Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Rhea.
I was cursed. That was the best way to say it, without having me feel more shitty than I already was. Growing up, I always told myself whatever bad thing that happened to me, was simply as a result of my bad decision making skills. But right now, I wasn't sure that sentiment still mattered. Because in the last couple of hours, I wasn't sure I'd made any decisions, but yet, I'd encountered things I didn't even know were possible.

Like being chased by whatever rabid animal that had been scratching at the walls.

I didn't even stop to think,or even throw a snarky remark at Alaric. He'd ended the note with a command, and while I despised those, from his no less, something in the way he said it was everything I needed to know that he wasn't joking.

He meant it, and I'd be damned if I was the one to take it as a joke. My boots echoed as I pressed forward. I didn't even bother checking the tunnrd I'd run into. I was going to figure that out later.

The air in the tunnel was cold, damp, and endless. My breath echoed, uneven, and even bounced against the stone as my legs ached. I wasn't sure how long I'd been running, but if the full throb in my feet meant anything, I was going to take that as a lot of time.

“Alaric slow down,” I panted. I paused just so I could clutch the wall for balance. My chest burned, and even though my body begged me to stop, Alaric didn't adhere to that.

Ahead of me, Alaric didn't even budge. He didn't stop either. Instead, he moved with the kind of grace I didn't want to acknowledge, not now. He was like a shadow that never tired, and when he finally turned to me, I didn't miss his lips curving into that infuriating smile he always wore.

“Enough,” I snapped, straightening despite my exhaustion. “What are we running from? I'm not moving an inch until you tell me what the hell was back there.”

He tilted his head, as though savoring the moment. In that angle, he could easily pass as a model posing for a shoot, but the only thing that ran through my mind was shooting him straight in the skull.

“Running?” His voice was soft, and almost amused. “You really thought there was danger?”

“Don’t play with me.” My jaw tightened. “I heard it, whatever that was back there.”

Alaric stepped closer, shadows clinging to him as if reluctant to let go. Even weakened, from the sunlight I was guessing, his presence filled the space, bending it around him. It made my heart pound in ways that unsettled me far more than the run had.

Was I going to admit it myself or him though? Never.

“What you heard,” he murmured,his words brushing past my shoulder, “was nothing you need concern yourself with.”

“That’s not an answer.” I shook my head. “Tell me what it was, right now.”

“Nor was it meant to be.” His gaze flicked over me, a half smirk tugging at his lips. “You should rest. You’re trembling.”

I hated how right he was, I hated more that a part of me wanted to lean into his steadiness. Maybe, just maybe it would be nice and distracting enough to forget that the relationship between us was simply hunter and prey.

I stared at him, and the more I did, the more I felt my resolve weaken. My breathing has come to a normal whisper by now, but my stomach certainly hadn't gotten the memo. Butterflies danced around inside me, and believe me when I said I wanted nothing more than to stomp them all till they breathed their last.

I wasn't sure how long I stood there, or how long I held my glare up, but before long, I found myself sliding down the wall with my back. My butt came in contact with the surprisingly soft but dusty ground, and that was about it before I slipped into a little nap.

I woke up a little while later, but I never saw what was in front of me coming. Folded nearly and propped underneath my chin, was nothing short of Alaric's shirt. I had no idea when he'd taken it off, but apparently, he'd used it as some kind of pillow for me after I'd fallen asleep.

“What is the meaning of this?” I shot at him immediately. With a flourish, I pulled the clothes out, and I was hit with the most intoxicating masculine scent I'd ever inhaled. “I didn't ask for this.”

“Well aren't you a ball of sunshine when you wake up.” He didn't smile, but his eyes showed he was clearly amused. “I'm not surprised.”

I parted my lips to speak, to give him the best retort, but I found my eyes darting to his empty chest. For a vampire king who was rumored to have lived for centuries, his body didn't show it. Rock hard abs and toned muscles stared at me, and I didn't miss the swirl of ink across his chest, before feeding into his upper back. For a quick moment, I found myself getting lost in the V of his pants, until he cleared his throat.

A cheeky smile made its way to his lips, but before I could argue further, the tunnel widened and ended at the towering iron doors we were at, before m

Alaric pushed them open with casual strength, and for the first time in what felt like forever, air, real, and fresh air, swept against my face.

The world beyond unfolded in silence, as I took in the sight in front of me. It was a clearing that seemed to be bathed in the dying hues of twilight. From here, I could tell the grass was damp beneath their boots, and the thought of running my feet through them thrilled me.

I stumbled forward, staring at the sky. The stars were faint but visible, and I could only think of one thing. Freedom. It tasted sharp on my tongue, and totally unreal after everything I'd gone through in the tunnel of shadows and death.

I was still basking in it all, when the thought struck me, heavy and cold. Freedom meant nothing without direction, and right now, I wasn't sure I had one.

“We’re out.” I turned to him, my voice quieter now. “But… where do we go from here?”

Alaric’s eyes gleamed, unreadable in the dim light. For once, he did not smirk, neither did he smile. He simply said, “Home.”

The word settled between them, sharp and final. But there was something in his tone, something cryptic, layered, that made my skin prickle.

“What do you mean by”My lips parted.

“You’ll see,” he cut her off, gaze fixed on the distance. “Just wait.”

I gulped at his words, and as I allowed the weight press on me, I couldn't help but feel like maybe I should have just stayed back in the blood bank.

Shit