Full Circle

Chapter 5

The warm water of the shower cascades over our bodies, washing away the dirt and dried blood. As the tension of the day melts off my skin, I take a moment to really appreciate Logan's body. He is taller than I am, and so strong. I know I don't know him, pretty much at all, but there is something so safe about him. I feel at peace and calm mentally, but excited and drawn to him physically. My eyes followed the stream of water down his face and neck, down his muscular chest and abs. As my eyes followed further down, I heard him clear his throat. I can feel my cheeks blush when I realize he is watching me, watching him. I looked up into his eyes shyly, and he pulled me close to him. For a long moment, we just stood there holding one another in silence. The undeniable chemistry between us seems to have deepened with every passing moment. Logan breaks the silence. "Feeling better?" he asks, his voice a low, comforting rumble.

I nodded, a mix of emotions swirling within me. "Yeah, much better. Thanks to you."

His gaze softens, and he reaches out to tuck a strand of damp hair behind my ear.

"Zara, I meant what I said. You're not alone in this. We're here for you, every step of the way."

I appreciate his words, his unwavering support. The vulnerability of this moment is both terrifying and comforting.

"There's so much I don't know," I admitted, a hint of frustration in my voice. "I still have questions, doubts..."

He takes my hands in his, his touch grounding me. "You can ask me anything".

I was silent for a moment, thinking of the long list of questions I had that still went unanswered, and decided that the shower probably wasn't the best place for this conversation, unless they had a never-ending supply of hot water. Logan must have had the same thought because he turned off the water before I had a chance to say anything. I grabbed us both a towel, handed one to Logan, and wrapped the other one around myself. Logan started putting on his clothing and I sat on the end of the bed in just my towel.

"How did I become a vampire? I know you guys are saying I was born a vampire, but I never attacked anyone, or bit anyone in the way we bit each other." I felt slightly embarrassed and aroused by the last part. I could see a flash of excitement in Logan's expression as well, before turning to what could only be described as tense or maybe anxious. He cleared his throat before speaking and didn't make eye contact, which started to make me feel a little nervous about hearing the answer.

"The night in the hotel", he paused for a long moment. "I gave you a drink that contained a drop of human blood, to trigger your change."

He stood and turned his back to me. I felt anger build up in me. All the lies from Ana and now this. My life has been turned upside down by this whole thing, everything has changed. I took a man's life because of this. I sat there silently, but tears filled my eyes. I couldn't trust anyone anymore. Not to mention, the feelings I had with Logan were just a false sense of safety. I felt like a fool, but wanted more answers, so I decided to push on with the conversation.

"I see."

It was all I could get out while trying to suppress my wide range of emotions.

"Zara, I can explain..."

"Why now?" I asked angrily, cutting him off.

He just stood there, probably stunned by the question being laced with my wrath.

"Why now, after seven years of Ana inserting herself into my life?!"

He finally decided to answer. "The Shikaar village is basically a community of Vampire hunters that have been protecting the human race and hunting and killing Vampires for many generations. They have a council made up of 12 elders."

"What does this have to do with anything? Can you get to the point?" I said sharply, still feeling betrayed and angry.

"Sorry." he said sadly and continued.

"The council wanted us to do it long ago when Ana's mother, Saraphena, revealed that she knew who the inborn vampire was and where to find her. That was the original plan. Ana was supposed to befriend you, and then lace a drink with human blood as soon as she could, but she couldn't do it. She truly cares for you. She has been fighting with the council for years on your behalf. She fought them off as long as she could, but the council no longer agreed to postpone the change. We honestly had no choice."

I sat there quietly for a moment pondering his answer. I still felt deceived by everyone, but couldn't help but feel a little happy that Ana had been looking out for me all this time, but upset that all these decisions about my life were being made by strangers and someone I thought was my friend without me having any knowledge or input.

"Where are we? Whose house is this?"

I could tell he was a little confused by my question, but I felt like it should have been one of my first questions after arriving, but I was so angry at Ana my first night here.

"This is mine and Isiah's house. It is located on the outskirts of Shelton. We bought it to be close to you and Ana."

"Vampire hunting Vampires make a lot of money?" I let out a small laugh at the thought.

"No." he said with a small smile. "The Shikaaree people are mostly human and are pretty wealthy. Vampires live pretty long lives as they do not age and most are wealthy. We have been hunting vampires and acquiring their fortunes for generations."

"So you kill vampires and rob them?"

"Well, hunting vampires is a full-time job, and it doesn't pay at all."

"I'm still a little confused about the Shikaaree people. If they hate vampires, how come some of you are vampires?"

His face was saddened a little at my question.

"Some of us have been bitten against our will. Most vampires know of our existence and choose to turn us instead of killing us. Kind of like turning us into what we hate..."

"So, that is why you and Ana are vampires and Isiah is human? You guys were turned against your will?"

"Yes." His response was short, and I wanted to point out that I too was turned against my will, but I could see this was a sore subject, and decided against it.

"So, is just a single vampire bite all it takes to turn someone? Did I kill the guy the other night or turn him into a vampire?"

I felt panic rise in me. I didn't want to be a killer, but I didn't want to turn other people against their will either.

"No, the man from the other night is dead. A human would need to drink your blood before you bite them for them to turn into a vampire."

"How did Saraphena know about me? How did she know who I was and where to find me?"

"We actually don't know the answer to that, we didn't actually know for sure she was right until you changed."

Our conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door, followed by Ana's voice. "Dinner is ready."

"We will be right out." Logan responded before I could.

"I have one more question, and then you can go, and I will just meet you guys in the kitchen after I get dressed. If we have to drink human blood, how come you and I drank from each other?"

As Logan made his way to the door, his gaze lingered on me.

"Vampires biting other vampires is more for physical gratification than anything else."

With that, he nodded softly, before quietly slipping out the door.