Grayson's Veil

Chapter 9

Eleanor spent the next few days tending to her flowers. She rearranged them so she could get her newest flower planted and got most of them ready for the winter.

As she dug into the dirt, she felt another nail chip off. Looking at the nail, she sighed. Eleanor was growing tired with each passing day, but there was nothing she could do other than make the herbs that Alice gave her into a tea.

And Grayson seemed to leave before she wakes up and comes home when she is in bed. The only reason she knew he slept next to her was because the sheets were in disarray when she woke up.

She did not like being avoided.

Eleanor planned on confronting her husband that night. They needed to amend their differences; she could only handle their current situation for so long.

She dug her hands into the dirt again, the cold from it waking her mind up more. She worked for hours, sweat dripping down her face. She wiped she forehead with her sleeve, leaving a smudge of dirt on her face. The exertion of the gardening caused her breaths to come out in small pants.

'Well, this is not good,' She thought as she tried to catch her breath. The harder she tried, the more she felt like she could not. Black dots began to dance in her vision.

Swaying on her knees, Eleanor tried reaching out to grab something. But instead, she grabbed only air. Falling over with a loud THUD, Eleanor allowed the darkness to take over.

The assailant licked his teeth as his lips curled up in a snarl. His tongue lingered on the elongated canine. 

'How can that be?' Eleanor thought. She was sitting on the floor, leaning on her hands with arms behind her as she slowly crept herself away from this...thing. The marble floor gave off a coldness that was like a slap to the face, reminding her that there was nothing that could save her.

He stepped forward, the shadow across his face gave nothing away of his identity. Eleanor could barely see his body, everything around him was hazy and dark. Except for those damn fangs. Even in the shadows, they seem to glisten.

Eleanor was about to turn and throw herself into a run when he suddenly was a few inches from her face. The shadows had moved slightly, just enough to be able to catch just a hint of midnight black hair curled by his ear. A low growl-like rumble exited his lips, the sound bounced off the darkness and assaulted her ears. 

"What do you want?" Eleanor choked out.

He did not answer. Instead, he tilted his head. She could not see where his eyes were looking, but she could feel them.

On her neck.

The jugular vein was pulsing uncontrollably. Without thinking, Eleanor tilted her head, giving him better access there.

He grabbed her shoulders and quickly brought his head down to her neck. His fangs brushed against her skin, making her shiver with fear...and delight. She heard him inhale her scent, just before plunging his sharp canines into her jugular.

"Miss. Miss!"

Eleanor felt herself being shaken, a hand gripping her shoulder.

"Miss, wake up! Are you alright?"

Eleanor slowly opened her eyes. The smell of dirt and flowers tickled her nose, making her want to sneeze. Confused and head throbbing, she slowly lifted her head, turning it slightly to look up towards the voice.

She squinted at a man. "May I help you?"

The man furrowed his eyebrows. "I should be asking you that miss." He reached out and gently grabbed her arm, helping her to a sitting position.