Chapter 125
~ NYSSA
My mind was a jumbled mess.
The guards led me towards a car and I sat in the backseat, hands folded neatly in my lap as they paced at the side of the car.
I was grateful that they didn’t sit in with me. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to stay in a small confined space with males that I didn’t know.
“Where is she p>
My head snapped up at that very familiar voice. Aria hopped out of a car, eyes wild with panic.
The guards pointed her towards the car and she turned, her eyes locking on mine through the open door. Her gaze softened instantly, worrying tugging at her features. I opened my mouth to speak but no words would come out.
It was crazy how I was so pissed at her the last time I saw her and now, I could not even conjure up a bit of anger for her. My heart leaped in my chest, lungs tightening as I took her in. She held my eyes for a long minute but did not dare move.
“Where… Nyssa p>
Eric brushed past her, rushing over to me. The sight of the one person I considered a true friend broke me. A sob escaped me as he made his way towards me, dashing to my side and pulling me firmly into his arms. One hand cradled the back of my head, the other rubbing gentle circles around my back.
“Are you alright?” he asked but before I could answer, he cursed. “That’s a stupid fucking question, of course you’re not. You’re covered in blood. Where did they find you p>
“I found them actually,” I murmured, pulling back to stare at him.
The door on the other side of me opened and Aria got into the car, a small smile on her face. “Hey p>
I took in her dark cargo pants and black leather jacket. “That’s a weird invasion outfit p>
Her lips curled. “I didn’t come to invade. My job is negotiating terms.” She paused for a moment before asking. “How did you get away p>
I swallowed thickly, not wanting to recall Henry’s hands and the things that happened.
How I wished the thoughts stayed in that fucking house but instead, I was cursed to have them follow me around for the rest of my life.
“I stabbed him with a piece of a mug,” I said finally. “I left him on the floor and ran p>
“Good,” Eric murmured. “Did you kill him?” I shook my head. “I wish you did p>
“We have to move out,” one of the guards said, interrupting our conversation.
I did not even realize they were so close by. A p0art of me thought they had walked away after Eric and Aria arrived.
Eric and Aria nodded at the guard’s words.
Aria settled into the backseat with me while Eric slid out, taking the driver seat. It was only when he turned on the car that I realized what was happening.
“Where are we going?” I asked. “Where’s Rowan? Isn’t he coming with us p>
Eric glanced at me through the rear view mirror while Aria gave me a small smile. But neither of them responded.
Their silence irked me. They shot me pitying looks and sure, I looked a fucking mess, but I was not some fragile piece of china about to snap.
“Where is he?” I asked again, voice firmer and harsher. “Someone needs to give me answers right now p>
“Knowing him like I do, he’s probably with Henry,” Aria admitted softly. “And he might take a while to… finish things p>
She did not need to elaborate, I knew exactly what things
“I want to wait,” I said firmly.
Aria sighed. “He might be a while p>
“I don’t care,” I repeated, hands crossed over my chest in defiance. “I’m waiting for him. You can leave if you want to, but I won’t p>
At that point, Eric cut in. “He gave us orders p>
“I don’t give a fuck about your orders. If you try to take me against my will, I will throw myself out the fucking car p>
They sent glances to each other, a silent conversation passing through their eyes. After what felt like hours, Aria finally nodded.
“Alright,” she murmured. “We wait for Rowan p>
They got out of the car, presumably to discuss with the other guards while I stayed curled up in the back seat, my legs folded underneath me. I wasn’t sure how long we waited but the crickets began to chirp, and I stared up at the stars twinkling in the night sky.
I never truly noticed how beautiful they were.
Exhaustion tugged at my bones but I could not close my eyes. Each time I tried, I saw the blood, heard the squelching sound of hitting skin. I could not even console myself with the knowledge that I had not killed him because while I did not deliver the final blow, had allowed my mate to do so.
The car door opened and I sat up straight expecting to see Aria or Eric but to my surprise, Rowan stood on the other side.
Blood stained his entire body, from the tips of his hair to his clothes. The smell of blood clung to him violently, mixing in with the smell of smoke.
“He’s dead,” he said simply.
I tried to conjure up some emotion, but I felt nothing. No anger, no pain, no sadness.
“I didn’t feel it,” I murmured. “I should have… oh p>
I glanced down at my wrists, at the chains that still encircled them. In the heat of things I had forgotten all about them.
Rowan’s eyes landed on those chains, a small growl erupting from his chest. He reached for me, fingers hooking into those chains and in one sharp tug, he broke them apart with a loud crack.
Pieces flew everywhere in the car, but he did not seem to care.
“Better?” he asked and I nodded.
“Good. Let’s go home, okay p>