Chapter 29 Twenty Nine
DANIKA
Kaziel doesn't say anything until we're far away from the alley and my apartment. He keeps checking the side mirror to make sure we're not being followed. I'm holding his free hand, which is still shaking slightly.
"You should call Aaron. He was supposed to go to the alley to meet us," I tell him, half expecting some kind of reprimand.
Instead, he gives me a gentle smile. "Thank you, dove," he says, and the boulder on my chest instantly melts.
He hands me his phone, asking me to call Aaron and tell him to head back to the house. So, I do just that.
When we finally reach the house, Kaziel parks the car. Just as I'm about to step out, he gestures for me to wait. Then he hurries over to my side of the car to open the door.
He holds out a hand, and I place mine in his. He does this most of the time, but there's something different about this one. The instant I'm out of the car, my legs give out, and he scoops me into his arms like he's been waiting for that to happen.
He shuts the door, smiling fondly at me.
"It's a side effect. I'll explain later," he says, and I nod, suddenly feeling severely drained.
"Are you sure it's okay for you to carry me? You're still recovering," I tell him.
"It's fine, just relax."
Inside the house, he gently places me on his bed.
"Wait for me, yeah? I need to take a shower," he says, pressing a kiss on my forehead.
I nod, and he strokes my hair gently. Then he heads to the bathroom.
The sound of running water fills the silence, and for the first time tonight, I let my eyes close.
I must've dozed off.
Kaziel's warmth and scent wrap around me, awakening me. I blink my eyes open to find him curled behind me, his arm draped protectively around my waist.
For a moment, I just breathe him in.
"Earlier when you were driving, you seemed to be worried that we were being followed," I say.
"The scent of your blood is stronger than you think. I was worried you would attract unwelcome guests," he replies.
He's being vague. I have a feeling there's so much he isn't telling me. I understand that he's trying to protect me, but this is my life we're talking about here, isn't it?
Despite this, I decide not to push him since he isn't feeling well.
I place my hand over his, tracing his veins. "How are you feeling?" I whisper.
He hums softly against my shoulder. "Slightly achy," he admits, his voice still rough. "But much better now."
Relief washes over me, but before I can reply, he speaks again, "I'm more worried about you."
I frown, twisting to face him. "Me? Why?"
His expression is calm, but there's worry in his eyes. "Because in the next hour, you're going to start feeling chills. Then fever. It'll burn through you so badly, it'll feel like you're dying."
My heart skips a beat. "W-what?"
He tightens his hold on me before I can pull away, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "Don't panic, dove," he murmurs against my hair. "I'll be here the entire time. You won't go through it alone."
"B-but, Kaziel...what's going on?"
He exhales slowly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "I didn't mean for it to happen this way. When I first tasted your blood... it marked me. And now that I've tasted it again, a half bond has formed between us."
My chest tightens. "A half bond?"
He nods, his eyes steady on mine. "It means our energies are linked, but only one way. From you to me. Your body will feel the imbalance until it's complete."
"Complete how?" I whisper.
"You'll have to drink my blood."
My breath catches in my throat. "Your blood?"
His gaze softens. "Yes. It'll seal the bond and stop the fever. But it won't turn you into a vampire, if that's what you're thinking."
I blink, my pulse hammering. "So... I'm not going to become like you?"
He shakes his head. "No. You're not binding with all of me, only the vampire part. It's too soon for the rest."
Something in his tone makes my stomach flutter. I swallow hard, a little uneasy.
"So what happens if I don't?"
He hesitates, his eyes darkening. "Then the bond stays incomplete... and it'll keep hurting until one of us caves in."
I look at him, tracing my gaze over his tired eyes and the dark circles under them. And despite the fear stirring inside me, I've already made my choice.
"I'm ready," I whisper.
His gaze softens with something between awe and sorrow. "Are you sure?"
I nod. "If this is what it takes, then yes."
Kaziel doesn't move right away. He just watches me for a few seconds.
