Chapter 26

Chapter 26
An alarm wailed. I turned and saw undead guards charging. How could I be unlucky twice in a row?
I faced the door and kicked it. Pain exploded in my foot, shooting up my leg. Of course, it didn’t budge. I kicked again. It was all I could do as the undead closed in on me. Tears stung my eyes as they reached me. Their calloused hands clamped my arms and pulled me backward.
I thrashed and kicked, but my strength compared to their was like a middle school kid against a pro-wrestler.
"You'll hurt yourself if you don't stop,” one growled.
I spat on his face. My thick saliva dripped down his cheek. He took hold of me and dragged me all the way back. We left the clinic and returned to the residential part of the mansion.
They shoved me into a holding room with snow white walls and locked the door.
“Let me go,” I yelled, kicking the door.
I knew Ronan would come soon, whip in hand to punish me. Pain didn’t scare me anymore. I was just sad that I had failed twice. But I wouldn't stop trying, as long as Ronan didn't kill me.

Ronan’s POV
Sleep evaded me. My eyes burned as I stared at the ceiling of my chamber. Lila’s face was haunted me. Really, I couldn't get that image of her crumpling to the floor of the dining hall out of my head.
My chest tightened. She still hadn't woken up. Was she dying? The thought of that twisted my gut.
I couldn't say how long I sat by her bed, whispering promises, begging her to live. Emotional words, coming from a place I didn’t recognize.
I couldn't lie to myself anymore. She was more than a captive to me. Everything about her stirred something in me. Even her defiance.
Since I couldn't sleep, maybe I should go back. . .
The door burst open and Caius dashed in. He was one of the few people who could get away with barging into my chamber. I knew he had good reason.
"The witch struck again,” he said.
My jaws clenched. "Where?"
“Sector 15. Half our troops are dead. All torn apart by her mutant vampires. You know what's worse? She enchanted the warlock. He’s working for her now.”
I punched the air in anger. “Half the troops? How did she kill that many?"
"She hit us with an ambush. Things might’ve been different if you’d led us. Instead of playing nurse to that human girl.” His voice dripped with disdain.
“No matter what. You do not question my decisions," I snapped.
"I'm sorry, my Lord."
“That witch will pay. I’ll rip her apart myself.”
Caius pursed his lips. “We need a plan. Her vampires are stronger and her hexes are more powerful now. We split the troops last time, struck from all sides. It wasn’t enough this time. So we need more.”
"We will do more."
The door swung open and a guard rushing in. “My lord, Lila tried to escape the clinic. She knocked out a nurse and stole her uniform. We caught her at the exit.”
My heart stopped. What the hell? Trying to escape. again? Even after I’d sat by her and poured out my heart. My chest burned. Just hurt even worse than the slain undead.
Caius chuckled. "I always knew the human girl, wasn't worth anything. You stayed here for her at the expense of your kingdom. But she doesn’t care about you. She doesn’t even trust you.”
My blood boiled. Caius was right, but I hated hearing him say all that.
I grabbed his robe and yanked him close, until his face was inches away from mine. “Never speak of her again. You hear me?"
He nodded, jaw tightening. “As you command, my lord."
I let go of his robe and he stepped back.
“Get out,” I snapped.
"What of the?"
"GET OUT!"
He bowed and left, slamming the door behind him. I stood alone, my chest heaving.
My hands raked through my silver hair. I was stupid. I had been acting stupid around Lila for some the now. But promising no punishments, baring a piece of myself, that was the height of it.
She faked that fall and played me like a fool. What the hell?
I yelled to the guard at the door of my chamber. “Bring her here.”
The guard left and I rubbed my hands together. I needed to punish her. This punishment would be different. I might not use the tools. No whips, no clamp.
My body shuddered. The thought of her fooling me still stunned me. I imagined her coming her to plead. How would she explain this escape attempts?
I paced the room, wondering what to do to her in particular. I stopped at the window and at the ruined city far away. That could be this place if I didn't do something about the witch. Her hexes were tearing my men apart. That was fault. I’d chosen Lila over my duty. I stupidly let her pull me from the fight.
My hands gripped the windowsill so hard the wood splintered under my fingers. Damn it! She would pay for this. She made me weak. And Caius saw me as a fool now.
Deeping with me, my chest ached to her face. I wanted her to beg and be truly sorry. I didn’t want her dead. I wanted her mine.
My feelings were messed up.
The door creaked. My jaws clenched, but I didn’t turn.
I heard the footsteps and the smell of antiseptic hit me. I heard the shuffling steps and clanking chains and still didn't turn.
"She’s here, my lord."
I nodded without looking back “Leave us.”
The guard left and silence reigned in the room. I turned and finally set my eyes on her. She stood in stolen scrubs. Her wrists were Her wrists were cuffed and her dark hair was a tangled mess. In her brown eyes, I saw a mix of fury and fear.
I stepped closer, not saying a word. Her chest heaved and her lips parted. What would she say? My body tensed. I had warned her. Could she justify trying to escape?
My fingers itched to touch her, to punish her. But I kept them to myself for now. I wanted to hear her out first.
“You faked it,” I finally said when she didn't speak “The collapse, the convulsions. You did All that bullshit to run away from me.”
My hands clenched as I relived the memories of her fooling me with her acting.
Her chin lifted, eyes blazing. “I had to."
"Why?"