:: Quinn POV ::
Why did Raziel show up tonight, of all nights? I tried to ignore my feelings, to forget him and move on. I was resolved to go on as I used to, before I met him and fell in love. But it seems the whole world is fucking against me! To make matters worse, the attacks on me have resumed and this time they're more primed, going straight for the kill instead of just prodding.
Can't I catch a break?! The man I mated with abhors the thought of me and now, I have people wanting me dead as well? Hell, perhaps I should just let them have their way and maybe all of us would be happy.
I sat on the chair and tilted my head back. I could feel my vision blur. My whole body aches...
When Raziel woke up from his trance I was devastated. I knew it was coming but it didn't make the situation less painful or easier to accept.
Before the incident last night, I thought I'd rather have physical pain than the emotional turmoil I was drowning in. I thought if I were physically hurting I'd forget all the pain I was feeling in my heart. But nothing helped. My pain only doubled! Not even the attempt on my life saved me from my longing and thoughts of Raziel.
Yes, damn it, while I was fighting for my life I was pathetically thinking what would happen if I were to die in that alley? What would Raziel do, what would he feel or how would he react if something happened to me? Would he worry, even a little? Or maybe he wouldn't care at all...
Then I realized how selfish my thoughts were. To think of putting him through that kind of ordeal just because I was in pain was downright cruel. It was a wicked and shameless thought. I shouldn't be wishing it on anyone, especially not on Raziel.
The incident last night only strengthened my resolve to leave. If those people found me in Saints' Isle then there's no safe place where I could hide. Those killers would keep coming and there's no point in putting the people I know in danger. It's safer for everyone if I leave. I've been on the run before, I could do it again!
What Raziel said was a huge shock.
"I'll leave." He repeated solemnly as if I didn't hear him the first time. "You don't have to go. You have a life here, friends. People who…"
"The more reason I shouldn't stay." I said cutting him off.
Raziel doesn't understand, none of them does. Those people would stop at nothing to get me. I knew it from the beginning and what happened last night cemented the fact. I will not put anyone in danger, never again. I wouldn't have a repeat of what happened with my parents. I won't do it, not to them.
Raziel's brows furrowed and my spine immediately felt cold. "What are you hiding?" He asked.
Raziel's always been sharp. I won't even try to describe how Syrath's mind works. Frankly, I shouldn't be having this conversation with them. They're too smart and the more they question me, the more information they would gain. I tried not to give away anything but I can't lie to Raziel. Although he doesn't say it out loud, he senses it. Raziel knows when I'm not telling him the truth. The sooner this conversation is over, the better I'd feel. And the sooner I'm out of Saints' Isle, the safer everyone would be!
Orion knows the truth, of course. I had to tell him before he hired me to fill a position in the club. Orion wouldn't betray my confidence, I'm positive on that, so the truth would not come from him.
For a split second, I debated whether to tell them everything or not. Syrath would probably offer to help, like Orion did, and Raziel would, perhaps, offer his assistance as well. But after last night I don't want anyone else getting caught up in this mess. The less they know, the better.
"Nothing." I answered, schooling my features. I looked at Raziel and tried not to sigh. It's hard being in the same room with him and not being able to touch him. But this is the last time. I furtively drank the sight of him, deeply embedding his image in my memory. I wanted to hold him like I used to but I can't. It hurts but this time, it really is goodbye.
Honestly, I wanted to apologize, one more time, for deceiving him. I wanted to explain to him why I decided not to tell him the truth and why I asked the others not to warn him. But after what happened, how he reacted the last time we met, I know words are not enough.
But I'm relieved. By some miracle or magic, the resonance that has been binding us to each other, for the past five years, have now quieted down. And perhaps it has been severed, indefinitely. I'm not sure what or how it happened but it's gone.
Raziel intended to ignore and reject the resonance. But the effects of the broken resonance would have been devastating for both of us. Now that it was naturally severed, I can breathe easier, reassured that even if I leave Raziel will not suffer any ill effects or have any sort of problem.
"I have everything arranged." I turned away trying to keep my voice leveled. "My ship's sailing by high tide tomorrow and..."
"The hell you are!" Raziel roared angrily, taking me by surprise.
I expected him to be overjoyed by my decision to leave. But from his violent reaction, it felt like Raziel actually wanted me to stay. I thought he didn't want me, why is he acting this way?
