Bite Me

Ch. 27 Return to the Compound

I woke the next morning pulling myself out of bed. I walked towards the living room where I found Blake. He had excused his other vampires shortly after bringing me to the apartment. My eyes were red and my face was covered in dried mascara that had run down my cheeks.

"Ash, do you want to talk about it?" He asked hesitantly. I sighed sitting beside him on the couch.

"I think my marriage is over," I said as a single tear escaped down my cheek. I hadn't thought I had any tears left and yet I did. I felt immense pain and confusion as I thought of my relationship. He basically ignored me and then there was that girl. Were they together or was she simply a friend?

"What happened?" He asked me softly. I looked at my hands before speaking unable to look at him as I spoke.

"We argued and there was a girl there. I didn't know who she was and I'm scared she's the one he's moving on with. I love him and I don't know how to get through to him," I murmured as Blake gripped my hand trying to offer some comfort. "He didn't say a single word to me as I sobbed and screamed at him. He just looked at me. I hoped he would have at the very least told me if he wanted out of the relationship or not."

"I'm sorry about your relationship," Blake said softly as I got to my feet. I shoved my emotions aside before I turned towards the bathroom.

"I'm going to clean up and then we can go back to business," I said abruptly. I entered the bathroom staring at my reflection. My vibrant blue eyes while on the surface shined just below if one truly looked could see the pain I was trying to hide. I washed the makeup off my face fixing my golden hair. I took a shaky breath allowing my emotions to briefly fill my body once more before I locked them away deep inside my body. I exited the bathroom sitting on the couch again. Blake stared at me waiting for me to speak. "As I mentioned I am to work closely with a man named Greg Marks."

"That's perfect. He has the highest clearance possible and that means he will probably extend the same to you," Blake said with a grin.

"What information would you like me to get first?" I asked as Blake paused contemplating what was most important. "They will most likely notice soon so I'll only be able to get a few items before then."

"Names of leaders and locations if possible," Blake said before our eyes locked. "I'd also try to find your own file. They may know more about you than you know about yourself."

"Okay. It may take a few weeks but I'll try and get them quickly," I said simply. I got to my feet.

"Are you sure you still want to do this given how your life is at the moment?" Blake asked softly. I looked him in the eyes with fiery passion in my gaze.

"I have nothing else to lose," I said firmly. "They need to pay for the things they have stolen from me!"

"Okay," Blake said as I turned walking towards the front door. "Keep in touch."

"Sure thing," I said exiting the apartment with Blake's eyes watching me go. I took a bus all the way back to the compound. I entered my room sitting down for a moment only for someone to knock on the door. I groaned getting to my feet. I opened the door finding Greg Marks standing there. "Hi."

"Welcome back," he said as I moved letting him enter the apartment. "I have an assignment for you." I gave him my full attention as he continued. "I have a banquet to attend and my wife can't attend and I need you to go in her place."

"Of course but I need an outfit," I said as he grinned.

"Taken care of. The outfit is in your closet already," he said. I tensed slightly at the fact that someone had entered my room but had anticipated that happening as they are the ones who gave me the room to use. I kept my fake polite smile on my face.

"Thank you. I'll look at the dress in a moment but when is this event?" I asked him as he smiled back at me.

"The event is tonight at six. It's dinner and a few speeches with a small chance of dancing," Greg said as I nodded at him.

"What is the event about?" I asked him.

"It's a lot of the council of hunters. Just addressing the rise in vampires sort of thing. It's a rather dull event but as the leader I must show face and I hate going alone," Greg said firmly as I looked at him with a question bubbling to the surface.

"Why me?" I asked without meaning to. I hadn't meant to question him inviting as that's exactly what I needed.

"You agreed to shadow and learn from me so I thought this would be a good opportunity for you. Plus they will likely mention your aunt and it would be good if you were present during that," Greg said simply as I nodded in understanding.

"Alright. I don't have to give a speech do I?" I said with a nervous laugh. I wasn't one for public speaking especially in front of the very people I am trying to destroy.

"Not at all. Look I have a meeting in a few minutes but I'll pick you up at five. The event is in a secluded area so it will take time to get there," Greg said as I smiled walking him to the door.

"Sounds great. I'll see you in a few hours," I said to him shutting the door behind him. I leaned against the door for a moment before deciding to text Blake filling him in on the details I knew of the event. He gave his usual response.

Blake: Keep me posted.