Chapter 16 ∣  Deliverance

-Locaine

Our movements are swift and decisive as we weave our way through the thicket right at the edge of the structure. Rynn leaps from the grass, landing lightly on a tree branch with her eyes scanning the entrance, the foreboding doors coming into sight.

It looks like there are two guards outside. Rynn's crystalline voice slips into my mind with ease.

Darius skids to a halt and crouches down behind some of the overgrown brush. The right one is mine he communicates while he runs low to the ground around to the side of the building.

Locaine? Rynn asks, waiting for my order before proceeding either as an attacker or playing overwatch.

I have the left. I acknowledge her before taking off at a full-on sprint toward the front door. The two vampires notice me instantly.

Good. That was precisely what I was counting on, causing a distraction for the true attacker to come into view. They hiss, their fangs coming into view as one of them lunges forward, throwing a quick punch to my chest.

I lean back into his assault and grab onto his wrist in the process, pulling him down and slamming his chest onto the ground. I throw my knee into his back, taking hold of his neck, Darius circling around and sinking his fangs into the neck of the remaining guard who had been all too preoccupied with readying to help his fallen comrade.

Rynn saunters into view, her hips swaying from side to side while she releases a sarcastic sigh, "Looks like I wasn't needed, now was I?"

Darius rips the vampire's throat out, blood spilling from his neck. He smirks while blood coats his teeth as he laughs, "Wouldn't want to ruin your outfit."

I listen for the chilling crunch as I snap the vampire's neck I have in my hold, his face facing up to the sky a moment later at the quick action. I rise gradually to my feet just as Rynn passes by me.

"Shall we?" Rynn nods, our eyes locking. I can see that familiar thirst in her eyes, not only the want to kill, but the need for it as the confrontation only heightens our senses.

We creep up to the doors, quietly and carefully unlatching the lock and pushing them open in one smooth motion. I'm no stranger to this place, the homespun halls bring back memories of my childhood, the good memories and the bad are swirling chaos within my mind. My father favored Enos, but Enos saw me as his equal, thus wanting me to understand the exact specifications of the way the world would soon change by his hand. I would have been just as thrilled to stand at his side during the transition but now...I'll never know. That is precisely why he entrusted me to finish his work, not my father, not his widow Jezabel...no one.

Me.

We take it easy, watching our steps as we tentatively make our way into the main hall, our eyes constantly scanning for any sign of movement. My father no longer belongs to a coven, he prefers his solitude with select few companions, especially after mother's death his world changed drastically from that day onward. Rynn's watchful eyes are vigilant, leering into each hallway until we make it to the grand staircase.

"Locaine," Jezabel's voice is slightly cheerful, homing in on us the moment she catches our movements from the shadows of a hallway.

"You were expecting me?" I arch a brow while hiding my confusion, as I regard her form, she comes forth from the hallway.

Jezabel narrows her eyes and her demeanor shifts instantly when she informs me, "I was counting on it."

Darius side steps to my right as Rynn circles around to my left, guarding our movements against unseen, observant eyes.

"Where is my father?" I question her.

"I'm here, Locaine," my father's voice resonates as he and his newly taken beloved approach from the dining area. Rynn's muscle tense while I sense her uneasiness, darting her eyes from Jezabel to my father, back to his beloved.

My voice is low and threatening when I question, "Where...is...my slave?"

"I believe, she's a little..." Jezabel's features are attempting to avoid uncontrollable laughter before she states, "...tied up at the moment."

Darius flinches slightly at her words, unsure of exactly where she is going with this before he communicates, Locaine, what do you want us to do?

"Why did you take her from me?" I glower angrily, ignoring Darius' question, "You had no right, Jezabel!"

My father rubs his forehead in irritation before releasing a sigh of frustration, "You know what Jezabel wants. Accept her as your beloved. Marry her and allow her to rule the future world by your side," he pauses a moment to affirm, " if you do this...I will return your slave back to you."

