“How so?”
“Well, for one, your stubbornness. But more importantly, it’s your kindness that truly reminds me of her.”
I found solace in his words, each one sinking deep within me. I was moved by the sacrifices he had made, all in the name of love.
“Is that why you did not want me to know the truth about you?” I asked softly as I searched his face.
Draven sighed, and he pulled my hands into his. “Yes, I was equally pained by the thought of losing you. You deserved to know the truth, Rosalia, and I am truly sorry that I did not tell you sooner, forcing you to discover it when it was already too late.”
“This will take time for me to process, and I may not fully understand yet what it means to be a Blood Hunter. However, I want to be with you, Draven. Forever.”
He kissed the top of my head. “Rosalia, I thought of what you said last night. I have decided that if it is truly what you desire, I will change you.”
My heart skipped a beat at his offer, the implications of it sinking in. Becoming a Blood Hunter, like him, was a life-altering decision. I had witnessed the strength and resilience Draven possessed, and I longed for it. To not be a damsel in distress anymore, like the women in my books.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Draven’s expression turned serious. “Rosalia, you must understand the gravity of this choice. It is not without sacrifices.”
With my mother and father gone, I really had no one else in my life to worry about if I were to change, except for Vail. Tears welled up in my eyes as I investigated Draven’s mesmerizing gaze. “I want this, Draven. I want to be with you, no matter the cost.”
He leaned in and kissed me gently. I let him, and it felt natural. “Very well, my heart. When the time is right. But you will not be able to see Vail any longer.”
“Why not?” I asked, shocked by what he was saying.
“Because she is a witch, and she shall discern your true nature. Trust me, Rosalia, we do not need a witch to uncover our existence. They are deeply connected to nature, while we, as creatures, defy the natural order and the cycle of life. We do not die. Witches, they are … one of Blood Hunter’s only true rivals.”
I took what he said to heart, contemplating the impact on Vail, my dearest friend. I recalled the look on her face when she thought I had died, only to find me once more. I could not bear to cause her to worry again. Yet the prospect of eternal life alongside Draven is what I wanted. The idea of leaving behind my best friend was a heavy burden to bear. I had to consider the consequences of my decision carefully.
“I understand, I do not want to put Vail in danger, and I certainly do not want to risk her finding out the truth about us, especially not her grandmother.”
Draven gently caressed my cheek. “You are making a difficult choice. One that I will forever be grateful for.”
I nodded, feeling the weight of my decision settle upon me like a heavy cloak. The thought of bidding farewell to the life I had known, to the warmth of the sun upon my skin, filled me with a profound sense of sadness. Yet, being with Draven and never again having to fear for my safety, tugged at my heartstrings with an undeniable force.
“When the time comes,” Draven continued, “I will make the transition as smooth as possible for you, but you will need to trust me completely.”
“I will. I love you.”
“I love you, my heart,” He pulled me closer, wrapping his arms around me. I felt a mixture of anticipation and apprehension about the future. My life was about to change in ways I couldn’t fully comprehend, but I was willing to embrace it if it meant being with Draven for all eternity.
“I believe I will need a month before I make the transition,” I said. “I want to savour all the human experiences while I still can, and I wish to spend as much time with Vail as possible.”
“I have all the time in the world to wait,” Draven said, trailing kisses down my neck.
“I cannot believe you can turn into a bat,” I chuckled.
He smirked, enjoying my candidness. “Yes, I can,” he confirmed. “Not all Blood Hunters can. Believe me, it took me a very long time to figure it out and master.”
“How long?” I asked, curiosity piqued.
“A long, long time,” he replied, his gaze unwavering.
December 16, 1891
In the month since Draven agreed to turn me into a Blood Hunter, I spent most of my days with Vail. We would take long walks by the river and bask in the sun’s rays. The more I contemplated my mortality, the more I realized that I did not want to become a monster. Draven had reassured me that, with his guidance, I could retain control over myself after the transformation. I believed him.
I left Thornwood Manor with a heavy heart, knowing that today would be the last time I would see Vail. It was nearly winter, and Draven said he wanted to bring me deep in the woods for the transformation, so I would have less of an urge to run into town to feed.
