(Chapter 3- Explanations)

Recap-

I nodded my head but spoke softly. “How did this happen?”

Was he attacked during the night somewhere like you see in those scary movies or did he meet a bunch of vampires and they changed him so he could be part of the clan? So many scenarios were playing through my mind right now that I didn’t know what to do with them all.

Maybe once he finally told me, then things would be cleared up, and I wouldn’t have to keep wondering about it. That would put my mind at rest.   

*****

"About two weeks after I left for my trip to Italy I became vampire." He stated.

"How did you become one?" I wondered rather loudly.

"The trip I took to Italy was to be with my family. My grandparents live there and as it turns out they are vampires too. I apparently was born with the same vampire gene but couldn't be completely turned vampire until I fulfilled the process and that was to drink vampire blood from a member of the organization.” He explained.

“The organization?” I questioned.

“Yes, it’s a group of vampires that was formed to keep order over the others.” He stated. “You can only be part of the organization if you are born into it. It’s a role that it is to be inherited.”

“So there are others in the organization?” I asked.  

“There are five of them. Our family orders in Italy, another family orders in Brazil and the same goes for Russia, China and Canada.” He said.

“What about The United States?”

“It’s no man’s land really just like the other places. The organization as a whole still watches over it together but there is no one here directly. We have our districts.” He answered.

“I had no idea any of that even existed.”

“No one does except the vampire world.” He said.

This was all such a shock to me. I had no idea how much of the world was occupied by vampires until now. All those things you hear in the night all those unsolved murders could all be linked to vampires. Everything unexplainable could be traced back to them if anyone knew of their existence.

“How did this all start?” I asked.

“About 400 years ago there was one supreme ruler over all but the power became too much for him and he went crazy. He began killing people and sentencing them to the most horrific deaths imaginable. He even sentenced his own wife to the worst death of all.”

“What?” I whispered feeling as though we shouldn’t be talking about this.

“Dehydration.”

He didn’t have to explain to me what that meant. I could pretty well guess it for myself. I just don’t understand how someone could do that to their own family. Vampire or not.

“After that the family from the royals or what was left of them came together, they formed the organization feeling that no one should hold supreme power ever again. There were five children of King Darius and each one separated to different parts of the world to rule. So now anytime someone needs to be punished or sentenced to death it must be agreed upon by the organization together.” He explained.

This was all starting to make since now. His grandmother or grandfather must be one of the children of King Darius and that’s how they are part of it.

“I can’t believe your grandparents have ruled that long.”

“They haven’t. “ He corrected. “The organization changes every 100 years. This is the end our their term and my parents are stepping up in their place.”

“Is that why you spent the summer in Italy?” I asked.   

He nodded his head. “I only came back for you.”

Oh no this is the part I don’t like. He expects me to leave with him but I can’t. I can’t leave my family and friends behind. I have a life here and I’m not ready to give that up just yet. If only I could find a way to explain that to him without getting hurt.

“Chase I can’t go with you.” I said seriously. “I have friends and family here.”

“I know this is a sacrifice on your part but I need you Ashlyn. Without you there is just something missing. It nearly killed me being away from you all summer. I know I couldn’t do it for a lifetime.”

I could tell by his voice and the look in his eyes that he meant every word but I didn’t know how to deal with this yet. Chase and I have never been anything other than friends so this is all new to me. I honestly didn’t know how I felt about him now.

He was right before, when he said this would change things between us. I will never be able to look at him any way other then as a vampire. Every time we are around each other that’s all I will be able to think about. Wondering what innocent person he stole blood from or if he has killed anyone. I don’t believe Chase would hurt anyone by nature but a vampire would and that’s what he is now. I just don’t know how to forget that part of him.

“I don’t know what to say Chase.”

“Say you’ll come with me.” He said coming a bit closer but slowly so he doesn’t alarm me like before.

“I can’t Chase I’m sorry.” I said sadly.

I didn’t want to hurt him but I just could do what he asked. I couldn’t ever live the life he does and I don’t know what else to do to explain it to him.

“I have to go.” I said softly walking past him.

I wasn’t even two feet from his bedroom door when I felt his iron grip on my arm bring me to a halt. I should have known it wasn’t going to be that easy. He was much stronger and faster than I was so I didn’t know what else to do so I stood there without looking back.

“Don’t leave.”

“My parents are probably wondering where I am. I need to go home.” I explained. “I need to think.”

“Then let me at least drive you home.” He begged.

“Fine.” I said. “But then you leave.”

“Thank you.” He smiled letting go and opening the door for me.

On our way to my house the care was filled with the some awkward silence as before. I made no attempt at a conversation seeing as everything had already been said.  I texted Josh a few minutes from my house and told him that I had to take a rain check on our date because I had some stuff going on. I hated to cancel on him but who was I kidding, I couldn’t go out with him after everything Chase told me. It just wouldn’t seem right. Especially after the way he said he felt about me.

When we pulled up in front of my house Chase turned off his car. He made no attempts to get me to let him in but I could feel that he wanted me to.

If it wasn’t for the fact that my parents were home and inviting him in would put them at risk then I might not have a problem with it.

“You know I would invite you in if-”

“I wasn’t a vampire.” He finished.

I nodded my head. I feel so bad for treating him differently but how could I not?

“I won’t hurt them Ashlyn.”

“But how do you know that. What if you lose control?” I asked.

He shook his head. “I won’t. That’s what I have been learning to do while I was away. I learned self control.”

“Maybe some other time, I just need to be alone right now.” I explained.

He looked disappointed but agreed. “Can I at least come pick you up from school tomorrow?”

“Sure, I guess there is no harm in that.” I said opening the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I made my way to the door of my house and let myself in without glancing back because I knew if I did then I wouldn’t ever let him go.

Chase's POV

I watched her as she walked into the house and I already began to miss her. My whole body yearned to hold her and just whisk her away without so much as a word but I knew she wouldn’t forgive me if I did. I just hope she can accept me sooner before I lost all control and took her anyway.

I know this was a lot to spring on her but I only did it because I love her, I always have. I just never thought I was good enough for her. When I realized that she was the one I would love forever I couldn’t have been any happier. Now that I have her I don't need anyone else. I just hope with a little time she could feel the same way for me.

 I wish that I didn't have to rush things. I wish I could take the time to show her that we were meant to be together and convince her to come. I wanted it to be her choice. I guess I will have to go about it about it a different way now. I just hope she forgives me. I just feel so protective of her, like she is mine and only mine. I try not to be that way but something just takes over and I can't help it. I need her.