Music of Souls

By the time he reached Elisabeth's door, Jackson actually felt nauseated; a feeling he hadn't experienced since first being turned into a vampire. The doorbell rang, unanswered. He wondered if perhaps she was ignoring it and didn't want to see him. He walked around the house to check the studio and noticed her car in the driveway.

Coronet Park was half way between their two houses, an easy walk from each. Jackson decided to take a chance she might be there.

He smelled her before seeing her, God, how can a werewolf smell so damn good. The ones he had run into over the years smelled awful, like a wet dog. She sat on her hands staring into the pond. "Hello, Elisabeth."

She jumped up. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you would be here. I'll leave."

"No, please. I went by your house and took a chance I might find you here."

"You went to my house?"

"Yes, my car's there."

"Oh." She sat back down a safe distance away. The two sat stiffly, staring straight ahead. Elisabeth spoke first, "I am so sorry for all I have put you through. I handled things poorly. I hope you will believe that I never meant to hurt you."

"Why did you let this happen, didn't you know it would end this way?"

"I wasn't thinking very clearly. I convinced myself that maybe things would work out."

Jackson rubbed his temples. "How? I need you to explain what you were thinking while I fell in love with you."

"I don't know where to start."

"How about that first night when you could have said, 'I'm a werewolf, so back off'."

"I almost did, but when I looked into your eyes, I wanted to stay there. It felt so safe, so right. I pulled myself together enough to leave, yet I couldn't let you go. Thoughts of you crept into my mind at every turn." She inhaled deeply and waited for some response or acknowledgement from Jackson. When none came she continued, "I sketched you that day, not because I wanted to. I had to. I needed something tangible. Something to hold on to. Then you showed up, feeding the ducks. You were so sincere and kind, I couldn't say no to dinner… I had every intention of telling you at my house before we even went out, then you brought that beautiful orchid and you were such a gentleman. I wanted that one night with you. I know it was selfish, but I felt emotions I never believed existed and I didn't want them to end… Things started to snowball from there. When we were apart, I would commit to telling you the truth. Each time we met, I couldn't bring myself to ruin the happiness. It felt so perfect. When you told me you were a vampire I was wracked with guilt, you were so brave and I am such a coward." Tears were running freely down her face.