A vampire's Choice
Chapter 35

The shock of seeing Nix standing in the hall silenced the room. Everyone was scared that speaking would scare her away, the one who could help immensely. Stepping closer to the group, Nix scanned their growing eyes. Her movement brought them back to their senses.

"You are here,” Vanessa proclaimed, the first to catch her breath.

With a smile, Nix said, "It is time for us to take action. He is close to rising."

Clearing a path for the Goddess as she moved to the center, everyone's eyes followed her like a hawk. Stopping, she turned around, her lengthy hair moving as if it is blown by a light wind, her aura radiating her beautiful profile. Sarah cleared her throat, catching the attention of the Goddess.

"It is good to see you again," said Sarah.

"And you, coven leader," replied Nix before her bright smile faded, replaced by a stern expression. "But now it's time to start this merciless journey."

Taking a slight step forward, Roland began. "Thank you for being here, but I think I speak for the group when I say what are we going to do. From what you have said, Deimos is powerful; even you can't stop him, so how are we supposed to do it?"

Golden power doubled as it shone from Nix, making them step back except for Roland. Standing his ground, he watched as she turned to him. Her golden eyes slammed into his, the shock of her gaze making him move back slightly, but he stood his ground.

"That is true, but together you are stronger."

"Uhm, not to sound like a Debbie downer," Ruby pointed out. "But how are we stronger? We are just a group of witches and werewolves. Nothing special about us."

"Because you have something Deimos does not."

Under her breath, Vanessa whispered. "Yeah, you."

Snapping her head to the sound, Nix smiled again. "I am flattered, but no, it is not me."

"Then what?" asked Roland.

"You have each other," Nix said.

"And where has that gotten us. Two of our friends are missing, presumably dead, and if a prophecy is to be believed, the end of the world is upon us," explained Roland.

"Believe in the prophecy, for it is as real as you are standing here. Your friends are still alive, for if they weren't, he would have risen."

Sarah tilted her head in confusion as the Goddess' words did not make sense. "Who will rise? Who will end the world?"

Stepping over to the table, Nix pushed open the map, trailing her finger over the terrain before coming to a stop at the mark. Staring at the spot for a few seconds, she looked at Sarah. "Deimos. Deimos will rise, reclaiming his lost power before molding the world in his image."

"So, he is the one the prophecy foretold?" Sarah clarified.

Nix nodded her head as she glanced down again before closing the back, turning to face them.

"Then why haven't you done anything about it?" Ruby spoke as she stepped forward. Roland tried to grab her back, but she shrugged him off. "According to Sarah, he has been trying to fulfill the prophecy for thousands of years, yet you have not stopped him. Do you love seeing us fail, or are you just as twisted as he is?" Springing out, Roland managed to grab ahold of Ruby, pulling her back and away from Nix before the Goddess could strike her down for blaming her.

Vanessa held her breath after the accusation, wondering how the Goddess would take the words, but she shocked her. For instead of the anger she expected, Nix's shoulders dropped as sadness laced her face, a previous unseen feature. "Nix, I am sorry for what Ruby just said. I know she didn't mean it. We are just frustrated by the situation. Especially finding out now that you knew what is happening and what is to come."

Without saying a word, Nix moved. She made her way to the door as people parted to make space. With a swish of her hand, the door swung open, fresh air filling their lungs. Still moving, Nix glided down the stairs and into the front yard, stopping a few feet from the porch. Everyone jumped into action, fighting to get e view from the limited door size. Turning around, Nix opened her arms, "Please join me. I think it is time I explain my position in this mess."

The group left the house without missing a beat, some staying on the porch, while Roland, Ruby, and Vanessa bounced down the stairs.

"I have not been entirely honest with you, and before we leave, you need to know why." Nix began, dropping her arms to her side. With a look at every member, she stopped at Ruby's while she spoke. "The reason I can not intervene is simply that it is not my place. As a human, I was created to be the first witch. I can't go into the details but what I can say is that when I died, I made a promise. This promise entitled me these gifts but also has a drawback."

"Who gave it to you?" Vanessa questioned.

Nix glanced up to the cloudless sky with a smile. "The real Gods."

"Are you saying there are actual Gods?"

Looking back at Vanessa, Nix nodded, causing her knees to go weak. One always wondered about it, but to hear it from an actual entity was different. "Wow, that is amazing, but why aren't they here?"

"That is a different conversation but remember; they are powerful and ancient. The trials of humans and the supernatural are beneath them. Or they simply don't care. I don't know, but what I do know is that I was placed here to help you to the best of my abilities."

"So, you can help us kill Deimos?" Roland pointed out.

"That is the drawback I was talking about. My powers are endless, except for two things. First, I cannot bring the dead to life or use them against Deimos." explained Nix.

"Great, so we are all going to die," muttered Mark from the porch, making Vanessa give him a dirty look. "I am sorry, but that is what it sounds like to me. We are powerless, and you can't use your powers."

