Change

I wanted to stay like this forever. I melted in Sariel's embrace, ignoring everything that surrounded us. Nothing mattered except for the fact that he was safe, and he was there close to me. His arms were hugging me tightly. Neither of us wanted to let go. He was kissing my hair while gently stroking my back. I let my tears wash away some of the blood from his suit jacket as I tried to hide my crying eyes in his chest. We could have stayed indifferent to the awkward silence around us if it weren't for Dominique and her ostentatious throat clearing.

"Perhaps you two should wait until you get back to the castle," she grinned, while meaningfully raising her eyebrows.

Sariel sighed. He released his arms around me but grabbed my hand instead, so I could stand beside him, facing the crowd. I didn't mind being dirty with blood. I felt more confident than ever, ready to look those other vampires in the eye.

I gazed around; there were around thirty of them, cautiously st