Welcome to Gaia! ::

Thomas's clothes began to smolder slightly with the rising sun. "Come on, Nadia! Untie me!"

Nadia sighed and cut the ropes. He scrambled backward into the protection of the trees. Nadia stood up and followed him. "Well, what are we supposed to do with you?"

"I don't know. Wait until night when I am supposed to be back and explain to our generals what happened. Maybe the fact that I am a vampire will help them gain insight on them." Nadia sighed. "Well, I better get back and prepare them. Trinity, do you want to stay with Thomas and keep an eye on him?"

Thomas threw a hopeful glance in her direction.

Thomas didn't quite know what to say to her; he felt he should appologize for the actions he committed while he was entranced, but he couldn't seem to find his voice. Instead, he knealt down in front of her and bowed his head to look at the forest floor.

Finally, he found the words - or rather the words found him. "I'm sorry," he began, "I know that can't begin to cover it, but I am. I never wanted any of this to happen the way it has. Do with me what you will. Tell me to leave, and I will stand in the sun for you. Tell me you never want to see me again, and I will disappear. Whatever you want, I will do. Your wish is my command."

Thomas looked at her, sorrow filling his heart. With sudden horror, he realized he could no longer cry. He was a stone. "But it is my fault. I never wanted you to be hurt - in any way. I promised myself I would protect you and I failed to do so. You could have been turned into a monster like me. You could have been killed."

He fought to control his rising emotion. I do love her. I do. Why can't I just say it? Why can't I show it?

Thomas grabbed her hands and kissed them. "You have done nothing. You mean everything to me; you're the only person I care about. I won't let anything happen to you ever again. You have my word."

Inside, he felt his dread growing. He didn't want to be a monster and he feared the reaction of the generals. If Nadia didn't do something clever, he wouldn't live to see another day.

"Trinity," Thomas began, stroking her long hair and memorizing the way she felt in his arms, the sound of her beating heart... "I am going to be completely honest. I will most likely be dead by this time tomorrow. If this happens, I want you to take your leave and return home. I don't want you to be in battle. You should live a normal, happy life. Will you do that?"

"I know, I know," he said soothingly as he held her. "If you must stay, please... stay with Nadia. Let her teach you, stick close to her when you can. She'll take care of you. Will you at least do that?"

Thomas could feel himself burning a little, now that the sun had fully risen, reaching further into the tree line. He pulled her with him gently as he found a dry tangle of roots to sit on underneath the thick canopy. "Will you at least do that," he repeated softly, placing a hand on hers.

"I want you to do what you want to do. And no, I will not stay dead, but I will most likely have to remain home in the Realm of the Gods. I may not be able to return. I've lived a long mortal life and will have to return home sometime soon."

He looked deep into her eyes. Why can't I say it? Why can't I just tell her that I love her, he wondered again with great frustration.

Thomas stood, quickly backing away into the shadows. His vampire instincts told him to flee. Even from that great distance, he could see clearly that the generals were looking very grim and Nadia... pleased with herself? He blinked in confusion.

"Trinity. If they kill me, don't watch."