Lexi’s eyes widen. Then she looks to me.
I smile, “Long story,” I laugh a bit. Then I look at her again. She isn’t looking to good. “How are you feeling?” She can hear the concern in my voice.
“Kinda… sick.” Her eyes widen and she places a hand over her mouth. She suddenly stands up throwing my jacket to the ground and runs for the nearest tree, bending over behind it.
She’s throwing up.
Zach rushes over, but she quickly shoos him away. So he backs up a few steps and sits down watching in concern.
I give her a minute until she is finished.
Before I can move to go to her side, she yells in a horrified voice, “K! Do you have a blanket?”
Everyone lets out a small laugh.
“Coming,” I called over as I grab my coat off the ground. I’m glad I don’t need it at the moment. The sun is up and the temperatures are warming up.
“Here,” I handed her my coat.
She quickly puts it on then realizes it doesn’t cover quite enough. She looks at me horrified.
“How many are out there?” she asked, her face turning pink.
“I think its best you not know.” I give an apologetic smile.
Her face went from pink to bright red. “There’s nothing else?”
“Sorry, fresh out.”
She mumbles to herself, “Rather be dead…”
I caught what she said. “Not funny. You almost were.”
“I know, and someone has a lot of explaining to do,” as she looked at Zach.
“I know.”
“What am I going to wear? I’m not going out there looking like this.” She pointed to herself. Before I can answer, she closed her eyes and concentrated.
Her wings exploded from her back. I heard gasps behind us then whispers.
“Amazing,” Kasey replied.
Lexi has a look of pain on her face.
“You’re not fully healed yet you know.” I look at her wings. They are beautiful but yet they look like they have been through a war. They are still wounded and bleeding.
“Lexi, I will find you something. You’re not strong enough yet and you need more time to heal.”
She pulls her wings in and a tear falls down her face. “Ouch,” she tries to smile on my account.
I pull her into a hug. “I was so afraid I would never see you again.” I start to cry.
“Sorry,” is all she said as her tears fell and hugged me back.
“Xavier!” A voice cut into our moment.
Zach growled and jumped in front of us and the approaching man.
“Here mutt. Figured you’d need this.” He didn’t flinch as he held a blanket over Zach.
I quickly grab it and Lexi wraps in it quickly. I look back at the man. He looks so familiar, but yet his features are off, but those eyes… I know them. We lock eyes and I stare in stunned silence.
“Thank you,” Lexi replied to the man.
The man turns around and heads away from the group.
“Damn it, Xavier! Now where are you going!?” Liz yelled.
“None of your damn business!” he growled.
I unfroze and quickly step around Zach, heading for the man.
I yell the name I only know him by.
“Donavon!”
He froze.
“Donavon!” I call again.
“I’m no good Katrina. I’ve changed,” he spoke with venom, his back turned.
“Don’t you even start that crap Donavon!” I yell.
“I never deserved you, don’t you understand that!? I’ve almost killed you multiple times.” He spun around and stares at me. “It’s my fault Lexi ended up here, it’s my fault she was almost killed, and once again I’ve put your life in danger. How could I possibly stay with you after everything I’ve done!?” His voice became louder as he spoke.
Everyone around us stays silent.
“I came here of my own free will! You didn’t force me! Damn it Donavon, I love you! What do I have to prove to show you!?”
“You don’t have to show me anything. I know you think you love me, but I feel it from you every day we are together. You still have that fear of me. Those truly in love do not fear one another. I now understand the pain I put you through. This place showed me that.”
I’m silent for a moment. How can he tell I still hold that fear?
“See, I am right. We don’t belong together Katrina. We never did,” he turned to walk away.
Lexi stepped in front of me.
“You’re an idiot you know that? She’s done nothing but love you and this is how you pay her back!? You disgust me! She should have let you die long ago, but she saw something in you worth saving and for that fact so did I!” Lexi let him have it.
Donavon rushed up in front of Lexi in blinding speed. “You don’t know what you’re talking about mutt!”
Lexi crossed her arms and stood her ground. “You’re trying to push us all away. But it’s not working. You’re just mad you were captured and you think that makes you weak. But look around you. Everyone here was captured, even me! You didn’t cause me to take off, that was all me, not you! Katrina came here on her own, not because of you! So do what you want, but take the self-pity elsewhere!”
“You always think your right, don’t you mutt?” Donavon towered over Lexi in a threatening position.
“No, I don’t think, I know,” Lexi smiled. “You know I’m right, so lose the ugly face. It doesn’t suit you. Besides, if you no longer loved K or cared about me for that matter, you wouldn’t have brought me a blanket. So I rest my case,” Lexi turned and walked away.
Donavon’s face softened and he looks like the Donavon I love. I wrap my arms around him before he makes another sound.
“I’m sorry. Unfortunately… she’s right.” Donavon said quietly in my ear.
Lexi laughs, “Sorry what did you say? I’m right?” she laughed again.
“She truly is amazing,” Kasey said looking on in awe once more.
