Chapter 29

"Shani look I've gathered some berries."

I turned my head with the arrival of Isabella, facing her I smiled happy to see her "Thanks." I said, sitting up I grabbed the bowl of berries.

I took one and placed it in my mouth allowing the flavor to spread in my mouth. "Why did it take so long to gather berries?"

I heard James chuckle.

"Because James kept eating them!" Isabella huffed.

"Sorry, its just it's the only human food that goes down well." James said shrugging.

I laughed. "And how are you tonight James?"

He gave me a teasing grin, "I really want to feed off you but I'm sure that's not what you want to know."

I laughed at his response.

"I guess a newborn vampire would want to do that. Thanks for holding back."

"Don't thank me, thank Isabella she's controlling my urges at the moment."

I smiled. James was now a vampire having been turned by Isabella the night he was attack by Jeremy's men. His screams had been heard by Donovan who reached James just in time to bring him to Isabella who then ended up changing him. It was a close call however. And it had taken a few days for James to wake up, and inform Donovan about what was happening to me.

"Shani don't worry I totally have control of James. He will not feed off you." Isabella giggled.

"What I am worried about is Donovan."

A silence fell upon the. "Well, Avery hasn't called on him yet..."

I frowned. It was all my fault that Donovan want through that pain every night.

James grunted. "Why doesn't Avery just stop. He's president and married to Eleanor now.

Why does he have to keep bothering us?"

"It's not that simple." Isabella said. "Jeremy was killed so someone as to account for that."

"Yeah, I do. Not Donovan." I said.

"No one should account for that sicko! With what he did to you and all the pain he caused." Isabella spoke turning to hug James. "And for hurting you."

I looked on as they hugged and no matter how many times I saw them, it was still odd to see two little 10 year olds hug and act so grown up. In reality Isabella was much older and James was as well because he had been drinking her blood for years causing him to stop aging. Now James would never age.

The door opened and finally Donovan appeared smiling. "Okay you two, go somewhere else."

Isabella huffed but grabbed James hand. "Okay but only because James needs to hunt."

"Yes!" James said excited.

I laughed watching as they walked out and Donovan closed the door.

The first thing he did was kiss my forehead.

"How are you?"

"Alright." I said looking down at my hands.

He caressed his cheek. "Okay, what's wrong?"

I rose my eyes to his. "I can't stand knowing how much pain you go through just for me." I said quietly.

"Worth it." Donovan stated firmly looking into my eyes. "I'm getting stronger everyday."

I gave him a reassuring smile. Deep down I knew he was saying that to keep me from worrying.

Every night I had to chain Donovan up to keep him from responding to Avery's calls. The sessions would last a few hours. But Donovan went through so much pain it made me sick to watch.

It was hard. I knew it was Donovan going through the pain, but some days I would see Avery in Donovan, how couldn't I with them being identical, and I would cringe imaging Avery in pain. Even though he had let me down... I still loved him. Then I would feel guilt because wasn't it Donovan I should be thinking of, focusing on.

Donovan laid down on the bed next to me. I cuddled up against him. Up till now I still didn't understand my relationship with Donovan. Did I love him, I don't know. Did we share a connection, certainly.

He rubbed my hair back. " Its going to be alright."

But I knew it wasn't. Donovan hadn't feed in a few days. He couldn't. His body was physically rejecting blood because he wasn't meeting his creators orders. I hadn't thought the connection between a vampire and his creator was that strong.

Donovan had decided to not mention this to me but Isabella had gone over the details with me. That's when I realized that Donovan had known that he would, from the moment he ran off with me, become sick. Because Avery would never let him run off with me without a fight.

I wrapped my hands around Donovan's. "Remember when we first ran off, you knew this would happen didn't you." I whispered looking down at his strong hands.

"From the moment you asked me to run off with you you knew. That's why you were so distant with me from the start. You don't want me to become attached, for when you..." I looked up.

Donovan had his eyes closed and sleeping, which was odd since it was midnight. A vampire should be up and awake at this time. But Donovan only got weaker with Avery calling him every night for hours.

I turned to my side and hugged him. "Donovan, I'm not about to let you become a martyr." I whispered.