I walk over to him. He's bandaged, splintered and slinged. I kneel beside the bed and hold the hand he offers.

**********

It has been a month since the attack, and Jason's condition was deteriorating. He was in and out of comas nearly everyday. His wound was inflamed and infectious, even with medical treatment.

The number of vampires existing was forever decreasing and I feared for his safety. Adianna was living up to her word. I never left his side and barely ate nor drank over long periods of time. Dominique came once every week or fortnight. She still received murderous looks from the guards, even if she was sworn off hunting for my sake. Whenever she could, she would stand alert incase an attack from her daughter. The reason - to talk some sense into Adianna.

I felt like I would die with all the dread and sorrow that was piled onto my shoulders from both mine and everyone else’s emotions over my brother. Even with all this, I still hovered over Adianna’s words. As my mind kept drifting back to this, the same question returned: When will she strike?  It was this that kept me on my feet and helped brush off all the worries of the day until night.

Dominique visited me, uninvited; in my quarters when I finally was convinced my brother was in safe hands.

As she walked in I smiled and beckoned her to come. Knowing that she wouldn’t have come unless asked, I questioned what was on her mind.

“It’s just Adianna. The way she has been demolishing is unlike her. I fear she’ll be here sooner than we think.” She   voiced.

“I have that feeling too. But what can we do?”

She sits there for a moment, thinking and sighs.

“Nothing, except sit and wait.”

Silence enveloped us.

“Do you miss her?” I ask.

“Yes. I do miss her. I feel that her doing this will kill her and I will lose my daughter again with nothing to look forward to in the future, no one to laugh with, no one to confine in. I …” She chokes and a wave of tears rack her body. I cuddle and sooth her as she uncontrollably sobbed. It dawned on me how connected she was to her daughters, though she didn’t show it.

“Do you… Do you miss… her?” Dominique said between sobs.

“Yes.” I confidently reply. “Yes I do.”

****************

The screams were deafening. They had been echoing around the building for hours, putting me on edge. After another couple of minutes they stop. Dr. D shuts the door behind him. I look up with eyes lit with hope. He shakes his head and my flame extinguishes.

Ather puts a hand on my shoulder as I droop my head.

“Will he make it?” She asks, a hint of sadness in her usually well-guarded voice.

“He should. Just make sure he rests.” She nods and grips my shoulder tighter.

“Anything else?”

“Only to keep his strength up.” And he left without any other advice. I get up and walk into Jason’s ward.

The room was dark. All that was visible was siluets. I shuffle over to his still outline. Settling down into my seat, I reach my hand over to grasp his. I squeeze it.

“It’ll be ok.” I comfort, hoping to get through to him in the coma he has consumed. “It’ll be alright.” My eyes blur with tears. Slight pressure applies my hand. Looking down, I see Jason’s grip fade. I smile, knowing he was coming through.