Raven Part Thirteen

~Chapter Thirteen~1

Anora walks into my room, still thinking over the night's events.  A moment after she enters my room, she heads to my bed to wake me up.2

"Raven," she whispers softly.  "Raven, wake up."3

I open my eyes and blink several times.4

"M- morning," I manage to say through a yawn.5

"Morning sleepy-head," says Anora.  "Get up."6

I glance over at the clock.  It reads four am.7

"It's too early for this," I mutter, rolling over.8

"No Raven," Anora persists.  "A summons came at midnight.  You're to be on your way to London."9

"London?" I ask, waking up.  "But we just got here."10

"The Court demands that you be returned to Mr. Kristoph," she replies sadly.  "If you don't return by noon, a kidnapping file will be charged."11

I put my face to my hands in grief.12

"I don't want to go back," I whisper.13

"I know you don't," she says, embracing me warmly.14

"I-" I begin with my voice breaking up with tears.  "I suppose I should get ready then.15

"Alright," she says heading for the door.  "I'll meet you in the kitchen.16

When she left the room, I hobbled out of bed.  I slip out of my nightgown, revealing flesh and under clothes.  I grab the t-shirt and jeans I had layed out last night.17

When I am fully clothed and wearing shoes, I start gathering the few possessions I have.18

"Raven?" calls Hawk softly, entering my room.19

"Yes?" I answer quietly while going through a small shoe box full of my trinkets.20

"I just came upstairs to talk to you before we leave," she says, coming over to sit next to me on the bed.21

"So," I begin, "what do you want to talk about?"22

"Well," she replies, "you know how you asked me how I'd changed before?"23

"Of course," I say, thinking back to the conversation.24

"Well," she continues, "I'm going to tell you now."25

"Alright," I say, "go ahead."26

"See," she says, "the thing is... I'm not really alive."27

"But how can that be?" I ask.  "You're sitting here, talking to me."28

"Please," she begs, "let me finish."29

"Alright," I agree.30

"I," she paused.  "I am a vampire now."31