So he was a hunter. No wonder he was able to elude Dorian and Aurora. My cloudy mind drifts to all the times Xavier was right under Dorian's nose. He probably didn't even expect the Light to be that bold. But Dorian was an assassin as well. How could he have missed this? Was he driven to distraction to the point of oblivion? Was he just as blinded by his affections as I was?
Too bad I'll never get the chance to ask him.
I focus my thoughts on my surroundings, again letting my senses take the reins. There's only one high window from what I can see. Beyond that there's grass and dirt. I have to be in a basement. I don't hear any cars or foot traffic. The only thing I smell is blood and maybe … paint? The light seems dimmer. How long have I been down here?
Noticing my roaming eyes, Xavier closes the distance between us in one swift step, clutching my jaw in one of his large, blood-tinged hands. "Don't even think about escaping. There's no way you can get away. No one can save you. Just accept this death as your destiny, child."
"No," I grit through my sore, smashed cheeks between his fingers. "It's not. And you don't have to do this, Xavier. You're a good guy. Don't do this."
He rips his hand away and doubles over into a theatrical guffaw. "What? You think by telling me I'm a good guy, I will miraculously change my mind?"
The sound of his hearty laughter infuriates me but I resist the urge to spew insults. "But you are good, X. Me and you could've been good friends. What would Carlos and Jackson and Morgan do once they learn what you've done? You can't tell me you don't care for them."
"Care for them?" he sneers. "I don't even like them. I despise them. What they are, what they represent … it's every corrupt thing in this world. The reason why you should not be able to live. It will be just one more example of depravity & immorality."
I muster the last bit of awareness in me, the tiny bit of sanity I am hanging onto for dear life, and try to give him a sympathetic smile. "But you can change that. Right here and now. You can show that goodness and Light always prevails. You can walk out of here knowing that you did the right thing. Please, Xavier," I plead. "Don't let your pain push you into something you're not. Don't let your Light die and become a ghost of what you were because you were hurt. You're better than that. Stronger than that."
He looks at me for a thoughtful moment, contemplating the alternative. Somewhere deep inside him, goodness stirs, beckoning him to return to what he truly his. To his true purpose. To the Light. I hold my breath, hoping- praying- that part of him isn't gone forever.
Xavier's mouth turns up into a menacing leer, shattering my last shred of hope. All remnants of sympathy for him seep out of me with my trickling blood. "You think I'm stupid, girl? You think you can trick me into letting you go? Do. You. Know. Who. The. Fuck. I. Am!?" he screams in my face, suddenly hovering over me. Then his fist slams down onto my chest, stealing all the air from my lungs with a crack. I try to take a breath through the immense pain, but I can't. I can't breathe. Something is terribly wrong. My eyes grow horrified and panicked, as I silently plead for relief. Oh my God, I'm dying. I am really dying. I wheeze and pant, only swallowing tiny wisps of air. It's not enough. Not enough to keep me alive.
Xavier looks down at me with a satisfied grin, amused at the labored sounds of my injured lung. He could easily heal me yet he enjoys seeing me struggle for just the tiniest bit of oxygen. After a minute or so, he slowly brings his face to mine. He sees the life slipping away from me and wants to keep me alive just so he can kill me later. Sick, sadistic, twisted fuck.
Just before his lips touch mine, his head snaps up, his golden irises blazing with fiery rage. "Impossible!" he seethes.
Instantaneously, the entire room erupts into a quake, the slab underneath me shaking violently. I can feel the shift in the air turn dense with cracking energy. I can almost see tiny particles of electricity swirling around me, cocooning our bodies.
"No!" Xavier grits. His hand is now on my neck, squeezing harder than I thought was possible, cutting off the sliver of oxygen I had just seconds ago. He hisses at something out of my line of sight. "No! If I can't have you than neither can he!"
The strain is too much, and I've been without air for longer than my battered body can take. I can't fight anymore. There is no more fight left in me. It's bled out of the gaping wounds that riddle my entire frame, staining the grey cement a deep crimson. Unconsciousness is so close, its warm blanket of comfort and oblivion outstretched to greet me. I want it. I need it in these final moments. Then with the wet, sickening crunch of my windpipe, my horrified eyes fall to small slits. And just as I let them close completely, before diving into my painless oasis, I see a flash of brilliant blue light and hear a low, terrifying growl.
