Chapter 15: Chapter 15

The blinding rays of the sun peeked through the white curtains. Oh, great! It hasn’t even been that long since I felt my eyelids closed. Did I even sleep? I feel like I spent hours thinking.

The sun has risen and the birds have awakened and yet here I am feeling sleepy and tired. Izaac never left my mind and I cringe at myself everytime that scene suddenly popped up in my head.

He kissed me. It felt like a dream but I know it wasn't. I wish it was just one of those nightmares. I feel bad. Izaac has a girlfriend. What would Heather think of me?

“Rise and shine, Feyre!” I heard Sage behind the door, he knocked afterwards.

“Feyre! Open the door. Are you awake?” He kept knocking on the door. I had no choice but to let out an exasperated groan.

I jumped off my bed, “One second!”

“Oh my god, you look...”

“I know.” My lips stretched into a frown.

“Did you sleep alright?” He stared at me while I fell silent, biting the inside of my cheek.

I did not sleep alright, how can I? This is all Izaac’s fault!

“Did you even sleep?” Sage scanned my face.

“Uh, I slept a little.” I shrugged

Sage handed me a paper bag, “Take a shower and use this.”

My brows shot up. “What’s this for?”

“You’re coming hunting.” He answered, noticing my confused look.

“Really?” A smile formed on my lips upon hearing the news.

Sage nodded, “Yep. They’re leaving at seven so get ready.”

“You’re not coming?”

He shook his head, “No, I have things to do.”

I didn’t ask further. With a smile on my lips, I hurried up and sprinted into the shower. I don’t want to make the others wait. Despite the heavy eyelids, I feel a little excitement knowing I get to join them in hunting.

After taking a warm bath, I sat near the edge of the bed with a towel wrapped around my body. Beside me is where the paper bag was at. Inside the bag is a makeup kit, wedge heels, and a lovely dress. This makeup is really great, it covered my dark circles; I look more alive I dare say.

I put my hair down and brought a hair band just in case. A satisfied smile graced my lips as I took a glance at myself in the mirror. Hm, the outfit looked a bit pretty for someone who will go on hunting but I quickly shrugged the thought off. I don’t have much clothes and Sage only bought me dresses.

Putting my usual flats on, I made my way out of my room. Suddenly, the scent of Izaac’s aftershave filled my nostrils. He was just behind me, wearing a plain gray hoodie and faded pants.

“Good morning.” Izaac says, looking oddly cheerful with a small smirk on his face.

I didn’t know how to react to that so I fake a smile.

“Morning.” I mumble in a low voice.

It was awkward on our way to the stairs. He was silent and so was I. No one dared to open our mouths and speak up. Until we reached the last step, we went separate ways. I went to the kitchen to drink water and he walked outside.

“What’s up with those two?” I heard Sage ask Gideon who was sitting on the couch. The latter simply shrugs his shoulders, uninterested in the topic.

My throat suddenly ran parched; I felt my cheeks heating up again.

“You okay? Your face looks really red.” Sage asked

I shook my head, “I’m fine.” I gave him a reassuring smile.

Minutes later, Ambrose and Daniel walked down the stairs.

“We should get going.” Daniel spoke to Ambrose.

Ambrose nodded, “Yes, we must go and hurry back home before dawn.”

Gideon agreed and we headed out after that. Since there was no one to look out for me in the mansion, Ambrose agreed upon taking me in the hunt. We didn't have to bring tools or anything besides ropes. I realized that this part of Syrr is far from civilization.

I've seen on TV where people usually travel in a vehicle. They don't use such things as cars or certain gadgets. Maybe it is because they're old vampires; they probably don't need cars since they're fast. But I see Gideon mostly that has access to phones and TV. I guess he simply likes to listen to music or watch TV in his free time.

The forest is silent yet noisy at the same time because of the loud chirping and the sound of trees swaying with the morning breeze. Ah, it's been awhile since I had a walk in the woods. Ambrose kept me locked up in the castle because it is dangerous for me to go outside alone.

I glanced over at Izaac and saw him yawning. When he caught me staring, I quickly looked around and bit the inside of my cheek like an idiot. I can't even look him straight in the eye without feeling awkward.

If I will be walking alongside Izaac, it would be just uncomfortable so I have decided to walk with Gideon. Izaac is at the back while Ambrose leads the way with Daniel on his right. Daniel on the other hand, he’s too sorry to even look at me after what happened the other day. I’m still in the process of avoiding him and trying to forget the fact that he just tried to eat me.

“You okay?” I looked up and saw Gideon's bright blue eyes.

“Yep.”

“Have you eaten?” He asked, his eyes fixed on the muddy path ahead us.

“Yes. I grabbed an apple.” I answered with a small smile. Gideon nodded and didn't ask more questions since he was busy looking around.

“So where are we going?” I asked, trying not to step on the mud puddles. Hm, I guess there was a light rain this morning.

“Nowhere in particular. We just keep walking until we find food.” Gideon beamed, his fangs peeking as he smiled.

Ambrose and Daniel have gone farther because we were walking slowly compared to them but Izaac is still behind us.

After a couple hours walking, Gideon beside me stopped. Izaac also stopped and held my arm, looking around the woods with wariness in their eyes.

“Why? What's wrong?” I asked

Then we heard a faint echo, it was Ambrose.

“Go.” Izaac said to Gideon

Gideon sped up and disappeared from our sight. He went straight towards the path ahead, to Ambrose and Daniel.

Izaac smiled at me when I stared at him with curiosity.

“They caught something.” He answered as if he knew what I was thinking.

“Oh.” I simply said.

“Let's go home.” Izaac squatted and patted his thighs, gesturing for a piggyback.

“Come on. I think it's about to rain again.”

Rain? I looked up at the sky and saw that it is indeed dark and gloomy when I assume it's only one in the afternoon.

I stared hesitantly at his back.

He stood up straight, “Would you rather be wet from rain?”

“How about the others?” I asked. We should wait for them right?

“They'll manage.”

Izaac squatted again, “Let's go.”

Fine then. I slowly shifted my weight onto his back and wrapped my arms around his neck.

“Hold tight, angel.”

“I don't want to choke you but I will if you won't stop calling me that.” I snapped at him.

“Right. Sorry.” I heard his deep chuckle.

I let out a squeak when he began running. We were going so fast, everything was just blurry. The wind and dead leaves tickled my face as we went at a lightning speed. I bit my lip and smiled. My hair was being carried away by the wind over my shoulder.

Suddenly, an angry growl erupted and we were pushed towards the ground. I let out a low grunt, reaching my ankle. I think it's broken.

“Izaac!” A white tiger walked towards Izaac and bit him on his thigh. He groaned in pain as he tried to kick the tiger off of him.

I look around to maybe see something that might be of help. I was about to grab the thick tree branch but then I heard a bone crack. Turning around, I saw that the tiger was already lifeless. Izaac parted his lips and pointed fangs grew long. Those same fangs dug into the tiger's back, sipping its blood like another predatory animal he is.

“Izaac,” I said in a low voice, my lips trembling as I heard his moans of pleasure.

His eyes turned the darkest red, lips covered in fresh blood. Izaac gripped the tiger and aggressively fed from it. I couldn't do anything to stop it. For the first time living with his kind, this very moment fear has eaten me alive.