"May I ask why you can't use your powers against Deimos?" wondered Ruby.

"The Gods are cruel with twisted senses of humor. But what I can do is point you in the right direction and allowing your love and humanity to save the world, which means we need to go."

"And how do we do that?" asked Mark.

Stepping forward, Sarah lifted a hand as she spoke. "I have an idea. Who here has never teleported?"

The heat from the desert soaked Roger's skin and clothes in sweat, making them stick to his skin. Dried blood cracked and coated his exposed chest as his sweat dripped over the healed wounds, creating streaks of red run down his body. His limp head bends over, and his eyes closed, focusing on remaining quiet even as pain pierced his soul. All seemed lost as he replayed the scenes of his abduction. Lisa had come to his room, acting flirty, and for a split second, all had been well. His mate had forgiven him for his accusations, and he held her, but that dream had been short-lived. The shock of finding his first mate inhabiting the body of his new mate was horrendous, but it seemed it was only the first part of an endless nightmare, one he knows will end with his death. Flames flickered about the room as he stood chained against a pole, his arms strained under the pressure as they locked behind him. The ache of the muscles was like a dream compared to the torture he had already endured and the pain yet to come. Lifting his head slightly while ignoring his stiff neck, Roger glanced around the bare room again, absorbing the exact details as he had countless times. The usually cream-colored stone gave off a reddish tint with the limited light, giving the room a bloody feel. Four torches hung in each corner of the room with a wooden door. The wood seemed old with cracks lining the sides, allowing outside light to infiltrate. Eyeing the lock, Roger guessed the structure to be at least a thousand years old, but the location is still a mystery. Unsatisfied with his observation, Roger released tension and dropped his head back against his chest, letting out a sigh. Time is irrelevant now, but he would guess he has been in this place for hours now.

Light footsteps sounded from outside the door, starting softly as they came closer to his prison. The sound stopped right outside, but Roger refused to peek and see who it was. There were only two options: the body of his mate stolen by his maleficent ex or the God who has yet to voice his demands. After the God had magically transported him here, Rebecca had sprung into action, tying him up while the spell kept him immobilized, fighting internally for control of his body. But it had been useless; all he could do was feel the sharp slices against his flesh as the God cut him up without uttering a word. The worst part was the look in his eyes. With the few seconds of reprieve between the acts, Roger had glanced up, noticing the vacant eyes of his torturer. No emotions were clear, not even joy towards the pain he was causing. That is how Roger knew death was on his doorstep. If the torturer felt nothing as he slashed and heard the cries of pain, taking a life would be easy, and Roger was on the menu.

Old keys clanked from behind the door and metal scraping together as a key entered the lock. Tensing up, Roger listened as the key turned and a pop followed. A light breeze cooled his heated body with the door opening. New light cast over his legs, enabling him to focus on the dried blood coating his pants and feet. The color is now dark brown. Darkness befell him as the door closed and footsteps neared. With a swift glance, Roger's stomach dropped as he recognized the visitor. Black pumps covered her delicate feet as she approached, the same he had stared at after his torture.

Rebecca stopped before Roger with his head bowed down. Deep down, she felt pity for him, but she pushed it quickly aside as she focused on the future. Their future. Deimos’ promise is all she cared about and the results she needed to achieve it. The God had promised her a new body and the man she loved. All he asked for in return was the vampire's cooperation. One she intended to get, any way possible. Dropping the keys on the table perched against the wall, Rebecca eyed Roger up and down, marveling at his appearance. The blood aside, he was truly magnificent. Strong jawline, broad shoulders, and skin a golden brown, he had indeed been a God in her times. His strong presence is what drew her to him, the acts he had done in the name of their love exciting her. But now, he was just broken. His new mate had softened him up, not just on the inside but the outside as well. The first time she laid eyes on him was in the dream she had forged, the only way to visit him. Seeing his all-white appearance had shocked her, making her hate Lisa more, but when their skin had touched, the feelings from before had crashed into her. He might have killed her, but Nix was to blame. And his friend Vanessa, who Rebecca had sworn to end when the time comes.

Reaching out, Rebecca ran her fingers through his silky soft hair, glad it still felt the same even if it looked different. Roger jerked from her contact, angering her. Then, fisting a hand full, Rebecca yanked his head up, forcing him to look at her.

"Why won't you just do what he wants?" ponders Rebecca.

Roger refused to look at the woman, keeping his gaze on the wall next to her. The pain of seeing Lisa's body without her was hurting. Knowing his mate is gone forever and with her his only chance of true happiness. The only thing left to do was die, so he might join his love once more, leaving his old flame to suffer without him. Angering the pair was the easiest way to get killed, and he hoped they would tire of his non-cooperation soon.

"Look at me," Rebecca whined, turning his face towards her's, but Roger kept staring at the wall. "Why are you treating me like this? I am your mate and deserve to be treated as such."

