Darkness Chapter 28: Endless Love

**Vincent**

I wake up to find her still lying in the same place where I left her. Her once radiant face is now devoid of its usual glow. Tears stream down my face as I realize the gravity of the situation. If only I had spoken up sooner, perhaps she would still be here with me, safe and sound. Her so-called friend may have still betrayed her, but at least I could have been there to support her. I should have been there for her.

As I rise to prepare to make arrangements for her burial, a sense of overwhelming guilt washes over me. She should have woken up by now. I have failed her. I promised to protect her, yet I was unable to keep her safe. I am a failure. I couldn't save the woman I love.

The thought crosses my mind - maybe I should ask Alec to end my life and bury my ashes alongside her. The pain of losing her is too much to bear. The weight of my failure crushes me. I am left with nothing but regret and sorrow. Immortal death is better than a life without her.

I get dressed and go to my study. Alec says, “Hey boss. I guess she hasn't woken up?”

I shake my head. “No. I guess I was too late.” Maybe all of the experiments kept me from being able to turn her. “Where are we at on the rebels?”

Alec says, “They've pulled back and we are tracking them to a town just east of here.”

“Good. Find them. I have made arrangements for Nelly, too. She is to have a proper burial.” I bite the inside of my cheek to keep my tears at bay. 

Alec nods, “Yes, boss. I'm sorry. I really am.”

“How are you doing?” I know he was starting to develop feelings for Tara because she was similar to Nelly. I know Alec flirted with Nelly before I confided in him.

Alec growls, “I want Tara dead. She played us all!”

“Yeah, she even played her brother. Which, even though he wanted my Nelly, he didn't deserve what Tara did,” I admit. “We will get them and they will suffer, her most of all.” I take in a breath. “Alec, even though I have made arrangements, I want you to oversee all of them. I want it perfect…as perfect as she was,” I confess as I hold in my tears.

“Boss, it will be done. She deserves the best, and she will get it. Again, I am so sorry,” he said before he left my study. 

Now I sit in my study, gazing out at the tree where she had been just hours before. Suddenly, there is a knock at my door. "Come in," I call out.

Nelly enters, teasing me, "You know your face could freeze that way if you keep scowling." My mind reels as I turn to see her standing there - my love, my reason for living. She looks breathtaking in a low-cut red evening gown. I rush to her, lifting her in my arms and spinning her around. "You're alive!"

"Why wouldn't I be?" she questions.

My heart sinks as I realize she doesn't remember what happened. The gravity of the situation hits me like a ton of bricks. “You don’t remember what happened, do you?”

She paused, her eyes filled with anger. "I remember Tara stabbing me. That fucking bitch is going to pay for what she did when I see her. How long was I unconscious?"

"Just a day, but..." I replied hesitantly. But how could I explain to her that the only way to save her life was to turn her into a vampire, stripping her of the ability to bear children?

"I do feel strange," she admitted, her voice filled with confusion.

"Nelly...please forgive me," I whispered, tears welling up in my eyes.

"Why?" she asked softly, reaching out to touch my cheek.

“I gave you my blood. It was the only way to save you. I couldn't live without you. I love you. I should have told you sooner. I'm sorry, I failed you.” It all just pours from my soul. 

Nelly grins, “I love you too. I guess we were too stubborn. However, I don't understand. What do you mean you gave me your blood?”

I pulled her close to me, feeling the absence of the warmth that once radiated from her body. Her heartbeat was silent, but she was alive, cradled in my arms. "What's wrong? You're shaking," she asked, concern etched on her face.

"You need to sit down. There's something important I need to tell you," I replied, guiding her to a chair. "When they brought you to me, you were barely clinging to life. You had lost so much blood..." I trailed off, memories of her pale and fragile form flooding my mind. "I had to make a choice. I gave you my blood. It was the only way to save you. But it changed you..."

She tilted her head, confusion and curiosity mingling in her eyes. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for her reaction. I held her hands tightly, knowing that what I was about to reveal could shatter everything we had. I never wanted to impose this life on her, but I couldn't bear to lose her. If she rejected me, I would lose her anyway, but at least she would be alive.

"You are a vampire now. By drinking my blood, it saved you from death...at least in the physical sense," I confessed, the weight of my words hanging heavy in the air.

"I had no idea you possessed such abilities. We were kept in the dark about vampires, only warned of their existence and the consequences of being caught," she explains.

"We have the power. Some choose to use it to expand their ranks. I, however, do not. You are actually my first," I confess.

"What does that entail?" she inquires.

"It means you are..." I begin, but my words are cut short as Alec bursts into my study.

"Holy fucking shit!" he exclaims, rushing to her side and embracing her. "I am overjoyed that you have successfully completed the transition."

Nelly nervously bites her lip. "Um, okay."

"She is still processing," I explain.

Nelly gasps, realization dawning on her. "So, it means...I am like you?"

I nod solemnly. "I presume that all the traits and abilities will be passed on to you."

"Shall we try the easiest?" she asks, her eyes filled with determination. I watch as she strides over to the window, flinging it open and extending her hand into the sunlight. Any vampire who hasn't been given the serum to block out the sun would surely burn, but she simply wiggles her fingers without a hint of pain. A sense of awe washes over me as I witness her power.

Returning to me, she looks me in the eye with a seriousness that sends shivers down my spine. "Umm...how do you know when you need to feed?" she inquires, her voice filled with curiosity and a hint of fear.