10. Aria

10

ARIA

I wake with a start, my body aching in unfamiliar ways. Memories flood back - Christos's fangs, his touch, the intoxicating pleasure.

I run my fingers over the marks on my neck, a shiver coursing through me at the memory. Christos's touch, his lips, his... everything. My breath catches as I recall the intensity of our connection.

I've been with men before, but nothing - nothing - compares to this. It's like Christos awakened something primal within me, a part I never knew existed. My skin still tingles where he touched me, my body humming with a newfound energy.

I close my eyes, trying to make sense of these overwhelming feelings. It's not just physical satisfaction - though that was mind-blowing. There's something deeper, a sense of... completion. Like I've found a missing piece of myself I never knew was lost.

Soulmates, I think, shaking my head. Get a grip, Aria.

But the word lingers, taunting me. I've always scoffed at the concept, dismissing it as romantic nonsense. My job as a journalist means I deal in facts, not fairy tales. Yet here I am, questioning everything I thought I knew.

What we shared wasn't just sex. It was a connection on a level I can't even begin to explain. The way Christos looked at me, touched me, like he could see into my very soul... It both thrills and terrifies me.

I bite my lip, conflicted. Part of me wants to run, to chalk this up to adrenaline and near-death experiences. But a larger part - a part that's growing stronger by the second - wants to stay. To explore this connection, to unravel the mystery that is Christos.

But with clarity comes questions…

I sit up to see Christos lounging in a chair across the room, his otherworldly beauty more apparent than ever. His eyes lock onto mine, concern and guilt warring in their depths.

"Are you okay?" His voice is hoarse, and I wonder how long I've been out. I did lose a lot of blood, so I'm not surprised.

"Yeah," I rasp, and he points to the table beside me. I see strips of meat and water and I devour both. The whole time Christos just watches me.

"What are you?" The words tumble out before I can stop them.

He tenses, shoulders squaring. "Aria, I-"

"Don't lie to me." My voice quivers, but I press on. "I saw that man drinking blood. And then you... Are you vampires?"

Christos runs a hand through his hair, conflict etched on his face. "Not exactly. We're called vrakken. It's... complicated."

"Uncomplicate it," I demand, wrapping the sheet tighter around me. "I deserve to know what's going on here."

He nods, resignation settling over him. "You're right. We do need blood to survive, but we're not undead. We're... Changed. Made."

"Into what?" Fear and curiosity war within me.

"Something between human and…not," he says softly. "We have enhanced strength, speed, healing. And the wings."

I look at the massive bat-like appendages that are spread out from his back. "How? Why?"

Christos sighs. "It's a long story, one I'm still learning myself. Our god created us, and Nyx, the first vrakken, continues to make more of us."

My investigative instincts kick in. "Is that what's happening to those people I saw? The ones who looked ill?"

He nods grimly. "The Change. Not everyone survives it."

A chill runs through me. "And you're okay with that? With people dying?"

"No," he says fiercely. "But it's necessary for our kind to survive. Our god demands it…" I can see the guilt plainly on his face. "I don't have a choice."

I study him, seeing the torment in his eyes. I want to say there's always a choice…but maybe there's not. Maybe there is more here than I understand.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the answer to my next question. "Christos, am I... am I ever going to be able to leave here?"

He sighs heavily, his eyes meeting mine with a mix of sadness and resignation. "Aria, I brought you here to keep you safe. But if you want to leave..." He pauses, his jaw clenching. "You can. I won't stop you. I'll take you wherever you need."

My heart skips a beat at his words. Freedom, just like that? But then the reality sinks in.

"There's a catch, isn't there?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

Christos nods. "You can't tell anyone about us. About what you've seen here. It would put our entire species at risk."

I process this, realizing what it means. If I leave, I'll never see Christos again. The thought sends an unexpected pang through my chest. Despite everything, despite what he is, I've grown to care for him.

"And if I stay?" The words slip out before I can stop them.

Christos's gaze intensifies, a mix of hope and fear flickering in his eyes. "If you stay..." He trails off, then squares his shoulders. "Aria, we're running out of time either way. At some point, someone will find out about you. And when they do, they'll want to Change you."

The weight of his words settles over me. Change me. Make me like them. The thought is terrifying, yet a small part of me is intrigued.

"So those are my options?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. "Leave and never see you again, or stay and become... like you?"

Christos nods grimly. "I'm sorry, Aria. I wish there was another way."

I take a deep breath, my mind racing. "Christos, I'll be in danger either way. There are people hunting me after what I uncovered at that facility — on that island where you found me. I can't just go back to my old life like nothing happened."

Suddenly, a horrifying realization hits me. I leap to my feet, the sheet falling away. "Oh god, the people on that island! We have to help them!"

Christos is at my side in an instant, his cool hands cupping my face. His touch is gentle, a stark contrast to the strength I know he possesses. "Aria, calm down. I already took care of it."

I blink, confused. "What do you mean?"

"After I brought you here, I went back," he explains, his green eyes intense. "I could smell something was off…and then I found the experiments. It was... horrific." A shadow passes over his face. "I killed all the guards and called the authorities anonymously. They'll get help."

"But... why didn't you tell me sooner?" I ask, my heart racing.

Christos's thumbs stroke my cheeks softly. "I didn't want to overwhelm you. And honestly, I wasn't sure how you'd react to knowing I'd killed people."

Relief washes over me, so powerful it makes my knees weak. Christos steadies me, concern etched on his features. In that moment, looking into his eyes, I realize something that both thrills and terrifies me.

I'm falling for him. Hard.

Despite everything he is, everything I've learned about the vrakken, I can't deny the connection between us. He saved those people, risked exposure to do the right thing. And he did it for me.

"Thank you," I whisper, leaning into his touch. "For going back, for helping them."