with.

”I'm leaving.” I forced down the lump that formed in my throat. ”I'm going to live my life away from all of this. It's best for everyone involved.”