Be Careful When You Bite Me

Chapter 17

I checked the time again.

7:45 pm.

It's been two minutes since I last checked. I didn't know if or how I was going to pull this off, but I knew it was my only chance. I went over the plan once again in my head. I'd wait for the guards to leave at exactly 8 pm, then I'd get to the main gate where they keep the car. I'd take the key out of the car in hopes of not being noticed by the main guard at the second set of gates, and then I'd go over and ask him to unlock the gate for Dimitri. I'd have to find a way to distract the guard from Dimitri and I for just a minute which will give me enough time to give him the car keys and have him call Luna and by the time the guard comes back, it would have been over.

That didn't stop my thoughts from racing in a complete and utter panic.

What if the guards don't leave at 8? What if the car keys aren't inside or what if I can't think of a way to distract the guard?

I tried to shrug off the thoughts and tried to channel the inner me that's gotten lost somewhere throughout this mess. I was tough before this, maybe not take on vampire guards and witches tough but I was definitely stronger than this

I looked at the time again.

7:50 pm.

I took a deep breath in and prayed that u couldn't see anybody in the hallways along the way. I grabbed a random empty basket from my dresser and made sure the cellphone was in my bra again before making my way downstairs.

At the garden, I could see that what Luna had said about the guards leaving was true. Four of them exited through the main gate, making sure to lock it before they disappeared. I looked at the car. I couldn't tell if it was unlocked or not and sent out a mental prayer that the keys were inside.

I left the basket on the steps and peeked over towards the second gate. I couldn't see if the guard was there or not and my guess was that he was on the other side of the gates.

I made my way towards the car, making sure to keep an eye out for my surroundings. I suddenly hoped that Dimitri would arrive a minute or two after eight to give me a minute to get this done.

I got to the car and reached for the driver's door. To my surprise and relief, it was open. I pulled on the lever all the way and reached inside and sure enough, the car keys were hanging from the side of the steering wheel. I grabbed them quickly and shut the door. I looked around to see if anyone had noticed but no one was in sight. I shoved the keys up my sleeves and began to make my way towards the second gate. In the distance, I could tell the door was beginning to open and the guard stepped back into the garden.

When I reached the gate, the guard gestured outside," your fruit delivery is here."

I nodded, pushing back any nervous thoughts or anxiety.

I stepped outside the doors to see that Dimitri was there, hauling his big carriage of fruits. His blue eyes lit up with hope when he caught sight of me," Hi."

I forced a smile," Hi, d-do you have my strawberries."

He nodded, looking confused, and reached into the carriage, pulling out a large plastic bag of bright red strawberries.

I took a deep breath and looked up at the guard," I can't carry all these, there's a basket by the back door, can you get it for me?"

The guard spared me a glance, he then looked Dimitri up and down and nodded before slowly marching off.

I turned quickly towards Dimitri and handed him the car keys," take these."

"What are those-"

"They're car keys, Luna will explain."

"Luna is here?"

I fumbled with my bra until I was able to find the phone and quickly dialed to call Luna. The phone rang once before her hopeful voice got on," Hello, Holly?"

"You only have about 20 seconds, make it quick."

I gave Dimitri the phone and turned to face the guard, keeping an eye out for when he approaches again.

I could hear Dimitri replying to whatever Luna was explaining to him.

"I remember the tunnel but I don't even know if I remember how to drive, it's been a long time..."

I caught sight of the guard making his way pack and spun on my heels to face Dimitri," he's coming, end the call."

"I have to go...okay...I love you too."

Dimitri handed me the phone," did you get it? Do you understand the plan?"

He nodded," yes, tomorrow at 8 pm I'll be back, I'll drive the car to the tunnel entrance when the guards leave and I'll wait for you."

I nodded, shoving the phone back in my bra," alright, sounds good."

Dimitri fumbled with the keys, hiding them under a piece of fruit on his carriage.

The guard approached us and handed me the basket," here," he muttered.

"Thank you," my voice was calm and steady and I felt almost proud of myself. I grabbed the basket and placed the bag of strawberries inside.

