Chapter Fifty Seven


    Once again, the bed was empty by the time I awoke. I felt a hollow in my chest; once more, I would have to hold onto the memories he had left, until his next visit. I was sore, but I managed to get out of bed. I took my pills.


    "Good morning," the voice called, and there Daemont, still looking through my notebook.


    "You stayed."


    "Yes, I did."


    "Why? I mean, I am happy-you know what? Don''t answer that."


    He gave me a small smile, and it might just be the most human thing I had ever seen him do. "You don''t have to be ufortable around me; I won''t harm you." he assured. I couldn''te up with anything to say. "It urred to me that I don''t know anything about you pack healer. I didn''t know you drew. This drawing is really nice."


    except that you are the


    "Thank you. I have been drawing and painting for years now; it''s something I do to keep calm." This was the most he had said since I knew him, and I wanted to keep the conversation going, but I didn''t want to say the wrong words.


    "What other things do you like doing?" he questioned.


    "I am the pack healer, so of course, I like tending to people in need of help."


    "You are very kindhearted and also daring; I liked that about you."


    "I also love to sing, though I don''t think I have a good voice."


    "I''ll be the one to decide that."


    "You want to hear me sing?" I asked.


    "Yes, I want to get to know you."


    "What do you want me to sing?"


    "Anything," he said.


    When I was a teenager, my favorite song was ''ckbird.'' I felt like that would be the perfect song, and so I sang it to him, just as he requested.


    I didn''t know if he enjoyed it, but he had bepletely still.


    "Do you like it?"


    ""Yes. I do."


    "I mean, I can sing something else if you don''t like that."


    "No. No more."


    I fell silent.


    "Are you going to leave again?"


    "Yes, but I need something from you."


    "You know I would do anything."


    "I know, but this time, I need more. I want Riley, and you are going to help me get her."


    I couldn''t hide the disappointment I felt, it was written all over my face.


    "I could get killed." I began, but then I paused, knowing he didn''t care about that; he never did, and I always knew that. "It had always been her, hadn''t it?" "Yes, it has always been her."


    "Why her? Why not me? I am ready to be anything you want me to be."


    "That is the problem."


    "What do you n to do with her?"


    "I''ll take her away and start a new life with her."


    "I can''t do what you ask of me; I''m sorry."


    "You said you would do anything for me."


    "You don''t care about me, or the fact that I would be risking my life for you. I love you so much, and you can''t even see it. You want to leave me for her, and I can''t help with that." "Then youe with me; you will leave everything behind, and you wille along. Together, we will all start up a new life, and I will always be there for you."


    "I want that, but I want more..."


    "Hush," he says, cing a finger against my lips, "I know all you want; you want an eternity with me, and I will grant you that. She trusts you, and that''s why you only can pull this off." "What if I can''t? What if I get caught?"


    "I trust you; I know you can do it."


    "And are you going to hurt her-Riley?" I questioned.


    "No, never."


    "Then I would help you; just tell me what I have to do."