Chapter Eight
Adonis
I'm either hearing things, or Nila is calling for me. I've never heard of this before, but if it is true— and not my wishful thinking—then maybe I can find her instead of sitting here waiting for the worst.
I speak to Pierre, and we decide to use my head to detect where Cassius is keeping her. Up until now, I’ve been waiting for him to contact me again. I’ve sent out the baby vamps on reconnaissance missions to see if they could track down where he might be staying, but so far nothing has come from the search.
Pierre and I get in his car and start to drive. I can hear her louder as we get closer. When my body starts to shake, I know we’re near. We get out of the car and scope out the neighborhood. It looks like single-family homes. One is even boarded up. I pull on Pierre's sleeve and point to it.
We try to be covert as we head over to the abandoned home. I don't want to give him any reason to hurt her. Pierre has gloves on and is carrying the iron chain. It’ll be our only chance to catch and weaken him.
Opening the door slowly, I slide inside. “Cassius?” I call out.
“No!” I hear Nila's voice. “He left.” I run down the steps where the voice came from. I’m not prepared for the sight in front of me. Nila is hanging by her arms—naked. There are multiple bite wounds all over her body. Her face is bruised. She cries when she sees me. “I'm so sorry, Adonis. I tried to fight him off.”
That’s a punch in my gut. She’s apologizing to me. I grab her in my arms, and take her hands down from the hook. She drops into my embrace. I take my jacket off and wrap it around her body.
“We need to go, love,” I whisper to her. She nods and then stiffens.
“Brother! You came early!” Cassius's voice booms as he throws a man's body on the floor.
“I'm taking her home,” I say, daring him to stop me.
“I was just getting to know her. I was eventually going to bring her to you.” He grins.
“You went too far this time.” If Nila weren’t here, I would rip his heart out.
“Oh, on the contrary. I didn't go far enough. I managed to keep your secrets. I mean, she thinks I'm the big bad wolf because I kill people. At least I’m honest about it. Does she know about your monthly kills and your dietary needs?” He needles me.
“Fuck you, Cassius.”
“I've been fucked since you brought Victoria into our lives. Now, I'm just trying to make sense of this godforsaken life I've been dealt.”
I hold Nila’s shivering body close in my arms. She looks so frail. I need to get her home. If she never wants to see me again, I don't blame her. I just need her to be safe. “Let's go, my love.”
I look up and nod. Cassius hadn't noticed Pierre behind him. Pierre throws the iron chain around him, dropping him to his knees. “You can stop me, brother, this time, but next time she won't be so lucky.” He laughs.
Without missing a beat, Pierre puts his hands on Cassius's face and twists until the head completely detaches from the body. Shock and disbelief shines on Cassius's face as Nila starts openly crying. “I'm so sorry you had to see that,” I try consoling her.
She shakes her head. “No, I'm not sad. I'm so happy he is gone. Th-thank you.” She looks shyly at Pierre.
“It was my pleasure. Please don't judge all of us by him. We live life by a code. He was a monster and needed to be eradicated. I'm just sorry we didn't get to him sooner.” Pierre bows to her.
Nila
I knew he would save me. The trauma of being with Cassius will haunt me for some time, but I’m learning to cope with it. Adonis has been very caring, nursing me and making sure I’m okay. Most days I am. Then there are the days that take me to the brink again—days I feel his disgusting hands on me, his teeth sinking into my skin.
Adonis has asked me which would be better, if he stays with me or if he goes away. If he left me, I'm afraid I would shatter into a million pieces. He has taken me to the loft he lives in, and he introduced me to his roommates. They are all very kind. Some are just in awe that I survived my ordeal with Cassius. For me, I know the truth. It was Adonis's unbreakable vow and our bond that kept me going.
A love like ours is truly a once-in-a-lifetime thing. We have given the other vamps some hope, though. I mean, if it could happen for us, why couldn't they find their twin flame?
Five Years Later
Adonis
Nila and I have set our wedding date. I moved into her house two years ago. We never really discussed nuptials, because it wasn't heard of—a mortal marrying an undead. We have discussed her being turned, and both of us decided it just wasn't the right decision…for now. Maybe one day. For now, we are happy and content. The way we should be.
The scars of the past have stayed in the past. She no longer has night terrors over her ordeal, thanks to therapy, and she is the same confident woman I first met. She didn't let Cassius steal that from her.
We also had a big discussion about my choice of meat. While she didn't like the idea of it, I assured her I hadn't indulged since we started seeing each other. She was satisfied with that. My penance for it? She made me try tofu. It definitely wasn’t the same. But it made her laugh. So it was worth it.
She has made my existence worthwhile. I might be a goddamn vampire, but I’m also the luckiest man on earth.