The Edge of Betrayal

Elena’s Point of view:

"How, how are you even here? Whispering, I tried to regulate my breathing.

I could hardly keep onto Orion since my hands were trembling so much.

Donovan looked at the body at my feet then back to me.

His voice sank low, as if he were relishing every syllable, darkening his gaze. "Never left, Elena. I always lagged one step behind you.

Tensing, believing it was someone else, I could hear the door creak behind me once again but no—Donovan had the room in his grasp. His presence was stifling, and the air seemed charged.

I left here unable to remain. I refused to permit him to have me.But I heard the definite sound of a gun being primed before I could move.

Donovan advised not moving, his voice dangerously mild. "You're not pulling away this time."I swallowed while my mind ran through looking for any kind of escape.

My legs felt like lead, yet my body screamed at me to do anything, anything, but. Part of me remained paralysed, unable to comprehend what was occurring.

And then another voice sliced through the air, just as I believed the earth would implode around me."Drop it, Donovan," said.I whirled around, my heart jumping in my breast at the sound of the foreign yet so strong new voice.

Was it another opponent? Alternatively, someone on my side? Donovan stopped, his smile fading for just a moment before he turned to face the new person, his eyes narrowing.The voice urged, harsh and relentless, "You're not in control here anymore.

"What I was hearing seemed unbelievable.

This individual was whom?And I knew everything was going to change as Donovan's hold on the pistol tightened."You don't understand," Donovan said with a deep rasp, the type of tone that made my blood stop cold. "None of this was ever your choice.

I made sure of that."The words land more forcefully than any punch could have. Though the tension in the air suffocated me and pinned me in place like a prisoner, I wanted to yell, demand answers. The weight of the moment grew even more weight in my arms from Orion's motionless form.

Standing before me, Donovan, the guy I knew, who had molded so much of my past—was sporting that twisted smile like it was his triumph.My voice shaking, I said, "I didn't want any of this.

"When I saw Donovan last, I assumed he was gone for good. I had crumbled. Thus incorrect.He moved forward, and I automatically moved back, the sting of treachery stinging through me.

He stretched out as though he could touch my face, but I withdrew, every muscle in my body screaming for space."You are my Elena; you always have been. You think I would let you slip away? Let you have that normal life you always dreamed of.

"Shaking, I was split between the monster before me now and the guy I used to love. Every word he spoke dug farther than I could have ever dreamed. He obviously yearned for control.

He sought me beneath his thumb.

He wouldn't stop either till I was.I spat, the wrath boiling up from somewhere deep inside me, "You're wrong.

I'm not yours." I am not someone anybody knows. Not right now.He laughed; the sound was gloomy and . You do not understand it, then? You are exactly as mired in this quagmire as I am.

Elena, there is no running from this. Not today.My breath seized in my throat, and I briefly thought he was correct. Though I had worked so hard to escape my past, it felt as though it wasn't done with me yet.

Every part of me screaming for an escape, I retreated another step back, but the door was behind me and with every motion I made he was approaching.

You believe you are the one in charge here?Seeking some time to buy myself, I requested.

"What if I told you... someone else is coming for you?"His eyes deepened and turned suspiciously tight.

"Do you believe you are in any position to threaten me?“The door creaked open once again before I could reply, and the quiet chamber rang with footfall.

The heart skipped a beat. Though I wasn't sure if it was panic or relief, I wasn't going to let Donovan triumph.

In the doorway a shadow materialized, and the man was clear-cut. My pulse wavered in response.

It was him, the one who promised me security and had before been my saviour. Now, though, with everything on the line, I wasn't sure if he was here to support me or exacerbate things.

"Get away from her, Donovan," said the austere, directive voice.I nearly couldn't believe it. My muscles tightened, hope blending with the doubt churning in my gut.

Was this a conundrum? Had I followed right on into a trap? Or was this my last chance to get away?Donovan stood up, looking at the fresh arrival with a mix of amusement and resentment.

"You should have stayed out of this," he scoffed, yet he seemed to be glancing toward something deeper.

Something fundamental.The man standing in the gateway did not waver.

"Nothing of chance."Not sure what I should feel.

My ideas were disorganized, and everything within me yearned to yell for clarity. Donovan's presence had ripped open old wounds, and now this new arrival was just aggravating matters.

"Stay back," I said, my voice faltering and uncertain of who I was begging with.

Although both men were deadly in their own right, I had no idea how this would turn out.

"You can't keep running from me, Elena," Donovan continued, his tone cooler now.

" You never will.

"One flash of movement before I could respond.

Donovan went at the man in the door, and in that single second I saw the revolver in his hand."Come down!

"The guy yelled, but it was too late.The air cracked sharply with gunfire, and everything appeared to halt momentarily.

Before I knew what was happening—the power of something striking me, sent me tumbling to the ground.

My ears were ringing, and I battled to understand what had happened just now.

Though I could not tell if it was from the bullet or the jolt that rocked my body, pain tore over my side.

Rise! From above me, the man's voice seemed anguished and urgent.

His hand was on my arm, dragging me away from the tumult toward him.Still, I was unable to move.

My body wouldn't reply. I felt as though I was falling to the floor, powerless to flee the dream that had enveloped me.

"Come on, Elena," the guy pushed, his hold strengthening. "This is not done.

"But Donovan's voice, sharp and sarcastic, cut through the fog in my head.

Surely it is. He snipped. You truly do think you have won? I pushed myself to stand, but my eyesight darkened. My side of the suffering was intolerable, and for a second I thought I may pass out right there.

"You're not getting away from me, Elena," Donovan replied, his voice icy and determined.

But the man who had come to save me grabbed for me, and the surroundings whirled out of control. Just before everything went dark, I glimpsed Donovan's grinning face.