Pressed for time, Wilex knew the emissary Marcus had sent would be arriving at Zarnaiah at any moment. Purposefully they had taken the longer route, giving Marcus time for Viktor to return to aid in his plan. The Vampires had gone with the intent to appease Jolon and negotiate the safety of the remaining Vampire families. He also knew that Marcus had intended to destroy Arel's body before the rest of the Moruka arrived. The rush to burn her body was so the Darken could not recover it.
Death the word echoed in Sebastian's ears. It mattered little how many times he heard the word death spoken, each time a part of him was destroyed thinking of Arel in that manner. Three instances Sebastian knew of, Arel had come back, her heart stopped only to beat again.
The one time he had witnessed the silence in her chest, his heart feeling as though it exploded. His ears listened for the soft beat that he loved. Knowing the frailty of Arel's life, Sebastian anticipated there would have to be a way to sustain her years. A world without her, he could not fathom.
Arel had told him as a child she had died with her sister during their escape from the Darken. She was never able to say to him how long it took for her to heal, but she had done it. The memory that had haunted her dreams, waking her frantically each night as she relived the last moments before they died.
On the second occasion, she had told him how a young couple ran her over on a desolate road in the mountains. It was a brisk winter's day, and her mangled body lay naked on the cold pavement, bloody and broken. The thin clothes she had worn were ripped off as her body was ejected from under the wheels. During this instance, she recalled she had recovered before the authorities had arrived on the road. Sebastian had assumed it had been a matter of hours for her heart to again find its pulse.
In a detached way, Arel had retold the events as she had remembered them. As she came back, she remembered the fear of the young woman she felt, powerfully clear. Arel retrieved the frantic thoughts of the young man, the punishment he would face, and the loss of his family. It was ultimately the vision she saw, the death of their child that made her determined to intervene. Bloodied and sore, Arel clung to the pregnant wife, forcing them to accompany her to the hospital. Unable to verbalize how she was able to return from death, Sebastian wondered if she knew herself.
It was then Arel knew she was different in a way, like no one else. Each time the husband told the story to another person, a look of fear came over them. After explaining the story, it had changed from running over the orphaned child to hitting her. Before they left from the hospital, despite the evidence, even the authorities were unsure if she had been hit. Everything had been explained away.
The third time, he had witnessed her body laying lifeless in the alley. Overcome with rage, he disposed of the three men that had left the back of her skull broken and bleeding. They had never spoken of the night when she had seen him at his most primal, and he had seen her dead. Fangs fully exposed he had killed out of anger. As he picked up her body, rushing her to the hospital, he listened for her heartbeat. He didn't know if she remembered and he couldn't bring himself to speak of her death, so it remained unspoken.
“If something happens to her. If she,” spoke Sebastian, his voice broke off before finishing the rest of his sentence.
“If she dies, then all is lost. I've searched too long, risked too much to let her die because your kind lacked patience,” interrupted Wilex.
Pushing past Sebastian, he leaned over Arel's ear. “All these years lost, the time you could have been training instead of associating with vampires. You have to wake yourself up,” he whispered down at her.
Sebastian pushed him away from Arel, angered by his words. Wilex barely moved under the weakened vampire's force. The tension thick in the room, neither party desiring to back down. Wilex having a reputation to live up to and Sebastian tired of letting the Darken dictate their lives. Marcus retreated back into the corner near Aeron safely away should either man erupt.
“That's all your kind is good for, brute force. Why her Highness allowed herself to be entangled with you, I will not understand. One thing you should know is to stay out of my way.” Wilex growled at Sebastian, his eyes bright, his teeth exposed.
“I do not care for the Darken, one less will not be a loss for to me. So far you have been nothing more than an annoyance in my side, Moruka.” Leaning over Arel, Sebastian met Wilex's eyes ready for his next move.
“Ignorance. I offer assistance, and you threaten me with violence.” Wilex laughed a sort of disgusted snort before continuing his examination.
