A Dark Pursuit (7)

First of all, let me explain for the long wait. I was moving houses, so I didn't have a lot of time to write this chapter. When I finally got there, I had to wait for the computer to be shipped, which took a while, then I had to get my internet set up, which also took quite long, then finished writing the story.

I'm really sorry about the wait. Hope you forgive me. This chapter is dedicated to all those people out there who crave romance and have waited for this chapter. So sorry again.

Happy Reading!
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"""" I was running down the hall in a bliss, love had never felt so good. I was trying to find Kier to surprise him for his birthday today.

"We had a deal!" a voice snapped.

I stopped short in my tracks and followed the voices.

"I know we do, and I fully intend to honor it. Complications have come up…"

Kier?

"Well fix it!" the man, hissed.

I pressed my ear against the door and listened.

"Don’t order me around, Hayclith! I could easily snap your neck right here if I wanted to."

There was silence.

"Does the girl know?"

Kier scoffed, "Of course not, she doesn’t suspect a thing."

My heart thudded, I had a bad feeling about this.

"Then why are there complications?" the man named Hayclith asked.

More silence.

Laughter erupted.

"Quiet!" Kier snapped. "Do you want everyone in the castle to know you’re here? And why are you laughing?"

Quieter chuckles…, "I’m only laughing because you…the king have fallen in love with the very girl you sought to destroy!"

Cold ice gripped my heart. Girl…? Who….

"Don’t be ridiculous! If I loved Rose, do you think I’d be here with you right now?"

I nearly fainted. They were talking about me….

"Hmmm….I suppose that’s true,"

"We stick to the original deal. Give me my soul for her life."

I almost choked at his words. Everything…everything had been a lie…

"Fine, but I expect you to come up with a way soon…did you not say that you had blood bonded with her?"

"I did, but it was not complete. You can take her life, but it won’t affect me."

"Her life…"

I couldn’t contain the gasp that came out of my mouth.

"Someone’s there!" Hayclith hissed.

I didn’t give it a second thought.

I ran.

I fled through the corridor, and forgot why I was there in the first place. I ran through the kitchen past startled maids. I couldn’t see clearly, tears were blurring my vision, all those words, all those kisses, were empty. He didn’t love me at all, he never did.

I saw Gabriel sitting near the fire place.

He smiled at first when he saw me, but then frowned when he saw my tears.

I tried to run past him, but not before he caught my arms.

"Rose? What’s wrong? What happened? Did someone hurt you!?"

I tried to explain, oh, how I wanted to tell him what I heard. But I couldn’t, I was felt so sad…so..so betrayed.

"Kier…he..Kier…"

"Rose…please tell me what’s wrong?"

I wanted to, but I couldn’t, every time I opened my mouth, more sobs came out.

Gabriel hugged me fiercely and stroked my hair.

"Shh…." He whispered. "It’s fine now, everything’s alright."

Suddenly Kier and Hayclith burst through the door.

I screamed and held Gabriel tightly, "NO! DON’T LET THEM TAKE ME!"

The man, Hayclith, I saw was shorter than me, but had a great amount of strength. He grabbed me roughly by the arms and pulled me away.

Gabriel snarled at him, "Don’t you dare lay a hand on her you bloody bastard!"

Hayclith looked shocked and looked over at Kier.

I didn’t want to look at him. I couldn’t. I was afraid of what I’d find in those eyes. Repulsion? Anger? Hatred?

Kier’s voice was quiet, but was heard quite clearly, "Let her go."

Gabriel’s hold loosened on me in shock. He stared at him, "You’re just going to let him take her away?!"

"I don’t have a choice." He nodded at Hayclith.

Hayclith held fast on my hand and dragged me to his side. I struggled, scratched and clawed at his arm. I tried to call upon my power, but I couldn’t focus enough on it.

"Damn it, Kier! I won’t let you do this to her or to yourself!" Just as Gabriel made to grab me. His eyes became unfocused and he dropped to the floor.

