Chapter 27. He's Alive!

Reika

I made my way through the crowd until I stood in front of what had caught their attention. My body became tense, my hands shaking by my sides as I stared at the person before me. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"V-Vlad?" my voice came out hoarse, my throat suddenly parched. He wasn’t dead! I couldn't explain the emotion that washed over me. Relief, sadness, I couldn’t tell but I was glad to see him. He looked well. No one would believe I’d stabbed him with a silver dagger some weeks ago. He stared back at me, his gaze piercing my soul as he came towards me. There was something in his gaze, a fondness that hadn’t been there before. It confused me. Everyone moved back, clearing the way for him as he reached me. I stood frozen before him, too shocked that words refused to tumble out of my mouth.

He stood close now, so close that I could see a fading scar that cut across the left side of his face. It hadn’t been there before but reminded me of the stranger