Distant Lands

I haven’t been able to speak to Liz in a while. I’m worried that the isolation will drive her crazy. Maybe I’ll send her some more books and supplies to help keep her busy.

“Let’s go to the bookstore Jacob,” I tell my driver.

Jacob looks back at me through the glass mirror.

“Sir, we are being tailed.”

I sigh and look back at the car following behind us.

“Let’s go home instead. How long have they been behind us?”

“Since you left your office."

“This is getting on my nerves. I need to confront my grandfather.”

“Do you think that’s a wise idea, sir? That will only make him more suspicious. I’m sure this will end soon. Have some patience.”

“You are right, Jacob. I’ll let this play out.”

I appreciate Jacob’s advice. I don't need a driver, but he’s been my driver since I was a kid. He has been witness to my grandfather’s cruelty and abuse towards me. He’s witnessed me angry and hurt and has even seen me cry. He’s been more of an uncle to me, often giving me advice. Jacob stops the car in front of the Den. The car behind us remains at a distance, parked out on the street. I open the door and get out.

“See you tomorrow Jacob.”

“For sure, boss.”

I close the car door and head inside the Den. I go straight to the elevators. When the doors open, I remove my uncomfortable clothes and walk straight to the windows to look towards the ocean.

This view doesn’t get old. Looking at it puts me at ease. I enjoyed showing this view to the little human. I knew she feared me. I also knew that the sea would help her feel more at ease. Her face was instantly relaxed when she saw it.

I have always worried only about myself. It was an odd feeling to feel the way I did that day. I wanted to make her feel better, and I felt almost protective of her.

And when I brought her the gifts, her reaction gave me a warm feeling in my heart. Her eyes were full of wonder and appreciation. The memory of her smiling face makes me smile.

And when she got sick, I feared she would die. I had decided to do whatever it took to save her life, even knowing it would change her DNA.

Understandably, She was upset with me. I mean, who wouldn’t be? To abruptly find out that she wasn’t the same person was a shock to her. I understood and accepted her anger and her cute little punches. I know I overstepped a line, but at that moment, all I wanted to do was take her pain away, to save her life.

I tense up and sense that I’m not alone In my home. I stay completely still, listening. Suddenly I hear movement behind me.

“What a great view this is.” That's Lilith's voice. I quickly turn around.

“What are you doing in here?” I ask. She’s standing there looking at my naked ass.

She smiles, looking me up and down. The same way she used to look at me when she was my mate. I walk by the elevator doors, grab my robe from a wall hook, and put it on. She blinks her green eyes at me and puts a strand of her long blond hair behind her ear.

“Still as handsome as ever. Did you think I would forget about you?” she asks, walking her tall and lean frame towards me.

She places a hand on my face, caressing it downward. She gets closer to me, puts her arms around my neck, and embraces me.

The fresh and clean scent of her perfume triggers memories of the past. I place my hands on her waist, holding her gently.

"Why are you here?"

She kisses my neck, then trails kisses up to my cheek and my lips. She lightly bites my bottom lip and smiles. She kisses me again, moving at a soft rhythm, then moving faster.

No, I can't.

I move my hands up her back, and she becomes aroused. She moans and presses herself against me. She moves her thigh between my legs, making my body respond instantly.

Oh, no.

She feels and smells so good. It brings back good and bad memories. The bad ones brought me back to Azure.

I don’t want this right now. Well, I do, but there are more important things to take care of at the moment. I grab her arms and hold her away from me. She looks at me, confused.

“Lilith, you can’t just show up like this, in my home, out of nowhere and expect to pretend like everything is all good between us. You’re the one who left me, remember?” I say. Letting her go, I take a step back.

“It was a mistake to leave you. I needed a change in my life,” she makes an apologetic face.

She tries to hug me again, and I swat her arms away, and she looks at me for a second, then she scowls and forcefully pushes me back against the elevator doors. I hit my back against the cold metal. I forgot how strong she is.

She looks at me with angry eyes, “Why are you doing this! Is there another bitch in your life?”

I let her hold me back, and I just glare at her. I don’t want to hurt her, so I remain calm.

“Lilith, you left me for some guy that would give you excitement,” I say, using her own words.

She backs up, looking at the floor. Unable to deny the truth, she begins trying to validate her infidelity.

“I said it was a mistake. You were always too busy running your businesses and finishing the Academy. I felt trapped just being here.”

“You chose to leave,” I open the elevator doors for her. She crosses her arms and reluctantly walks into the elevator, looking hurt.

“Don’t even think this is over. I won’t give you up, Damon. I’ll see you around,” she says as the elevator doors close.

Sighing, I run my fingers through my hair. I’ve got enough things on my plate. I don’t need another woman unexpectedly dropping into my life, making it more complicated. Liz had crashed into my life, but I must admit, the little human was a pleasant surprise.

I haven’t been able to reach Ivan. I went to the ranch to look for him, and they told me he was on an assignment in another world. How can he just leave on a mission without telling me? And to just leave me the responsibility of the little human. I need to try contacting him again.

“Call Ivan,” I say, sitting down on the couch. The line rings a few times. He’s not answering.

“Damon, I was just about to call you,” Ivan answers suddenly.

“Ivan? Where have you been!”

“I apologize for leaving without telling you. There was an emergency. It took longer than I had anticipated. How is Elizabeth?”

“She’s not with me right now.”

The communication is silent for a moment.

“What do you mean she’s not with you?”

“No, she’s not with me.”

“Well, where is she?” he asks. I can tell he's trying to remain patient. I can’t let him know that Liz’s DNA has changed. He will kill me, and he might not let Liz go back to Earth. I mentioned that to her, and she agreed not to say anything to Ivan. I also had to warn the doctor not to record his visits.

“I released her into the wild. She’s a human. I’m sure she will adapt,” I say, smiling. Ivan stays quiet, but I know he’s trying hard not to lose it. I’m enjoying Ivan’s suffering. He deserves it.

“Damon! Stop screwing around! Where is Elizabeth?”

“She’s at one of my safe locations, in the wolf woodland forest.”

“That forest is dangerous. How could you just leave her there?” he asks. Okay, now he’s making me angry. He’s the one who abandoned her and me.

“If something happens to her... I swear...”

How dare he try to threaten me. All of this mess is his fault. If he hadn’t been so careless, we wouldn’t be in this situation. We would have never met the little human.

“You are the one who abandoned her! I had no choice!" I growl. "There was an investigation at the ranch and my place. My grandfather was up to my ass the whole time. I had people following me, keeping an eye on me. I could barely send the little human supplies to keep her alive! She’s your human. You take care of her now.”

Ivan sighs. “I’m sorry. They mentioned that the authorities showed up at the ranch unexpectedly. Damon, I appreciate what you’ve done for Elizabeth. You won’t have to deal with her any longer. Please send me her location. I’ll get in contact with her.”

“Alright, I’ll send it to you. Ivan, I’m truly relieved you are back,” I close communication and send Ivan Liz’s location.

Relieved, I sit down on the couch. I will no longer have to see the little human ever again.

My life can finally go back to normal now. I stare out the window, remembering what I went through trying to save her life. It was a flood of emotions; fear, sadness, and happiness.

My eyes well up with tears.

What is this? This sad feeling in my chest, like I’m abandoning something dear to me. Have I grown fond of this human? I shake my head; no, that’s ridiculous. But I do hope the little human is okay. She’s been out there for months. If something happens to her, Ivan will kill me, or worse; he’ll report my illegal business.