Free Cognata: A Vampire Romance by Jedaiah Ramnarine Page A

the waves. There were days that were clear, nights that would be rainy. One thing I admired about Aristide was that he was a gentleman. He'd put his coat over my shoulders when I grew tired and entertain the follies of my societal-based conversation. I was frustrated at the loss of our castle, yet I knew he'd be angrier so I did my best to keep the calm; keep the peace between us - though I must confess, it was no easy task for a young girl to pull off. The intricate social rituals, etiquette and pretense that was hammered into me during my upbringing certainly helped, even though I snapped sometimes and often we'd switch roles in comforting each other. In truth, all we had was each other.
    The Cognati Order would not let us slip away so easily. We made our way through different lands and other cultures. For nearly a century, we travelled all over the east, far from the reach of the Order. We saw the rise of Emperor Taizu in China first of what would later come to be known as the Song Dynasty and even played cards there for the first time. In Japan, we witnessed the advent of feudalism, as wealthy landowners stopped paying taxes and raised their own armies instead. We sampled, tasted and experienced everything a culture had to offer, marveling at the individual quirks of each. We never stayed long in one place, however. No matter where we went, they were there - searching. My life of promised adventure was not broken. It came true; only, not in the way I expected it. Day and night, I had to keep an eye over my shoulder. The tension started building...
    "Why!" Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn. It was a simple day, after weeks upon weeks of passive aggression; building, bubbling and exploding into a thousand shards. I tossed my wine glass at him. I didn't mean to hit him. I wanted the glass to shatter next to his head so he'd stop ignoring me. So that he'd stop walking away when I needed him there, and that tongue, as talented and clever as it might be, would at last tell me the truth.
    "Why did you do this to me! How long do you wish to keep me locked away?!" The blood from my drink seeped down my lips and in that moment, I felt a horrible twist in my stomach.
    An unforgiving self-loathing that ran deeper than any mortal hatred could dare test, "Stop walking away!" I was screaming to the top of my lungs. I'd become so sick of him walking away. Here we were, on another land, another continent - where we found another 'little castle' to stop and make our home and here we were, doing it all over it again and I needed to know 'for what?'
    Why did he want this from me?
    Why did he do this to me?
    Was this the life I was meant to live?
    Always on the run, always taking up new places to feed and when they found what I am, to just... run? And all this is his fault! We were being chased, all because of him!
    Is this truly the life that I had imagined? Would I really have been better off being some stupid little ignorant trophy bride? I didn't know what to do. I wasn't sure who I even was. I thought I knew it all so well and there I was, screaming, crying for an answer - knowing that he'd end up walking away. It was his method of dealing with things. It's what made him lose in the first place. At that point, I didn't care if I brought out his hidden rage: which I knew full well was carefully tucked and hidden away. I wanted him to hurt me. If it meant he'd speak his mind just that once, it was worth whatever scar I'd be deemed to carry. At least this once, let the gentleman disappear. Show me you care.
    "You really wish to know the truth, don't you?" I couldn't believe it took this for him to acknowledge me.
    "Yes. I want you to stop walking away from me! Tell me what is going on Aristide. No games. No riddles. No suave."
    "Are you not happy here? You have clothes, shelter, wine and seed. What more could you possibly want?"
    "You are not telling me everything. I can sense it. I can feel it. What are you hiding from me? I do not