Journey Out I

"I'll come with you!" I exclaimed immediately. I knew this was the opportunity I had been waiting for to sneak away to find Lydia, but I had to ensure Blaise's welfare. He was my fated mate― if he died at the hands of vampires, then I would have suffered for nothing. 

Surely Lydia would understand. She was my best friend, and once news got around, she would be smart enough to draw the correct conclusions. And with Damon gone, she could breathe more easily in Fangborne. 

Blaise was a bigger worry.

My trembling fingers found the bracelet and rubbed against the jewels desperately; was Blaise injured for long after he sent this gift to me? 

Was he lying about being uninjured to make sure I wouldn't worry? 

"No, you're too weak," Damon insisted with a scoff. "We haven't started training you for real. You'll be a burden, and I can't― we can't afford it now. Speed is of the essence, and you'll drag me down."