The guard handed Dimitri a couple of coins and Dimitri spared me one last glance before making his way back towards the green woods.

Inside the castle, I nibbled nervously on the strawberries on my way back up to my room. When I got to my bed, I sprawled across the bed and pulled out the phone. I wondered if I could use it to phone my mother again and decided against it.

I'll be home soon, I'll talk to her then.

Nighttime rolled around faster than I had imagined and before I knew it, I was awakened by the sun's rays of light beaming through my window. I looked around in a sudden panic wondering if I had fell asleep before hiding the phone. It was by my face, under the pillow. I checked to see if I had any missed calls from Luna but I didn't.

My shower took longer than it usually had and I thought about how this time could really be the last time that I would be in this castle. If everything went right, Dimitri would meet me at the tunnel with the castle car at around eight and from there we would make our way to Oakridge, where Luna would be waiting for us.

I wondered if, after that, she would go back to New York with Dimitri. I wondered what would happen if Damon finds out , if he would take Dimitri away back to the village or maybe even kill him for running away in the first place. I wondered if his history with Luna would affect that in any way.

The image of him twisting the wooden sword inside of the jester flickered in my mind again and I flinched. I couldn't imagine how Luna would feel if that were to happen to Dimitri.

Most of all, I wondered how the Ritual of Obliteration would happen. If it was anything like the first time, I would drink from a goblet and then slip into a deep coma. I'd awaken the next day having no memory of the entire thing.

What would happen if I asked Luna to let me go home, without performing the ritual? Did I want to remember? Would the Council or the King and Queen come after me if they found out I returned back to my normal life having kept my memory? Did I want to take the chance?

Did I want to leave without finding out who it was that marked me with the Mark of Eros? Did I really want to forget Damon?

I turned the hot water knob all the way and focused on the painful jolts of heat on my skin. I didn't want to keep overthinking, I just wanted to get out of here and if that meant forgetting all about Damon then so be it.

I got out of the shower and nibbled on my breakfast. At around six pm, I got a visit from Meredith.

She ran over to where I was on the bed and engulfed me in a tight hug," you're back!"

I hugged her back, feeling a sudden wave of comfort drape over me," I'm back."

She pulled back and sat on the bed beside me," why are you back?"

I shrugged," the witch that Damon took me to see in New York, she said I had the Mark of Eros, she said she couldn't help me without pissing off the witch gods."

Her expression turned into confusion," you can't have the Mark of Eros, you're a human."

"Apparently it's something that's decided by fate, or the gods or whatever-"

"Yes that's true, but there was never an Underworld god that destined a human and someone from The Underworld to be together, especially not with the Mark of Eros."

I shook my head in confusion," I don't understand."

"Either the witch lied to you, or there is something someone isn't telling you."

"She couldn't have been lying, Xavier's mate, Asia, she's a witch too, she said the same thing."

Meredith took my hands in hers and stroked them lightly," I'm not an expert dear, but I suggest that you go back to those witches and have a talk."

I took a deep breath in and decided to spill," I'm escaping, tonight, I'm getting out of here."

Meredith remained silent for a couple of seconds her expression remaining black before finally replying with," how?"

"The witch, Luna, she made me a deal in New York, she has a lover in the village, Dimitri-"

"The boy that sells fruit?"

I nodded," yes, if I deliver him to her, she'll do the ritual and I'll be free to go back home-"

"How are you going to get yourself and that boy out of Woodbridge?"

"Last night I stole the keys to the castle car, Dimitri has them now, tonight he'll drive the car to the tunnel behind the castle, it connects inside I just don't know where, Luna said she'll direct me, she gave me a phone-"

"The tunnel is how the brothers were able to sneak you into the castle your first night here, I'll show you where it is."

I was both shocked and relieved by her reply, I was grateful that she was willing to help me. Part of me had expected her to dart for the door and alert the closest guard.

"Dimitri and I will drive to the next town over, Luna is going to be there, and I'm not sure what's going to happen after that."