Baring his fangs at her, Roger shot to look at her. "You are not my mate,” he spat.

Sadness washed over her face but vanished just as fast, in its place anger as her eyebrows arched. Blue flames glinted in her eyes. "I will always be your mate. I was the first, and I will be the last."

Roger zoned out as he lost himself in her eyes. The blue flames were calling out to him, pulling him in. The world faded around the longer he stared, ignorant to Rebecca's actions. Letting go of his hair, she reached behind her, pulling out a blade.

"You might be my mate, but I am not against using pain to get what I want,” she purred, dragging the sharp point down his naked torso.

The cold against his heated flesh remained ignored, her words mere whispers in his ears as she spoke. Their gaze interlocked as Roger leaned forward until his bound hands slammed into the pole. Rebecca finally realized his attention, a smile spreading on her lips but still not fooled.

"You think you can flirt with me, and I will let you go?" questioned Rebecca.

The blue flames sparked brighter as Roger tried to push closer, the movement making the knife nick his chest, but he felt nothing. "The blue..." Roger whispered.

Rebecca looked confused, unaware of her own body's actions. "The what?"

"It is beautiful," he whispered again.

Dropping the knife to her side, Rebecca used the moment and leaned closer, the tips of their noses grazing each other. "I know deep down that you still love me." breathed Rebecca, the slight contact of their skin sending sparks over her face and down her neck. In her proper form at their first encounter, she had felt the jolt of lighting as they had touched, but it was never as strong as this, and she loved the feeling.

The closer Rebecca moved, the more precise the image in her eyes became. Gone was the bright green and blue of her multi-coloured eyes. In its place was the deep navy flame with a bit of yellow around the edges. Moving closer, their warm breaths tickled their skin and their lips a hair length away. At this advantage point, more details appeared in her eyes as they acted as a two-way mirror.

Taking advantage of her position, Rebecca grazed her lips against his, the sparks emitting stronger than before as a soft moan sprung from her chest. "I love you,” she breathed.

Her confession of love swung past Roger's ears as he intensely watched the image flickering. The blue flames suddenly vanished, and he stared into an abyss with darkness unending. Before he could protest the loss, blond flashed past. Spring from one eye to the other, Roger searched for what he just saw. Something in his mind yelled for him to find it, that it is something important, but it was useless. Pulling his body up, Roger moved away from Rebecca as disgust crawled in. The wetness from their kiss slathered his cracked lips, which he quickly brushed away on his shoulder.

The sudden change in Roger was unexpected as Rebecca remained motionless before him. Then, blinking a few times, she gathered herself. The knife flashed in the air as she pressed it against his neck, looking at him angrily. "I will not be manipulated like this,” she spat.

"Then kill me." dared Roger.

"Maybe I will,” defended Rebecca as she pressed harder, the plate cutting into his skin.

Blood flowed from the wound, tricking down his chest. Hoping he would finally get what he wished for, Roger proudly pushed out his chest as he glared at Rebecca. "Then do it."

The need to kill him clashed with the need for him as she held the knife against him. With a simple flick, she could end his life, even with a cut at the neck. Deimos had informed her the bindings around his wrists were enchanted. Their main objective is to drain magic from its victim, and a vampire's healing properties are magic.

"Why do you want to die?" Rebecca looked at him quizzically, not understanding his motives. He has the chance to be with his mate, but he would rather die. "Why do you not want to be with your mate?"

Slowly dragging his eyes up and down the familiar vessel, Roger said, "Because you are not my mate."

His cruel words broke Rebecca's heart, and in a moment of rage, she pressed down on the blade. It split his flesh as more blood poured out. Before she cut more profoundly, the knife flew from her hand. Spinning around to find it, she clashed with Deimos as he stood by the open door, the bloodied knife in his hands, the red liquid dripping down his pale skin.

"What is the meaning of this?" demanded Deimos.

"I... I was just trying to recruit Roger to our cause,” stammered Rebecca. Then, stepping away from Roger, she fully turned towards Deimos.

"That is not what it looks like.” Shaking his head as he slowly entered, Deimos dropped the knife on the table. Stopping next to Rebecca, his hand shot out and wrapped around her neck. Lifting her, Rebecca's feet kicked the empty air as her hands clawed Deimos. A purple hue covered her skin as her eyes turned red from the lack of air. "You disobey me one more time, and I will end you. For good this time."

Black spots jumped into Rebecca's vision as her lungs exploded. His words sounded incoherent, but she nodded her head, hoping he wanted that. Then, without warning, her body crashed into the floor, and she dragged hard at the air. Coughing a few times, she finally looked up.

Deimos stepped over Rebecca, focusing on Roger. "Now, I think it is time we start."

"Start what?" Roger asked.

"Start the end of the world, of course,” Deimos proudly announced.

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