“She won’t remember it,” Branwyn reminded me firmly. “Go ahead and finish, Empusa.”
Nodding, I drank for a few minutes more, then wiped my mouth. My fingers and toes had regained their warmth and I could feel color returning to my face. As much as I hated feeding, I loved feeling strong again.
I glanced at Shayla. The girl laid against the bed skins, her cheeks flushed with pleasure, her eyes glazed.
“Shayla,” I said quietly. “You will not remember this. If you remember anything at all, you will think it was a dream. Do you understand?”
She looked up at me, her eyes still unfocused. But she nodded.
“Good.” I looked to Branwyn. “Thank you. I’m quite finished here.”
She nodded and motioned to Shayla. “Come with me, child.”
Shayla got to her feet and trailed behind Branwyn as the exited the hut. Branwyn turned. “Dinner for the rest of us will be soon. Feel free to join us.”
She left and Brennan stared at me, an unreadable expression on his handsome face.
“That was… intense,” he said quietly. “I wasn’t sure what I’d think. But it was impressive. You were very gentle with her. You didn’t have to be. She never would’ve known the difference.”
“But I would know,” I replied. “Brennan, you have no idea what it has been like for me. For a thousand years- and think hard about how long that actually is- I have had to do this. I have had to drink from mortals. I literally steal their blood. That’s the very essence of who a person is. I have to look into their eyes and watch as their body reacts to my curse. It makes me…dislike myself. It’s something I struggle with every day of my life.”
His face clouded, the light that normally shone in his eyes dimmed. Turning, his voice cracked.
“Empusa,” he said softly, opening his arms. I shook my head.
“I’m fine,” I replied, stiffening my shoulders. I didn’t want pity. I didn’t want reassurance or comfort. I didn’t deserve it. Every word I said was true. I was, in essence, a thief of the worst kind.
“Empusa,” he repeated, this time more firmly. “Do not think like that. You are forced to do these things because your father is a pathetic creature. You are beautiful and kind and you do your very best to avoid hurting people. We will figure out a way to return your life to normal and you’ll never have to do these things again.”
“I do my very best to avoid hurting people,” I repeated, completely disregarding his last sentence. “Really? How did we meet, Brennan?”
His face clouded over again. I had struck a nerve. He and I had met in the hospital, right after I had taken his uncle Daniel’s soul which had killed him. Granted, Daniel had terminal cancer and he was going to die very soon anyway, but regardless, I had shortened his life. It was something I knew Brennan struggled with.
He clenched his jaw. “I’ve dealt with that,” he said firmly. “You couldn’t help it. Daniel was going to die anyway.”
“Yes, he was. But he wasn’t going to die that day,” I answered wearily. “I kill people Brennan. It is what it is. Whether they are sick and dying or not, it makes no difference. I’m a killer.”
At his impassive expression, I continued. “And what do you think is going to happen here? I don’t see a cancer ward here. I haven’t seen one sick person in this village. What will happen when it comes time for me to take a soul? Let me tell you what will happen. I will either have to kill a healthy, happy priestess or I will die myself. That is what it will come to. Do you still think I’m not accountable… that it’s not my fault?”
His face remained expressionless when he replied with slow concise words.
“Yes, I still think it isn’t your fault. We’ll figure something out. Perhaps, just maybe, we can get this issue fixed by then.”
I had to laugh. “Brennan, one of the things I love the most about you is your optimism. I probably have a couple weeks at most before I will be forced to make a decision. My life… or one of theirs.”
Turning my back and gulping down the lump that had formed in my throat, I pushed my way out of the hut into the dim evening light.
Women were standing around chatting outside of various huts and in the middle of common areas. Worn dirt paths criss-crossed throughout the little civilization, giving unspoken directions to the most traveled destinations in the village. I turned and headed down one path as I blinked back tears.
“Not that way,” one woman told me kindly. “Are you searching for the eating area?”
I nodded, unable to trust my voice.
“I’ll show you,” she said quietly, taking my elbow. I shrugged away from her touch. The last thing I needed was for her to become enamored with me, too. She looked at me in puzzlement, but didn’t say anything. I realized that I seemed rude.
“I’m sorry,” I offered.
She shook her head. “Think nothing of it. My name is Elin. I’m happy to assist you with anything that you require, princess.”
“Does everyone know who I am?” I asked.
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Great,” I sighed. Elin’s lips curved into a smile.
“Embrace it, princess,” she answered. “Each woman here would give you her home or her life if you asked it.”
“But why?”I asked in bewilderment. “I’ve never met a one of you. I never even knew that Branwyn was my sister until today. Why is there such deference to me? Trust me, you don’t know what I am or it wouldn’t be so.”
“We know who you are,” Elin said firmly. “And that is enough. You are important. Your role in this life is important both to you and to many people around you. The sooner you realize it and embrace it, the better off you’ll be.”
I practically snorted. “My role in this life? Elin, now I know you don’t understand. I’ve lived for a very, very long time. My role has been played out time and time again in the form of a horrible curse. Trust me, it hasn’t been helpful for people around me.”