I could tell that there was concern in her eyes as she gripped my hands tighter," I'll take you to the tunnel at eight, and I'll go back and distract the guard at the gate until you're far enough."

I nodded and gripped her hands back," thank you."

"Are you sure he's going to be there?"

I nodded again," I'm positive, Luna and Dimitri are in love, there's no way he wouldn't do this for her."

"Okay, then I'll do whatever I can to make sure you get out of here safely."

I pursed my lips and asked nervously," come with me."

She smiled sadly," I don't know anything beyond Woodbridge."

"I could help you out, we'd figure it out-"

She cut me off with a kiss on my forehead," I appreciate the offer Holly, but my family is here, I'm native by blood, my life began and will end here."

I held back the tears," Okay, I'm going to miss you."

"Save your goodbyes for the tunnel."

"Okay."

"I'm going to go get somebody to deliver some food up here, I'll meet you by the gates to the garden at a little before eight?"

"Okay," I muttered and watched in sorrow as she got up and exited my

I felt the phone ring under my pillow and reached for it.

Luna.

I answered it without hesitation," Hello?"

"Holly," Luna's voice sounded nervous," are you ready?"

"Yes, I'm ready."

"Good, Dimitri's going to meet you at the entrance of the tunnel with the car, do you know how to get to the garden gate?"

"Yes but I don't need directions there, there's a maid here, she's going to show me-"

"Holly-"

"We can trust her, I promise."

She stayed silent for a couple of seconds before replying with," okay, once you get to the car, you take over the driving, Dimitri isn't too good, he's hardly driven before."

"Okay, I can do that."

"He'll direct you through the woods towards the main border, it's about an hour south, there will be a couple of guards stationed there, keep the windows up and keep driving they shouldn't stop you."

"And if they do?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"They won't," she insisted," just keep it cool, you'll see a sign for Oakridge. I'll be waiting about ten miles past that."

"Are we staying in Oakridge or going back to New York?"

"We'll go back to New York, and we'll figure it out from there."

I nodded," Okay, I-I'll see you soon?"

"Holly, be strong."

"You too."

I hung up the phone feeling nothing but doubt and anxiety. I had a feeling that something somewhere was bound to go wrong somehow.

Just as Meredith had promised, about twenty minutes later another maid walked in with a tray of food. I thanked her and ate away at the fruit, trying not to let myself overthink again. When seven pm rolled around, I darted out of bed and towards the door. In the hallway, I caught sight of Damon approaching me.

Shit.

I definitely couldn't face him now, now an hour before I planned on escaping.

"Holly," he greeted when his eyes caught mines," are you alright?"

I nodded, hoping he doesn't take another step closer. I could almost feel the tingling on my skin at the nearness of his body. It made me both nervous and slightly lustful.

"I'm alright, how are you?"

"I'm okay, I just wanted to check on you-"

"I'm okay, you don't have to do that."

"Yes I do, I'm the reason you're in this mess in the first place."

I didn't know how to reply to that and so I stayed silent.

"You won't be here much longer, I'm trying to get a hold of an old friend of mines at the Council-"

"Like that'll work."

His expression flashed with something like confusion," I know it feels like you're going to be stuck here for a while but I'm trying to find a way that I can help, there's another full moon coming in a couple of days if I convince my father to perform another ritual-"

I felt the tears sting my eyes as I snapped," another ritual won't work Damon! It didn't work the first time what makes you think the second time will make a difference?"

I immediately felt guilty but I knew this was my way of trying to explain to him when he wonders tonight why I had escaped. Before he had the chance to reply, two guards approached us.

"Sir," they greeted Damon," your presence is required at the quarters, as well as hers."

"What," I looked at them in confusion," why? For what?"

I didn't have time to talk to the King and Queen, especially not when I had to find the tunnel and meet Dimitri in less than an hour.

Their next words send shivers of fear up my spine and I immediately knew that this was it. This was the bad feeling I had gotten in my chest.

"The Council is here, and they want her."