Chapter 13

Orion was shirtless, hammered to the wall by steel nails which were as thick as my neck through his palms, shoulders, and thighs. There was blood everywhere. His head hung low, his dark hair shielding his face from view.

"Orion!" I dropped the staff and ran to him.

"Don't!" He barked. "D-Don't come any closer". His voice was hoarse. It must be from all the screaming I heard earlier. These vampires really have no conscience.

"Are you crazy! I have to save you"

"Just leave" he growled.

Well that's one thing I can't do.

"I'm not leaving here without you. Either we both leave or we both stay".

He didn't reply. I moved closer, standing on my tippy toes as I brushed his hair away from his face. He opened his eyes and the colour surprised me. They were blood red with beautiful specks of gold. Dark veins lined his face, all the way down to his neck and I could see glimpses of his long fangs with every breath he took. Could he look even more beautiful? To others, he may look like a monster but all I could see was him. The real Orion. Though I totally love his green eyes, I think I love the red ones even more. They were just absolutely breathtaking.

"You have to leave" he whispered. "I can't control myself much longer".

"Then don't" I found myself whispering back. If he needed blood to heal and get stronger, I'll gladly give mine to him.

"You don't understand. I've lost a lot of blood. I'm getting hungry and if you don't leave here soon, I might hurt you. If I do that, I'll never be able to forgive myself".

"You won't hurt me Orion. I trust you. Have faith in yourself" I palmed his cheek and kissed him firmly on the lips. Both our lips were dry "We're getting out of here. Together".

A smile adorned his face and I felt happy knowing I caused it. But then he really looked at me and the smile vanished.

"Who did this to you?" He asked, his eyes scanning my face. Shit. I forgot that I nearly got raped. I must look like shit right now.

"That doesn't matter. I just need to get these nails out".

"Alexandra" he gave me a pointed look.

"Let's free you first then I'll tell you everything".

He groaned. "Just step back".

I did and slowly, he pushed his palm through the nail without making a single sound. More blood spilled from the now gaping wound. He used his now free hand to pull out the rest of the nails out. I groaned. He's the one feeling the pain but I'm the one acting like it hurts. Well it does hurt for me. Seeing him go through pain like this hurts me emotionally.

He fell to the floor and I rushed to his side but he pushed me away.

"Stay back" he snapped.

I felt my eyes getting watery. Am I going to cry again? He groaned in pain as he pulled himself up to a sitting position.

"I can help you. Why won't you let me?"

"I don't want to hurt you. You have to understand. You're very important to me".

"Well you're important to me too!" I felt the tears spill. "When Rowana stabbed you and I thought you were dead, I felt empty. Like a huge part of me was forcefully ripped away and I was so mad at myself that I could do nothing to help you. You always protect me but I couldn't do anything for you and right now, I have the chance to help you so please, just let me".

He sighed. "Baby i-

"No" I cut him off. "You won't hurt me. I know you won't". I didn't give him a chance to reply as I quickly crawled into his lap. I unbuttoned the first two buttons of my stolen shirt and pushed it down, exposing my left shoulder.

I felt him tense as he sucked in air sharply. I wrapped my arms around his body and buried my face in the crook of his neck.

"Drink" I whispered against his skin. His strong arms wrapped around my waist as he pulled me closer. I could feel his warm breath against my neck. Wanting him to take his time, I went silent, hoping he'll actually do it. He needed it and I wanted him to have it.

"You're irresistible and so stubborn you know that" he said, swiping his tongue on my skin. I smiled at his comment. "Stop me when it gets too much for you okay"

I just nodded. With a grunt, I felt his fangs penetrate my skin, sinking deep into me. I whimpered from the pain, clutching him tighter. I could feel my blood being sucked out of me. Like a vacuum. After the initial pain, all I felt was bliss. Pure calmness. As if I were in a different world where there's only peace and harmony. It went on for some time until I began to feel lightheaded. My body grew weak and I slumped against him, my arms falling at my sides as my heartbeat slowed down.

Is he taking too much? Am I dying? But I see no light. Does this mean I'm not going to heaven? Is heaven even real or will my soul continue to roam the earth? But... but I don't want to die. Not yet. I still have a lot I want to achieve.

"Alexa?"

Who's calling me? The voice sounds so far away. Is it God?

"Alexa"

The voice is closer now. So I am going to heaven after all. Can Orion come too? And my mum? And Chief Garrison?

"Alexa!"

This time the voice boomed, snapping me out of my daze.

"Oh God you're alright" he sighed in relief.

I smiled weakly. "Of course I am".

I didn't even realize when he had stopped feeding. His injuries were all closed up too but his eyes were still red.

"Thank you" he said, giving me a quick peck on the lips. "Now, I have some scores to settle".

What?

"No no. Maeve said to strike the staff on the floor and meet her at a safe place"

"Yeah you do that. I have unfinished business".

He gently peeled me off him and placed me on the floor. "Go to Maeve. I'll see you when I'm done" he said and he disappeared in the blink of an eye.

What?

Oh no you don't. When I said it's either we both leave or stay, I meant it.

My vision swarmed as I tried to get up. Placing my palms on the floor, I mustered enough strength to stand up. My legs felt like jelly and with one wobbly step after the other, I picked up the staff from where I threw it and used it as a walking stick. I felt drained and it felt like hours before I finally climbed back up those stairs.

I couldn't find Orion anywhere until I heard a loud crash. I followed the sound and found myself back in that same room I was locked in. Though half of it was destroyed, Orion stood there looking scarier than I've ever seen him. His hair was wild and his eyes pitch black. Dark veins lined every visible part of his skin and blood was dripping down his long black nails.

I heard movement and out of a heap of broken stones, rose Lucian. I paled. It was almost as if I could feel his hands on me again. Half of his face was torn off, leaving one bulging eyeball, bloody flesh and rows of teeth. I gulped, taking a few steps back.

"I did tell you that I'll crush you with my bare hands Lucian" Orion said as he advanced towards him. Like a predator to a prey. With each step Orion took, Lucian took two steps back.

"I'm here to fulfil that promise".