Darkmyth University 2021

Chapter Fourteen

Two weeks later

Quinten could not believe that Crystal had agreed to meet his parents over Thanksgiving Break. Vanessa and Nicholas had decided to visit Greece this year after speaking with Quinten about Zander’s plan. Nicholas would send their body doubles to Whitlock Manor and hope that Zander would not start an internal investigation thinking there was a mole in his midst. Quinten was very worried about Marissa but, if she did not think that she could handle this mission she would not have agreed to take it. Crystal was pacing back and forth in her room looking at the clothes she had on her bed and back at her suitcase.

Crystal had become so much stronger. With the training they had all been taking a part of they had been able to become more fit and their powers were also working at their highest levels which would help them rescue Stephanie soon. The connection between Quinten and Crystal had also become stronger because of all the time they spent together. My mother, Vanessa, was hounding me to put a ring on Crystal’s finger but, I wanted to be sure that Crystal was ready to take that step. Quinten knew that Crystal was devoted to him and their relationship. However, they had not talked about their future together. Given the things that Crystal had already gone through Quinten was simply happy that Crystal was able to be this committed to their relationship and for now Quinten was happy with the way things were.

Quinten had heard from Marissa and Zander had rewarded her with naming her the leader of one of his other hideouts. Marissa would be moving there over the Thanksgiving break which would give them a leg up on knowing how many people Zander had following him. Marissa had also been able to figure out that Zander had most of his followers under his mind’s control. Knowing that they would spare the followers that were innocent of their actions. Plans were ever evolving with this situation. Quinten had not divulged this information to anyone. Quinten would reveal everything while they were away from Darkmyth University.

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Crystal could not believe that she and Quinten had been together for a month already. It seemed like only yesterday that they figured out that they were soul mates. Cystal realized just how far she had come since the welcome party. Crystal was trying not to worry about Stephanie knowing that she was safe for the time being pretending to be under Zander’s control. Crystal was hoping that Quinten would finally tell her where they would be going for the break but, he wanted it to be a surprise.

“Are you all right angel?” Quinten said from Crystal’s bedroom door.

“No, I am not all right my prince. I am trying ridiculously hard not to use my abilities on you to find out where we are going during break and find out the information that you are hiding from me.”

Quinten grinned and said, “I am sorry for keeping this from you but, I really want you to be surprised. I will reveal everything while we are away from school. I want to be sure that we will not be overheard. I am glad that you are trying not to use your powers on me, my angel.”

“I understand my prince. I love you with all my heart and I will continue to try not to use my powers on you.”

“I love you too, my angel. I would like to talk with you about some things.”

“Like what my prince.”

“Where do you see our relationship going?”

“Uh...” Crystal said with a knit brow in confusion, “I do not understand what you mean my love.”

“Do you like the way our relationship is now or are you ready for more?”

“Oh...” Crystal said with a glorious smile on her face, “I want us to be together forever my prince. I know that there is one more step before we are truly bonded together for eternity that we need to complete.”

Quinten took Crystal’s hands in his while taking a deep breath and said, “I am ready to be completely yours in every way possible. What I want to know is if you feel the same way?”

Crystal swallowed hard and said softly but, clearly, “I do not want there to be anything keeping us apart. If I were not ready to be completely yours for however long, we are on this earth then I would not have completed the steps of the bonding process that we have already. You, my dearest Quinten, are the other half of me and I could not have asked for anyone better than you. You put me above all others even your friends and I know that you will never do anything to jeopardize what we have.”

Quinten’s heart melted in that minute while Crystal was speaking. Quinten’s heart was now truly Crystal’s and he know knew that she would be his for the rest of their time on this earth. Quinten said pulling Crystal closer to him saying, “Thank you for saying that but, we need to pack my angel. We have a plane to catch in less than three hours.”

“Nice change of subject. Go check on your friends while I pack. Am I packing for cold or warm weather?”

“Coldish weather.” Quinten says with a sly smile, “But, you will also want to pack a swimsuit.” Crystal groans in frustration as Quinten leaves while blowing a kiss towards her.

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Lucas and Regina had been spending a lot of time together telling each other about their lives, friends, and dreams. Regina was supportive of my goals and understanding of the situation that Lucas and his friends were in. Regina had even joined everyone for training. Everyone was happy for Lucas but, Lucas how he wanted to proceed with Regina. Lucas was enamored of Regina but, something was telling him to hold off on starting the bonding process and the fact that Regina pulled away every time Lucas tried to do more than hold her hand was frustrating. When Quinten arrived in our apartment Lucas said, “I get the feeling that Regina is hiding something from me but, I do not know what it is. What do you think I should do?”

“Lucas my friend, I am sure that with time Regina will tell you what she is hiding. I can see how much Regina cares for you when you are together. Take this week off and figure out what you want.”

“That is the problem. I do not know what I want.”

“Have you considered talking to Crystal about this particular problem?”

