Chapter 85 Beauty Lies In These Pages
...Anastasia POV...
I have just experienced another moment of ecstasy that goes beyond being able to be described by a single word. Sebastian has proven to me that no matter if I find myself a mortal or a Vampire, that he desires me the same. To him, he sees no difference as it is love that drives him; his passion for our love, for our union, is beyond compare. For him to have not lost control and drive his fangs into me without my consent proves once more how much he cares for me.
To think I was sitting and pondering if I should stay human is something that I cannot understand. There should not even be a question, a choice to be made. I want with all of this beating heart to be back with Sebastian, yes I do know that as a human, I can experience this desire, but I do not want to see my life just end if I can extend it.
So I have foolishly taken the Book of Spells and am on my way to Elloise. As I leave the Belmont House in my rearview mirror, I pray that this shall not be the last time that I shall see it. What I also wish for is that Sebastian will not be that mad at me, but I do fear that I cannot have both, for he is going to furious.
Now the question begs, why do I not just let Sebastian turn me again. Well, I don't want a makeover of a time that, though given the circumstances, meant a great deal to me. So I am racing to Elloise with the Book in hand, hoping that she can reverse my reckless decision. And do us not forget that she shall meet her fate for betraying us in the first place. They say revenge is sweet, well I believe it is better not to mess with a woman scorned.
I do believe that Sebastian must have become aware of my absence and shall soon thereafter find that the Book of Spell has mysteriously disappeared as well. Therefore doing this must happen with the utmost speed and perfect precision. And believe me, right now, this car can not go fast enough.
...Sebastian POV...
If ever there was something foolish that Anastasia has done, then it surely should be this. What was running through that mind as she took the Book of Spells only she will know. But I do have a fairly good idea what her purpose with it is. Even though I wish for her to go back to her immortal self, I do not wish for her to play with a power that we clearly know that we have no control over. It does pain me, though, that she has not told me of her intention. Yes, I would have stopped her, for there are other ways for her to become a Vampire again. Even though the first experience as Maker and Vampire was the most intimate thing that I have experience with her, I would easily do it again. Take it as sealing our marriage and completing our union again.
So it is with absolute haste that Edward and I pile into his car and make the long drive to Elloise as fast as we possibly can. And while we are making our way there, Edward turns and looks with concern to me.
"Sebastian, you are my dear friend and my Maker. As a friend, I wish to say, and stop me if I am out of line, but this thing, this search of danger between you and Anastasia, is not healthy. You complete each other, but your quest to save the world is going to break that bond. I am even too afraid to say that it has now gone too far."
"My dear friend, I appreciate your concern, and I can with total honesty say that you are correct with what you are saying. This has reached a point that is beyond craziness. I do know that we shall live forever, but it should not mean that we should make as many reckless decisions as we possibly can. Yes, there shall come dangers; the fact that we do seek them makes me just as concerned as you."
"So let us be reckless for one final time and get this car to take us to Elloise as fast as we can. I believe that we are not far behind Anastasia." ...Anastasia POV...
As a human, I always lived my life on the edge; it was the ecstasy that I craved. That was until I met Sebastian, and he brought a new danger to my life that I desired even more. But then things just started to get out of hand, monsters, and creatures, what you can dream, you can name. I would rather prefer the ecstasy that he brings to my body between the sheets.
And this is why I am racing as fast as I can to find Elloise, which I am afraid to say, I can not completely be for sure how to get to her. My determination is strong; I shall not waver or give up on it. As each mile pass, I cannot help but think that maybe I am running out of time to have this reversed, I do not know why, but the thought does come to me. It shall, after all, not be a surprise if Elloise deceived us over what she already has.
So I look into the rearview mirror once again, paranoid beyond belief that Sebastian shall soon appear in it. But then something else catches my eye, something in the mirror itself, the reflection staring back at me. Something has gone horribly wrong. ...Sebastian POV...
It feels like Edward is not going fast enough, miles in the wrong direction he is going; that is what it feels like. If we go any faster, I can say that we are near close to flying. But yet we do not see the tail end of Anastasia's car coming close up in front.
