Chapter 20: The Witches' Council

                                    

                                          


                          
I woke up with a start to the dark hospital room. I had an uneasy feeling in my stomach but there was nothing sinister I could see in the vicinity. Just as I was getting my racing heart under control, there was a bang from the hallway and I froze. The hallway lights flickered ominously.
                          
Oh Goddess. This is just like a horror movie. I thought, heart racing again.
                          
Despite my better judgement I silently got out of my bed and walked to the doorway. I peered into the hallway. The lights had stopped flickering and nothing looked out of order. I frowned, wondering if my PTSD was making an appearance again.
                          
I turned and walked back into my room only for the lights to start flickering in there. My whole body was tense and I held my breath as the room plunged into darkness. I couldn't hear anything but my now hammering heart.
                          
Suddenly the night lights flickered back on and I was facing a figure that stood right in front of me. I started to scream but then recognition hit me- It was Talon.
                          
"Talon- what are you doing here?" I whispered, relief washing over me that it wasn't some monster in front of me.
                          
Wow. To think that I wouldn't consider a vampire a monster. My whole life had been turned upside down in the last week.
                          
Talon said nothing but stepped closer to me. To my surprise I didn't feel the urge to step back. I wanted...what did I want? 
                          
I threw my arms around him and hugged him. He wrapped his arms around me and my heart jumped in response.
                          
He pulled out of the hug so our gazes met, our faces inches away. His dark eyes seemed to stare into my soul, a fire burning within them. Then as if moving in sync we leaned in and our lips met.
                          
This is wrong. My rational brain shouted. But I was past caring.
                          
The kiss deepened and he pulled me against his body. I responded by kissing him harder, then his mouth moved to my jaw and he trailed kisses down along my neck. Then he bit down-
                          
I woke up to an empty hospital room, the morning rays of the sun starting to shine in from the window.
                          
Talon was nowhere to be seen. What the hell was that? I had definitely imagined it. But why? You have lost your mind. I felt myself flush in embarrassment.
                          
Leina, he's a vampire. The enemy.
                          
Who saved you? A voice in my head argued. In any case, you cannot think about kissing him.
                          
I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts. You won't be seeing him again so there's no need to worry, I reasoned.
                          
**
                          
By lunch time I was at Ava's. She had picked me up when I was discharged from the hospital this morning. I had said goodbye to Zach and Miriam, wishing them all the best. Ava had insisted I stay at her place until this whole business with the council was over. She had returned my phone which had about sixty missed calls and messages, mostly from my parents, some from uni friends and work. 
                          
Work. Ugh. That was a problem I would deal with later. For now, I just wanted to relax and enjoy the fact that I made it out alive. 
                          
I had what felt like the best bath after everything I'd been through, and got changed into some clothes Ava let me borrow; black high waisted jeans, green singlet top and denim jacket.
                          
I sighed in relief as I snuggled into her couch, hugging my best friend tightly.
                          
"I'm going to stay right here forever," I announced. Ava laughed;