Crimson Dreams

I awoke to the feel of a mans arms around me and my arms around someone else. I knew the man holding me was Hayden. What I didn't know was who I was holding and why. I sat straight up in bed and started running my hands down Hayden's side. There were no marks on him and I could still feel the life inside him. I kept rubbing my hands along his sides and around his back.

"Could you at least wait until my great grandson is not in the bed with us?" Hayden's voice was full of humor as his arms circled me again.

"Who is in bed with us?"

"Vincent. He is the only one in my line with the ability to travel through the subconscious."

"So you know what happened?"

"Vincent knew where you were and what it would take to bring you back. I had to choose between you or Nathan. I came back to you."

"Tristian?"

"Alex knows of him and has declared war with him and anyone who helps him."

"I am sorry I didn't tell you we went to Nathan's house to get Alex."

"I understand why you didn't."

"The box?"

"Daniel has it and refuses to give it to anyone but you. He also wants to help protect you from Nathan and this Tristian."

"What did Alex tell you about Tristian?"

"Everything. And he thinks you are going to be mad at him."

"How long have I been out?"

"Vincent has kept you under for three days. Every time you woke up you would start hurting yourself."

"That's why he is sleeping here?"

"Yes. And his ability is not that strong so it only works when he is touching you."

"I need to see Alex."

I got out of bed and started dressing. Luckily we were back in my house so it wasn't like I had to go find clothes or barrow anyone else’s. Everything was right here. As I went into the bathroom, Hayden woke Vincent up. I would have to remember to thank Vincent. Right now I needed to find Daniel and then Alex.



I was sitting in Alex's living room by myself with a book that Hayden had given me. It was by another of my favorite authors. Everyone else was Alex's study room watching the tapes Nathan had given to me in the box. I wasn't happy with everyone having to see the videos but I understood that everyone needed to know everything. I was reading the words of my book but mostly I thought of Tristian. I hadn't told Alex I wasn't mad at him for erasing my memories. I had asked for it. I wouldn't ask him to take them back again but I am glad he had taken them. At such a young age I wouldn't have been able to handle it.

The door to Alex's study opened and Sherri came out the room with a look of hurt and disgust. Her face then turned to pity as she looked up and seen me sitting on the couch. I looked back down at my book. I hadn't wanted pity. I didn't allow myself any when he did it and I damn sure didn't want it from someone else. I felt her weight beside me on the couch just before her arms wrapped around me.

"I won't tell you I am sorry you went through it. Nor will I tell you everything is okay. You don't want that. But everyone in that room is pretty pissed off." She released me and pulled back to look at me. "Polo and Hayden are being held back by some of them in the room and Daniel is doing his best to calm Alex down."

"I never wanted for this to happen." There was no emotion in my voice.

"I wish it would have never happened. At least now we all know why you were affected by it."

"But it wasn't rape."

"It was just as bad. You were exploited. Daniel found out about the video after Nathan promised to show him something he would enjoy. Daniel is the reason Nathan brought those tapes to you. I never knew Daniel was so sly. Apparently he tricked Nathan into thinking that you still loved him and seeing the tapes would remind you of that and then you would be his again. Nathan couldn't pass up the offer."

I didn't bother to tell Sherri that until Hayden, I did still love Nathan. None of that mattered now. I had Hayden and I was happy with him. Alex knew the truth and there was no need for us to leave so soon. Life would go on and I could make it so long as Hayden was by my side. There was only one question left unanswered.

"Where do we go from here?" I asked Sherri.

"We hunt him down and kill him. We also find Tristian."