I’m more than a prophecy!

The most terrible stench

I woke up to the smell of cooked breakfast coming from the kitchen. I’ve slept the night away, but I was still so tired. Dragging myself out of bed and into the shower felt like a major chore, and Rafael’s disapproving expression didn’t help. Something happened between us in his pack, I could now feel his emotions as strongly as my own. In fact, a lot of the time I wasn’t sure which emotions were mine, and which were Rafael’s. I might appreciate it later on, but right now, it’s the last thing I’ve needed.

“Fancy telling me why you’re annoyed, or are you just going to ignore me?” Yes, I’m cranky. My head is a mess as it is and last thing I need is somebody else’s confusion.

Rafael looks at me and sighs, “I just don’t think you should be going to work today. You’re exhausted from yesterday and we need to find out more about the prophecy.”

“Here we go again, I’ve had enough of hearing about the prophecy already!” I know he means well, but I’m too tired to be reasonable.

“Rafael, my work is what keeps me sane. And what pays my bills. I’m not doing it for you, for the company and not necessarily just for the inmates. It’s what makes me, me. I need my routines, I need to be able to focus on my own thoughts and emotions without some stupid voice in my head constantly nagging at me.

And I don’t need you to tell me what to do either. I love you, but by now you should know well enough I don’t do change well. I need time. Right now, I can barely cope with you being in my life and everything being upside down at work. I can’t add anything more to that without breaking down. I need you to see me as Kristina and not some stupid prophecy.”

I finish talking and run into the shower, I am not ready for Rafael’s answer. My stupid brain always makes me talk too much when I’m stressed. As I get into the boiling water I hear Rafael talking on the phone, his anger pulsing through the whole house, his voice rising with each word.

Eventually, his head poked in the bathroom. “I have to run, will speak with you later,” taking a deep breath Rafael adds “I see you Kristina, you’re the woman I fell in love with and want to spend all of my life with. Try to have something to eat before getting to work.” And with that he left, making me feel like an arse.

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My hopes of returning to routine this morning have been in vain. I’ve spent two hours stuck in an emergency meeting where they were deciding how to deal with media going forwards, a meeting updating the inmates on everything that has happened over the weekend and this afternoon the board wants me to give a short speech to the media, but thankfully Rafael is fighting them on that. He knows me well enough to understand I would start blabbering and end up saying something I shouldn’t.

The family of the young girl has also been discovered by media, but they are respecting the family’s wishes for privacy. Helen, the mum, has given a written statement in which she says there has been a minor incident, it has been dealt with promptly and effectively and Hartley Well is updating her regularly about the progress of the investigation. She also said she was happy with the way things were dealt with and she was still feeling safe within her community. The higher ups are very happy with that statement. Things could’ve been a lot worse for us if she said anything negative.

It’s now after three a clock and I’ve just got out of yet another meeting with Rafael, Rick and Arthur. Lucia has now been replaced by Kyle, another doctor. I’ve just been told that we’re unlikely to be resuming normal schedule in the next few days as the investigation is still in full swing.

Arthur has pressed criminal charges against 20 people, with another 20 in custody. He said he still suspected a couple more people on the inside, but wanted to observe them to collect evidence first. Being done with meetings for the day, I’ve decided to go and check in with Martin.

I walk down to the unused wing where the affected inmates are still staying. Martins bed is in the far corner, and as I walk across I feel uneasy. Something feels different today and I just can’t put my finger on it. Even Kleo starts staring in my head again.

Suddenly, the most horrible stench hits my nose. I feel like throwing up and start looking around for the source. Martin’s deep laugh from behind me nearly makes me jump out of my skin.

“Nice to see you found your soulmate,” he whispers almost inaudible behind me. I just look at him, started, struggling to think straight as the stench burns my nostrils. It’s coming from Martin.

“Shifter. Not wolf.” Kleo pipes in. I look around, making sure no one is listening and whisper back.

“What are you?”

“A monster. One you should stay away from,” Martin says, his eyes empty of all emotions except pain.

I walk away, but make arrangements with the guard to bring Martin to my office. I close the door after dismissing the guard, assuring them that I will shout should I need help.

Martin sits on the chair opposite my desk, his long arms and legs crossed.

“I don’t think you want to have this conversation,” Martin says, watching me intently.

“There’s a lot about me you don’t know. And apparently, there’s a lot about you I don’t know.” Martin snorts and starts batting his eyelashes at me, I retaliate by throwing a pencil, hitting him square on the chest. We both laugh, easing up the tension and I build my courage to talk again.

“What are you, really?” Martin looks at me with a raised eyebrow, while Kleo keeps nagging at me that he’s definitely a shifter. “I know you’re not a wolf,” I add softly.

“What else do you know?” He’s smiling now.

“Isn’t it my job asking questions?”

“If you want answers, you need to ask the right questions, love.” I wince at the last word, giving him a disapproving look and Martin lifts his arms in the air in mocking apology. I would fight, but I’m too curious for my own good so I carry on.

“You don’t like it hot and bright, right?” Rafael nods, clearly amused, watching me add one and one together. “You’re always pale… is there such a thing as vampires?”