CHAPTER 17 I Am A Monster.

I was in a dark and void room, blood sneered on the walls, and my hands were shackled. I stood up as I frantically searched the room for any other person. But I was all alone in this dark empty room.

I woke up with a long gasp.

"What was that and why did it feel so real" I whispered to myself. I looked at my surroundings and realized that I wasn't in my room anymore. I was in shackles similar to the ones I had seen.

The room wasn't dark and empty like I had seen rather it was huge with glass panels and a long surgical table. In front of it was a girl with dark pink hair, she was tied to the table with a metal chain, her head hung low. She looked rough and haggard.

Behind the glass panels were people hung on the walls with shackles. Some I could recognise and some I couldn't.

I looked back at the pink-haired girl to see her staring directly at me. In her eyes, I could a burning hatred for me. Did I know this girl?

My attention was soon averted to a shadowy figure coming out of a set of double doors.

"Hello, princess." He said. He was huge and a definition of beauty. He carried an air of power and arrogance.

"Who are you? " I asked as my voice shivered.

He crouched before me.

"I see your dear husband never told you about me. You may as well ask him"

I furrowed my brows in confusion. He stood up and slowly walked over to the end of the huge room. He then pulled a curtain that I hadn't realized was there.

Behind it was him, my husband. He was shackled to the walls. His brows were furrowed and his fists were clenched tightly.

He didn't even raise his head to look at me.

"Dylan!!!." I tried to get to get up to reach for him but the shackles restricted my movements.

The huge man crouched before me he then held my face in his hands as studied my face.

"Ahh so fragile. What was he thinking? Didn't I train him well" He snorted. His voice was filled with sarcasm.

"How'd I get here?" I said my voice quivering as I spoke.

"Ahhhh. That's a long story, Princess. It wasn't hard to get him once I found you and I also got a little help from someone you know. "

I frowned in confusion.

"I see our little princess is confused. You won't be for too long"

Immediately he spoke a figure stepped out from the darkness. As the figure got closer, my jaw dropped when I saw the person's face.

It was him, Jeremy, or Xander? My friend. How was he involved in this?

"I know you must be thinking 'How does this have to do with him'" His voice laced with sarcasm.

"Well thanks to him we would get to see what I have waited for centuries for. I gave up my leadership for this. Thanks to him it was easy to get to you and of course thanks to Aithne as well"

He paused, his gaze burning into my face.

"Still confused I see. Then I guessed you didn't know he did it "

"He marked you dear" He walked over to the table. He walked over to me, and in his hands was, a mirror.

I looked over at him confused. But that confusion soon turned into fear when he suddenly turned my head to the other side, my neck bared to his face.

He held the mirror out facing my neck.

"Look for yourself princess" He whispered.

I looked over with the side of my eye. I saw it, a bite mark.

The memories from the night before flashed before my eyes. I remember the sharp stinging pain on my neck which soon turned into one of ecstasy. I remember the strong pull of power that had been called on to me. I happily accepted it. I remember how I had felt complete and whole when I accepted it.

I learned a little about marking during a conversation between Caytln and me. She had told me about how it strengthened the connection between two mates but she hadn't elaborated on it.

I looked over at the arrogant man in confusion. Was that a bad thing?

"Uhhh. Are you still confused princess? He had marked you without permission. He obviously knew you were in danger. I just don't get why he didn't protect you very well. Anyway back to the main reason why we are here "

"We are here today to finally reveal what I have waited for centuries for"

"Xander, may you do the honor? "

Xander walked out of the room and later returned to the room with a bottle in his hand was a bottle filled with the pink liquid he had been giving me. What exactly was happening?

He placed the bottle in the arrogant man's hand. The man then turned to me.

"Remember this? This is the key. The answer. "

I raised my brow in confusion. What did he mean?

However before I could speak the huge arrogant man forcefully opened my mouth, he poured the liquid into my mouth and forced me to swallow.

In a blink of an eye, he was by the side of the pink-haired girl. In his hands was a dagger. He immediately slit her shoulder. Her blood rushed down, a dark crimson color.

I didn't understand what was happening. Then I felt it. A strong desire. My throat burned and my vision was clouded with nothing but that hunger. I smelt it, the fresh blood. It was alluring. The burning in my throat increased.

I crawled slowly towards it. It was then I realized I had been released from the chains. But I still wanted it. The burning in my throat became worse.

