Bleeding Hearts

Chapter 12

*Aaliyah's P.O.V*

I jerk away from Rana after a bit, not used to being hugged by someone who was now practically a stranger to me. Not one council member could speak up to try and deny what I had said. Not even my grandmother could, which was strange because she normally always had something to say.

"Now if we are done here, because I am almost positive that you have nothing to say to me that I actually care about, I want to leave," I state as I continue to stand there. I can tell my grandmother wants to try and say something but she's also probably not used to having anyone, most especially her granddaughter, dismiss her so easily.

"We would need a way to contact you," Raoul speaks, taking charge of the situation. I sigh at that, taking out my phone.

"Do you want my phone number? Cause that's the only way you can communicate with me seeing as there is no way I'm giving my address," I state plainly. Rana clears her throat and I glance at her, raising an eyebrow.

"The council kind of already knows. I mean it was pretty obvious when those wards fell since it sent a magical shockwave that was kind of big," Rana says and I nod my head.

"How do you know that it is my house?" I ask, not wanting to believe that the vampire council actually knows where I live.

"You invited Keturah there which means that she can narrow down where the area was since she can kind of feel where your magic is most closely located. Plus I went to visit your home, or what I assume is your home, because I wanted to get you some clothes but there were two vampires there who did not seem pleased to see me," Rana states that like it is a shocking thing.

"Fine, maybe you did find it. The shockwave was probably caused by the blood wards. Blood wards are notoriously powerful which would explain why the magical shock was so big. I'm sure you all probably knew that though," I inform her as I turn around, ready to leave. I actually kind of hoped that they didn't know that since it would be fun for me to have more knowledge even though I had been banished.

"Should you really be doing blood wards? I mean you are untrained," my grandfather says and I roll my eyes at the question.

"Take that up with the witch council, it's not like I chose to be untrained," I inform him. I close my eyes after a moment, testing my magic levels. They've refilled about halfway and since the vampire council only has wards that stop people from coming in with magic, it's not much of a struggle for me to use my magic to escape.

I just concentrate on being home, getting a firm visual of my home in my mind before I let my magic wrap around me. I feel like I'm being surrounded by a warm bright light before I can feel wind blowing around me. I open my eyes and see that I am now back home, standing on the walkway. I test my magic levels, finding them only slightly lower than when I had last checked.

That was a good sign since it meant that my magic hadn't been bound when I was unconscious. It shouldn't even be a thought that crosses my mind yet it is something that I do have to worry about. It was possible for my family to put a limit or a cap for how much magic I could use or could recover. It looked like they hadn't done that but I would still be keeping a close eye on my magic for the next couple of days.

I walk up the walkway, stepping up onto the porch. Before I can even get close to the door, it's opened. Etol is suddenly on me, her claws digging into my clothing as she clings to me. I stumble back, sitting down on the porch to allow her to cuddle up to me.

"Oh you poor thing, you must have missed me so much," I coo to her as I run my hand down her back, scratching around her wings. It's one of the only places that she can actually fully feel my touch since her scales are too thick in other places. She can usually feel the warmth but she much prefers actually being pet where she can feel it.

"You're okay," Zero's voice makes me look up and I see her hand standing in the doorway. I smile at her but I can't agree that I am okay. I had to see my family after so long avoiding them, I mean I actually had to see them and talk to them. It doesn't really feel like I'm okay.

"I'm fine," I try to say but my voice cracks. Zero crosses the porch, sitting down beside me. Her arms wrap around me and I sink into her hold, not even noticing that I am shaking.

"No you're not. And that's okay. It's okay not to be fine," Zero whispers into my hair, her face resting on the top of my head as I cling to her.

"I have to be fine. I have to be. It's been so long. I shouldn't get worked up seeing them or talking to them," I choke out. I can't tell if I'm shaking or if she's shaking or if the world is shaking. I tighten my grip on Etol who is looking at me with concern, letting out little growls as she headbutts my chest to try and get my attention.

"Go on Etol, Aaliyah needs to rest," Zero says and Etol growls, sinking her nails into my clothing even more.

"I just want to take a shower and then sleep," I mutter, making Zero hum.

"Come on then darling," Zero states as she pushes herself up, pulling me up with her. I let her guide me inside since my focus is on soothing Etol. Couldn't things just go back to how they used to be? That was how I preferred them. I didn't like all these new emotions that I was being forced to experience all of a sudden.