Pain ripped through Mia’s chest; she urged herself to run faster.
The man turned to look at them and he dropped Jess. Her limp body fell to the ground. They saw blood on the man’s face and on Jess’s throat. Bryce and Cody both drew their guns.
“Freeze, you bastard!”
Vasile took off at incredible speed. They opened fire but he never stopped. Cain heard the gunshots and saw Vasile speeding into the woods, but he did not go after him. What if Mia was hurt?
Cody was stunned. “I know I hit him at least twice!”
Bryce ran to Jess, felt for a pulse. He slowl shook his head. “She’s dead.”
Mia’s leaden legs propelled her to her mother. She shoved Bryce out of the way and dropped to her knees. She reached for her mom, shaking her head in disbelief, and lifted Jess’s hand to her cheek. A despairing wail ripped painfully from her throat as she pulled her mom’s limp body in to hers, cuddling her bloodied head to her chest.
Bryce and Cody were helpless with shock for a frozen moment, but anger built rapidly. They wanted action; they wanted to catch the bastard who had done this.
When Cain reached the house, Mia was on her knees, her mother in her arms. He walked over and saw the blood on her mother’s lips. He could not breathe and his head began to pound. Why had Vasile chosen Jess? He was afraid this would finish Mia.
He touched her shoulder. “Mia,” he said softly, his voice full of sorrow.
“Cain,” she whispered. He saw her lips begin to quiver as he bent down beside her. “Oh, Cain,…I think he’s…killed her.” She began to sob. He put his arm around her and she leaned into him.
He held her tightly and quietly motioned for the guys to come over. Cody took Jess up to her bedroom and the others went to saddle up horses so they could hunt the man down. Mr Bates phoned the police. Cain led Mia to Mrs Bates to try and console her; they were both convinced Jess was dead, but Cain needed to go and check.
One hour later the sheriff arrived along with the doctor. The doctor pronounced Jess dead, but Cain knew different; Vasile had given her his blood, he could smell it on her. But he had no idea what the change would do to her, what it would do to Mia.
The sheriff took statements from everyone, apologizing for having to do so at such a difficult time. But everyone wanted the killer caught as soon as possible. Cain could not keep his eyes off Mia. The heartache etched on her face was almost too much for him to bear. She was perched on a chair, her arm wrapped protectively around herself, moving slightly back and forth. There were no tears now, no sound, just the rocking.
As the sheriff took Cain’s statement, he seemed to pause before asking each question. Cain did not care; he couldn’t tear his eyes away from Mia. And the sheriff seemed almost relieved when Cain offered to make the arrangements for Jess’s body to be returned home.
When Cain asked everyone to please leave, Mrs Bates was most reluctant to leave Mia, and only left after Cain had become insistent.
At last he was alone with Mia. He watched her, rhythmic rocking, unblinking, staring into space. Should I tell her the truth? No, I can’t. This is too dangerous for her. He walked over and lifted her up, holding her tightly in the protective circle of his arms. She responded slightly by putting her arm around his neck and laying her face on his chest. He then sat down cradling her, the only comfort he could give. They stayed like that for what seemed an eternity, and then he felt the warmth of her tears on his skin and quiet sobs flooded his ears.
“Mia, I have to tell you something.”
“Why did this happen?”
“She’s not dead.”
Mia looked up, confused. “The doctor?”
“Your mother is in a kind of stasis while her body changes.”
Her voice was just above a whisper. “She’s not dead? Changes?”
“She was attacked by a vampire named Vasile. She will wake in three days.” Mia slowly climbed from his lap. “When she wakes she will be a vampire?”
Mia started pacing the room, mumbling to herself and running her fingers through her hair. “This isn’t happening.” She stared at Cain. “Why? Why would he do that to her? What had she done?”
Cain slowly stood up and put his hands on her shoulders. She met his gaze and saw the pain in his eyes.
“She did nothing. He was the one who changed my mother, and killed Helena.”
Mia shot back out of his gentle grip. The horror in her eyes caused him to take a deep breath. Barely audible, she said, “No.”
Her eyes glistening with the fresh tears that started to build. “Does this have something to do with you? Is this your fault?”
“I don’t know.”
She wiped her nose with the back of her hand. “I’m going to her now.”
A chill raced down his spine. “I’ll come with you.”
“No!” she screamed, and walked away.
***
After an hour of solitary torment Cain climbed the stairs. He stood in the doorway watching Mia holding Jess’s hand.
Mia didn’t look at him. “How did he know you were here?”
He took a few steps into the room. “I don’t know. He could not have followed me, I would have known.”
Mia’s face looked older than her years. “So it was just a coincidence?”
“I believe so.” He walked a few more steps and sat by her feet. “I am really sorry.”
“What will happen to her…when she changes?” Her eyes pleaded for an answer that would not horrify her.
He sighed and looked away. “I don’t know what the change will do to her. Everyone will have to leave.” Mia tensed, looking shocked. “For their own safety.”
Mia turned back to Jess and stroked her face. “Do you think she may hurt them?”
“I’m sorry to have to say this but, yes, she may hurt everyone.”
“I’m not leaving her.”
