41. Cassius

41

CASSIUS

M y heart pounds in my chest as I search through the dimly lit building, a mixture of relief and anger coursing through me. The pungent scent of mildew hangs heavy in the air, and I can feel the dampness seeping through the soles of my shoes. My pulse quickens, and I know time is running out.

“Annalise!” I shout, desperation evident in my voice.

My foot catches on something, and I stumble, catching myself just before crashing to the ground. Looking down, I see Annalise’s unmistakable emerald eyes staring back at me, wide with fear. She’s bound and injured on the cold, unforgiving floor. Her long, wavy brown hair is matted with blood, and her petite frame is bruised and battered.

“Annalise,” I breathe, feeling a wave of relief wash over me, though it does little to quell the rage that boils beneath the surface.

“Ah, Cassius,” a mocking voice drawls from behind me. “I do wonder what makes this woman so special.”

Arlo, a man I once believed was an ally, steps forward, his movements predatory. He picks up Annalise, gripping her tightly, and I can see the pain etched across her face. In that moment, I want nothing more than to tear him apart for what he’s done to her.

“Tell me, Cassius,” Arlo taunts, his dark eyes narrowed in amusement. “What’s so remarkable about this one?”

“Let her go, Arlo,” I growl, barely containing my fury. “This doesn’t have to end badly for you.”

He smirks, seeming to relish in my torment. “Oh, but I think it does. After all, if she’s worth this much trouble, there must be something valuable I could learn by killing you.”

“Touch her again, and I’ll make sure you never lay a finger on anyone,” I hiss, my voice laced with venom.

“Bold words,” Arlo sneers, clearly unimpressed. “But can you back them up?”

My mind races, considering the potential outcomes of this situation. As much as I want to tear into Arlo for the harm he’s caused Annalise, I know that I have to prioritize her safety. I need to get her out of here and find help, even if it means putting myself in danger.

“Put her down, Arlo,” I warn, my determination unwavering. “You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.”

“Neither do you,” he replies smugly, tightening his grip on Annalise. Her face contorts with pain, and I feel the familiar fire of rage reigniting within me.

The veins in my temples throb as rage courses through me, the sight of Annalise’s pain pushing me to my limit. I can’t contain my fury any longer—Arlo needs to pay for what he’s done.

“Enough,” I snarl, launching myself at him with every ounce of strength and anger I possess. Our bodies collide, sending us crashing to the ground, my fists connecting with his face in a frenzy of violence. Each blow feels like retribution for the harm he’s inflicted upon her, my knuckles bruising and bloodied but unstoppable.

“Damn you, Cassius!” Arlo spits out between gritted teeth, struggling to defend himself from my unrelenting assault. It’s not enough—nothing will ever be enough to make up for what he’s done.

“Never touch her again,” I growl, punctuating my words with one final punch that leaves him lying motionless beneath me. My breath comes in ragged gasps, sweat mixing with the blood that stains my hands.

But there’s no time to revel in victory; Annalise’s safety is all that matters now. I scramble to her side, my heart pounding furiously as I take in her battered form. Gently, I cradle her in my arms, careful not to cause her any more pain.

“Annalise…Lily, it’s me,” I murmur, brushing a strand of hair away from her bruised face. Her eyes flutter open for a brief moment, confusion and relief warring in their emerald depths.

“Cassius,” she whispers, her voice barely audible. “Thank God you’re here.”

“Shh, save your strength,” I soothe, trying to keep my own emotions in check. “I’ve got you now. You’re safe.”

As I hold her close, my mind races with plans to get us out of this hellish place. I can’t let my guard down, not even for a second—the danger still looms over us, threatening to snatch away everything I’ve fought so hard to protect.

“Stay with me, Annalise,” I plead, more to myself than her. “We’ll make it through this. I promise.”

With every step, Annalise’s shallow breaths remind me of the gravity of our situation. I carry her toward the door, my urgency growing as I sense the danger closing in around us.

“Stay with me, Lily,” I whisper, trying to keep my voice steady. “Just hold on.”

She manages a weak nod, her grip on my shoulder tightening ever so slightly. My heart swells with love and admiration for her strength—even now, when she’s hurting and scared, she refuses to give up.

Our escape is slowed by the debris littering the floor, testament to the violence that unfolded within these walls. The air feels heavy, suffocating, as if the very building itself is conspiring against us.

“Almost there,” I tell her, forcing a smile I don’t feel, but she barely registers my words—her gaze is distant, unfocused. “You’re doing great, Annalise.”

“Thank…you…” she murmurs, her voice barely audible. Her eyes close again, and I feel a surge of panic at the thought of losing her.

“Keep talking to me,” I urge her, desperate to hear her voice. “Tell me…anything. Just keep talking.”

“Remember…the night we met?” she asks, her voice trembling with effort. “At the masquerade ball?”

My chest tightens at the memory; it was the night I fell in love with her. “Of course. How could I forget?”

“Never…felt so alive,” she confesses, her eyes fluttering open once more. “With you.”