“The darken do nothing but lie. There is no coming back from the dead. Sebastian, you must let her go, this is madness, an bas galar,” yelled Marcus. “Aeron, tell your son.” His voice booming through the room, he stayed in his spot next to Aeron by the door. From the comfort of his distance, he watched disapprovingly, ready to interject his opinion.
“Marcus, be quiet. Let him bring her back,” spoke Aeron forcefully.
A man of few words, when the head of the Vampire families spoke all listened. Aeron allowed Sebastian to decide the decision to be made, ready to come if his son needed assistance. Repeatedly Sebastian had proven he did not need or want his father's intervention. Sebastian's life had always been his own, making a name for himself without his father's help. Aeron would not interfere unless his life were in danger. At the present time, their enemy was focused on the common goal they shared, bringing Arel back.
Wilex offered hope that flickered a light in Sebastian's eyes. Aeron had thought the fire had extinguished as his son watched over Arel, but now it burned brightly. The gift he could bestow on his son was hope, and he would not let Marcus take it away.
Letting Wilex try to revive her was the one thing that they would allow him to do. Standing there watching Arel, he remembered how she had come into his private quarters asking for his help. She had asked him plainly to help save the child she carried, a task she feared Sebastian could not do.
Arel’s request was simple, keep Sebastian focused on delivering the child, even if it meant her death. They were to do everything in their power to protect the child's existence. Here now in the confines of the ward, he would try to save her to save his son even if it meant using the assistance of the Darken.
“Why do you stay there? Why do you not return to us? Your Highness, it's time for you to come back,” said Wilex to Arel. Without them noticing Wilex had removed a device from an inside pocket. His hand above her heart, a small pulse emanated from his palm. The waves of the shock rippled the air causing Sebastian's heart to pause.
“What are you doing,” demanded Sebastian.
“What have you done to her? She refuses to leave, to return to where she is needed,” questioned Wilex.
“If you hurt her, I will kill you,” replied Sebastian.
“The jolt won't harm her; it will compel her to come back. Force her to come and protect herself,” explained Wilex.
“Return? Return from where? She's right here, where can she return from," demanded Sebastian. Confused, he looked at Wilex who looked down at Arel. Quietly they began to wonder if Wilex was not mad himself.
Ignoring his questions, Wilex again placed his hand over Arel's heart. Another pulsating flash of light left his palm traveling into her body. Longer than the previous one, more powerful to Sebastian. The control of the light suspending her body, partly in midair. Her back landed with a soft thud on the bed as the light pulse ended.
Pain. Loud and clear, Sebastian heard Arel's voice screaming. Grabbing Wilex's hand, he pulled it away from her body.
“You're hurting her! Stop it,” screamed Sebastian. Hallowed voids of darkness encircled his piercing wide blue eyes. Thick blue veins pulsated up his thin hands and arms. Wilex snatched his hand away from Sebastian's tight grasp, lifting it above Arel's chest.
“Do not try to stop me again! She has to wake up.” His hand stretched out, exposing the light ready to shoot again into her chest.
“Sebastian, let him
wake her if he can,” suggested Aeron. Standing next to Sebastian, he rested his hand on his son's shoulder. The gentleness took Marcus aback, in all their hundreds of years together, he had not heard Aeron speak this way to anyone other than Amata.
“She is in pain. Stop it,” demanded Sebastian. Ignoring his father, Sebastian continued focusing on protecting Arel. His hand grasped Arel's as he hovered over her, shielding her body from another jolt.
“Stay out of my way, Sebastian! If she doesn't wake soon,” replied Wilex.
Pushing Sebastian out of the way he positioned himself over Arel. With his hand again poised over her heart, a steady stream of light pulsated into Arel’s chest forcing her body to again heave up. The connection ended; she fell profoundly back onto the bed. Resting his arm at his side, Wilex waited to see if Arel had returned. A moment later, his hand raised above her, the device lit up, ready to again vibrate into her.
“Pain,” whispered Arel.
Her breathing irregular, her chest moved in and out with each sway of breath. Eyes, tightly closed, she tilted her head slightly towards Sebastian's direction. In one sweeping motion, Sebastian cuddled her, knocking Wilex out of the way.