Mary is in shock along with many others when she spoke. “That she is… Xavier, I mean Donavon was, how should I put it? A very angry Vampire. Not someone I would want to cross paths with, but this girl…”
Garcia smiles, “Yes, Donavon and Lexi have a very… unique relationship. I have yet to figure it out myself.”
I feel as though things are back to normal, that everything is right with the world again. I missed this so much and I would never take it for granted.
“I love you,” I whispered to Donavon.
“I love you more,” he whispered back.
I smile. But I know I have to work on my fear issues. I thought I was doing well hiding them, but apparently not.
Safety
Lexi:
I’m glad Katrina and Donavon are back to normal, I know they have some issues to work out though. But I have so many questions I need answers to. I really don’t know what to ask first.
I sit next to Zach who is standing in the back taking everything in. He is still in wolf form and I’m not sure why. Zach lays his massive head next to mine. Is he still growing? He seems so much larger than before, and something seems different, but I can’t put my finger on it.
I wrap my arms around his neck and hug him. I thought he was dead and I would never see him again. My soul shattered the moment he left this world. But now it feel as though things will be okay, I can breathe, but something confuses me. I felt him die but why didn’t I feel him return? Something is defiantly off.
Zach gives out a sigh of contentment and I smile.
“I love you so much,” I pull him tighter.
He pulls back and licks my face. I laugh.
“Why aren’t you in human form?” I ask gazing into his beautiful golden eyes.
He looks toward Katrina.
“Long story, right?”
He looks apologetic, almost mournful and deeply sad.
I sigh. Then something else dawns on me. “Wait… why can’t I hear-”
I turn to look. It’s the woman from before with dark hair and pink streaks. “Yeah?”
She walks over to Zach and I, sitting down next to me.
“First of all, I want to apologize. You never deserved the treatment they gave you in there. Nor did you deserve the treatment our world has given you. I see that now, and I am sorry for all of the things our world has done to you. From this day forth I will help you with whatever you need and I will stand alongside you on the solar eclipse, if you will have me?” She is sincere in everything she said.
It takes me a moment to answer. “Of course,” I smile. “And no apologies are necessary. Nothing is your fault.”
She smiled back.
“I too, will stand alongside you,” a smaller woman stepped forward.
“As I,” a blonde male said.
“Me too,” another said.
“I will also be there,” one more said. Then the whole crowd erupted in agreement.
Thatch stepped forward. “Thank you everyone. You don’t know what this means to us.”
“Mary, we should get moving. There’s a lot of ground to cover and not much time,” the shorter woman said.
“Alright,” the woman in front of me, known as Mary, stood and put her hand out toward me.
I grab her hand and she helps me off the ground as I cling tightly to the blanket around me.
“We have much to do, as I am sure you do as well. Finish healing and become stronger, you will need it. Good luck.” She gave me a hug then backed away. “Until we meet again!” She yelled as she disappeared into the trees.
Everyone else scattered through the trees as they said their goodbyes.
The only ones left are Zach, Katrina, Donavon, Garcia, Thatch, Kasey and I.
Still sanding, I look around. We are in dense trees seemingly in the middle of nowhere. My body aches as wounds still heal. As I think about how I received the wounds I flinch. That is something I never want to remember, but something I will never forget. That place was a hell on earth for anyone who entered the doors unwillingly. The torment I was put though, the pain that seared my body, covering every inch. I shook my head at the thought. I was just glad I was still alive at this point, though I was in a very dark place after I’d seen Zach die. The pain they put me through could never compare to that moment. Feeling his life leave this world… it literally about killed me. I remember begging for death to come, for them to kill me so I could be with Zach, but death never came for me. Maybe I am destined for greater things…
“Lexi? You okay?” Katrina asked looking concerned again.
I shake off the bad memories and look up at her. “Yeah.”
“Well you don’t look it,” Donavon said.
“And you a moment ago weren’t looking too well yourself,” I snapped.
Donavon’s face changed. He looks remorseful. Thinking for a second, he walked over to me and looks straight into my eyes placing his hand on my shoulder. “Lexi, I am sorry about before. Had I not… acted the way I did, we wouldn’t have ended up here. I truly am sorry.” He shocked me by giving me a hug. “Will you ever forgive me?” he asked quietly.
I think for a moment after he releases me. I think this is the only apology he’s ever given, besides Katrina. “You are so lucky I don’t have the strength to kick your butt right now. But I will get my revenge later,” I smiled. “But, apology accepted.”
Donavon smiled back, “Challenge accepted.”
“Good. ‘Cuz I know I’ll win,” I grinned.
“Maybe in your dreams,” he grinned back.
“Now that that’s out of the way…” Kasey began, but I cut him off.
“Now someone can explain to me why I threw up blood?” I questioned with a slight attitude.
“You threw up the blood? But I don’t smell it.” He cocked his head to the side a bit miffed.
“Neither did I, but it doesn’t exactly taste all that great the second time around. Speaking of which, it had a bit of heat behind it… Katrina?” I turn to her. “Why exactly was I given your blood?” I squinted my eyes in accusation.
She raises her hands in defense. “It was to save your life. You don’t know how bad you were, or how horrible you looked. When Zach and I pulled you from that room I really thought you were dead. You have no clue what that did to me Lexi. I really thought you were dead!” she started to cry.
