Chapter 118: She Must Not Die

Roderick's POV

The cave felt like death, it's thick with the copper tang of blood and the suffocating air of desperation. My boots struck the stone with the rhythmic certainty of a predator as the first vampire lunged at me with a guttural howl. I lashed out, my claws slashing through his throat; he slumped to the floor effortlessly, his form crumbling into gray ashes. I barely had time to draw breath before another figure lunged, its snarling mouth inches from mine, teeth glinting with malice. I ducked, feeling the whoosh of air as he missed by a fraction. Catching him between my legs, I sent him crashing to his knees. I impaled my hand into his chest and ripped his heart out. Instantly, he too was nothing but ash on the wind.

The fight went on and on. I killed them brutally, but they weren't backing down. There were too many—a sea of monsters all thirsting for the same thing: my blood, my life. But I didn't have time to slaughter them all. I was only interested in finding Lif before Seraphina got to her.

I stood still for a heartbeat as the group circled me, their postures tense, ready to lunge. When one finally sprang, I planted a kick into his chest and used the opening to sprint toward the corridor Seraphina had taken. The pack stayed hot on my heels. Reaching a corner, I spotted an iron gate; I slammed it shut and threw the bolt, locking it just as they slammed against the bars. They snarled and growled, throwing their weight against the iron, but the gate was strong and wouldn't budge.

I resumed my journey, tracking Seraphina’s scent, until I suddenly found her standing before a cell, frozen. I moved closer, wondering what could possibly stop her in her tracks. Then I saw it: the wall of the cell had been cracked open to the outside. Lif... she was gone.

But how? Where could she be?

“How could she crack the cave open? This place is ancient... known for being the strongest and impenetrable by any witch force power. So how could she...” Seraphina’s voice broke, shaking. She stood stiff, as if she had just seen a ghost.

Realizing Lif must have escaped through the breach, I forced the gate open and entered the cell. I was about to dive through the cracked wall when Seraphina’s voice stopped me.

“You are a fool if you go to her. Seeing how she cracked this stone, she is dangerous. Anyone who approaches her now will be killed.”

“Since when do you care?” I retorted, before dashing out into the night.

My mind raced as I tore through the forest behind the cave. My whole body shuddered at the thought of something terrible happening to her.

“Lif!” I roared, scanning the dense undergrowth, trying to locate her.

The deeper I went, the more my heart sank. Anxiety grew into a living thing inside me. Nothing must happen to her. Nothing! I told myself, my mind plagued by dark images. I ran my hand through my hair in distress, my limbs feeling suddenly weak. I had never been this devastated. Nothing had ever scared me this much.

I knew that if I lost her, I wouldn't be able to live with the guilt. I was responsible for this. I dragged her into this world. I lied to her, used her, and still—my heart kicked faster and faster—still, I had fallen in love with her. I was responsible for everything, and I had to make it right.

Then, I froze. A body was lying in the tall grass some feet away. The figure was unmistakable. I sprinted to her, my eyes widening as I confirmed it was her.

“Lif?” I called, lifting her off the ground and caressing her face. Her eyes were barely open, her lips parted as she struggled for slow, shallow breaths. Her heartbeat was dangerously low. Sweat matted her hair as if she had been burning in a fever for hours.

“Lif?” I called again, shaking her gently. No response. I pressed my hand to her forehead and recoiled in shock and fear. She was burning up.

What was wrong with her? My mind raced, trying to decipher the symptoms, but everything felt vague. Her skin was so hot it felt like it was burning through my skin and into my soul. I didn't know what to do; I had never encountered this before, and my knowledge of witches was limited.

Then, a thought struck. The only person who might know what was happening was Rose. And the only person who knew where Rose was hiding was Nora, the nurse.

Instantly, I swung her onto my back. I found my way out of the forest and reached my car. I laid her carefully across the back seat and rushed to the driver’s side. I slammed the car into gear and sped toward the hospital, desperation clawing at my throat so hard I could barely breathe. I had to save her.

I screeched into the hospital compound and ran for the reception.

“You!” I barked as I approached Nora.

The three nurses turned, their gazes fixed on me in shock. “Did you forget something, sir?” one asked.

“Take me to where Rose is. Now!” I commanded. Nora’s lips parted in awe, too shocked to speak.

“I don't think—”

“If you lie to me about not knowing where she is, I swear I will snap your neck and leave you dead!” I threatened. I was losing my mind; the anxiety was driving me to the brink of insanity.

“I never meant to lie,” she stammered, her eyes wide with terror. “I just meant... I don't think it’s okay for me to leave my shift.”

“I don't give a fuck! Take me to her now!” I groaned, and she nodded instantly.

We hurried to the car. “Wait... is that Doctor Lif? What happened to her?” she demanded, looking at the back seat.

“I don't like questions,” I said, flooring the accelerator.

When we arrived at Rose's place, Nora rushed to the door to call her while I lifted Lif from the car.

“What's going on?” Rose asked as she stepped outside. “Why are you here?”

“Do you know what happened to her?” I asked, showing her Lif’s limp form.

Rose moved closer, her pupils dilating as she stared. She touched Lif’s forehead and her brows furrowed deep.

“Do you know what's wrong? Can you... cure her?” I questioned, desperation dripping from every word.

“No. I have never seen anything like this,” she replied, shaking her head. “But there is one thing I know for sure: if you don't find a cure, she is going to die. No one can survive this much heat. Not even a witch.”

A depressing sigh left my lips. My head bowed, my hands curled into tight balls as a crushing weight settled on my chest. The thought of Lif dying slowly ate at my soul.

“But there is a way for her to live,” Rose said, making me snap my head up. The strange expression on her face told me exactly what she was thinking.

“The witch coven?” I answered. She nodded, and another heavy sigh escaped me.

I didn't trust the coven. They never helped anyone without demanding something in return—and their price was

always heavy, always dangerous. But I couldn't let her die. Lif must not die.