I wanted to get there quicker. I couldn't wait anymore. It hurt too much. The desire was too strong. In less than a second I was next to her. I immediately placed my mouth on the cut. I sucked and sucked until I was satisfied. It felt pleasant like the hunger of a hundred had finally been satiated.

I closed my eyes, relieved. It was then I realized it. Something was wrong. I could hear voices. Voices of a lot of people. I could hear screams of pain and agony.

I snapped my eyes open.

Before me lay the corpse of the pink-haired girl. Had I done this?

Just like a dream. The memories flashed before my eyes. I remember her eyes that had a burning hatred for which I never knew the reason. Natalie Portman.

I gradually backed away from her corpse. I had killed her. No!!!

"Natalie!!!!. No!!!!!!!. No. No. No!!!!! " I screamed.

"Do you see it, princess? This is what you are, a monster" The arrogant man said as being knelt before me. In his hands was a mirror.

I looked at the girl in the mirror. The corners of her lips were smeared with blood. Her eyes were a dark crimson-red colour. Her eyes reflected pain and confusion. Tears ran down her face slowly.

"Vincent. What is the meaning of all these?!!!" I heard Dylan shout across the room.

"Hush Hush Aithne. It's story time" said the arrogant man, Vincent.

"Not too long ago when the vampire population was still at large. The mother of all vampires Eve, bore a child, a child of her own. The existence of the child struck fear in the hearts of the vampires, they were afraid of the power it may hold. Soon they were quick to turn their back on Eve. They all wanted one thing, To Kill The Unknown Creature. A war soon broke out, the werewolf and the hunters were also involved as they all wanted to eliminate the creature. Eve had tried to satiate the war but it only became worse. As a mother, she ran for the safety of her child. It was said that she birth the child but in an unknown location. She soon returned to the vampire population and was quick to stop the war telling them the child had been killed. "

I looked at him in confusion. How did the story have anything to do with me?

"How do you still not get it? You are the child!! ."

My eyes widened in shock. How?. Mother lied to me? How was this possible?

"Took me a long time to find you." He said disrupting my thoughts. "I even had to give up my power to find you. When I did though, your power had been suppressed so I used a little concoction to bring it back to life and the rest you know"

"But my mother? How? " I whimpered.

"She was the maiden Eve had entrusted with her child. She could never have bore a child with her human companion. It wasn't allowed in the vampire law even if she was human. "

"So that's it. Your story. The truth behind your existence. You are an abomination. A monster. " Vincent said. Like music, his words rang in my head.

"And I need your power" He whispered in my ear. He pulled my head back, staring into my eyes although it felt like he was peering into my soul. Did I even have a soul?

"Close your and feel it. The power. It's everywhere. You want it. " He whispered provocatively.

He was right when I closed my eyes I did feel it, POWER. It felt so good yet forbidden and wrong. I snapped my eyes open but was shocked to see who knelt before me.

The power within him was magnificent. I reached out to it greedily.

I pulled back almost immediately, my lips quivering. What was I doing?

He lay before me, his body sprawled on the floor.

"Dylan Dylan Dylan!!!!!! " I shouted. I nudged him but he didn't respond.

I turned to Vincent demanding an explanation from him "What have made me do?. What?!?". I sounded crazy but I didn't care, I was desperate to save the one I loved.

He crept towards me slowly.

" Don't you dare come near me you monster!!! " I screamed.

"Oh, no princess. That's where you're wrong. You are the monster here!! "

With an almost pleading look, I turned to him.

"Please save him. He can't die. Vampires don't die do they?."

"Not in your case princess. You have the power to take the life of any being"

"I don't want it!!!!! " I broke into tears. I was angry yet in pain.

Suddenly, I felt something rapidly burst inside me. Whatever it was it contained great power.

It brought deep pain to me as it traveled through my body rapidly. An earth-shattering scream erupted from within me as it ended.

Almost on instinct, I stood up a lot more confident than before. The men stood before me, their mouths agape and their faces pale. Had they seen a ghost?

I picked up the mirror to be met with a beautiful otherworldly being. She was too beautiful to be me. Her brown eyes were now an assortment of vibrant colors. Her brown her had red strips in them with a silver coating at the tip.

However, her body was the most mesmerizing. Intricately drawn patterns decorated her body all curved at the right places. They gleamed beautifully in the room. She was just too beautiful to be real.

