Hunter Maximus
Chapter 37

I can’t see anything, I can only feel how far back I have retreated in my mind. I was still alive but my heart had stopped beating – I know because that was the moment my mind completely retreated back into itself.

“It’s called survival,” Maximus’ voice echoes through my thoughts and I can feel the rush of protection and warmth that come with his words.

“I was attacked by a monster,” I reply, still feeling Maximus’ presence close by, “I could die, why aren’t I dead? Why are you in my head? Shouldn’t you be fighting –”

“I tried to protect you, it snapped my neck,” Maximus growls, annoyed at himself for not protecting me.

“What does that mean for Leah?” I ask in a hushed whisper.

“I don’t know...” Maximus sighs, sounding stressed, “Isobel... we might not survive this.”

“What do you mean?” I ask quickly, “Won’t we heal and be fine?”

“Theoretically yes,” Maximus hesitates, “But we were attacked by a werewolf, not a monster.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means we have poison in our systems, their claws have toxins. Enough of the toxin kills vampires.”

“Is there a cure?”

“...maybe, but these were most likely the werewolves modified by Eddrick,” Maximus explains, “We might die quicker, or we might reawaken. I can’t tell you that everything is going to be okay.”

“I’m glad you are at least with me, in my mind, because of the bond... at least I wont... we won’t... you know... die alone.”

“You’ll never be alone, my little hunter,” Maximus says tenderly, “I’ll follow you into the next world, and the next.”

“That’s called persistence,” I joke around.

“I still need to taste you, properly, all of you, darling,” If I could blush in the deepest recesses of my mind; I do, “Isobel, if we do die – I need you to know that I love you.”

I hesitate in responding, shocked by the gentle and genuine tone Maximus embodies in my mind.

“I think I’m dreaming,” I say.

Maximus chuckles and says, “No, I’m right here with you, darling.”

“I think I’m in love with you, too” I blurt out, before I can hold it back.

But before he can respond, I feel a cold rush enter my mind – like a brain freeze. It’s like all my nerve endings are on fire.

I’m waking up.

And I’m not having a brain freeze – my mind is just registering how much damage is done to my body. It’s the pain – the pain is making me want to throw up.

But I can’t move.

I’m too broken.

I don’t even know if my stomach was still in my body for christ’s sake.

I couldn’t open my eyes.

Everything hurt.

I try to retreat back into the deepest part of my mind.

Anywhere I could go – to escape the pain.

Death would be welcome right about now.

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