“Did you kill them?” I asked River, when we got out of what seemed like an abandoned hospital that the demons used as a hideout.
He kept me in his arms until we reached a car, hidden among some bushes, not far from the hospital’s entrance. I tried to tell him that I’m okay, but he doesn’t care.
I squinted my eyes and trying to make out the vehicle…Holy- he has a white Lamborghini?!
Still leaving me with no answer, he opened the door to the passenger seat and seated me then proceeded to the driver’s seat.
Quietly, I watched him. His eyes are still burning black. Is it wrong to talk to him at this time?
River took a look at me and closed his eyes while grabbing a jacket from the backseat, tossing it to me.
“Wear it. Seeing those scars…” he took a deep breath and looked outside. “…it only makes me regret not being able to come for you sooner.” The engine started and our world dissolved into a deep, jeweled silence
I smiled to myself and formed a reply in my mind…You came for me, River. That alone was enough to keep me alive.
Wearing the jacket, I drifted to another moment of comfort from the warmth it gave. My fever’s still above the scales and I have these irritating wounds but the funny thing is, the happiness I’m feeling is the only thing my mind is focusing on. Having him beside me feels like the best thing in the world.
I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Later on, reality descended on me bit by bit. The questions dove into my whirlwind of thoughts…and again, I had to remind myself that it isn’t over.
Neon appeared to me in the room and told me that there’s someone I might lose…could he be referring to Spade? He did set me up with those vampires before…
“I wasn’t able to…kill all of them because…I heard you call, so I came to my senses. I wanted to. I can see…those times when you are to be in danger….but this was….different. I was not just able to see it…I felt the pain.” He blurted out, still sounding hesitant.
How could he still hide things from me after what just happened?
I summoned all of the demons because of the drug…why is it not working now? Fathom told me that I still have hours before the drug loses its effect. Regardless of who it might be, I should be able to read on without halt or my own will.
“Why did the drug work on them, and not you?” I absent-mindedly asked him.
He shrugged. “Maybe...it’s not the right time.”
It always isn’t the right time for him. Maybe I was more scared of him when summoned than my own death.
“You’re more powerful than they are, and you weren’t even summoned.” I continued to study him, focused on the road, his eyes are now back to the brilliant blues I know.
“I told you, I’m different. I was banished a long time ago-I can’t remember how long.”
A person with no past…with my memories of childhood instead of his, being locked up like an animal, forced to seal himself, and being with me, risking the chance for a normal life, almost killing a clan of demons –what is his part in the world? If he was summoned, what is he meant to do? And for me, what is my purpose besides being able to read seals and summon demons?
He told me that they have laws. Would killing the demons have serious consequences?
“Lily…” He called, interrupting my thoughts.
“Yeah?” I looked at him, playing with the jacket’s sleeves.
“It’s about Spade-he is being held captive by Neon.” He stepped on the brake, stopping in front of a huge hotel called Crystal Drops.
As far as I know, Spade came with the vampires willingly. Maybe I should just let him be, after all, he chose that path. I just hope Neon won’t do anything wrong to him.
My mind debated whether to let him go or give him one last chance.
I don’t know…. He’s still my brother, but it’s different now.
“Hey-!” I yelped when River opened my door and scooped me up. I glanced at his shirt-he changed it when I was brainstorming.
“You’re still burning up.” He whispered, tossing the keys to the chauffeur then walked up to the reception desk.
Honestly, I have never imagined myself to be in these kinds of first-class hotels and oh, my god, with a bloody-faced guy carrying me?!
The receptionist looked up at him shockingly, and I won’t blame her if someone with dried up blood on his face and arms, carrying a girl would appear and ask for a room.
Her gaze shifted to me…I smiled gawkily at her and waved my hand.
“What are you looking at?” River boldly asked while her handing a black card.
The receptionist blinked and returned to her computer, clicking on stuff. I could see her fingers trembling.
I should teach this guy some manners.
“R-rroom….fi-five hu-“ she began to hand the key with River’s card. River snatched it from her hand and carried me off to the elevator. I glanced at the key, with a tag that read: Rm. 599.