“Arel,” yelled Sebastian. Pulling her into his arms, he embraced her, kissing her face and lips. Overcome with joy, tears swelled in the corner of his eyes. With eyelids still closed, she struggled to capture each breath.
“Your Highness, I am sorry for the pain I have caused,” said Wilex. Bending to his knees, momentarily focusing on the ground before him, he paused. A sense of relief that Arel had woken, he waited briefly. Rising, standing motionless, he gave Sebastian and her a moment to embrace. Wilex listened to Arel's breathing as she struggled to regulate it.
Opening her mouth, a slight cough escaped past her dry, parched lips. The frog in her windpipe croaked, moving up to the top of her throat. She tried to force it down, desperate to swallow in the parched land that was her mouth. The wetness gone from her tongue, she sought water. Forcing her eyes opened, pain stung, immediately she clamped them shut, the brightness of the light overbearing. Everything hurt.
Thirst, she thought.
“Bring water,” demanded Sebastian. Glued by her side, he squeezed her hands. Caressing her hair, he watched her chest as her breathing regulated, each breath steadier than the last.
“Give her space,” commanded Wilex. Raising his hand above Arel's head, the device began silently scanning her vitals. Monitoring her respiration, Wilex watched as Arel seemed to struggle with the waking.
I'm okay, she thought. Eyes still shut; she lay still, slowly breathing. The ache in her body was only slightly more painful than the pain in her chest. A grimace momentarily plastered on her face as she waited for the ache in her heart to pass.
“You're in pain,” responded Sebastian as he softly caressed her head.
Wilex moved closer to the bed, a small vial in his hands. The golden liquid shimmered in the light as he brought it to her lips. Lifting her head, he brought the fresh bottle up for her to drink.
“What is that,” Sebastian demanded. His hand moved in ready to swipe it away from Arel's mouth.
“It will help,” said Wilex soothingly. Looking over at Arel, he waited for her to open her mouth. “Your Highness, I won't harm you. Please drink.”
Parting her lips, she let the invigorating liquid pass over her tongue. A rush of cold filled her as the fluid traveled down her throat through her system. The sweet solution seemed familiar, but she could not remember when she had tasted it before. With her eyes closed, she lay her head back on the pillow. The effects of the medicine overcoming her, her breathing slow but steady. As she rested, Sebastian noticed her pulse strengthen. Grateful to have her back, he still did not trust Wilex or his motives.
“Arel,” whispered Sebastian.
“Here your highness, drink another,” said Wilex. Obediently Arel parted her lips, ready for the second vial of medicine.
“Arel, don't! We don't know what it is,” demanded Sebastian.
“I didn't bring her back, just to kill her. What do you think it is, poison?”
Sebastian, it's okay. Wilex will not harm me, thought Arel. Eyes still closed she reached her hand out towards Sebastian. Turning towards Wilex, Sebastian consented to him, giving her the other vial. With his free arm, he lifted her head up, her lips parted again, ready to drink the medicine.
“Drink,” demanded Wilex.
Dutifully Arel drank the second vial of the cold liquid. With a sigh the drug gone, Arel finally opened her eyes. The pain in her head from the bright light gone; she focused on seeing who was in the room. Inhaling the scent around her, flaring her nostrils, scrunching her nose in disgust. She again closed her eyes from those in the room.
You need to feed, her thoughts loud and clear came to Sebastian. Arel felt Sebastian squeeze her hand tighter as he leaned lower towards her body. “I'm not leaving your side again,” replied Sebastian.
“Aeron, command your son to feed. He's weak, he must eat,” whispered Arel. It took most of her strength to speak, but she knew Sebastian would not willingly leave her side.
“I,” began Sebastian.
Turning towards Wilex, Arel fully opened her eyes. “Wilex, he must feed. Let nothing happen to him in this weakened condition,” commanded Arel. Waving her hand, she dismissed him, trying to find a moment to center herself. Unwilling to argue, Arel closed her eyes, focusing on blocking out the thoughts that shot at her.