"Get this through your thick skull, Quinn Lockhart, you are not going anywhere because if you do I will…" Raziel didn't get to finish his statement, threat, or whatever it is he wanted to say because Finn suddenly burst into the room.
"Someone's looking for you!" Finn stated hurriedly. "I had Seth and Cam delay him but you have to go, now!" From the stricken look on his eyes something tells me it's not a friendly visit.
Before I could answer, Raziel grabbed me by the arm and pulled me towards the door. "Is there another exit that won't take us to the main floor?" He asked Finn.
"There is one but it would take you to the back alley. That's where Quinn got attacked last time." Finn replied.
"Damn it!" Raziel pulled me closer to his body and turned to Syrath, growling deep in his throat. I don't know much but I think they're communicating in dragon language. Syrath growled back and before I knew it, we're walking towards the back exit.
"W-Wait, Raziel. Let go!" I pulled my arm from Raziel's grasp and stopped walking. "I can't leave. Who knows what that person would do, whoever he is, if he finds me gone? It's a club full of innocent people. I can't just run and leave them like that!"
"Do you understand what you're saying?" Raziel snapped. "Who knows what that freak would do the moment he sees you. Finn didn't warn you for nothing. Whoever is looking for you, he's bad news! It's better to get away from this place as soon as possible. Now stop arguing and stop wasting time. Whether you like it or not, you're coming with me!"
Raziel grabbed me again and pulled me towards the door. I tried to pull away but this time he didn't let go and only tightened his grip.
Raziel walked in the front, heading towards the exit, while Syrath walked behind, protecting from the back. Raziel kept me close, using his body as a shield. From the looks on their faces, if anyone dared to attack, they'd be facing two very pissed off dragons.
I don't know what brought on Raziel's sudden protectiveness. But whatever it is and however long it lasts, I am thankful for it. I lightly squeezed his hand, silently grateful for what he's doing for me. He tensed and fortunately, didn't let go. I guess I could take that as a good sign. Maybe Raziel doesn't hate me as much as I thought.
:: Raziel POV ::
Unbelievable! Of all the stupid things to say! Can't leave? Stay? What does she think the lunatic would do when he sees her, offer her flowers? Didn't she learn anything from what happened last night? These people are out to kill her! They wouldn't care about casualties as long as they could eliminate her. And if that bastard finds out that Quinn cares about those fucking people in the club, he'd use them to lure her out. And knowing Quinn, if she thought she'd be saving someone, she'd gladly give herself up!
I let out a harsh breath, trying not to curse out loud. What would have happened if Finn couldn't warn us on time? What would Quinn do if I wasn't there or if Syrath wasn't there? I shook my head to clear my thoughts and returned to the matter at hand.
We have to get out of here, fast! Quinn has to be in a secured, safe place. The people at the bar said she can't use magic. Quinn can't leave, not alone. Those people would pursue her and if she doesn't have a way to defend herself, she'd be an easy prey for them.
Images of Quinn's mangled and lifeless body flashed in my mind. I felt intense fear creep up my spine and seize my heart. I felt suffocated from the thought.
Quinn came close to it. Last night, I came close to losing her and I didn't realize it until today! I was too caught up in stupid shit, it didn't occur to me that Quinn could be in trouble or she might need my help.
I felt for Quinn's hand. It was warm, comforting. Even when we're being chased, by who knows what, her touch still radiates calmness. Out of nowhere, she gave my hand a gentle squeeze. My whole body tensed. I wanted to hold her, to wrap my arms around her and never let go. I want to keep her safe. If anything bad happens to Quinn, I don't think I'd be able to bear it. But after everything that I did, am I still allowed to have these thoughts? Do I have the right to stay near her and protect her?
We quickly reached the back door and I pulled Quinn closer to my body. "Stay close to me." I whispered looking deep into her eyes, trying to see if she could calmly pull through this. Quinn gave me an affirmative nod and after exchanging looks with Syrath, I opened the door.
The alley was dark but it was empty. We cautiously stepped out and I lengthen my stride, practically dragging Quinn close behind me. We couldn't take my car, it was parked in front of the club and so was Syrath's. I'm not going to take a chance and walk around the club to get to the parking lot.