The elevator stopped at the tenth floor: an ebony-black carpeted floor, a blinding infinity of white-colored hallways with gold details, reminding me of Dr. Burke’s bathroom. The doors are bronze-colored and of a Romanesque design. The windows, instead of a plain glass, flowed with water to imitate waterfalls.
Sadly, I have to admit that I don’t get the concept.
River opened the door to our room. It felt really awkward, it’s like I’m entering my honeymoon suite.
“It’s a honeymoon suite.” River unknowingly echoed what my mind remarked, looking around the room.
Remembering what happened the last time we went to a hotel room, I pondered on how I’m going to take a bath without screaming in pain.
River continued to weave through furniture.
I continued to stare at his chest.
He wouldn’t bring me down, would he?
“I can…walk…River…You should rest too.” I insisted, sincerely looking at his distracted blue eyes.
He blinked at me as if he’s having a hard time understanding what I just said…then began yelling at me again. “Can’t you, for once, realize the danger you’re in?” His fingers firmly squeezed my skin but didn’t hurt me at all. “Lily, if the whole world is made up of demons and vampires wishing to harm you, I would, without a second thought, come for you in the worst circumstance; bleed to death if I have to…as long as nothing happens to you. But this…”
I followed his eyes, studying my ruined camisole. The bandages wouldn’t lie. He knows I have wounds underneath.
I was lucky enough to be remembered.
Unexpectedly, I let out a gasp when he pulled me in, closer than ever, that I had to breathe on his chest.
My eyes slowly collapsed under the insane wave of heat sweeping through me.
Oh, River. If you only knew how scared I was…the thought of not seeing you again devastated me. I tried to stop myself from reading but the drug was stronger.
“…you have no idea how it kills me. Seeing different things happen to you repeatedly in my head-and not being able to do something when you were being forced out of your wits.” He paused.
I could feel him trembling, heating like an enraged fire.
“I’m here…they can’t do anything to me now, River.” I’m here…with you. I have nothing to be scared of.
He nodded. “I had a hard time escaping Neon-they are in the mansion with Dr. Burke. I don’t know if he’s still alive or dead.” He heavily spat Dr. Burke’s name like acid.
Escaped? River was going through something worse than I have expected. I was thinking that he had to jump through high walls and face flickering green eyes.
“I saw you in my vision-in the middle of the lake. Until now, I can’t figure it out.” The warmth from his palms travelled to my arms.
It’s really cruel. He’s saying something important and I’m having a hard time drawing my attention away from his embrace. Who knows, it might be the only embrace I get from him.
The girls in our school will kill to be in my position, I discreetly snickered to myself.
Setting the thought aside, I took the feeling in, savoring every second of it. His scent ran deeper inside me, lighting up every emotion I felt at the moment. He never took advantage of me…every step he took towards me had the greatest intentions.
He’s perfect. Everything I dreamed of in a man-except for being a demonoid.
Which reminds me… “You are that forbidden one that they’re referring to. You’re like this legend that they were trying to hunt down for so long.” I told him.
Drat! Why do I put a halting end to these kinds of moments? We were hugging, for Christ’s sake, and I had to ruin the whole thing. Questions can wait, but no. I had to ask him. How highly inconsiderate of me!
As expected, he pulled away from me…I had to gaze away at the loving chest I’ve been smothering the last few minutes.
“That’s what I’ve been trying to avoid. Summoning me is like putting an end to the world. I forget everything. Every living thing I spot will end up dead.” He spitefully enumerated. “Once you summon me, you won’t be safe. I almost died sealing myself. It was far better than putting lives at stake.”
My mouth dropped open. How could he be called a demon? He’s just so nice. Sure he’s got a temper but he’s mainly salt and pepper superficially. River is the good guy.
I mean demon.
“You take a bath first.” He mumbled and walked towards a painted glass door, which must be the bathroom. Once opened, he seated me on the toilet seat and walked out.
I blew the strands of reddish-brown hair scattered on my face and bit back a yelp when I stood up. A clot might have already formed on my wounds and these ridiculous ones on my wrist will be annoying when I get soap and water on them.
Forcibly, I turned the shower on and began rubbing myself with soap.
Bathing has never been this tormenting.
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