Fire & Ice

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Returning to the divider, I stared at her, pleading. "I'm sorry. Please come here."

She hesitated only a moment before coming back toward me.

"Portia, I need to have some blood. I'm getting sick." I tried to keep my voice calm, wanting her to hear me and see my reasoning.

She shook her head. "No, Vance. It's the blood that's making you sick."

"You don't understand." Turning away from her, I leaned against the wall, sliding down it to the floor. "If I don't get any, I'll die."

Her terror at losing me tore through her heart. I could feel it pulsating strongly. Finally, I was getting through to her.

"Portia! Don't even consider it!" Sean's voice broke in. "He's trying to trick you."

Vaulting angrily to my feet, I began pounding the barrier, incessantly. How dare he try to undermine what I was trying to accomplish! I'd rip his damn throat out! His blood would work absolutely fine for me too. "Let me out!" I snarled ferociously.

Sean grabbed Portia, pulling her away toward the door.

Stepping backward I started throwing fireballs at the partition, one after another, pissed when I realized the magic they'd placed there easily absorbed the shock. But I didn't stop. The rage felt good to me.

"Let him get it all out," Sean said, comforting Portia, as tears streamed down her face, but she didn't move or argue. Suddenly, I realized she wasn't going to help me.

That thought threatened to destroy me.

Drained, I slumped onto the floor next to the bed. "I thought you loved me," I said weakly, letting my head droop. I refused to even look at her.

"I do love you, more than you can comprehend right now," she replied, with a hitch in her voice. "That's why I'm doing this."

Giving an irritated huff, I rolled so my back was facing her. I was done. I wanted to sleep so I could escape this sickening feeling inside me. Giving in, I let the darkness consume me once more.

---

Awakened again by the same cravings, I didn't even bother to try communicating with Portia, who was sound asleep on the cot outside the glass again. What was the point? She'd made it clear she wasn't going to help me.

I regretted that I'd thrown my water away now. Feeling anything wet in my throat at this point would be helpful. My mouth was so dry. I stood, my body trembling viciously, and instantly realized how weak I'd become. There was no way I could survive like this much longer. Slowly testing my strength, I walked the length of my prison, only to discover I was too weak to walk back. Sliding down the wall, I folded my arms on my knees, resting my head there. Tremors shook my muscles uncontrollably and I couldn't take it anymore, I let the tears spring free. It was too much.

I had no idea how long I'd been there when Portia's voice broke in.

"Are you okay?" she asked, sounding sympathetic.

What a stupid question. I refused to acknowledge it or her. She stayed silent for several minutes and I thought perhaps she was going to leave me alone.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" she asked, compassion filled her voice.

Slowly, I raised my eyes to meet hers, staring at her cynically, allowing her to see my tears. She knew exactly what she needed to do for me. I'd been begging her for it.

"Vance. Please try to understand," she pleaded.

I placed my head back down, unable to look at her anymore.