**Ch 288: Memory Obliterated

I embraced myself for one painful bite until his head was knocked off to the side. Seth dropped me, and I flattened harshly to the rooftop, coughing from the lack of oxygen. Over the screaming people was thunderous growling and hissing. I peered up to see that Kai and his friends had arrived. They attacked Seth and his clan.

My eyes zipped from left to right as they fought. Claws slash into their muscles, and their fangs rip into each other's necks. Rome nearly detained one of Seth's guardians, but he released him as he laid powerless on the concrete. Jack shredded the neck of one of Seth's advisors before he hurled him into three of his buddies, knocking them over. Glenn got a decent gash mark from a claw on his cheekbone, but he burned the vampire he was fighting. Ivan and Ace both snapped the necks of the vampires that were attacking them. Then they'd carry on fighting the next vampire. Even Kai's guardians were beating their opponents by drinking them to a weakened state.

A handful of vampires lost their arms, but a new arm grew back. Two of Kai's guardians twisted their torn limbs back onto the joints, which almost made me want to puke to see it. Blood was splattering over the rooftop from their massacre.

The second Kai dropped Seth to his knees, the fighting ceased. Instantly, my husband had Seth screaming in a fetal position. His eyes started bleeding blackish-red blood. Every vein on his temples and neck, were enlarged before blood started to seep from his ears. Soon after, Kai stopped and extricated him from his hold, which I reckoned was his second gift. Certainly, Kai's clan was far more powerful than Seth had anticipated. Athena has every right to fear for her mate because he isn't a match for my husband.

One of Seth's advisors tried to help him stand, but Seth pushed him away. Kai's brutal attack scorned his ego and pride as an alpha of his Clan and Coven. Defeat must hurt deeper than the actual given pain for a headstrong alpha vampire, I'm sure. Once Seth stood, he vanished with his battered pals.

Afterward, I stood up and examined the devastation. Sirens and car alarms were resounding into the sky. Countless cries were heard from the ones that survived. Many screamed for help, and I broke down into tears. Warm arms cuddled me up, and I knew Kai was behind my back.

"Please, you have to help them!" I bawled, and Kai gave Ivan a head nod.

Ivan came up to the edge from our left. He stretched out his hand, and I saw below the cracked pavement around the sinkhole stabilized so nothing else would fall into it. Now I learned Ivan had an earth gift like Seth.

After he was done doing that, a large group of vampires landed on a building rooftop across from us that was on the right side of that building that had fallen. They peered down at the chaos below before glancing over at us.

"Who are they?" I sniffled, wiping many tears away.

"Headmasters. Some of them are the ones in charge of the Vampire Covenant. They're observing the condition." Kai replied with a stern tone directed at them as he glared their way.

"This will go against her for the voting," Ivan stated.

Once they were seemingly done making their judgment, the minacious Headmasters vanished on the spot.

"That was Seth's plan." Kai snorted before I bawled harder, so he turned me to face him.

"This is my fault! I got them killed. I killed everyone because I wouldn't jump!" I lost myself in sorrow as the image of every victim rewound in my mind.

"It's not your fault," Kai cooed. "It's mine because I didn't get here sooner."

"I watched them die!" I wailed, hysterically.

Kai sighed as he held my head into his chest. "Rome, I need you to erase what happened here from her memories." I heard him rumble beneath his chest, and I pulled away that fast.

"No! I don't want my memories obliterated! I wanna remember! I need to remember!" I bellowed, but before I could get away, Kai cupped both his hands on my face, and he forced me to stay right here from escaping.

He made me look at him as he soothed me gently. "Victoria, it's best if you forget. Your heart is too fragile to keep anything like this in your mind."

"No!" I sobbed, pleadingly while I held his wrists on my cheeks. "Please don't!"

"I have to do what is best for you and our unborn vamp babies. They sense what you feel, and it pains them to feel their mother's sorrow," Kai heartedly explained before he kissed me. Then he turned me around to face Rome. He had the saddest eyes I'd ever seen him have.

"Please, don't do it!" I wept as my body got pinned between Rome and Kai. I wasn't going anywhere, but I fought by squirming my neck.

"It's okay, Princess." Rome gently whispered as his palms cupped my temples. "All this pain you feel will be gone. You'll find yourself right outside the library to leave. Other than feeling a slight fog, you won't even notice it."

"No, I wanna keep my memories!" I cried as I was forced to look into Rome's red illuminating eyes. Very beautifully, his red glow spiraled into my sight. I felt a sudden drift in my mind, and I found myself elsewhere before everything got spacey. Those horrified faces and their screams started to chip away as a white light filled the empty void in my mind...

~~~

I'm not sure what happened, but I felt a slight loss of thought as I was walking along the parking lot after leaving the library. That was strange, but I won't overthink it. Although, I don't remember leaving the library. My last memory is when I put the book on the bookshelf before I drew a blank. I must be tired, I thought, nearing my car. To my surprise, I found an unexpected visitor waiting for me near my car.

"I thought you were busy today." I shimmered at Kai, coming toward me. He wrapped me in his arms before kissing me.

"I had a change in plans, and since it's Friday, I wanted to treat you to dinner," he whispered lovingly with his head against my forehead.

"I'd love that." I giggled, yet I noticed deep heartsickness seemed present in his eyes. "Why are you sad?"

"I feel bad because I've been too busy to give you my full attention." He frowned, yet I smiled.

"That's okay," I uttered heartedly before kissing him. He faintly smiled. Then we both got into the car and left for our dinner date.