Vampire Forgotten by Rachel Carrington Page B

you wanted with your life. Of course, that was before you met your dark and brooding vampire.”
    “He’s not my vampire.”
    “Seems to me he was the one who came to your rescue last night and every night before that.”  Rianna lifted a transparent hand in the air.  “And was it my imagination or was that his chest you pillowed your head on last night?”
    Mischa spun around to face her sister’s ghost.  “Rianna, will you listen to yourself?  You’re talking like it’s really you standing here, and it can’t be.  You shouldn’t be here.” She scrubbed her face with her hands.  “Why are you here?”
    “ I asked for permission to say goodbye to you.  I knew you’d come for me.  You always come for me.”
    Mischa’s chest burned.  “I’ve always taken care of you.  I don’t know what I’m going to do without you.”
    Rianna sailed toward the opening to the cave.  “ Seems to me you’ll have your hands full with your new boyfriend.”
    “He’s not my boyfriend.”
    A grin followed a saucy wink.  “ No?  Too bad.  I’m thinking that one could give you a run for your money or,” the grin turned slightly evil, “ the ride of your life.”
    “This is surreal.”
    “Got news for you, Sis, so is sleeping with a vampire.”
    How could she know that? Had she watched? Mischa wouldn’t put that past her sister.  “How did you know about that?”
    “I didn’t till just now.  You always were gullible.”   Rianna’s face became somber.  “ I have to go now.”
    Panic set in.  “What?  No.  Wait.  We haven’t had enough time.  Are you coming back?  Where are you going?”
    Floating backwards, Rianna shook her head.  “ Mischa, I’ll always be with you. You know that, but it’s time.  I can’t stay any longer.”
    “Why didn’t you come to me sooner?  We could have had more time.”  Mischa heard the accusation in her own voice.
    “ My time started the moment I talked to you. Before that, I was just sneaking away, watching you. I saw the two of you together and knew you wouldn’t be alone. Believe it or not, it helps.”
    “You don’t know I won’t be alone.”
    “ No, I don’t, but he does.  I love you.  Thank you for being my big sister.”  She blew a kiss into the wind, and the moistness touched Mischa’s cheek.   
    With tears streaking down her face, Mischa watched until Rianna faded into thin air, and long after the silver mist had disappeared, she clung to the tree holding her aloft. 
    She had never felt so alone.
     
    At dusk, Rhad awakened and found Mischa sitting just outside the cave, her knees close to her chest, her arms curled around them.  Her tousled hair hung down her back, and from the way she sat, he knew she’d spent the better half of the day crying.  He couldn’t explain why he felt her pain inside his chest or why her devastation crippled him like it did.
    He climbed to his feet and brushed the dust off the back of his jeans, but before he could walk out of the cave, Mischa rose and turned to face him.  He didn’t take his eyes off of her as she walked toward him.  
    Words failed him. There was nothing he could say to make any of this better. And he certainly wouldn’t ask if she was okay.  The look on her face gave him the answer to the silent question anyway.  He simply held out his arms, and she walked into his embrace, burying her face against his neck. 
    Holding her tightly against his chest, he hoped she could miraculously absorb some of his strength.  He whispered against her hair in the language of their country, offering reassurance and hope.
    “My sister is dead,” she whispered as if he didn’t already know.
    “I’m sorry, Mischa,” he responded.
    “She died too soon.  I didn’t even get to tell her about our…” Mischa broke off, her head popping up so suddenly, she almost bumped it on Rhad’s chin.  “Our grandfather!”  She struggled to free herself from his arms.  “Rhad, I didn’t tell