44. Kairhyse

44

Kairhyse

I contemplate running down the stairs, just to reduce the amount of time away from her. I'm terrified she's going to run. Gods be damned , why did I even go there? I truly have zero restraint.

Fucking Belial himself, Xera.

I'm out of my complex's parking lot within minutes, racing through the city. Her workplace is on the other side of town, but I know these streets well enough to get there in fifteen minutes. It lies just beyond the skyscrapers, nestled behind a cluster of hills. The authorities have multiple dispatch offices, and this one seems to be the safest. I'm grateful for that; it's one less concern for Xeraphine.

I pull up to the front gate where an officer waves me forward. "Good evening."

"Evening, I'm picking up Sydni Diar. She's an employee here." He retreats to his booth, and after sixty-four seconds, the gate opens.

Fuck, my body is absolutely fighting with me for not rushing right back up that elevator. I should've just said it and dealt with chasing after her. No, no… I did the right thing in stopping. She didn't want it. Yet, when have I ever stopped myself when it comes to her ?

Maybe she would've seen the truth behind me saying it. It's possible that fear would have been washed away by me just telling her that I love her.

I'm a hopeless fucking fool.

The door opens, and I shoot my gaze at Sydni. Her pink hair is tied up in a bun, and she looks exhausted. "It's been so dang busy, Rhysie-poo. Thank you for coming to get me."

Not even a second passes before the door closes that I'm turning us around, and getting us back on the main road. "Wow—did I catch you both in the middle of the act?" She pokes me with her elbow. "Ah? How's the daaaate ?"

"Good." I am not a very good actor. I need to get some lessons from my girl.

"Uh-oh, what happened?"

I groan, "Nothing, butterfly, it's okay."

"What did she do? Do I need to scold her?" I can hear her soft huff, "Because I will. She needs to open up. Be less—well—her. You are perfect for her."

The light turns red, and I'm debating on just running it, but I come to a stop. I don't want to risk anything, and having the authorities chase us or me getting us into an accident only prolongs my time away from her.

My leg is shaking as I watch the light.

"Rhys…" I don't think she's ever not said the full nickname, and I turn to look at her. "What happened?"

"I was… ah—Sydni, I don't know if I should have this conversation with you."

"You didn't tell her you loved her, right?" Her face of fear is just more confirmation that I nearly fucked everything up I worked so hard for. "Oh shit, you did…"

"No… I—I didn't get the chance." I run my hands up and through my hair. "Gods, she is so infuriating! What is her deal with that fucking word? Why can't I love her? Why does it have to be a lie?" I really shouldn't be saying this to her, and I quickly rein myself back in. "Sorry. Forget I said anything."

Her hand rests against my arm, giving me a gentle smile. "You can love her. I do. She doesn't need you to tell her. In time, you may be the one to make that change in her. Until then, just show her how much you do."

I take a moment to absorb her words, and in that pause, I do calm my anxiety. She is absolutely right.

Giving her a soft nod, I smile, "How'd you become such a guru in relationships?"

She playfully twirls the loose strands of her hair and flutters her lashes, "I definitely don't get that from Phiny-bear."

We share a laugh, "Did you ask her about seeing the movie?"

My phone rings, "No, but I'll ask her. Nearly got to it, then I got distracted."

I'm taken by surprise, completely out of the moment, that it's Marcos calling me. It's a video call, which is strange, and it's coming through the screen in my car.

Before answering it, I swap to the driver's camera only and hit the green button. "Hey—"

My entire body freezes, and I shift my hand quickly over to Sydni to cover her mouth. I don't think my heart is capable of beating faster, and every part of me is on fire, itching as if my skin is being torn apart.

"Ah, Kairhyse, thanks for answering on the first call."

He has the phone tilted, and the dark walls and furniture aren't the things that are causing me to shake.

It's not the flowers strewn across the floor that I had placed on the fireplace.