“Me too,” I admit, my voice thick with emotion. “And I promise, once we’re out of here, we’ll have many more nights like that. Just stay with me.”

Her lips curve into a ghost of a smile, and I cling to the hope that it brings. We reach the door, and I kick it open with all my remaining strength, stepping out into the dimly lit hallway.

“Almost there,” I repeat, more to reassure myself than her. But as I take another step, a gunshot rings out, echoing through the corridor like a thunderclap.

Pain sears through my chest, and I collapse to my knees, clutching at the wound as blood seeps through my fingers. My vision blurs, but I refuse to let go of Annalise—she’s been through too much already.

“Ca-Cassius…” she stammers, terror in her eyes. “You…you’re hurt.”

“Doesn’t matter,” I manage to grit out, fighting the blackness encroaching on the edges of my vision. “We need to keep moving.”

“Ca-can’t,” she whispers, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Can’t leave you.”

“Annalise, listen to me,” I gasp, my breath coming in shallow, ragged gasps. “I need you to be strong for both of us now. You hear me?”

“Ca-Cassius…”

“Promise me,” I choke out, feeling the darkness closing in. “Promise me you’ll survive this, no matter what.”

“Promise,” she sobs, her grip on me tightening. And even though I can barely see her face through the haze of pain, I know that she means it—my fierce, beautiful Lily will fight until her dying breath.

“Good,” I manage to whisper, before the darkness finally claims me.

The weight of my body presses against the cold, unforgiving floor as I force myself to breathe through the pain. Annalise’s wide emerald eyes stare at me, filled with fear and determination. I refuse to let her down.

“Stay…behind me,” I grunt, my voice strained and raw. With a Herculean effort, I drag myself toward her, each inch feeling like a mile. My love for her fuels my desperation, pushing me forward despite the agony threatening to consume me.

“Ca-Cassius, don’t,” Annalise pleads, her voice trembling. “You’re hurt…you need help.”

“Help won’t matter if we’re both dead,” I reply, forcing a bitter smile onto my bloodstained lips. “I’ve got you, Lily. Trust me.”

Her eyes glisten with unshed tears, but she nods, her petite frame trembling with the effort to stay strong. I reach her side, and our fingers intertwine, our connection solidifying my resolve.

Another gunshot shatters the tense silence, and I instinctively shield Annalise with my body. The bullet misses me by a hair’s breadth, and I hear the thud of Arlo’s body hitting the ground. Relief washes over me—Damian has arrived.

“Damian…thank God,” I gasp between ragged breaths, my vision swimming. The darkness threatens to claim me again, but I dig my nails into my palms, using the sharp pain to anchor myself to reality.

“Your brother…” Annalise murmurs, her eyes flicking to where Damian stands, his muscular frame tense, jet-black hair matted with sweat. His piercing blue eyes scan the room, alight with a mixture of concern and rage.

“Trust him,” I whisper, squeezing her hand. “He’ll protect us.”

“Both of you need to get out of here,” Damian commands, his baritone voice strained but steady. “I’ll hold them off.”

“Damian…” I start, but he cuts me off with a sharp shake of his head.

“Go, Cassius. You’ve done enough. Now let me do my part.”

With one last nod, I gather what little strength remains in me and pull Annalise close, our hearts beating wildly as one. Together, we stumble toward the door, the weight of our love for each other propelling us forward through the darkness that surrounds us.

Blood seeps through my fingers as I point toward Annalise, my eyes locked on Damian’s. The concern etched in his chiseled features is a balm for the fear gnawing at me. His piercing blue eyes, identical to mine, speak volumes more than any words could.

“Take care of her,” I rasp, the pain nearly overwhelming me. My chest feels like it’s being crushed under the weight of my sacrifice. “Please.”

Damian nods once, a steely determination overtaking him. “I will, Cassius. You have my word.” He moves with swift purpose, scooping up Annalise’s battered form and cradling her like the most precious treasure.

“Thank you,” she whispers, her emerald eyes brimming with unshed tears. Those eyes, so full of love and strength, are the last thing I see before my vision wavers.

“You two need to get out of here,” I manage, gritting my teeth against the pain. Every word is a struggle, but I can’t falter now. Not when their lives depend on it.

“Our mother would be proud of you,” Damian says softly, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re a true protector, just like her.”

The memory of our mother’s fierce spirit courses through me, giving me one last surge of strength. I reach out, grasping Damian’s arm. “Promise me, brother…protect her…no matter what.”

“Always,” he vows, his jaw set with unwavering fortitude.

As they begin to move away, I feel the weight of my choices settle upon me. The knowledge that I failed to save our mother floods my thoughts, drowning out everything else. But this time, I will not be helpless. I refuse to let history repeat itself—not while there’s still breath left in me.

With that singular resolve, I collapse to the ground, my chest aflame with pain and love. The darkness edges closer, but I cling to the belief that I’ve done enough—that Damian will keep Annalise safe, no matter the cost.

“Goodbye,” I whisper, my voice barely audible as the shadows consume me. In this moment of surrender, I finally understand what it means to be a true protector—to lay down my life for the ones I love, just like my mother did before me.