Then, slowly, he sits up, pulling me with him. He still looks very pale. I worry that he's in more pain than he lets on. Who exactly did this to my man?
"This will sting," he says softly. "But it won't last."
He brushes his thumb along my jaw, his touch steady despite the tension rolling off him. "If it gets too much, please tell me."
I nod. "Okay."
Kaziel's gaze lingers on me a moment longer before he brings his wrist to his mouth. I flinch when I see the faint glint of fangs. He bites down, and the sharp scent of iron fills the air.
A single drop of crimson rolls down his wrist, and I gulp. He hesitates for a moment.
"Danika," he murmurs. "Look at me."
I do. His red eyes hold mine. There's no hunger there, only something deeper. Sadness. I wonder why. Does he feel bad binding us together?
He holds out his wrist between us. "Drink, dove."
My hand shakes as I take his arm, my fingers trembling against his skin. For a second, I can't do it, I can't cross that invisible line.
Then I think about how far we've come. And I realize with a jolt that I don't regret meeting him.
"Wait," he breathes, his chest heaving slightly. "I...should warn you, doing this will..."
He runs a hand over his face.
"Will what?" I tilt my head.
"There may be...amplified feelings. It can be disorienting," he mutters, and my eyes go wide.
Nervous, I lower my head and press my lips against his wrist.
The taste is metallic, leaving a sweet aftertaste. Like cocoa.
Weird.
A surge of energy floods my body, my pulse spiking.
Kaziel exhales sharply, his other hand clutching my shoulder as if he feels it too.
A low hum fills my ears, like a heartbeat that isn't mine.
My mate lets out a moan, and despite myself, I grin sheepishly.
"Naughty girl," he mutters, and I blink at him innocently, finally releasing him.
He reaches over to wipe the corners of my mouth with his thumb.
"Kaziel—" I start, but the word dissolves into a gasp as a wave of heat crashes through me. My body trembles hard, my vision dimming.
He catches me before I collapse, gathering me against his chest. His skin is cool against my feverish face.
"Easy," he whispers, stroking the back of my head. "It's the bond settling."
My breathing comes in ragged bursts. "It—hurts—"
"I know," he murmurs, pressing his forehead to mine. "I've got you. Just breathe, baby. Breathe."
His voice calms me as he rocks me gently, holding me close.
Time seems to float by quickly, and I'm lost in the sensations stirring in my body. After a while, the pain vanishes.
"You did well, sweetheart. You can rest now, I've got you," Kaziel says, and I nod weakly.
...
The morning after, I'm sitting in class right after my first two lectures, my blood boiling in my veins. I haven't been able to breathe right ever since learning that Eve is the culprit responsible for my mate's poisoning. I've never been so ready to throw hands. And right now, I'm waiting for the perfect opportunity.
"Remind me never to piss you off in this life and the life after that," Cora whispers as she slides in to sit beside me, and I force a smile.
"How are you feeling? Better?" I ask.
She nods.
"Ren used mind control. He used to do that a lot when we were together. He tried to kidnap me. If Bellamy hadn't found us—" Her voice cracks, and I reach over to squeeze her hand gently.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Cora. I was so afraid that I'd lost you," I tell her honestly, and she latches onto my arm, resting her head on my shoulder.
"I'm so glad I have you, Dani," she whispers, and I grin for the first time today.
A shadow falls over us. It's the devil herself, Eve.
"We need to talk, Danika," she tells me, and I rise to my feet, my hands curling into fists. Cora winces, alarmed.
"Sure, let's talk," I reply, walking ahead of her.
Once we're outside, I don't wait for her to speak, I slap her across the face. Hard.
My palm hums where it landed, my blood still singing from the bond. The anger that burns inside me is hot and messy. Something unusual even for me.
Eve stumbles back, her eyes wide. "You—" she starts.
I step into her space, keeping my voice low and steady. "Don't you ever touch him again."