“No, I have not considered talking to Crystal about any of this. I appreciate the help Quinten.”

“No problem, Lucas. Just remember that we are here when you need us. Have you check in with Brody and Michael?”

“No, but they have their door open, and they are trying to pack. Where are we going anyway?”

“My parents do not want me to tell anyone where we are going, I am sorry. Just pack some warm clothes and swim trunks.” Lucas looked at Quinten with a raised eyebrow and Quinten continued, “That is all I am allowed to tell you. Make sure everyone is here and ready to leave by noon and please be sure that they know what to pack as well.” Lucas nods on his way next door to do as Quinten asked.

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Marissa was trying to stay with Stephanie if I could but, I needed to leave. Zander is making plans to hit Whitlock Manor a week from now and he wanted Marissa to have her hideout ready for injured members. New people were joining us by the day. Most of the new people were not under Zander’s control. Marissa had met the other person that Zander had picked to head the other hideout and he seemed to believe in the fact that the king and queen were evil and wanted their subjects to blindly follow them with no questions asked. Marissa knew that was a false assertion but, if that is what this man believed there was not anything that she could do about it.

Maissa found Stephanie and said, “I will be leaving in the morning.”

“Oh, I am going to miss you. Will you stay connected?”

“Of course, I will stay connected. I am going to miss you as well. We can Skype as much as you want. I am sure that Zander will be staying connected with me anyway. Are you feeling okay Stephanie?”

“I just need to feed. I will see you in the morning,” Stephanie said going to find Zander. Stephanie went to their room, grabbed a bag of A-, drank it, and then went to lie down. Stephanie felt much better now that she had fed but, something was still not right. Stephanie gasped as she figured out what it was. Stephanie ran to Marissa. Stephanie found Marissa in the library and said softly making sure no one was around, “I think Zander is putting something in the blood.”

“What do you mean?”

“Give me a second,” Stephanie said as she went to find a book. “Look at this,” Stephanie said opening the book and showing Marissa a plant.

“What does it do?”

“It enhances or makes some vampires react to mental powers. I cannot believe that Zander would do something like this.” Stephanie whispered, “I will need to be more vigilant because this can overpower the mating bond as well.”

“Put the book away Stephanie, Zander is coming.” Marissa whispered. Stephanie ran at her fastest speed, put the book back where she had pulled it from, and rejoined Marissa on the sofa.

Stephanie said after opening a magazine to a page full of spring dress photos and pointing a random photo, “This dress is pretty.”

“It is very pretty but, not you Steph.” Marissa said as Zander stepped into the library.

Zander asked looking at Marissa and Stephanie, “What are the two of you up too?”

“Just flipping through some magazines. I was looking for you earlier.” Stephanie said sweetly smiling at Zander.

“I heard that you were looking for me which is why I am here now. I needed to meet some people in town. I am sorry that I did not tell you about the meeting before I left.” Zander turned his attention to Marissa and asked, “Marissa do you mind giving me and Stephanie a minute?”

“I will be in my room if you need me but, I wanted you to know that I am planning on leaving in the morning.” Marissa said heading toward the door.

“Why so soon?” Zander asked in confusion.

“I need to get the hideout ready, and I would like to do some research about the closest town near the hideout I will be managing.” Marissa asked with a raised eyebrow, “Is that not why you asked me to head the hideout?”

“Good point Marissa. Thank you for staying longer than you have. If you have time, we would love for you to join us for dinner so that we can discuss some things before you leave.” Marissa nodded, left the library, and nodded at Zander before leaving. Zander turned to me, sat down next to Stephanie on the sofa, wrapped his arms around Stephanie’s waist, and asked, “Do you forgive me for not telling you that I had a meeting in town today?”

“Of course, I forgive you Zander but, if you want this relationship to work you need to tell me things. Marissa kept me company while you were gone and explained to me that you had a meeting that you could not miss.”

“That is another reason I am happy that I know that you will miss Marissa when she leaves. Have you spoken about staying connected with each other?”

“We have spoken about staying connected via Skype and telephone. Marissa said that you may let me speak with her when she Skype’s with you.”

“Of course, I will let you speak with Marissa when she calls me via Skype.” Zander took a deep breath and asked softly, “When was the last time you fed on a human my love?”

Stephanie did some calculations in her head and replied, “It has been a week and half.”

“Would you like to come into to town with me and feed?”

“I would love too.” Zander took my hand, led me out of the hideout, and into the forest. Stephanie asked, “Where are we going?”

“I am taking you to a town on the other side of the mountain. I thought a change of scenery would do you some good.”

Stephanie smiled and said, “Thank you my dear.” Zander found a thirty-year-old man, compelled him to follow Zander into an alley way where I was waiting, and we fed from him together. Stephanie was not particularly fond of sharing her meals with other but, she had to deal with it if she was with Zander. Stephanie hoped that with some more time that Zander would allow her to visit Marissa or Zander would bring her with him when he went to visit Marissa.