Reclaimed

Chapter Ten

Marie woke in a much better mood than she’d arrived in, leaving Sabrina relieved. She smiled, laughed, and investigated every square inch of the house excitedly. After seeing the entire house, she asked if they could go for a walk in the woods. The crisp fall afternoon breeze invigorated Sabrina as it whipped through her hair, blinding her each time it covered her eyes. By mid-afternoon, they strolled in companionable silence through the woods.

“You’re quiet,” Marie commented.

“Am I?”

“Yes. As a matter of fact, you’ve been quiet for weeks. Ever since you came to England. No, scratch that. You’ve been quiet ever since you met Isaac. So I could take it in one of two ways. Number one: you’re so enthralled by him you can think of nothing else. And as such, are lost in daydream land. Number two: something’s wrong.”

“Or number three: you’re a paranoid pregnant woman who needs to relax,” Sabrina teased. “Honestly, Marie, I’m fine. Do I look hurt? Depressed? Obsessed?”

“Hmm. Well, you do look stressed. Like something’s bothering you.”

“Nothing’s bothering me. Now relax and drop it, okay?”

They walked in silence, until she realized they were at the same spot Isaac and she had been earlier. Sabrina paused to look around, suddenly unsure of their position. Something bothered him about this location; she could feel it.

Nothing appeared amiss, though. They were in the forest, but in a spot that looked like it had been cleared, either by man or nature. A bubbling stream ran nearby, making a calming sound. Something tugged at the back of her mind. As if she should remember this place.

Sabrina brushed aside her uneasiness and admired the autumn trees turning beautiful shades of red and orange. In the spring, she imagined, the leaves would be a brilliant green, and the ground would be a landscape of budding flowers.

Spotting a fallen tree nearby, she sat down and patted the spot next to her. Marie lowered herself upon the trunk while placing a supporting hand on her stomach. Sabrina sighed and laid her head on Marie’s shoulder.

“I know you worry about and love me, but I promise I’m happy. If there were something wrong, you know I’d talk to you,” she reassured Marie.

Except about Isaac being an Enforcer, and Elijah being a vampire. Oh yeah, and this other vampire, Louisa, wants me dead because I stole Elijah away from her in another life. And Elijah wants to kill Isaac, and vice versa. But besides that, all is normal.

I promise.

Marie sighed. “Okay, I’ll let you off the hook. Part of me feared I’d come here to find you miserable, alone, and ready to come home. Of course, part of me wished it as well,” she said shamefacedly. “I miss you, Bree.”

She smiled at the use of her childhood nickname before replying, “I miss you, too, sis. I do. But I love it here, and I’m not leaving. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. You have every right to be happy. I just want you be careful, too. Don’t let this Isaac guy in too far just because you are alone. Don’t let him fill a void you feel, simply because you feel it. I know you are not the type to be alone.” Marie put a hand up to stop Sabrina’s indignant response, and she forced herself to bite back her angry denial and crossed her arms across her chest. “I also know you well enough to know you will latch onto someone you feel is right for you, even if he isn’t, because you feel you should. So please, keep a distance. Toe the water a bit, before jumping in. For me?”

Sabrina sighed in exasperation before she blatantly lied. ?

??He’s not here every day and he’s not an obsession or a toy I’ve acquired. I like him a lot and that’s all. Really. I’ll even let you meet him.”

“Oh, really? When?” Marie perked up and straightened excitedly. Sabrina couldn’t tell if she feigned eagerness, or told the truth.

“How about tomorrow night, if he’s free? We’ll all go out for dinner. I thought tonight you and I could have some time alone,” Sabrina explained.

“Sounds perfect to me.”

“Good. How long are you visiting?”

“Three days. I leave Friday morning,” Marie stated.

“Gotcha.” Sabrina sighed. “Well, you ready to head back?”

“Sure. This place is kind of creepy.” Marie shuddered.

“You think? I find it peaceful.”

Marie snickered. “You have changed. Let’s go.”

Were the changes really so obvious?