I continued walking down the alley, away from the club, towards the main street on the other side. We could take a taxi or the public transport from there or maybe just blend in with the crowd. It'll be safer once we're around more people and away from the club.
We were no more than a few meters from our destination when I heard Syrath growl. I quickly pulled Quinn and secured her in my arms, scanning the dark alley we came out from.
"Take Quinn and run!" Syrath said, not taking his eyes off the alley.
"Syrath…" Quinn called out.
"I'll stall them, you two go ahead." Syrath took a firm stance in front of us and cocked his head from side to side.
"No! NO!" Quinn tried to pull away from me but I held her tighter. She tried to fight me off but I was stronger than she was.
"Stay still, goddamn it! Calm down!"
Quinn shook her head frantically. "We can't! Please, Raziel, we can't leave!"
"Raziel!" Syrath growled furiously. "Take her and go! Now!"
I strained to hear how many footfalls were following us. I could hear only three sets but from the shadows I could see four moving beings. I can't decide on what to do. Should I take Quinn to safety or stay and fight with my brother? Quinn won't go alone even if we told her to. But I can't leave Syrath. We don't know who or what's coming after us. My brother might not be able to fight them off on his own.
"I told Finn to send Seth and Cam together with the rest of the security crew." Syrath said, sensing my indecision. "I can hold them off long enough until they get here. Stop wasting time, Raziel. Take Quinn and go!"
I've never been desperate before. "Syrath…"
"Do you not trust me, brother?" He growled low on his throat as he took his eyes away from the alley and trained them on mine. There was no need for words after that. I grabbed Quinn and half dragged, half carried her away.
"NO! We can't leave him alone!" Quinn cried trying to pull away from me.
I grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her face towards mine. "Look at me!" I ordered and when she didn't respond I shook her lightly until she was forced to face me. "Syrath wouldn't tell us to go if he couldn't handle what's coming on his own. I trust my brother and you should too! He'll come after us soon. Now, don't waste everyone's efforts and let me take you someplace safe! Don't fight me, Quinn, not tonight. We have to go, do you understand?"
Quinn sobbed but nodded in assent, brutally wiping the tears staining her pale cheeks and held my hand tighter. We weaved our way towards the main street as fast as we could. But the moment we stepped on the sidewalk, two sprites jumped on us.
I grabbed the one, who attacked first, by the neck and hurled him towards the glass window of a nearby shop. I turned and found Quinn pinned to the ground, the other sprite poised above her ready to strike. I lifted my leg and kicked the sprite's chest, sending him off Quinn and rolling on the ground.
I grabbed Quinn and ran for the subway. We can't take the bus or a taxi. It'll make it too easy for them to follow us. But we could easily lose them through the subway. There's more than a dozen stops from where we were to any place within Saints' Isle. We'd be safely back to my place before they could figure out which stops and lines we took.
"Where are we going?" Quinn asked when we were safely inside a train car, speeding through the tunnel.
"We're going to go around for a while until they lose our trail. Then we're going to go to an underground parking where I have one of my cars installed and from there we're going to my place. My brother will meet us there."
Quinn faltered at the mention of Syrath and looked away from me. I was afraid to ask what my brother meant to her. They seemed too close for comfort, if I had to be brutally honest. The way Syrath was watching Quinn and the way Quinn reacted when Syrath decided to stay behind could only mean one thing. But I'm terrified to even think about it.
I have no right to interfere and no say on the matter. I was the one who stupidly decided to reject Quinn. Whoever she goes to for comfort or whoever she chooses to be with after the fact is not my concern. Or so I thought. I have to keep reminding myself I was the one who was idiotic enough to leave my mate alone!
We were quiet the whole time we were on the train. I decided to go to the last stop before backtracking and finally getting off at the right station. After that we took a bus and a taxi to the underground parking.
Quinn looked awfully tired. She fell asleep the moment we sped through the highway. I can only imagine how much stress she had piled up for her to get knocked out the moment she felt we're on the clear.
I felt myself smile, thinking that even after everything I did to her, Quinn still felt safe around me, at least enough to be somewhat vulnerable. I gently reached out and carressed her hair, which came undone while we were running.
"I won't let anything happen to you," I vowed silently. "I won't let anyone hurt you, Quinn. Never again…"