"You idiot, don’t do this to yourself…" he breathed. His eyes closed.

I stared at Kier, shocked. The vision of him was blurry because tears still leaked from my eyes.

"I didn’t kill him, he’s merely unconscious." Kier said

"How did you-"

"Enough chit-chat!" The man yelled. "My thanks Kier, I hope to do business with you again."

Again?

With that, the man jabbed something to my wrist, it was slightly painful, as if you got a paper cut. I lost my focus.

But I managed my last words directed at Kier, "How could you?"

*******

I awoke to a cold breeze. I blinked my eyes opened and saw myself chained the wall. I squeezed my eyes shut as I realized where I was and what had happened.

"I know you’re awake…" a voice whispered. "Do you know what a Guardian’s life is?"

He paused as if waiting for my answer.

"It’s their power. If you take away their power…then…they drive themselves insane. You’ll still live, but you’ll be hollow inside, you won’t know what it’s like to be happy, to be sad, angry…or even how to love. You’ll just be an empty human…"

Tears pricked my eyes. I had never felt so hopeless…so vulnerable.

"Don’t even think about escaping. These chains are specially made to contain your power. Now that you’re awake. Let’s get started shall we?"

He grabbed my chin and forced my mouth open. A vile liquid filled my mouth. I had no choice but to swallow it. Nothing happened for a few seconds. Then I felt it. The slow burning sensation.

I couldn’t breathe. I was choking on my own breath. I was burning, yet no flames touched my body. I screamed. I clawed at my skin till there was blood. But it didn’t help. It didn’t help quench the fire with in me.

The pain was so strong, so strong…"

***********************************************************

I snapped my eyes opened.

Something was holding me down. I screamed and raged and clawed at whatever came in contact with my hand.

"NO!" I yelled. My eye-lids were covered in sweat.

"Stop it! You’re safe Rose!"

I heard them, but I didn’t listen, I was in full panic mode. My screams continued until my throat began to ache. But I had to, if I didn’t scream, no one would know I was here.

Suddenly, cold water washed over me, bringing me back to myself. I spluttered. I was in shock.

I saw him standing there at the foot of my bed, "Kier?" I said weakly.

He looked pained. He nodded then walked out of the room.

Away from me….

Strong hands gripped my shoulders and I turned to face Gabriel.

"Are you alright Rose?"

I nodded weakly, unable to say anything else. I tried to get up but sharp pain flooded my chest. I gasped and clutched my shirt. It was stained with blood. Blood had always made my queasy.

Then I remembered the arrow.

"Who…?" I began.

Gabriel shook his head. "We don’t know. Your wound is healing rapidly. Kier managed to find you a healer just in time," he was looking at my blood-stained t-shirt. "you lost a lot of blood."

I nodded, "The Assassin?"

He shook his head, "We didn’t get to catch him."

I saw Drake, Theo and Kurt standing behind him. Their eyes solemn.

"Where’d Kier go?" I said.

This time, Theo stepped forward, "While you were…healing, you were having a memory-lapse. You said some things…" he trailed off.

Then I understood. Kier was hurt.

I jumped off the bed and out of the room before anyone could object.

I saw him standing on the veranda gazing out towards the sky.

He heard me approach.

"Kier?" I said weakly.

Before I knew it I was in his arms, crushed against his chest.

"Rose! Please, forgive me, please," he said.

"I…Kier…" I began.

"No wait, let me explain, it was a plan you see? My father, he had threatened to come after you and kill you, I…I couldn’t let that happened. I’ve been dreaming about you forever Rose, even before we met and when…and when I had you at last, I couldn’t let you go. If my plan had followed through, I was supposed to shape-shift into you, so that Hayclith took MY powers away, not yours. You were supposed to be safe in the castle. But then..then you overheard and he saw you there.... I’m sorry Rose, I’m so, so sorry,"

I laid a hand over his lips, "But if he took your powers away, you wouldn't be…"

"King? Yes I know, I would have been mortal, but truly Rose, it was a sacrifice I was willing to make for you. For us. Forgive me Rose, all of this is my fault, I won’t deny it. But do you think that you could forgive me? I’ll do whatever you want, buy you whatever you want. Name it and it shall be yours."