He leapt to his feet. “You have to, Mia! She could kill you.”
“I’m not leaving and that’s final.”
***
The next morning Cain made arrangements for the ranch staff to stay away for a few days, telling them it was just while Mia came to terms with what had happened. Mr and Mrs Bates were to stay with friends in town. Bryce and Cody agreed to continue their hunt for Vasile with the sheriff, returning to the ranch only to care for the horses.
On the second night, with the ranch practically deserted, Mia spent the night crying in Cain’s arms. She had not slept properly since the incident, so when she finally fell into a deep sleep in the early hours of morning, Cain took the opportunity to check the woods for any sign of Vasile. Nothing, but he knew Vasile would be back at some point to claim his new mate.
When Mia awoke, Cain again tried desperately to convince her to leave. He told her how at first her mother would probably not recognize her and would kill her, seeing her only as food. “Mia, you have to be believe me! She will be starving with a level of hunger you cannot even imagine. Nothing else will matter, only feeding on human blood. Anyone’s blood.”
“No! I won’t leave Mom to face this without me.”
“You have to stay away from her!” He had raised his voice considerably, and he held her head to force her to look at him. “You have to trust me with this or you could die, and I couldn’t bear that. If you are that close to Jess when she wakes even I won’t be fast enough to stop her if….” He let the words hang, unable to paint the graphic image that flashed through his mind; his beloved Mia with her throat ripped out by her mother.
Mia stared coldly back at him. She was praying he was lying, but she knew him too well. Reluctantly, she acknowledged the sincerity and urgency of what he was saying. She stood defeated. “I won’t stay by her bedside, but I will be right next door.”
With a swamping of relief he gently urged her out of the door. “I promise I will care for her and guide her through her first hours awake.”
The next day was difficult for both of them. Cain knew he dare not leave
Jess’s side; it was rare but it had been known for a human to need less than three days to change. He had to be there, fully prepared for any outcome. Mia wandered wraith-like between her bedroom and her mother’s, hardly sleeping or eating. Shadows grew dark below her haunted eyes and Cain ached for her in her grief.
On the evening of the third day, Jess awoke. She was confused, and hungry, so very hungry. She could hear another heartbeat not far away. All she could concentrate on was that heartbeat, and that only intensified her hunger.
A man entered the room. Her eyes darted back and forth from him to the open door.
“Who are you?”
“I am Cain.”
She looked at him quizzically. “I know that name, but I don’t know why. What am I doing here?”
“You were attacked.”
Jess bolted upright. Her eyes bulged at the horror of returning half-memories. “Who attacked me?”
Cain took a step forward. He was calm. “A vampire named Vasile, and now you too are a vampire.”
Jess shook her head and laughed. “Are you crazy?”
“Are you not seeing the world differently? Do you not hear every sound?”
She thought for a moment. Her memory was a little vague, and she knew she was different now. “Yes, things are different.”
Cain crossed his arms. “Your body has changed, you have changed. This is what becoming a vampire does to you.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You will, but you must give it time and do exactly as I tell you.”
Jess started to get flashbacks as her memory began to return in spurts. “Who is in the other room?”
“Your daughter. Do you remember her?”
“Mia, yes, of course I remember my daughter.” She glared at Cain. “Why isn’t she here?”
Mia called out to her mother through the adjoining bedroom wall. She had been listening to the conversation. Her mother remembered her, and she was still her mother, not some monster. Mia had done as Cain had instructed and stayed out of the room, but she then ran to her mother’s bedroom doorway. She really wanted to run into her mother’s arms, she ached for her mother’s embrace. She wanted beyond anything for her mother to just be her mother, not some killer. She tried to see her but Cain was blocking the view into the room.
Jess clambered off the bed and headed for the door. Cain stood in her way. “Get out of my way. I want to see my daughter.”
“Cain, please! I want to see her,” Mia pleaded.
Through gritted teeth, he called back. “This is not a good idea, Mia.”
“Please, I need to see Mom.”
“All right, but stay there. Do not approach her. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I understand.”
Cain stood aside, making sure Jess stayed by the bed.
Mia was shaking, concern all over her face. “Mom, are you still my mom?”
Jess was in turmoil. She rocked back and forth on her feet, trying to fight the urges, trying through a red haze to remember how much love she had for her daughter. “Hungry, oh, so hungry!” The feelings were like nothing she had experienced before, the hunger so intense it was a pain, the heartbeat hammering loud in her ears promising bliss. She screamed out in fury; she needed the human’s blood, more than she needed a daughter. Jess’s eyes were fixed on the pulsating vein in Mia’s neck. “I don’t know, I don’t know!”
She took a stumbling pace forward. “I think I am….” She hissed and her fangs appeared. “I want to rip your throat open and drink your blood.” Her eyes showed her torment and she forced herself to take half a step back. She began tearing at her hair.
Cain tensed, ready to take action. Mia’s lips trembled, afraid of what might happen next. Cain made the mistake of going to Mia’s side; it was an automatic reaction when he saw her suffering and in danger. It proved to be a trigger for Jess.
