What's Left Of Me

The safehouse was silent.

For the first time in hours, there were no screams, no burning wood, no blood in the air. Just the distant crackle of the fireplace and the heavy weight in Helena's chest.

She sat on the edge of the worn-out couch, staring at her hands. They were steady now, but she could still feel the power thrumming beneath her skin. Still hear the terrified whispers of the villagers.

"Monster."

"Witch."

"Demon."

Her fingers curled into fists.

Xavier leaned against the doorway, watching her carefully. He hadn't said much since they arrived—hadn't pushed her, hadn't lectured her. But the tension in his body told her everything.

He was worried.

"Helena," he finally said, stepping closer.

She didn't look up. "I shouldn't be here."

His brows furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm dangerous." Her voice was hollow. "I lost control again. I—" She swallowed hard, shaking her head. "I killed without even thinking. The way that vampire just… burned. It wasn't even difficult."

"You saved that girl," Xavier reminded her.

"She was afraid of me."

Silence stretched between them. The fire crackled, but it did nothing to warm her.

Helena's throat tightened. "Do you ever think… maybe they're right? Maybe I really am a monster."

The moment the words left her lips, Xavier moved.

Suddenly, he was kneeling in front of her, his hands gripping hers tightly. His golden eyes burned with something she didn't recognize—something raw and unshakable.

"Don't you ever say that again." His voice was firm, desperate. "You are not a monster, Helena."

She let out a shaky breath. "You don't know that."

"Yes, I do." He squeezed her hands. "I know because I've seen monsters. I was raised by one. And you? You're nothing like them."

Helena hesitated, her walls cracking just a little. "Then what am I?"

Xavier exhaled sharply. "You're strong. You're reckless, yeah, but you care so much it hurts you. And I—" He stopped, his jaw tightening.

Helena frowned. "Xavier?"

His grip on her hands tightened, just for a second, before he let go and pulled back. A muscle in his jaw twitched.

"You don't see yourself the way I do," he muttered.

Something in her chest tightened. "And how do you see me?"

Xavier's eyes darkened.

"Don't say it."

"Say it."

He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in every movement.

"I told myself I wouldn't do this," he muttered. "Not now. Not like this."

Helena's heart slammed against her ribs.

Do what?

Before she could ask, he looked back at her—and something in his expression changed.

Gone was the controlled, unreadable Xavier she had come to know.

This was different.

Raw. Unfiltered.

"Like he was done pretending."

"You asked what I see when I look at you?" His voice was lower now, rougher. Dangerous.

Her pulse jumped. "Xavier—"

"I see someone who drives me insane." His golden eyes burned into her. "I see someone I would destroy the world for. I see someone who doesn't even realize how much she's breaking me."

Helena froze.

The weight of his words slammed into her, knocking the breath from her lungs.

Xavier let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "And I hate it, Helena. I hate that I can't stop thinking about you. That no matter what I do, you're always there. In my mind. In my damn blood."

She couldn't breathe.

"He's serious."

Xavier looked at her like she was the only thing in the world keeping him together. And for the first time since she discovered what she was, she felt… safe.

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't want to tell you like this. I wanted to wait until you weren't—" He gestured vaguely, "—going through an identity crisis."

Helena blinked. Then blinked again.

"Did you just… confess to me?"

Xavier groaned, running a hand down his face. "Yeah. And it was a disaster. Forget I said anything."

A laugh bubbled out of her before she could stop it.

For the first time all night, the weight on her chest lifted.

Xavier stared at her. "Did you just laugh?"

She covered her mouth, trying to suppress it. "No."

He narrowed his eyes. "You did."

She shook her head, but the small smile wouldn't leave her lips.

Xavier let out a dramatic sigh, flopping onto the couch beside her. "Great. I pour my soul out, and you laugh."

Helena wiped at her eyes, still smiling. "It wasn't funny. Just… unexpected."

"Yeah, well," he muttered, staring up at the ceiling. "Get used to it. You do that to me."

She glanced at him from the corner of her eye.

Maybe, just maybe… she was a little glad he told her.

Even if she wasn't sure what to do with it yet.