CHAPTER 11 - OPHELIA

Bree has become increasingly whinier the further we run. This surprises me because she was so motivated, to begin with. I suppose it's because she's so young. I don't want to sound patronising at all, but it's true. She has to drink a lot of blood to give her full energy, and that's with human blood. We only had animal blood today.

Bree's voice becomes shriller with her increase in thirst. Her questions envelop a childish tone, resulting in things like, "How far away are we?" and "I'm tired."

The problem with this is that it is only making the rest of us more irritable. Tensions are running high at the moment. I really like Bree, just not right now. Diego is trying to calm her, with hugs and soft words, but she won't let up.

"Where are you even taking us?" Bree groans. She's dragging her feet now, which is slowing us down. Just when I'm about to lose it, Fred beats me to it.

"Bree, listen. We can send you back to Riley and to your old life if you would like or you can stop making a fuss, listen to Maia and start a new life where you are less likely to be killed. The biggest threat to you right now is your incessant complaining."

Bree doesn't say a word for the next hour and neither do the rest of us. I think they're surprised at Fred's sudden outburst. I've known Fred for a while and have been present to many situations like the one just now. Maybe they thought that, because he appears so calm, he is immune to such feelings of anger.

We reach Vancouver just after sunset. It would have been earlier if we hadn't been held up by a certain someone.

I gather our group just outside the city. "So we've arrived in Vancouver. I know a place we can stay overnight, but I'm afraid after that we will have to keep moving. I really don't want this guy Riley to find you." Fred nods gravely. Bree speaks up, for the first time since the earlier incident. "Where will we be staying?" I smile, wanting there to be no hard feelings between any of us. If this plan is to work, then we must all get along.

"I know someone who lives here. We became friends, whilst I was looking for Fred. She didn't live here then though, but I was able to track her here," That was a lie. "She used to live in Ohio. That's where I stayed with her." Another lie.

"Is she human or vampire?" Diego asks, wearily.

"Neither." The unfortunate truth, this time.

Fred shoots me a glance and I see Bree cling to Diego. They are afraid. Not of me, but of what I know about the vampire/supernatural world that they don't.

"You don't know everything about this life. I will try to teach you as best I can, but the experience will be your greatest helper. You cannot be afraid." I look at Bree. She straightens up a little and a determined look forms on her delicate features.

"What is she, Maia?" Fred looks down at me. There is no fear on his face, but I can feel it. He can't hide his emotions from me. None of them can.

There is a heavy silence between us. I have to tell them, but I don't want to. It's me that's afraid now. I don't want Fred to run away from me again. I don't want Bree and Diego to fear me.

Fred puts his hand on my shoulder. "Maia?"

Here goes nothing.

"She's a werewolf."

Bree exhales sharply and I see Diego's eyes widen. Fred's hand has stiffened on my shoulder. I feel his grip soften, as he notices my expression. I look up to see his face has softened too. "I won't run away. I promised." This reassurance relaxes me immensely. If no one else, I have Fred.

He begins to ask me questions, to comfort not only me but Bree and Diego. I answer them as best I can.

"Her name is Ophelia. I met her two years ago when I was trying to track Fred. We had a bit of a run in one night when I was hunting. Once things had calmed down, I explained my situation and she let me stay with her. I lived in her flat for about a year and a half. One day, I caught a scent that was familiar to me. I had to say goodbye to Ophelia and leave if I had any chance of finding Fred." Remembering this upsets me. There are so many that I have had to say goodbye to in my lifetime; my parents, my brother, Victoria, Fred, and Ophelia. I hope it is not a common occurrence anymore.

"Why did you fight at first?" Diego asks, his question peaked with curiosity.

"Werewolves and vampires are sworn enemies. Like cats and dogs, we are not supposed to get along. I have heard of some cases where the two live in harmony, like me and Ophelia. Before I met her, I'd had some previous werewolf experience," I am careful to gloss over the details. "This gave me a somewhat limited knowledge as to how I should deal with Ophelia."

"What does she eat?" Bree says.

"Just human food. Wolves don't need to hunt like us. They enjoy the sport though, or at least Ophelia did. That was how we encountered each other. I was hunting for food and she was hunting for fun."

I gesture in the direction of the city. "Shall we go? She won't be expecting us obviously, so try not to appear too intimidating." I laugh at the unlikelihood of this. Fred chuckles, understanding my train of thought.

"Maia, maybe it's best if you go see her first. We can stand around a corner until we are given the ok." Diego suggests. I nod in agreement. "Excellent idea. Let's go."

I take Fred's hand in mine and we set off once again.

I hope Ophelia is as welcoming as I remember. Not that much can change in 6 months, can it?

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