It's my Xera, on her knees, behind him, bloody and battered.

"What the fuck are you doing there, Marcos?" I've completely missed the green light, I think, I'm so consumed with the image on the screen I can't even bring my foot off the brake.

I can't see who has her hair in their grasp, but I can tell it's a female by the daintiness of the wrist and her nails .

"You know, I'm not going to answer that. You are just going to listen for a moment. Also, stay at that stoplight." Fucking shit. My nostrils flare, and I squeeze the steering wheel. "I have to say, I'm very disappointed in you."

"I do not give a fuck what you are. Release her, or so help me—"

Marcos clicks his tongue against his teeth, "No talking, okay?" Behind him, whomever has Xeraphine gripped places a gun to her temple. While I know she'll come back, it only will put her at a disadvantage to fight back.

Wait… why isn't she fighting?!

"Good boy, now, as I was saying. I'm very disappointed in you. I was hoping that when my father died, you would be my loyal number one, right at my side ruling Hause Sidence. Everything about you is strong—nearly perfect, except for your weakness for a mere woman that doesn't even belong to you." He sucks in a deep breath and shakes his head. "I knew I smelled her on you that day. I wanted to think it was a coincidence, maybe I was just daydreaming of my forgotten Xeraphine. But, when I saw you show up in the mountains, getting out of your car at the rangers station, and then carrying her back no more than an hour or so later—I knew I wasn't mistaken."

"Kai…" My gaze drifts back to Xeraphine; her head is down, but it's her voice. She's whispering nearly too low for me to hear, but I can at least make it out. "He's Lars…"

"I would rather not have to put her back in the ground, you see." No, I wasn't going to fucking sit here. I flick my gaze up to make sure no cars are coming, and I slam on the gas.

Except, we don't move.

"Yeah, you see, cars really need regular maintenance, Kairhyse."

"They are going to put me back, Kai." I can hear the break in her words.

Why isn't she fighting? I don't understand! I don't want to scream at her to do so because there is obviously something going on. She wouldn't just willingly…

No, she wouldn't… she fucking wouldn't…

"I'm sorry…" Her voice cracks, and it comes out louder than she intended, because Marcos turns over his shoulder to look at her.

"Don't you fucking look at her!" I seethe. "Please… I'll do anything. Don't do this… What do you want?"

I was slowly moving my hand to the door handle—shit, I can't leave Sydni.

"Nothing from you. Well, before I didn't want anything from you. Now, you're going to play a crucial role in this game. So, really, thank you, Kairhyse."

The hand gripping her hair tears her head back.

She isn't wanting them to take her because as I watch tears stream down her face, my entire body goes numb. My girl is crying for the first time, terrified, and I'm not there to protect her.

"No…"

Her eyes meet the phone, and I shake my head in disbelief that this is happening.

"Find me please, I l—" Even with as fast as she speaks, she doesn't finish her statement. Not before the soft thud of her head hitting the ground filters into my ears.

I shake so violently I can't keep my grasp over Sydni's mouth.

She screams, and so do I.

"Xera!!!!!!"

"Oops. That's unfortunate. Didn't even get to say goodbye." I stop hearing what Marcos is saying because a high pitch noise blares in my ears.

I don't register the impact on the car, and it's conceivable that I momentarily lost consciousness until this very moment. My vision is clouded as I struggle to focus on Sydni who is suspended upside down, blood streaming from her neck.

When I try to move my leg, it's completely crushed between a light pole and the seat. My body is nearly cut in half; I groan and attempt to move my free arm toward Sydni.

That's when the passenger door is torn off its hinges.

"No—" I cough out and pull at my arm which is lodged between the door and what I think is a beam. "Stop!" I can't let them take her.

A set of hands grab at her, tearing off her seatbelt.

I'm losing consciousness, my body failing me. No…

"Xera!!!" I scream so loud my ears pop, and then darkness sweeps across my vision.

I lost the battle.

Just like I lost her.