It's all black now. Still. Cold.
Numb.
Chapter Twenty Nine
White sands caress my bare toes, feeling as soft and warm as tiny silken diamonds. I lift my head to the sky, my eyes closing tightly against the intensity of the sun, and take a deep, cleansing breath. The air is so fresh, so clear. My lungs expand gratefully and take in as much as possible. It feels good … so good to breathe.
My lips curl into the most genuine smile I've worn in months. My cheeks almost ache with the nearly foreign movement. But I smile through it. It's a welcomed ache. Just as the bright, intense sun delivers a delightful burn, I relish in the sensation. It makes me feel vital. And happy. Finally happy.
Crystal blue waves crash against large boulders in the distance. A breeze strokes my face and hair, ruffling my white sundress. My skin is flawless and clear, no remains of brutality anywhere to be found. I smile again. Maybe I can be beautiful here. Maybe scars don't exist in this place. Maybe there are no broken spirits or crushed hearts. Just peace and bliss. Two things I never thought I'd ever truly achieve again. Two things that were ripped from me at only twenty years old.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" an incredibly smooth voice coos from beside me.
I turn my head towards the voice, a voice I know as well as my own. A voice that has whispered anecdotes of love and adoration while warm, strong arms held me tight. A voice that could melt away all the fear and anxiety I've ever felt with just a simple ‘I love you.' The only voice I have ever wanted to hear.
"It is," I smile at him. "So beautiful."
Dorian's eyes sparkle against the backdrop of seawater and cloudless blue sky. His full lips curl up on one side as he gazes at me adoringly. "Only because you're here." He moves a curl from my face, tucking it behind my ear. I turn into his warm touch.
"Mmmm," I hum. "Where am I?"
He brushes my cheek, his other hand finding mine. "Home."
I smile at the word and turn back into the gorgeous view of stone mountains, endless aquamarine, and distant clay houses. "Home."
We sit in perfectly comfortable silence for a long moment, enjoying the smell of saltwater and the feel of cool wind whipping through our loose clothing. I dig my toes deeper into the soft sand. I nearly giggle as the tiny granules tickle my sensitive digits.
"Will you stay with me?" I ask in a small voice, still gazing out at the water.
I feel Dorian shift beside me. "If you want me to."
"For how long?" I turn to face him, my expression free from worry and doubt.
"However long it takes."
Satisfied with his response, I scoot next to him and rest my head on his shoulder. Dorian wraps his arm around me in response, holding me close to him. I turn into the bare skin of his neck and breathe in his sweet, alluring scent. It feels me with euphoria, and my body relaxes even more.
"I'm not afraid," I whisper, letting my eyes close for a moment and enjoying his closeness.
His lips are in my hair. "I'm glad. You shouldn't be afraid ever again."
I sigh with contentment. "I've missed you."
"Little girl, I've missed you more than you could ever imagine."
"So stay," I murmur against the fabric of his white shirt. "Stay with me."
Dorian's lips brush my forehead. "I'll never leave you again."
We sit for several minutes, maybe hours, watching the waves collide with the giant jagged rocks until the sky begins to darken. Before night falls upon us completely, I turn to him. "I have to go, don't I?"
"Yes."
I nod, understanding washing through me. "Will you come with me?"
I see Dorian smile in the dimming light, his eyes shimmering and luminescent. "I can't. But I'll be waiting for you." His hands come up to cup my face and he brushes away tears I didn't even know were there. He leans forward and presses his soft lips on my forehead. Then they caress each cheek. When his warm lips finally meet mine, I instantly melt into his touch. Sensation rips through me, spiking my heart rate and stirring the butterflies in my stomach from hibernation. When he pulls away, I see a single, glistening tear roll down his cheek.
"Close your eyes," he whispers.
I take in his beauty once more before steeling myself to do as he says. I'm not afraid. I'm not nervous. I just don't want to end this. I don't want to lose him again. But I know what I must do. I know that this is the only way. So with a deep, calming breath, I press my lips against his once more, close my eyes, and cross over to the other side.