Relief washed over me, he hadn’t betrayed me, not really... he was trying to protect me…the least I could do was… "It’s okay Kier….I forgive you."

He knelt down in front of me and took my hand and held it to his face, "Do you truly? After all I’ve put you through?"

"Yes Kier I forgive you." It was hard…but I believed him, I think I’d know if he had truly deceived me. I withdrew my hand. That was it. A part of my heart could be laid to rest.

"Is that it then? Though you forgive me, you’ll never let me in your heart ever again," he took my hand again, "will you?"

"Kier…I-"

"Wait," he interrupted, "let me say what I’ve got to say before you say your answer, I love you Rose. When you told me you loved me, I rejoiced, when you walked away from me, I died, it was like as if someone had twisted a knife in my heart. I’ll do whatever to make you happy. I’ll buy you…jewels and…and…gowns Rose, I’ll buy you magnificent gowns fit for a queen," he was stuttering now, so keen on me staying, staying with him, he couldn’t name enough things that would make me happy.

"I’d move mountains for you, I’d do anything, anything for you Rose. Do you think you could love me? Even all I’ve done? If you walk away I’ll die Rose, I’ll die from what knowing what could have been, I’ll die from not knowing what it’s like to be in your arms again. I need your presence," he skimmed his nose against my wrist, "I crave it. You have my heart Rose, that’s all you need to know."

I couldn't help saying, "You have a heart?"

"It beats only for you." he replied.

I sighed, not because I was tired, but because my will power was being defeated, I needed him too. I wanted him, I loved him.

Kier gathered me in his arms and kissed me hungrily. He took my hand in his and slipped a ring on my fourth finger. Startled, I pulled back and looked at him, "You could have asked you know,"

He traced the outline of my lips, "I couldn’t take the chance of you saying no. I know it’s soon Rose, but this ring…let’s just say I’m reserving this finger for when you’re ready."

I smiled and tears formed in my eyes, he kissed them away, "Happy tears I hope?"

I nodded, "Definitely."

Just then Kurt, Drake, Gabriel and Theo came outside, intruding on the happy moment, their faces solemn except for Kurt’s. I had a bad feeling about this.

"Sorry to intrude, but I have some news that will affect all of you."

Kier stepped in front of me protectively.

"This kingdom, this place, the ‘throne’ is all mine," he grinned without humor, I’m your long-lost brother Kier, step away from my fiancé. Now."

"What is this?" Kier demanded looking at his brothers.

"It’s true Kier, he really is our older brother, our older brother." said Theo.

Kurt tapped his finger on his chin, "I’m guessing you’re wondering how? Well you all know the story of how you guys were born, each of the elements water, earth, air and fire were embedded in all of your blood. But what happened to the darkness that separated the earth from hell and earth and heaven? Our mother and father had each half, and we all know that two halves make one whole…"

Suddenly darkness began vibrating from him, it all made sense…how he managed to come to this world…how he knew so much…the reason he dated me.

"You don’t know about me because our father, kidnapped me whilst I slept harmlessly next to all of you, but of course you don’t remember. My power, is stronger than all of yours, you’ve always known father, the power-hungry man he is, took me, ‘trained’ me into becoming like him. But no matter what, I had always kept a clear conscience. So despite what you’re thinking, I’m not the assassin here. But I know who is."

We all waited in tense silence.

Kurt lifted a finger, "He is," and pointed it at Drake, who then, fangs drawn attacked.

At us.

**********
I’ll try to update as often as possible, things are pretty hectic at school right now, comments and suggestions are welcomed.

Hoped you enjoyed it!