"If I refuse?" I narrow my eyes, my pulsing veins vibrating through my body at the rage I can hardly restrain. I'm not a child, and I won't be blackmailed into his obscene notion to adhere to every wish that Jezabel desires just because she was Enos' beloved.

My father's eyes begin to slowly shift to a black rose while he decides our fates, "I will kill Annika."

Locaine, I don't know where she is... Rynn's musical thoughts enter my mind swiftly. She has been trying to locate her through her enhanced senses, but wherever they are holding her, she is blocked from our senses.

"I want to see my slave," I hiss out lowly, not believing that she is even alive anymore. I'm not about to bow down to an empty threat.

My father releases another sigh and snaps his fingers, "Very well."

We wait a few brief minutes before hearing clamoring coming from the top of the staircase. Two vampires each restraint Annika's upper arms, forcing her down the stairs in the same white dress from the memory ball. She has no chains attached to her, though it hardly appears they need to bind her.

They abruptly come to pause in front of my father, right before shoving Annika onto the ground in front of him like a rag doll. She is on her knees, barely holding herself up on her hands as I can see the wavering of her strength. Her head tilts upward slowly, her face meeting mine.

I've never seen that look in my little hunter's eyes before.

Evident bruises are starting to heal across her face, the darker purple subsiding while other hues remain apparent.

What the fuck did he do to her?

"Now that you've seen her," my father shrugs his shoulders, kicking her in the back, "what is your decision?" Annika gasps, tears returning to her already stained cheeks at his sudden assault.

There are five of them, two purebloods and three regular vampires...

There are three of us, myself being the only pureblood, Rynn standing as my commander while Darius ranks as a high elite. I'm unsure if we can overpower them, but I know there is one being who can significantly increase our odds...

My eyes lock onto Annika's white irises.

Trust.

**

-Annika

My body is burning with agony, pain searing through me with each muscle that tenses. I have finally been broken and beaten into submission, but it wasn't by Locaine...

I'm terrified of Theo and what he can possibly do to Locaine, Rynn, and Darius after what he had already done to me. I steady myself on my hands, easing my bruised body as I continue to stare into his eyes with pain.

Locaine is dressed in the same attire he had worn when he came to track me down at the train station and drag me back to his mansion. The look Locaine gives me, makes me feel ashamed of what's happened. I instantly glance away, my heart pounding hard against my rib cage.

"No," comes Locaine's reply, venom dripping from the single word.

The two vampires that had brought me down from Theo's room spontaneously dash toward Locaine at an alarming speed. Rynn lashes out impacting one of the vampires in the chest with her fist. He crashes onto his back as she continues her punch, pinning him to the ground.

Darius runs straight at the other vampire head-on, sliding onto both his knees and uppercutting the vampire in the stomach with a sharp jab. He takes hold of the fabric on his chest and whips him over his shoulder.

Locaine stands there in silence as Rynn and Darius break both of their necks, stalking backward to cover him once again.

I flinch as Theo's voice thunders from behind me, "I'll just kill her now then."

"Little hunter," Locaine's voice holds caution, as he lifts away the sleeve of his trench coat. His fangs elongating as he sinks them into the inner flesh of his wrist. His black rose eyes meet mine as his white hair falls over the right side of his face, an unnerving feeling connecting between the two of us.

Rynn's own mouth is at her wrist, her fangs barely visible as blood begins to trickle out of her wrist and onto the floor. Darius had removed one of his gloves, biting down on his wrist and then dropping it down to his side in the same manner Rynn did a moment ago.

My breathing quickens at the realization...

...is he giving me permission?

The last dose of Lovenox had worn off long ago, and I'm feeling my blood beginning to boil within my veins.

Locaine lifts away his lips, his blood glistening in the light. Their blood trails down from their wrists, forming small pools around them and forking out in different directions.

They are giving me a weapon.

I still have a chance.

He wants me to fight...

...with them.

