[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
have no choice. Do you understand me? You will die
otherwise!"
"I don't care! It has to be better than this. You've taken
everything from me. What is there to live for? I never wanted
this." Natasha pulled her arm from Renee's grasp. "Get away
from me!" She pushed Renee away, sending her flying several
feet through the air. Not looking back, Natasha ran into the
night.
* * *
Twenty-four hours seemed like an eternity.
Natasha staggered through an unknown forest. The sewer
she stumbled upon as the sun rose provided necessary cover
during the day, but she did not escape unscathed. The left side
of her face, her arms and hands, bore scorch marks because of
her lack of knowledge and expediency. The pain was nearly
unbearable, but the thirst... the thirst was worse. Her thoughts
were a jumbled mess of desperation. She felt feral, like some
ravenous wild thing. Still, Natasha refused to hunt in the forest,
teeming with life. She fell to her knees, but lacked the strength
to get up again.
- 68 -
Agony ripped through her, causing her to cry out. "I don't
want to die," Natasha whispered as she succumbed to the
blackness around her.
Minutes, hours, possibly days later, arms encircled her,
lifting her.
"I don't want to die," Natasha repeated through dry,
cracked lips.
"I know, love. I know," Renee whispered.
The scent of blood surrounded her, dripping from her
lover's wrist. Natasha whimpered in relief as she drank.
Strength returned quickly. Her wounds healed. They peered at
each other in silence for long minutes.
"How did you find me?"
I felt you. I should have come earlier, but I thought you
needed this time, Renee answered.
How generous of you.
Tasha...
"No, let me say what I need to," Natasha interrupted.
"Alright."
"You'll teach me what I need to know," Natasha said.
"Alright."
"I love you, but I don't know if I can ever forgive you. I
don't even know if I can live with you."
"Alright." Renee swallowed. Her tone was hollow.
The quiet engulfed them again.
Renee was the first to pierce it. "I did not mean for this to
be so hard for you. I know you've been through so much. I'm
sorry, but turning you felt like the right thing to do." Renee
tightened her embrace. "Do you believe me?" Her eyes were
pleading.
Natasha nodded. "I know you love me... need me."
"You have no idea."
"I do now. I don't think that you would go to these
extremes otherwise."
- 69 -
Through their gaze alone, they communicated deep
understanding, but there was also the knowledge that
something had broken between them.
* * *
The buzz of someone pulling the cord yanked Natasha
from the past. She sighed and wiped a hand over her face as the
streetcar began moving again. The memories made it seem like
yesterday, but the searing pain that used to accompany them
had diminished to a dull ache. Maybe some part of me is
learning to forgive her. The notion both frightened and relieved
her. Still, the anger... the anger was still present and
overwhelming. Then again, maybe not quite yet.
Refusing to dwell anymore, she peered out the window as
they rolled through the Garden District. Large houses and
mansions jutted out and gleamed with their own dramatic
lighting. It was immaculate, compared to Mid City and further
down Canal. As she passed the zoo, Tulane and Loyola
University, Natasha realized that she had gone too far. She
pulled the cord, and without acknowledging the driver, who bid
her farewell, left the safety of the streetcar.
Natasha moved through the streets and anyone watching
closely would have only seen a blur. Turning on Napoleon, she
crossed Chestnut and headed toward Magazine Street. Her
mouth curled into a smirk and she nearly rolled her eyes as she
passed Rosegate. Even with the late hour, there were tourists
standing outside, snapping pictures in hopes of catching a
glimpse of the famous author. If people only knew that a real
specimen lived nearby, there would probably be a mob on her
doorstep, complete with torches.
Natasha opened the door to her impromptu home of three
months, wondering how long she would be here. She had
followed her ex-lover over three continents during the past fifty
years, and she had yet to stay in one place for more than a year.
- 70 -
Sooner or later she would show herself and Renee would beg
for her return.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]