Into the Devil's Lair

I had just wandered a short way from the restaurant but came to a stop when it suddenly occurred to me that, I could run for now but not hide, not from Zander who would leave no stone unturned to find me. It was not the first time he was doing so as I had tried to flee from the camp several times, and this time, I was lucky enough to have reached City X. Frustrated, I went back to the restaurant but decided not to return to the suit. I spotted the restroom on my way to the private suite and headed that way planning to spend a few minutes there.

Not long after, I headed out and was on my way back to the suite when I noticed something, precisely someone, leaning on the room I had left Zander and Alaric. Not only that, he was also holding a gun, readying himself to open the door. Was he planning to assassinate them? Probably yeah, what a stupid question. I smacked my forehead inwardly.

My eyes turned sharp the urgency of shedding blood rushing through my veins. With four large strides, I was already pinning the man on the ground, pointing his own gun at his skull. One mistake and I would not hesitate blowing out his brains.

"Colt M1911, nice gun you got here dude. Too bad you messed with the wrong people," I punched him before dragging him inside. "Who sent you?" I kept kicking him till he was lying in front of Alaric and Zander, blood oozing from his nose and mouth. How satisfying I felt at that moment. It had been quite a long time since I made some mess.

With one heavy sigh, I sat down beside Alaric whose gaze was on me all this time. Maybe he was scared seeing me in action. But his half smile said otherwise, he seemed amused.

"Regretting ever crossing me already?" He chuckled in response only irking me more, because it was as if he did not care and was even less impressed. "I just saved your asses, boys." How those words came out of my mouth, I could not explain. I shut up and faced down instantly feeling the air turn icy.

"He's human," Zander went on.

"I couldn't detect him nor feel his presence," Alaric narrowed his eyes. Whatever these two weirdos were talking about, I could grasp almost nothing so I opted to keep quiet.

"Neither could I. You think it could be them?"

"Definitely."

"He's getting bolder."

"Not for long." Alaric stood up and walked past me and squatted beside the assassin. His back was facing me and I could not see what exactly he was doing but the moment he stood up, there was a red liquid flowing on the ground.

"Did you just slit his throat?" Hell yeah. He did it just like that without even interrogating the man.

"How about I slit yours so you can learn to shut up." The murderous gaze in his eyes scared me, yes he scared me and I was not sure why, but the mention of slitting my throat sent chills down my spine. If he could do so to that man without a care then who was I? I knew better than acting off at that moment. I thought Zander was enough but this Alaric, he was the calm before the storm. His silence was not to be taken lightly. "Take care of him!" He ordered Zander, and was already walking towards the door. I looked at Zander who was about to do as told and my mouth fell. Just who was this Alaric, that even the Zander was under his command.

I stood up intending to help Zander dispose off the body. I had done these countless times but for the first time, I was shaken looking at that red liquid. Coming to think of it, what had Alaric used to cut the man's throat? Did he have some kind of secret weapon, more like a dagger? I shook my head to rid off the distracting thoughts when I heard his voice again.

"Come with me." I looked up and met Alaric's gaze indicating he was talking to me. Why me? Go with him? To where?

"I'll just help out..." His glare was enough to shut me up and follow him silently. Before going, I glanced at Zander for help but he just nodded his head in assurance. It was like I had run away from prison and threw myself into the devil's lair.

The atmosphere inside the car was getting icy and I almost could not breath. Though I was irritated with his bossy attitude, I kept quiet throughout the journey. As to where we were going, I was clueless and dared not to ask. I was looking outside the window as we went far from the city. The buildings were replaced by the trees and just like that, I fell asleep near my biggest fear yet the man who brought out my darkest desires.

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

"Wake up!" A faint deep voice resonated in my ears. Could they not let me take a nap in peace?

"Leave me alone, Jareth. I've not had enough sleep." I murmured and made myself comfortable ready to go back to sleep. I furrowed my eyes wondering why my pillow was this hard and also uniquely warm. It also had this sweet scent that was somehow familiar yet unfamiliar. I sniffed it and buried my nose in it deeper.

"Damn it, woman! If you don't wake up I'll throw you out!" Why did Jareth's sound a bit charming and changed? Did he perhaps catch cold?

"Does it pain you to see me sleeping, Jareth... Alaric?" I felt a knot on my throat as words got lost from my mouth. If there was I time I wished to disappear was now. I had actually mistaken Alaric as my friend from the camp, Jareth, and was now sleeping on his lap burying my head on his stomach. What else could be more embarrassing than this?

"Who's Jareth?" His question made me shudder as I slowly rose my head up away from his thighs. Before I could even slip away, he held the back of my neck pulled me towards his face. "Look at me carefully. Do I look like any Jareth to you?"

I gulped and shook my head gently. "Words. I want words." He pulled me closer almost brushing his lips on mine.

"Alaric..."

"Again."

"You are... Alaric."

"Good. Now let's go have some fun." And he got off the car with a satisfied smile, leaving my heart, body and whole being in a mess with complex feelings. Desire, passion, and something else I could not fathom.