I'm still quite weak, and I'm not sure if I will be able to fight even with being provided the one weapon that I can wield. However, the first thing I promised to do...is to kill Kara.

I don't even need to manipulate the small amount of blood I require to end her life. My eyes narrow on the small pool of blood and shoot open, forming a short spear and flicking it in Kara's direction. Neither Jezabel nor Theo ever anticipated what Locaine, Rynn, and Darius had just done, drastically altering the playing field in their favor.

The piercing scream meets my ears as the blood spear punctures right through her heart like a knife through butter. I turn my head to see Theo catch Kara before she hits the ground, her eyes wide with shock.

Just like my mother had taught me many years ago, I just need to pierce the heart of an average vampire to kill it, though if a pureblood offers their blood in a dying moment, they still may survive...that's why it's all too important that the others act accordingly. My attention is next drawn to the bloodcurdling scream of Jezabel as she bolts at full speed toward me.

Jezabel and Theo being purebloods, on the other hand...

Off with their heads.

Rynn appears suddenly in front of me, pulling me toward her and darting to the opposite wall. Jezabel is standing where I had just been, furious at the way her advancement had been thwarted. I glance up at Rynn as she clutches me in her arms, a very different hold she has on me. Her eyes meet mine, and she nods her head to confirm the allowance of me to fully tap into my blood magic without restraint.

Releasing me, Jezabel runs once again at us, this time, Rynn and Darius grab onto Jezabel with all the strength they have, attempting to bind her to the spot. She already is shaking them off by the time Theo has let Kara's body lay on the floor, turning his hungry eyes on me as apparently, even his blood isn't enough to save her.

"Kill her," I feel Locaine's whisper as he dashes past me, the hair rising on my arms at his command. The moment he passes by, he lunges toward his father before locking arms in a wrestling death match.

I concentrate on the small pool of blood, forming a thin sharp guillotine blade. A moment later, I flick my wrists, swiftly swinging it behind Jezabel. I pull both my hands toward my chest as I clench my hands into fists, the warmth flickering like a steady heartbeat within my chest at the most substantial connection I've ever felt. The bloody guillotine blade flies at her neck from behind, catching her off guard as she believed I had simply missed the first time.

Rynn and Darius push off her form, and they both fall back onto the ground, avoiding the airborne weapon.

"You mi-" Jezabel's voice is cut short as the guillotine blade slices clean through her spinal cord from behind, the blood losing its form as it clears her head, falling to a bloody mess on the floor, along with the pureblood's decapitated head.

"Father," Locaine growls, the two of them both locked together, "I have become more powerful than Enos, I will strike you down for your treason."

"I would and never will bow down to you," Theo takes hold of Locaine's elbows and launches him across the room. He lands on his back, somersaulting backward until he crouches low on his feet, steadying himself as he plants his hand on the marble.

Locaine scans in my direction, holding my gaze. "I-I can't," my voice betrays me, fear rising in my body at the unmatched power Theo has over me...that terrified panic returning the second he's gaining speed.

"Of course, you can't," Theo's voice is dark as he approaches me quickly, "I made you submit."

I scream as Theo lunges at me, but he never does touch me. I find myself safe in Locaine's strong arms, holding my body securely against his chest as he kneels beside a pillar.

"Little hunter," his voice is smooth like silk as he tells me, "you have to kill him. Rynn and Darius are not strong enough and don't possess the weapons to overpower him and unfortunately...I may be stronger than my late brother, yet my father holds greater power than I."

Theo finds us, bounding once more at our resting place. Locaine holds me tightly as he jumps from where he had stopped, to near Rynn and Darius, taking his sights off the two of us for a moment.

Locaine whispers once again, his lips near my ear, "I know I ask more from you than I should, but you are a wondrous creature...you'll be able to put an end to all the pain he's caused."

I slowly break out of Locaine's grasp, stumbling into the pool of mixed blood, Jezabel's now adding a more considerable amount. I kneel in it as Theo turns away from Rynn and Darius, opting to narrow his eyes before attacking me head on. I throw my hands into the air and made a circular motion, encasing myself in a bubble of blood as my heart skips a beat, unsure of whether I can kill him.