The aching pain settling into her bones, she waited for the medicine to fully take effect. Impatient, desperate to feel again like herself, she concentrated on helping her body heal. Instinctively her body had healed itself, without her feeble attempts at aiding the healing process.
“I've been reduced to a babysitter for a bloodsucker,” questioned Wilex looking disapprovingly at Arel. "I am Moruka, the elite squadron of the Darken."
“Time,” Arel whispered, sighing at the unwelcomed intrusion.
Wilex glared at Sebastian as he begrudgingly obliged. The effects of the medicine started to settle in Arel felt slightly better. Able to block the thoughts of those in the room, she cleared her mind. Thinking of the things she had seen, she focused on remembering it all. Sure she would find someone who could explain where she had been and how she could get back there.
Concentrating, she outlined what her next plan of action would be. The Darken anticipated her being incapacitated, an easy target to claim her body. With her being unable to protect Sebastian's family, they would again enslave them. Sebastian needed to regain his strength, and she needed to heal quickly.
“Let's go, Vampire,” commanded Wilex.
Moving to the other side of Arel, Wilex grabbed Sebastian’s arm. Shaking his arm out of the Moruka’s grasp, the pair locked in a staring match. Sebastian stood alert, ready for any attack that might come his way. Standing his ground, he looked again at Arel before returning his stare to Wilex. His fangs showing past his upper lip, his mouth slowly opened, he waited.
“Feed,” commanded Arel.
Weary, she could feel her strength returning far too slow for the patience that was needed. Wilex did not care for Vampires, and for them, he was the enemy, untrustworthy. They would have to find common ground and work together, especially since Wilex would not leave her side. Focusing, she cleared her mind, absorbing all that had transpired.
“She hasn’t regained her full strength; you shouldn’t have her waste energy,” suggested Wilex. Standing at ease, he backed slightly away from Arel, attempting to appease her.
Stretching her hand out, she waited for someone to help her sit up in the bed. Wilex immediately rushed to her side, gently pulling her up entirely in the bed. Arel again opened her eyes wearily looking over at Sebastian. It took a tremendous amount of strength to do so, but he was stubborn.
“Would you prefer Wilex stay here with me,” she asked.
She knew Sebastian would never agree to have a Moruka soldier guard her. Although Wilex had prov
en he was able to bring her back, Sebastian would not trust him. Marcus had nearly succeeded in burning her alive. Even Viktor he who he looked at like a brother had aided Marcus in his plans that nearly destroyed her.
“No. I don't trust the Moruka,” replied Sebastian.
“You haven't fed. How can you guard me when you are weak,” Arel asked.
There was no patience in her tone. Her thoughts jumped from the memories of the events that occurred, leading up to the present moment. There were many questions she still had, and something told her that Wilex would be able to answer them. Unsure of his origins, she wondered if he had an intimate knowledge of her kind.
“Arel, how can you ask me to leave your side,” demanded Sebastian.
“I'll watch over her Sebastian. Go feed,” commanded Aeron.
“Take Marcus with you. I don't want him here,” demanded Arel.
Her forehead wrinkled in anger as she rested her hands neatly on her deflated stomach. The mention of his name sent hot flames radiating through her body. Because of Marcus' interference, she was brought back early and nearly killed.
At the place, wherever it was, she had seen her mother. Somehow without saying anything, they both knew each other. Arel had never laid eyes on the woman who had given birth to her in the flesh. Even at the Resistance, she had not seen a picture of their hero, but she knew the face that resembled hers immediately. During their time together, Arel had not learned who her father was or what had happened to the Queen.
Her mother focused on telling the story of her beginnings and growing up within the Darken. Arel learned about her mother’s brother, who she knew very little of. Manea shared with Arel knowledge of her abilities and how to use them. Although her mother readily shared much with her, she ignored the questions regarding Arel’s father. The time with her mother cut short, she could not find the answers she wanted in regards to the Queen, and where her mother’s body was.
Sight Page 24