The Break of Dawn

"What are you doing? The Council leader clearly said that these officials will undergo trial." I said with surprising confidence.

"Who knows what can happen in this battle? Something as big as this, things can happen. For example, the Church officials getting killed by their own experiments." She said with an evil smile.

"Are you calling yourself an experiment now?"

"They won't know the truth anyway. They're all too busy with their own tasks."

"He's my father. I won't let you hurt him or the other officials."

"You? What can you possibly do?" It was rhetorical. "Just because you have weapons doesn't mean you can protect yourselves. I really don't want to hurt you. If I did, my brother would hate me and Kai would kill me. But if you keep being stubborn, I'll have no choice."

"Then, try it."

The malicious smile faded and she started growling. Then she leapt into the air, to my direction. She was only inches from me when someone else came in between us and kicked her in the torso. She flew backwards and collided with one of her men.

"Maria!" I exclaimed, happy to see my savior. "How did you know we were here?"

"Don't be mad, but I put a tracker on the weapons' bag." She said smiling. "Father Sinclair was worried when you didn't show up at the tunnel. The tracker sure came in handy."

"Thank you, Maria." I said. "Is everyone safe then?"

"Not everyone. Cassandra says a lot of staff insisted on staying at the lab. We have no idea what happened to them."

"They're dead." I said.

She was silent for a few seconds. "Alright go." I was about to protest but she continued. "Don't worry. I brought company." Then, a number of hybrids from the underground came. "Go now. We'll take care of them. Just go straight through the forest. A part of the wall had been opened and Father Sinclair, with some underground members, is waiting."

"Okay. Be safe."

And we ran, leaving Maria and the other hybrids behind to deal with Jeremy's sister's group. My gut was telling me not go to but I had to. I was losing so much blood and my father was still unconscious. We ran through the dense forest and I was already starting to see the light through the gaps between the trees ahead of us when I got pushed on the ground.

"You really think your friends can beat me?" Her voice sent shivers down my spine. She turned me on my back and pushed me harder on the damp forest floor. I felt the bullet getting buried deeper into my shoulder. I yelped in pain.

"What did you do to Maria?!"

"I think I killed her. Maybe." Then she made a maniacal laugh. "You should have just surrendered your father to me. Things would have been much easier and nobody else would have gotten hurt." Then someone screamed and I saw Sam collapse on the ground. My father fell on the ground with him and fidgeted. He was waking up. "Perfect. I'll have that old fool beg for mercy and I'll kill him slowly, piece by piece. But, you first?"

She tightened her hands around my neck and started strangling me. I tried to break free but she was too strong. I looked at her face, she was enjoying it. She was crazy. I wanted to live. With desperation, I grabbed something from my bag. It was a glass flask filled with acid. Maria told me it might come in handy. I held it tightly on my hand and flung the flask with force on her beautiful face. She got knocked to the side and screamed in agony. She writhed in pain, with her hands on her face. My hand got burned a little, but it wasn't too much to handle. The other vampire who was about to stab Sam with a huge broken tree branch heard her screams and started running towards me. I was on my knees and didn't have any more strength. I closed my eyes and just prayed for it to be quick.

Then, strong arms embraced me. I instantly knew who they belonged to. I hugged him back. I got overwhelmed with relief and started crying. I heard the screams of the vampire who I thought was going to be my end, and then a few snapping sounds. I heard Jeremy's sister screaming in pain from the acid, probably cursing me to death, and Jeremy's voice trying to comfort her. I heard my father's voice asking questions, full of both surprise and irritation. I heard Christian's honey voice answering all his questions calmly. I heard Ethan's voice trying to assure Sam he was going to live. But, I didn't care about any of that. I had no more energy to spare. I could only focus on the warmth of Kai's embrace and his sweet fresh scent.

"Where's Kilian?" I murmured.

"Don't worry, he's fine." He said in a gentle voice. "He's with Maria. She's severely hurt and needed to see the doctor as soon as possible." He explained. "He left you in my care." He said in a playful tone.

"Jeremy's sister…."

"Hush. I know." He said. "The Council will deal with her. You have nothing to feel guilty about."

"You're not going to ask why I'm here?"

"Knowing you, it's not surprising." He said, then he chuckled. "You've always been stubborn and impulsive. You should have just told me though."

"I only suspected of her plans at the last minute. I couldn't tell you, in case it turned out to be wrong."

"But you still should have told me. I was so worried. When we met Maria at the front gate, I notice a faint scent of yours on her. I knew then that you two met and that you might be around here. I kept asking her but she wouldn't answer me. She's obviously very loyal to you."

"Hmm." It was all I could say in response. My head felt light. I was starting to lose consciousness. Kai must have noticed it. He scooped me off the ground and carried me on his arms.

"Let's get your wound treated. I can't believe you were still able to run around with this kind of wound. You really are something else."

"Isn't that why you fell in love with me?" I teased.

"Part of the reason." He teased back. "The main reason is because you are a magnet for trouble."

"What?" I couldn't help react to what he said. "Why would that make you fall in love with me?" As usual, he kept confusing me.

"Because it makes me keep protecting you." He said so lovingly. "Now, go to sleep. Tomorrow is another day."

"About my father, the council will keep their promise right?"

"Of course. He will undergo a fair trial just like the rest of the Church officials."

"Thank you. For everything."

"You're welcome. But there's no need for you to thank me. I'll do anything for you." He whispered. "Now go to sleep."

I closed my eyes and drifted off to dreamland.