This brings back memories of the night Locaine tried to kill me, remembering every detail as if it happened just yesterday. Theo instantaneously attempts to break through it, but it holds stronger than ever, my arms guarding my face.

This time, my parents are not here to scare off the vampires.

This time, I must finish the job myself.

I inhale deeply, closing my eyes in concentration as I allow the flicker to come to life once again, drawing out from the center of my chest.

Locaine senses what I'm doing, taking off behind a wall with Rynn and Darius for cover. The blood bubble starts to form spikes on the outside, focusing on sharpening them while Theo slams once again against it, thinking his strength is more significant than mine.

My concentration is faltering and the bubble weakening though...what he'd done to me coursing through my mind and making me weak...but then...I snap.

You won't take my life...

I twist my wrists, opening my palms and then snapping them shut. The blood bubble bursts instantly, a thousand bloody shards erupting from the core. They fly through Theo's body, pinning him to the wall of the main entrance.

He struggles to pull himself off the wall, but I shakily stagger toward him, my right palm being held out in front of my face as I keep the connection alive. My once white dress is now coated in blood, staining my feet and splashing up my legs to my knees.

I take a ragged breath as I open my left palm, bringing forth another bloody guillotine blade identical to the one that took Jezabel's life. Carefully, I allow it to rest right up against his throat.

Theo growls before snarling at Locaine in the process, "You bitch. I can't believe he let you live this long...you're going to kill us all."

"If I could be so lucky," I narrow my eyes at him, slowly moving the bloody blade into his neck...

...one agonizing inch at a time.

"You made me suffer," I hiss angrily at him, Theo is now choking on his own blood, "I will make your death slow and painful."

I feel Locaine's presences behind me though he doesn't for a second attempt to move and stop me. Rynn and Darius are situated on either side of Theo, in case my connection fails they are there to clean up what remains.

Theo coughs, choking on his own blood as is spews from his mouth. When he tries to push away from the wall, it only allows for him to slide onto the blade that much quicker.

"Fu-u-k yo-u," Theo's gurgling voice tapers off as I shove the bloody blade through his neck. His severed head rolls onto the floor, just as I release my hold and collapse to the ground, Theo's body falling forward.

I'm about to hit the ground, however, when I look up, I'm staring into Locaine's icy blue eyes. It's in that moment that my adrenaline draws away from my body, leaving the remains of the pain that had been inflicted upon me to linger as a harsh memory. Fresh warm tears fall from my eyes as I cry out from the pain. I grip Locaine's coat and pull my face deep into his chest, wanting the world just to fade away.

He lifts me up like a bride, Rynn, and Darius already moving toward the entrance of the building.

Locaine...

...you didn't leave me for dead...you came.

I breathe in his peppermint scent as the pain clouds my mind, slipping in and out of awareness. I finally give in to the darkness, as the cold night's air bites at my skin.

**

-Locaine

Annika had fallen soundly asleep within my arms as we near the jet, Rynn opening the door, allowing for myself and Darius to move in ahead of her. Walking down the aisle, I can't help but acknowledge the events that just took place to play out in my mind, the way she'd so easily connected with her blood magic and the way she cut down three vampires.

I lower myself down into my chair, resting Annika on my legs as I cradle her upper body against my chest. I rest my chin on the top of her head as I breathe in her scent deeply, my eyelids slowly closing.

I smell my father on you, little hunter.

I trail my fingertips down the side of her arm, her skin very soft while the last of her bruises begin to fade away from around her wrists. She shivers at my touch in her sleep while she sinks further into my chest, nuzzling herself closer to find warmth and protection.

"Locaine, did you want me to lay back a chair to have her rest?" Rynn asks cautiously, a genuine concern flashing across her features as she walks past me, motioning to a free seat.

