Chapter 9 - Seconds to death.

Theovin paused mid-action, his gaze shifting from the task at hand to Mavin. He studied him for a few moments, catching the note of urgency in his voice.

"No," he replied, retracing Mavin's questioning glance. "Why do you ask?"

"I sense that someone is approaching the array," Mavin stated.

"The human…" Ralph trailed off.

On hearing that, Theovin's grip on Mavin tightened as he growled at him fiercely. "Shut the damn array off!" he ordered in a stern and urgent tone, his concern mounting by the second.

"I can't. I already cut the connection when you came in. I figured Ralph would be coming in after you, and I didn't want to keep it connected because that would take too much manna opening and closing."

Mavin rushed out in one breath, his words coming out quickly and earnestly.

"Instead of standing here and finding out who has the loudest voice, why don't we run to stop her from getting to the array?"

Ralph remarked smartly from behind, his voice calm and collected despite the urgency of the situation.

On hearing this, Theovin let go of Mavin and leapt through the nearest window, shattering it in the process, showing no hesitation in his actions.

"Just pray nothing happens to the human. I don't want to attend your funeral," Ralph said, waving at Mavin as he jumped through the shattered window after Theovin, his concern for their safety evident in his tone.

As Theovin sprinted through the grassy land, he could feel his heart pounding in his chest, and his breaths coming in short, ragged gasps.

He ran faster than he ever had in his entire life, the adrenaline surging through his veins driving him forward.

He focused on his mission, pushing himself to get to where she was in a matter of seconds.

His speed was incredible, and he deftly dodged obstacles as he continued his mad dash through the large compound.

Finally, with not a moment to lose, Theovin arrived at his destination, his eyes scanning the area, trying to locate his mate he had come to rescue.

As Theovin's eyes scanned the area, he saw his mate dragging her body sluggishly toward the gate where the array was set up.

He could tell she was struggling and her movements were labored. He knew he had to get there fast, before it was too late. With a renewed sense of urgency,

Theovin sprang into action, his feet pounding the pavement as he raced towards her.

In a blur of motion, Theovin sprinted towards the spot where his beloved stood, mere steps away from the deadly array that threatened to claim her life.

His heart pounded in his chest as he approached, fear and desperation driving him forward.

Theovin shuddered at the thought of losing her, feeling a cold sweat break out on his forehead.

Upon reaching his mate's side in a matter of seconds, Theovin's heart rate finally began to slow down, calming him from the intense anxiety he had been feeling.

He let out a deep breath, grateful to have made it to her in time. 

As he held her, Theovin breathed a sigh of relief, realizing the danger his mate had just escaped.

Theovin felt a wave of relief wash over him as he looked towards the deadly array that his mate had narrowly avoided.

The mere thought of her being caught in its path was almost too much for him to bear, and he knew that he would never forgive himself if anything had happened to her.

But now, as he gazed upon her, unharmed and safe, he felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for having been able to get her to safety in time.

Theovin knew that he would do whatever it takes to keep her safe, even if it meant putting his own life on the line.

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As the whooshing sound filled Roseys ears, she could feel her heart racing with fear and anticipation.

Without warning, she stumbled forward, her body unable to keep up with the sudden rush of events.

And then, just as unexpectedly, she found herself colliding with something warm and large, a sensation that jolted her out of her disorientation.

In that moment, Rosey instinctively reached out to grab onto the person that had caught her, her face buried into its soft and welcoming form.

Rosey could feel the warmth radiating from it, and a sense of safety and calm began to wash over her.

Overwhelmed by fatigue, all she craved was to collapse into the arms around her and release the tension in her body.

Rosey's body was hoisted up before everything faded to black.

Finally having her in his arms, the fire in Theovin's veins subsided, and he buried his head into the crook of her neck. It was then that he noticed...she didn't have a scent.

That was very abnormal _ even living creatures have a scent. But was it because she was unique?

Not knowing what to do Theovin buried his head back into the crook of her neck

He carried her and brought her close to his chest in a protective way.

"Is she alright?" Theovin heard Ralph's question behind him.

Theovin turned around to stare at Ralph, his eyes narrowing as he tried to ignore his real motive for asking about his mate. 'Why did he care?'

Theovin forced himself to let go of his suspicions about Ralph as he focused on the task at hand. "Get a car, Ralph," Theovin ordered, his voice firm and unwavering. "We need to be ready to leave as soon as she wakes up."

"We could wait it out here, at Mavin's mansion..." Ralph tried to protest, but upon remembering what happened a few minutes back, he decided to hold his peace. "Okay." Ralph surrendered.

"Good, now get going," said Theovin as he made his way towards the house again, but he stopped abruptly, turning back to give Ralph one last command. "And get me that food I asked for."

Yes, I understand," Ralph replied, nodding his head in agreement.

Moving carefully as he didn't want to wake up the sleeping beauty in his arms.

As Theovin approached the steps leading into the mansion, he noticed Mavin striding towards him with a determined look in his eyes.

Mavin approached with a sense of urgency and asked, "I managed to restore the connection. How is she?" His face was etched with concern, although there was a hint of worry in his eyes.

The act of fake concern was so palpable that even a blind person would have been able to sense it like a fruit juice dripping down from Mavin.

"Well, she is alive and well. If you would just get out of my way, I was headed somewhere," Theovin said dismissively to Mavin, brushing him aside as he continued on his way forward.

Mavin looked annoyed but said nothing, stepping aside to let Theovin pass.

'Don't worry, I'll look into you very soon. Whatever it is you're trying to mask, you'd better make an effort to conceal it well.

I'd genuinely hate it if I wasn't posed a challenge by you,' Theovin thought inwardly, his eyes narrowing as he studied Mavin's retreating figure.

Theovin made his way up the flight of stairs and disappeared around the corner, leaving a confused Mavin behind.

"Just what does he know? I can't risk exposing the whole thing now," Mavin murmured to himself as he made his way back into the kitchen, deep in thought.

He knew that Theovin was a shrewd and observant man, and he couldn't afford to let his guard down.

Ralph made his way out of the array, waiting for Mavin to lift it since he wasn't as strong as Theovin to pass through it without experiencing a minor side effect.

As Mavin lifted the array, Ralph stepped through it carefully, feeling a slight tingling sensation as he emerged on the other side.

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