The urgency is growing for the thought that I might not be able to say goodbye in case that something goes horribly wrong. Not a thought that I should entertain, but there is a nagging part of me that says that something is wrong. But just then, there is a thought that occurs to me, why have I not thought of this before. I take my phone from my pocket and immediately find the number of Connor to dial. Much to my relief, he answers in an instant. "Sebastian, who do you need to be killed today?"
"My dear friend, I do appreciate the humor, but today I am looking for someone to be alive."
"The Vampire Master phoning me for a meal?"
"Ha! I do not require your services for that as, believe me, these hands are fully equipped. I am looking for Anastasia; she is on her way to your direction."
"My man, did you go and lose your bride?"
"The bride is being stubborn and about to do something which might have severe consequences."
"Well, in that case, I shall have some of my men monitor the entrance and try to keep her back. I do not know if they can overpower her."
"She is human; please be delicate with her."
"Human?"
"Will explain later."
...Anastasia POV...
I am horrified at what I am looking at, the reflection staring back at me; it is not me. Well, it is, but I have aged at least another five years since the last time I looked at myself in the mirror. What is going on? Why is this happening to me? Is it the spell? Or is my body simply dying?
Oh, how I wish that Sebastian was here with me now; I cannot bear to think that if I might die that I might die alone. With the thought in mind, I bring the car to a screeching halt. There is nothing but open fields with tall green grass and colorful blossoms around me; the beauty makes me cry, for I am losing my very own.
Have I become so vain that beauty is all I desire? If I did not make a fuss over a few wrinkles and stretched skin, we would not find ourselves in this trouble. Or I should rather say me, I did this to myself, evil fairy or not, this is my doing. I am the reason I am coming undone.
This sets the fear of seven horrors through my body. Should I phone Sebastian before it is too late?
Without having to hesitate, I take my phone from my purse and dial his number.
"My beloved, where are you?"
"Does not matter anymore, Sebastian."
"Anastasia, what do you mean, what does not matter anymore?"
"It is futile for you to try and come stop me; there is nothing that can be done anymore."
"My beloved, please wait where you are; we are on our way."
"I love you, Sebastian."
With that, I click the phone dead and toss it back into my purse. That was hard; even though he did not tell him what is going on, I knew that there was not very much that I could say.
How will Sebastian love me like this? Is it even worth going to Elloise then?
...Sebastian POV...
Something is wrong with Anastasia; there is a fear in her voice, the same fear I heard coming through the corridors of her old home as she was busy dying that night. She is scared; something has her running even further away from me. I need to get to her before she does anything else that will harm her in any way.
So I dial Connor once again.
"Sebastian, my men just saw a woman enter, she did not come by car, and she is far too old to be Anastasia. My friend, we shall keep out watch for her."
"Thank you, Connor; we should be there within the next hour."
As I drop the call, my heart is saddened; it is impossible for the older woman to have been Anastasia disguised, for there is no way that she is able to get there so fast unless if she left much earlier than I noticed.
And as this spins out of control in my head, I cannot shake the feeling that something is horribly wrong, we must go faster, I fear that we are running out of time.
"Edward, we need to go faster; I fear that Anastasia is in a different danger."
...Anastasia POV...
As I step into the forest, I am met by three men that I believe are part of Connor's pack. They only but give me a glance and let me pass by with no problem. Guess the fact that I have aged another ten years does make me a bit unrecognizable, well, that is, if you do not expect me to be this age.
So after having my little meltdown, I decided to give it one final try; if there truly is nothing to save me, then at least I will die knowing that I have tried my all. One last shot of living, surviving as a human, not even the life of a Vampire. I guess this shall teach me not to take what I have for granted.
Well, I can now honestly say that life does indeed flash before your eyes when death stares you in the face. And the best part of experiencing this all is that my life experience is those moments that I had with Sebastian.
And so it comes; I am standing in the clearing as I watch Elloise come down the stairs; I am filled with so must rage that I can rip her apart. As she comes to stand in front of me, I can see her eyes question who the person is that she finds staring back at her.
The anger boils even further until I finally explode.
"Fix your damn mess!"
"Anastasia?"