I growl on instinct, feeling myself wanting nothing more than to never let her go, "I just had my slave taken away from me. I don't plan on letting go of her anytime soon."

Darius sits across from me, narrowing his eyes while he taps his fingertips together. It's a few moments later that he brings up, "You know, the leaders of the covens will want to speak to you about what happened. News will travel fast."

"I'm well aware of that," my voice is stern, knowing I will have to answer for my actions though at least the only living souls are the ones to shape the outcome.

"They will want to see your power," Rynn's voice trails off from behind my chair as she grips the top of it, "two purebloods are dead, that is cause for alarm. I'm not sure they will be happy about the circumstances that led to their deaths."

"I will show them, that no one can cross me," I lower my voice, danger lurking in every word.

Darius is hesitant before he asks boldly, "Are you not worried that Annika will, you know...try to kill you now that she is not under the influence of a blood thinner?"

"No."

I allow the word to slip past my lips with ease. I already have a choice in mind for my little hunter, wanting to grant her what she desires most...her freedom though it comes in many different forms...

I only hope she makes the right decision...

**

-Annika

I can vaguely sense feeling returning to my body as my senses become aware of the world once again. I'm not aware of how long I have been asleep, but it must have been a very long time. I'm lying on my stomach; silk sheets envelop my body, the side of my face resting lightly against a pillow as the warmth holds me in a tight embrace.

I stir slightly, raising my body one inch at a time, turning around to sit gently back down. Heat rises in my cheeks as I notice I have been changed into simple black shorts and a white tank top, but more importantly...

...there isn't a single trace of blood on me.

I slowly take in my surroundings, my eyes briefly flickering over the overwhelming feeling of familiarity. At once, I inhale sharply, recognizing this to be Locaine's bedroom, comprehending that I'm back in his mansion...back in California.

I glance up, and my eyes hone in on him instantly because that's when I notice that Locaine is seated at the large desk, the rose gold lamp the only light illuminating the room. It is unnerving, not sure what to do as I've been occupying his bed apparently. From what I can see, he wears dark jeans and a sleeveless gray shirt, his muscles are pronounced every time he writes something down.

"Little hunter," his voice is soft and welcoming as he twists around in his chair, knowing I'm now fully awake at the new rhythm my heartbeat creates.

I can't even begin to find my voice.

I'm trying to remember how to speak, but I can't even form a simple sentence.

When the silence has lasted long enough, Locaine abruptly rises from his desk and takes a few short steps to his bed and toward me. His feet are bare, small sounds echoing in the room until he finally comes to a halt.

Locaine lowers himself to rest on the edge of the bed, staring into my eyes with his deep blue ones. His voice remains calm as he informs me, "We need to talk."

I remain silent; nodding my head is hardly noticeable though it's the only form of recognition I can muster.

I have killed three vampires, and Locaine had been the one to allow me to.

"What did my father do to you?" Locaine asks, his voice is somewhat stern, though I do hear the concern hidden behind the depths of his question. I just glance away, pulling my knees to my chest and holding them tightly as memories crash back over me like a wave, emotions rising from within me that I neither want to feel nor remember.

Locaine's features soften as he reaches his arm out toward me, slowly though as not to frighten a wounded animal. My knuckles are white as I push myself away, my back hitting the headboard before I realize exactly what I've done. He retracts his arm instantly and furrows his brows, attempting to work out everything for himself.

"My father said that you submitted to him," his voice is tinted with jealousy, noticing the way his features alter at his own recognition of what Theo brazenly boasted about.

I glare at him and finally find my voice as I tell him, "I did no such thing." I feel the stinging sensation on the bridge of my nose, my eyes starting to water.

"He raped me," my voice is but a whisper as I admit the one thing I want to forget.

Almost as if Locaine had already known, he stands up from the bed. Did he want me to confirm what he already appears to know?

Locaine walks to his desk and brings the chair back with him, setting it down beside his bed. He sits with the back in front of him, crossing his arms against the top of the chair. He rests his chin against his arms as he just merely stares at me.

