Chapter 94
Chapter 94
“My memories of her are fuzzy. I can recall facts, but that’s it really. Her maiden name was Beatrice Lundgren. We were married at St. Paul’s over on La Salle. She… she loved raspberries? Or was it strawberries?” His words were flat. He felt hollow for how little the
recitation of facts affected him.
There was a gentle touch on his knee. Chloe had reached out to him, her eyes soft with sympathy. “It’s okay, Amos. It was a long time
ago p>
Such a long time. More than three of Chloe’s lifetimes.
“I feel guilty for not…” He couldn’t say the words–not missing her. He had a faint impression of himself as a mortal man, recently widowed, and deeply in despair over it. But the despair didn’t touch
him now. It was like he was looking at somebody else’s life. Much of
his mortal life was like that. He couldn’t remember his parents‘
names, or his siblings. He couldn’t remember the house he grew up
in or the name of the factory where he’d worked most of his adult
life. He’d lost so many people. It should affect him. He should feel
sad. But all he really felt was faintly nostalgic.
Chloe shifted closer to him, leaning her shoulder against his. “I see a
lot of grieving families in my work. For a lot of them, when their
loved one finally passes, there are no tears. They knew death was
coming–sometimes they knew it for a long time–and they went
through their grieving while their loved one was still alive. They’re not bad people for moving past their grief. And you aren’t either p>
Her words soothed a raw part of his soul. He wanted to take her into his arms again, just to hold her. Just to absorb the comfort of her presence. A gentle silence settled between them, comfortable and
thoughtful.
Chapter 94
“Can I ask you another nosy question? Chloe asked after a moment.
“You can if you actually eat that energy bar instead of picking at it p>
Amos said.
Chloe smiled and rolled her eyes, but she took a big bite of the energy bar. “Happy?” she asked with a full mouth.
“Ecstatic. What’s your question p>
“How were you turned p>
“Ah, that.” Amos reached for a bottle of juice and twisted it ope Chloe. He held it while she finished her energy bar. “It’s not a terribly exciting story. I was attacked by a young vampire who los control while feeding from me. She drained me far enough to kill me, and then her venom resurrected me p>
“It was an attack? Chloe stared at him, appalled.
“Yes. What did you expect p>
“I don’t know. I guess I thought you made some sort of arrangement with a vampire. Like, a consensual, planned transition p>
Amos laughed. “No. That happens, though it’s rare. Most of us are turned by young, inexperienced vampires who accidentally turn their supper into an eternal obligation p>
Chloe tilted her head questioningly. “Obligation p>
“I don’t have any personal experience, since I’ve never turned anyone. But I’m told that those who have done it feel a strong bond to their progeny p>
“Does that mean… the vampire who turned you, she’s bonded to you in some way? ”
Chapter 94
“Eat your energy bar,” Amos prompted. Chloe scowled at him, but
obeyed. “And, yes. Even a century later, my dam still tries to mother
you take both our mortal and immortal lives into account p>
“How is that possible p>
“She was only nineteen years old when she was turned. And then she turned me within her first year as a vampire p>
“Are you angry with her for attacking you p>
“Not anymore. I was angry at first. But I’ve adjusted, and now sh my oldest friend p>
Chloe was quiet, chewing contemplatively. When she finally
finished the energy bar, Amos passed her the bottle of juice. He
could sense the questions building in her mind, and decided it was
his turn to be the interrogator.
“What about you?” Amos asked. “You said you’re not married–were
you ever p>
Chloe shook her head. “No. Never married. Never engaged p>
He took that in, somewhat surprised. She was beautiful and
interesting and insightful and curious and kind. She obviously
thought that not being married was some kind of failure on her
part–one of the ways she was “behind” in life–but Amos couldn’t
quite fathom how she didn’t have her choice of men who were ready
to give her what she wanted.
“Why not?” he blurted out tactlessly.
Chloe paused, clearly trying to find words. “I…” She shrugged. “I don’t know. These last few years have been rough, and I haven’t really been in a position to date. But it’s not like it’s always been that
Chapter 94
way. I’ve had relationships. They just never made it that far.” She shrugged again, a quick, slightly defensive gesture.
Taking pity, Amos changed the conversation. “How did you find o
about HemoMatch p>
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Chapter 95
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