Page 19 of A Vampire's Pain
“What do you want me to say Val?” he asked.
“That you will start showing me more! That you will let me come to the parties and … and let me live.”
“I am not letting you live now?!” he asked shocked.
I sighed and looked away.
“I have done what I thought was right. I have tried to keep you safe!”
“And I am safe!” I yelled and looked at him again. “Now I want to live.”
He shook his head.
“People like the ones who took you are still here today. The world hasn’t changed!”
“No, butIhave!” I said.
He looked at me surprised, and just stood there watching me for a little while.
“Where is all of this coming from? Why didn’t you talk to me about this sooner?”
I shrugged, not sure what to tell him.
“You don’t have a lot of time for me anymore.”
He looked guilty about that, and his eyes turned to the floor for a few seconds, before turning to me again.
“I’m sorry about that, Val.”
“Don’t be,” I said.
“What?”
“Don’t be sorry, just … don’t stop me.”
“Valeri, it isn’t so simple. You are someone people want,” he said.
“Damon …”
“You are! You went through something horrible but that inner beauty you have always had, it’s still there!” he said. “It attracts them!”
“Who?!”
“People who want to hurt you!”
“Or maybe you are seeing something that isn’t there!” I said.
“Valeri, I noticed you because my friends were watching you, talking about you like you were something to be chased and conquered! That is the world now,” he said.
“Or maybe you need new friends!” I said.
“Have you seen what you are wearing?!”
I looked down at myself, as he gestured to my dress with his hand.
“It makes guys lose their minds.”
“It’s just a dress.”
