35-2

"What?" The thought of being apart from Alina instantly made my blood boil. No one can take her away from me! "Think about it, Erick." Aaron reasoned with a calm voice. "This argument you had over Emiel is the last thing she needs at the heels of her transition. In fact, she should be resting till it's all over. She's very weak right now, and as long as she's near you, she'll try to convince you of Emiel's innocence and risk her health even further. Let her come with me for a few days, so you can both think things over." I listened to what he was trying to tell me, and I had to agree, he was right in so many ways. Being apart might benefit us both. It would give us time to think and help me strategize the downfall of an Ancient. On top of that, Aaron was not only the head of the Cain clan but also Alina's great grandfather. He would make sure she's safe. He would protect her from any danger whatsoever. I could trust him with her life. I could trust him with my heart. But at the same time, I couldn't overlook the fact that I couldn't let her go. Argument or not, she was mine to protect. After all, she was my wife, my better half. Would it be alright to let her go? Especially since we had that unresolved fight just now? "What have you decided, Erick?" Aaron's voice cut through the silence brought on by my thoughts, and I knew I had to make a decision right now. "Keep her safe for me." It was an order, and any roguery will be grievously punished. Family be damned. "Of course." Aaron nodded. "You have my word." I stood from my seat and made my way to our room. It was a hard choice, but maybe the distance would help us. The attack on the castle meant that the Ancient already had its location in mind while the Cain household might not even be known to the enemy. It would help me keep her safe while we find a solution on how to kill an Ancient. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was about to do something wrong. I shook my head as I stood in front of our bedroom door. I couldn't let my love for her guide my actions. I needed to think of the situation as a king would if I was to be the king someday. "Alina?" I pushed open the doors and found the room completely empty. "Alina?" I asked again. Had she gone to the bathroom? However, the door was wide open, so if she was inside, she would have answered me by now. That was when I saw the bump on the bed. She must have gone to sleep. I sighed, not wanting to wake her up, but Aaron couldn't wait forever. It was better to send her off right now than later for every second she spent in the castle, the closer to danger she got. Then a sudden thought occurred to me. Why couldn't I hear any breathing? Rushing over at vampire speed, I tore the covers off the bed to find an array of pillows arranged in the shape of a person. "Alina!" For an instant, fear gripped my heart in its icy fingers before realisation hit me like a punch to the gut. Slamming the doors shut behind me, I teleported directly to the dungeons. Alina + "That was a very stupid idea," Ken said as he led me through the dungeons, his arms wrapped around my shoulders to keep me steady. + "I know, but it was the only thing I could think of." I defended. "Besides, it just might help us buy some time." + "Let's just hope it works," Ken answered in a wishful tone as he led me to a cell right at the end of the hallway. + "Emiel?" I called out, hoping that at least he might listen to me for once. + "Alina?" came a strained voice from inside the cell. A torch lit up inside the confinement, revealing Emiel's form that was chained to the wall. "How did Erick let you get here?" + "He didn't. I'm here of my own accord." I went to place my hands on the bars, but Ken stopped me. Knowing this is as much as I could get, I stayed at a safe distance away from the bars but close enough that my voice could reach him in my weakened state. + "You're in transition!" Emiel's eyes widened at the sight of me. "You shouldn't have come here,Alina! What if I get possessed again and try to harm you?" + "You won't be able to, Emiel. The bars are held by magic." That much, Kendrick had confirmed. There wouldn't be any threats to the people standing outside the cell. "Listen, Emiel, I need to speak to you." + "Are you sure? Why did you come here,Alina? You should know how dangerous this is," he said in a small voice, like a child knowing that he's done something wrong and apologetic about it. + His behaviour and expressions were childlike in so many ways, it was impossible to believe that he could be the mastermind behind anything. + "I know you won't hurt me," I told him, placing a hand to my chest. "I know it in my heart, but you have to help me here. Can you tell me why you hate Erick so much? Why did you make him do such terrible things to me?" + "I wish I could tell you. I really do, but I don't remember anything!" He sounded confused and frustrated with himself. "It's like... my mind goes to sleep when I'm possessed while someone else sees through my eyes... and speaks through my mouth." + What he was describing was indeed truly horrible. It should be truly agonising to be unable to control your own thoughts and actions while someone makes you do things you'd never imagine... and the world won't see anyone else but you. I didn't know how Emiel could stand that. How was he even sane? +