Dark Curse (Darkhaven Saga #5) - Danielle Rose Page 0,23
wonder if he has ever felt this way before. Am I the first hybrid he has ever met? Everything happened so quickly after he found me. I never had the opportunity to ask him about his life before the witches went and messed up everything.
“I know you are scared,” Will says. “And I promised Amicia I would not push you, but—”
“But you are a liar?” I say, grinning.
“She asks a lot from me,” Will says, “but she must know by now that my loyalty is not to her.”
Will meets my gaze, and we sit in silence for a long time as his words settle over me. I swallow hard.
“I hope you know I am loyal to you too,” I whisper.
“I know you are—stubbornly and annoyingly so. You will not even let me take the fall for this one when I am clearly better suited for this burden.”
I roll my eyes and look back at the party. Jeremiah is holding Holland now, and they both sway side to side to music no one hears but them. I smile, hoping if I stare long enough, I can burn the image of them into my brain. I want to see them this happy for the rest of the time I have here.
“I will not force you to complete the reversal spell, because it is only right that you make the choice for yourself. But I think you are an idiot for not even trying.”
I snort. “Thanks.”
“I know you are confused, so let me say just this last bit. Then I will never bring it up again. I know you are scared because we have to dabble in dark magic to sever your link. I know that worries you, and I know that is the only reason you will not try. Before you make an impulsive decision based on fear alone, stop. Think. You need to figure out who you are, who you want to be. That is when you will know if you should sever this link or bear the consequences.”
“I am just not sure if it is worth the risk,” I admit.
“You are worth it, Ava. You are worth every risk. Do not ever forget that.”
After a few silent minutes pass, I am thoroughly tired of talking about the spell, but I know he will not let me off so easily. I remember Will’s earlier emotions, so I decide to turn the tables on him.
“Why don’t you ever talk about your past life?” I ask.
He shrugs, remaining silent. I expected this reaction, but he has gotten to know me well over the past several weeks. He should know I will not give up this easily.
“You don’t think that is actually going to silence me, do you?” I ask.
Will smiles but does not look my way. He keeps his gaze focused on the vampires before us. No one pays us any attention, and I think he likes it that way. I know I do.
“You are headstrong and persistent, so…no.”
“Tell me something,” I beg. “Anything at all. Tell me about your life before you became a vampire or your trip just yesterday.”
“I became a vampire a long time ago, Ava. Like it is for most, it was not a pleasant experience,” Will admits. “I do not care to relive that moment by sharing it now.”
“Was it as bad as my transition?” I snort, not expecting a real answer.
“Worse,” Will admits quietly.
I narrow my gaze, trying to assess his emotions. He does not look at me, and I have to wonder if he is just trying to silence me.
“How could it have been worse?” I ask.
“You could have lost everyone in that single moment.”
I did, I think but remain silent.
“Believe it or not, I understand why you would not want to be a vampire again,” Will says. “Sure, we are basically superheroes without the ugly costumes, but we are lonely. Most of us do not have these fancy parties or a nest full of vampires who consider us family. We do not have a home or a sire to love. We are forced to walk this earth without any real family. We live alone, we stick to the shadows, and we try to live out days unseen. Most do not have the luxury of a friend.”
Terrified speaking will only make Will realize the personal details he is sharing with me, I swallow the knot in my throat and wait for him to continue. The silence that stretches over us feels endless, and I worry he