I rush over to her and wrap my arms around her. “I’m sorry K. I know it must have been hard on you. I can only imagine what it was like,” I squeezed tighter.
“Amazing,” Kasey said coming back from behind the tree I tossed my cookies behind. He’s rubbing his chin lost in thought.
“What is it?” Thatch asked.
“The life essence of the blood is gone. That is why it no longer has a smell. The child’s body used the essence to heal her wounds, then the rest was rejected. She doesn’t need any blood to survive, but only to heal quickly. Then, the fact she is able to resist her friend’s blood at all… simply amazing,” he rambled.
“That’s our Lexi,” Garcia smiled.
I turn to Thatch and Garcia after releasing Katrina from my grip. “Thank you both so much for all you have done for me.” I hugged them both as well.
“Your very welcome child,” Thatch gave a soft smile.
“I have a question,” I began. “Why is Zach not turning human?” I raised an eyebrow.
Zach lets out a soft whine.
“That’s a story better left for home,” Garcia said bleakly.
I sigh, then turn to Kasey. “Well, maybe you can tell me what that place was back there?”
Kasey, lost in thought, quickly came back to reality. “You mean the hell hole? They are a bunch of deranged humans trying to eradicate the whole Supernatural World. Lucky for us, the normal humans see them as a cult and don’t believe their ranting about Vampires and Werewolves and so on.”
“That still doesn’t explain why or how they know about us or what they wanted to do with us.”
“They seek information from those they capture. Some, tell everything they know, while others don’t say a word, much like you. Once they are no longer useful, they are destroyed. Their belief condemns all Supernatural beings as evil and not of God. They are out to destroy our world and expose us to the humans. If they eventually do succeed, our world will be in trouble,” he sighed.
“Well… no need to worry about them,” Donavon grinned.
Kasey sighed, “I assumed you would do something like that. Did you rid of all of them then?” he sounds mournful.
“Every last one,” Donavon’s eyes became hardened.
Katrina looks horrified. “Mary… said Xavier was letting out his anger issues… Donavon did you…” She looked at him a little green.
“You killed them all didn’t you?” I asked with anger in my voice.
“They deserved to die! Look at what they had done to you! I could smell the hundreds they so mercilessly murdered! They all had it coming!”
Katrina stepped away from him, looking into his stone hardened eyes, speechless.
“Katrina…” Donavon pleads. “I’m sorry, but it was something that needed to be done. They killed many and placed many more, our whole world in danger. Someone needed to stop them. I promise you they died quickly, they did not suffer by my hand.”
Katrina turns her back to him and walks over to Zach, letting her tears fall.
I have no words for Donavon. I’m between anger and disgust that he killed so many, and glad that the monsters are dead. I have mixed feelings about the situation. I shake my head trying to remove the images that come to mind.
Trying to get off the tragic subject, I ask Kasey, “How did they catch you?” I didn’t really remember how they caught me.
Kasey, returning from his distant place, which he does way too much, replied, “That is something of a mystery. All I remember is that I was walking through the trees then I heard
some rustling behind me. Next thing I knew I was hanging in the middle of a room. Not the best five months of my life, that’s for certain.”
“Hmm, I don’t remember much of mine either, though I do remember a sting in the back of my neck. Then I collapsed to the ground unconscious and woke up in that room.” I frowned.
“How about you Donavon?” Kasey asked. “Do you remember anything?”
Donavon shook his head, “Just about as much as you two.” He glanced sadly at Katrina.
“Well that’s helpful,” I sighed.
“I wonder…” Garcia started. “What if they concentrated Passionflower?” she asked.
“What does that have to do with anything?” Donavon asked.
I too, am curious.
“Passionflower is used as a medicinal herb and has a side effect of a sedative. I wonder if they found a way to concentrate it and if given in a high enough dose... if it could have that capability. I will have to research it further to find out.”
“It certainly is possible,” Kasey said rubbing his chin. “Either way, it could come in handy for us in the future.”
As they are talking, I begin to feel dizzy. White lights began to flash around me and my head feels like mush. I start to get closer to the ground when Zach leans up against me to slow me from hitting the ground too hard. It’s like things are in slow motion. Now sitting on my knees, and my hands flat to the ground to keep me from falling, I feel like I’m about to pass out.
“Lexi, you need to lay down,” Kasey said slowly moving me onto the ground.
“What’s wrong?” Katrina is leaning over me stressing.
Kasey talks for me, “She’s overdoing it and needs to rest. All this excitement is going to reopen her wounds.”
K held out her arm to Kasey. “Here, give her more of my blood.”
I hear a low growl from Donavon.
I shake my head. “No.”
“But, Lex-” she started.
“No. I will be fine. Keep your blood, too spicy… anyway.” I’m getting tired fast.
Katrina smiled. “Fine, you win.”
“Bout time I do.” I smile, slowly slipping away into the darkness. I need sleep, and a lot of it.
Sapphyre: Rise of an Angel (Sapphyre Saga Book 3) Page 4