Chapter 98

Almara’s POV

I sit motionless for a moment, waiting for Arthur to tell me he’s joking or that he has some other idea that doesn’t involve him leaving. I absent-mindedly stroke Grace’s hair.

“Go.” Arthur commands. I expect to feel a sharp pain in my heart at his cold tone, but instead all that spreads throughout my body is this dead weight numbness.

I somehow manage getting to my feet. Though my heart still feels numb, a dull throbbing jabs at my side. Andrew’s back is to us and I think about reaching my arm out, but decide against it.

“I love you.” I whisper. As I turn around, I hear him choke back a sob and I have to quicken my pace or I’ll never leave. I step over Noah’s lifeless body, careful not to track any blood.

It hits me as soon as I reach the steps. This hot anger that turns my blood cold. I hate Noah. I’m glad he’s dead. If it weren’t for him, Arthur and I would be leaving safely with one another from a hospital, it would be a joyous day.

I trudge up the stairs, the aching in my side now shooting down my legs. I make it out of the basement and I’m greeted by a long hallway with dark cherry wooden floors and red-wine-colored walls. There’s a musty scent lingering in the air. Unsure of which way to head, I turn left.

For a moment, I consider finding the nurse and wondering why she screamed so ungodly loud but I can’t risk that. I don’t know her level of loyalty to Arthur and what she might do if she sees me escaping. It’s better that I get a head start on my escape and then let her do what she will.

The hallway pivots and I peak my head around the corner, there’s feet shuffling just ahead. I stay where I am just a moment and hold my breath, but the musty air is making me have to cough. I fight the urge as long as I can until a raspy wheeze breaks through. The shuffling stops.

Something makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I have to move. Now.

I adjust Grace in my arms and quicken my pace. The soreness in my abdomen and legs begins to intensify, but I just use the pain as a motivator to keep going. Eventually I come up to a tall black door. I put my ear up to it and try to listen, but I can’t make out any sound. Where is the exit?

With no other option other than to turn around, I turn the golden knob and gently push the door open. A creek sounds as if threatening to give me away. With the door partially open, I can peak inside.

It appears to be a library. I enter inside and am greeted with massive bookshelves that reach the ceiling, black leather chairs, and stained-glass windows. I hurry over to a window thankful that the flooring is a forest-green carpet that muffles my footsteps.

I peer out the window trying to get an idea of where I am. It appears I’m facing the front of the house, I look to my right and see a small porch jutting out. I release a small breathe of relief. Hidden behind a bookshelf that’s shutting out, I find the door leading to the porchI open the door and for a moment, I’m stunned by the bright sunlight. Grace gives a whine letting me know she isn’t happy about the sudden brightness either. With no time to spare, I gently shoosh her and hurry down the street.

I only make it a couple blocks down and have to rest. I struggle to lower myself to the curb, clenching my teeth as I do so. I bring Grace to one arm and use my other free hand to rub my side. I wince at the pain and try to do some deep breathing.

Grace becomes fussy and I decide to feed her. There’s no point in continuing on with a crying baby, that’ll be sure to draw attention. As Grace eats, I take a look at my surroundings.

It’s a beautiful day out it doesn’t seem fitting for the dark emotions swirling inside me. Though, I suppose I’m thankful that it’s sunny today as that’ll keep away any vampire neighbors of Noah’s.

Grace and I take about twenty minutes to rest and eat before I feel the need to keep moving. I brace myself as I stand up and continue on with my walk. Once I put some more distance between me and that forsaken house, I start to come up with a plan.

I’ll have to go back to the house. I’ll have to contact Arthur’s dad to let him know what happened, maybe he can talk to some sense into his son. Distracted by my thoughts, I don’t notice a sleek black car slow down by me.

I think about breaking into a run, but what good would that do? Surely this car is faster than I am even if I wasn’t in pain. I keep walking, maybe the car will drive away. I keep my head high and march on. It quickly becomes clear that this car isn’t going anywhere.

That’s it. I’m tired of fear creeping over my back like a shadow. I stop and turn to face the car. I wait for whoever is inside to make the first move.

The window rolls down and I bend at the waist to see whose inside, and once I do- my heart drops.

“Robert? What are you doing here?” I ask somewhat relieved to see a familiar face, but does it have to be Robert?

“Well, I went to the house. I wanted to, uh, talk.” Robert casts a curious glance at Grace and I pull her in protectively. “Is that my niece?”

Maybe it’s the way he asks, or maybe it’s the desire for this day to be better than it is that causes me admit the truth. “It is.” I tell him. “But, continue. Why are you here?” Robert’s eyes fill with an expression I’ve never seen him have, love?

“Like I said, I wanted to talk.” I want to interject and ask him what he wanted to talk about, but his tone makes it seem as if that’s all he’s going to say about that. “No one was at the house and I knew that you hung around the art studio with Noah, well no one was there either.”

“So, you decided to look for me?” I finish for him. Robert shrugs. “I never really liked that Noah guy and when no one knew where you or Arthur for that matter were, I got a bad feeling. Call it pack awareness if you will.”

I nod, not really sure what else to say. “Well, you found me.”

Robert puts the car in park and leans over to open the passenger door. “Will you get in the car so we can talk?”

I toss a look back over my shoulder. If I saw the nurse or someone that appeared to be coming after me, I’d jump in the car but it seems that no one is after me and would I just be putting Grace and myself in more danger by getting in Robert’s car?“No offense Almara, but you look like Hell. I promise I won’t make whatever situation you’re in any worse.”

“Well, no offense Robert, but the last time I saw you was when you were planning to hurt me.” Robert seems to wince at the reminder.

“I made a mistake.” He says plainly and I think my jaw drops. Robert laughs with an eye roll. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t get used to it. Will you just get in? I want to meet my niece.”

Maybe it’s the delirium from being held captive and giving birth, but I slide into Robert’s car.