She now had sharply cut fangs on either side of her teeth.

My admiration was cut short by eerie groans and cracks.

The men were gone, they had escaped. Dust-filled air engulfed the room. The walls began to buckle and sway. The buildings were collapsing.

His body lay there in the midst of the chaos. I rushed to him, scooping him in my arms.

I carefully lead him to a slightly safe spot. I had to save the other people.

I walked back into the ongoing chaos. The power I held had to be useful in this situation right?

I stretched my hands forward, my palm facing out. I felt a strong pull, I then heard screams of agony and pain of so many people.

I staggered back in fear. Who were these people?

I couldn't leave my questions unanswered, so I walked forward once more. This time I held on to the power, it felt like it was calling unto me.

I reached out to a particular voice in the swarm of voices.

"Hello!!!. Anyone there??!!!. Dylan??!!!"

"I am here"

"Who are you??"

"Jessica."

"What??!!!! How??!!! "

"There's no time to explain that now. I need the team and as many people as I can get. "

"Where are you? "

"Umm. You can track me right? Just follow my energy. Please I don't think I can hold this any longer. Find me!! "

I slumped down weakly, my chest heaved up and down frantically.

With the little strength I had left, I approached Dylan.

I stopped as I felt a strong force of power approaching.

They had arrived.

"Jessica!!!. What's going on?"

"I don't have time to explain. I have to get Dylan to the mansion quickly. Please get everyone out safely.

I ran as fast as I could. I arrived at the mansion in less than a second.

" Help!! Help meee!!. " I walked up the stairs of the huge gloomy mansion. I had no idea where I was going.

Curious faces peeked out to see what was going on. Gasps could be heard everywhere but no one stepped out to help.

Luckily a young woman stepped out to help. She led us to a small room with a bed and different liquids in bottles. A huge book was placed on the podium in the center of the room.

"Can you help him?"

She place her palm on his chest and ever so slightly closed her eyes. She snapped open ever so slightly. Her eyes reflected sadness and deep pain.

"What's wrong!!!. Tell me!!!"

"His energy is very low, he may not survive. His bond with the coterie is slowly breaking away. If it breaks away completely, the vampires are at risk of becoming rouge and wild. Which would be a disaster. " She said her eyes brimming with tears.

"Is there anything we can do to save him and everyone"

"Not that I know of "

"There is a way to save everyone but we would be risking his life." Said an old lady who emerged from the shadows.

"You're his mate. The only way we can save everyone is by using the bond you both share" She said.

"How? "

"Normally it is done through s***al contact but the only way to do it right now is by sharing a kiss. "

With trembling lips, I leaned in and shared a kiss that held all the love and pain I felt for him.

The room filled with an ethereal glow as the power of the connection flowed between us. It was a beautiful yet agonizing process, as I felt the weight of the bond settle within our souls. My newfound vampire nature merged with his ancient existence, and our destinies intertwined in a way that transcended time.

When the kiss finally ended, I felt both elated and shattered. The connection had been transferred successfully, but the cost was immense.

"I'm sorry," the older witch said sorrowfully. "I didn't anticipate how frail his state was. The connection alone won't be sufficient to save him."

The transfer had taken a toll on his weakened state, and I realized that the connection, while preserved, was not enough to heal him completely.

"Why isn't he waking up? Is he dead? He can't be" I said desperately.

The younger girl placed her palm on his chest once more. Her shone with hope and sadness.

"He is alive but he also isn't alive"

"What?? "

"His energy still flows but his body is too weak. He will be asleep for a long time" The older woman explained.

"Do you know when he'll wake up? "

"I don't know. At this point, it will take a miracle to save him. "

I broke down in tears. The events from earlier flashed before my eyes. It was then I remembered them. The reason for all this. I had to find them. They had to pay for everything they had done.

With a newfound confidence. I arose boldly.

"I MUST FIND THEM" I declared.

( "In the embrace of sacrifice and love, they forged an unbreakable bond, yet fate's cruel hand lay heavy upon them. As he slumbers, she carries the weight of his dreams, vowing to awaken not only him but also the fury of a thousand suns. For in her heart burns the undying flame of revenge against those who caused this tragedy, and she shall rise from the ashes of despair to claim retribution, fueled by the power of love and the strength of her newfound powers." )

END OF WEAKNESS. BEGINNING OF STRENGTH.