I hold the cozy sheets against my body, protecting me from scrutiny. My heart is beating irregularly while he stares at me intently.

"I'm truly sorry my little hunter," his words are sincere, though his voice alters slightly when he informs me, "there is another issue we have to discuss."

"Issue?" My eyebrows raised, wondering what he means.

Locaine replies, lifting his chin off his arms, "Just as I've always given you choices...I have another one for you that must be decided before we proceed any further," he pauses a moment while I gently nod my head before he lays them out for me, "I have two options for you. Option one, you can leave my home, and I can set you free."

My eyes widen the instant those words leave his mouth, wondering if I have heard him correctly, unsure if this is yet another trick.

"If you choose this option," Locaine continues as my heart beats faster, "I cannot protect you. We will be launching our take over and hold over the world as you know it quite shortly. There are only a few hunter families alive, but after the leaders of the covens meet soon, they will agree that the hunters are far too few in numbers to stand against us."

The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end at his choice of words...

...protect me? I'm his apparent slave!

Locaine's voice changes to a slightly different tone, one of intrigue, "Option two, you stay with me and portray the appearance of my slave."

"Portray?" I'm confused; he doesn't want me to be a slave any longer?

Locaine nods and further elaborates, "Yes. If you choose this option, in this room, you will not be a slave. I don't know what you will be honestly...I-I," his face turns away from me, his white hair blocking off most of his view. I shift nervously beneath the warmth of the covers, scanning him for insight into what he means.

"My little hunter," he continues, feeling something radiating genuinely from within him, "I have feelings for you. Ones I know I should not possess, not for a human, and let alone for a hunter."

I'm in shock, trying to comprehend what Locaine is telling me.

He cares for me?

"In this room...I will be yours, and you will be mine," Locaine continues, his eyes holding my gaze once again, "I will not use Lovenox on you any longer if you stay. I am putting my trust in you. Something that I know is dangerous for myself and those around me, but I want to show you just how much I care for you."

"I-I-I d-don't know..." my voice is small and insignificant.

He nods and then tells me the one thing I never expected to hear from his lips, "I'll also end the active search for your parents, and I will no longer use you as a mere tool at my disposal for my gain."

Of course, I think he is attractive, and I know there is no way I will be able to survive on my own when I have no idea where my family is. It is a sincere gesture, giving me my freedom, but as of right now, it is a double-edged sword, and he knows it.

Locaine rises from his seat and brings the chair back to the desk before tucking it away neatly. His velvety voice caresses me, pushing my fear away, "I would like your answer by dinner time. You can sleep on it if you'd like."

He walks to the door, opening the handle before he states, "The door will be unlocked. I have given you my word, if you want to leave, so be it...no one will so much as lift a finger to stop you should you take this option. Otherwise..." his voice trails off while his eyes capture mine, "I would like for you to join Carly and Emily for dinner in a few hours. You haven't eaten for a while, and you need to recover your full strength."

I can't speak.

Instead, I merely nod my head. Just as he goes to turn away from me, I see a hint of sadness in his eyes.

Does he pity me?

The sound of the heavy door closing meets my ears, my heart returning to that of an average rate now that I have time to think by myself.

It's my choice?

If I remain here, I will apparently be protected...portray as a slave? What the hell does that mean? If I leave and Locaine is truthful, I don't even know where to start looking for my parents.

I will more than likely be killed by other vampires.

I settle back down into the sheets, covering myself with the blanket while the warmth takes hold of my flesh. I bury my head in the pillow, the smell of peppermint relaxing my anxiety.

This world will be theirs soon...there is nothing I can do about that. Things are going to change for the humans, and I don't think it will be pleasant at all.

I sigh deeply, my beaten body returning to its full strength with each passing minute.

Locaine trusts me?

Trusts me to not use that crap?

He will be mine, I will be his?

Maybe...just maybe.

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The Slave That I Am by K. A. Young.

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