He hated that she met his demand with confusion, hated it because it appeared so sincere. She didnโt have the qualities of a brutal killer, one who caused so much carnage so easilyโฆnow cowering from him. She was a fledgling, that was something he sensed the moment he dragged her from the town. Yet, Henry couldnโt describe what happened as a mere loss of control. He still remembered what it was like when he was turned, he remembered the gnawing ache that made him want to submerge civility in favor of the bloodlust. But in all his experience with young vampires, those impulses did not erase cognizance. They all knew what they were doing, even if they were powerless to stop themselves in the moment. This vampire, however, seemed oblivious to the events that led to their meeting in the first place.
He might have pity for her, had she not torn through so many of his hunters. Henry rarely forged friendships with these hunters, but he still cared. They were his responsibility, and he sent them to the slaughter. Unwittingly, yes, but that did not change the fact. And as he thought of those lives lost, of all the good they could have done, Henry felt his hands clench into fists and his jaw tightened. He ought to kill her. He could. He could take hold of her and rip her to pieces and save them both further agony. He would feel avenged, she would be free of her confusion, harmless to anyone else in the future.
If she was somehow involved with Severina, however, would Henry not be leaving a valuable asset behind? She may not remember anything nowโฆperhaps that would change. He could use her, make the deaths of his hunters mean something. And if she did not provide anything, if she proved to be a future riskโฆthen he could eliminate her.
โYou donโt remember,โ he replied scathingly. Resigned as he might be to hold off on eradicating her from the earth, Henry could not dismiss his anger so quickly. โYou donโt remember all the people you killed tonight? The entire town of Lahinch is out for your blood. Thatโs where you are, by the way,โ he bristled with the energy coursing through his veins, the undissipated desire to tear her head from her shoulders or in the very least, pluck out her eyes so he did not have to see the innocence shining in them in direct juxtaposition to the blood that stained porcelain skin. โThere will be questions. Youโve not only murdered humans this night, girl, youโve put our entire kind at risk!โ
She mentioned pain, so much pain, running from it. Henry forced himself to take a slow, unnecessary, breath. โWhat caused you pain, do you remember?โ and though his voice remained cold, he did manage to control the venom that had colored it to this point. โDo you remember anything at all?โ
I hope you enjoy these very cute and festive cookies. Baked with love. May your holidays be filled with joy, love, laughter, great food and company and rest. Whether you spend it alone or with friends and family - may you have peace. Know that I love having you on my list and I hope that the new year may bring new ways to offer support and kindness to one another!