Jess ran at Mia but Cain was prepared and jumped in front of her. He pushed Jess with all his strength and she flew across the room, crashing into the nearest upright of the four-poster bed. There was a loud crack and splinters of wood flew through the air. She landed half on the bed and half hanging over the side; as her body stilled, crimson blood poured from around the broken post that had slammed through her chest.
Mia saw her mother pinned to the bed and screamed. She ran to her and grabbed her hand. “Cain, help her!”
“There is nothing I can do. The wound is too great. We are at our weakest when we wake from the turning.” He could not take his eyes off Jess. He should never have allowed this to happen. He should have made Mia leave, or taken care of Jess himself. He should never have told Mia that Jess was still alive.
Jess looked into her daughter’s eyes. The blood was inconsequential, she could think straight at last. “No, my darling Mia. Leave me to die. I am so sorry, sweetheart. I was going to kill you. I could not help myself.”
“Oh, Mom. Please, do something, Cain.”
“No, it’s better this way. I love you.” Jess squeezed her daughter’s hand and closed her eyes.
“I love you too, Mom. Please be still. We’ll help you to get better. Just stay still.” She turned to Cain. “Will you get this thing off her? Now!”
Though he obeyed her command, he knew it was too late. Jess took her last breath as he removed the post from her chest. Mia stood there staring at him. Her mind was trying to process what had happened, what Cain had caused. He had murdered her mother. Then she heard his voice.
“It would be best if you leave the room. I will take care of her.”
Mia was suddenly filled with rage. “I don’t want you touching her.”
Just as he had dreaded, Mia would never forgive him for this. Yet he needed to calm her down, make her listen. “I did not mean for this to happen, but your mother would have killed you.” He took a step closer to her.
Mia glared at him. “I want you to leave right now and never come back.”
“I am sorry. This was not supposed to happen.”
“But it did happen and it was your fault. Now get the fuck away from me and my mother.” The hatred radiated from her. “I wish you were dead. I’m sorry I ever helped you when I was a child.” Tears spilled from her bloodshot eyes. “I hope you burn in hell.”
He could do nothing, knew he deserved every one of those painful words. He left the room, but he would not leave the ranch. He needed to ensure Mia was safe and Vasile did not return.
She had spent the night at her mother’s side and eventually fell asleep in the late morning. When she woke it was turning dark and her mother’s body had been moved, the blood cleaned off her body, and her clothes had been changed. Jess looked so peaceful now she had been bathed. Mia knew Cain had done this and she went looking for him. He had no right to touch her mother. There was no sign of him, but he had left a note for her.
Mia
I cannot change what has happened. I just want you to know how sorry I am. I have no right to beg for your forgiveness. I only wanted to protect you. A car will be arriving in the morning to pick you and your mother’s body up and take you home. If you ever need me, I will be there for you.
Regretfully yours
Cain
She felt no emotion as she read the letter, she was numb and all she wanted to do was get away from this place.
Cain watched as Mia and Jess’s body were driven away from the ranch. He called Mr Bates and told him that they could all return to the ranch when they were ready. After cleaning up the mess in the bedroom and destroying the bed, Cain left the ranch. He was distressed at the thought that he would never see it again, but not as sad as he felt about what had happened. Now Mia hated him and would never forgive him for her mother’s death.
Chapter 37
Mia could not eat, she had not slept for days, but today she was saying goodbye to her mother. It still did not seem real. She felt more melancholic than heartbroken, but knew that soon the numbness would give way to the real pain of her loss. Most of the town t
urned out for Jess’s funeral; she had been well respected in the community. Mia felt as if everything was happening in slow motion. The murmurs of ‘I’m so sorry, Mia’, and ‘If you need anything’, and the hugs and kisses, they barely registered. It was like it was happening to someone else. She craved being alone.
Grandpa John watched Mia. “I can’t believe a madman has done this to my daughter.”
The old lady he was talking to was a family friend. She looked over at Mia and patted his hand.
“It’s unbelievable, John. That poor girl has been through too much for one so young.”
He wiped a stray tear with his handkerchief. “I’m worried about her. She won’t talk to me.” He was unashamed of the tears on his grief-stricken face. “It’s as if she has shut down.” His chest heaved with unbridled sobs.
The woman placed her arms around him and he embraced her back. Mia walked over to them. “Grandpa.”
He eased himself free so he could hold Mia.
“I’ll talk with you later, John. You too, Mia, if you need anything.”
John nodded. Mia just looked at the woman who walked away.
“Come stay with me tonight.” His eyes were pleading with her.
“You have a houseful, Grandpa. Family I don’t ever remember seeing. Now they’re all here, offering to do this and that. Where were they when Mom was alive?” Her tone had a slightly bitter twist to it, as she glanced around at some of them.
“It’s hard, honey, but this is what happens. Family come together in times of need.” Mia just shrugged. “Did Peter manage to speak to you, Mia?” She shook her head.
A large group of men and women had started to make their way toward them. Mia closed her eyes. “I’m going. I can’t cope with any more of this. I just want to be alone.”
“Mia, wait.” He saw the tears she was trying to hold in. “Please, come back with me, or I can…. I don’t want to go to your mom’s house just yet.” A sob escaped his lips and he wiped his face roughly.