Page 61 of Dark Captivation

My eyes slugged open and I lost track of how much time had passed. My only indication was that I was now on a stretcher in front of the community center. A blood bag hung over me as a doctor stuck a needle in my arm, while crying orders at three nurses.

Two men in yellow suits carried me towards an ambulance. They loaded me in and Sunny and Ferina were already inside, talking to a paramedic. Seeing them both immediately calmed me.

The doctor climbed in next and he called out to the driver instructing them on which hospital to take us to.

Sleep beckoned, rendering me mute as everyone in the ambulance engaged in a heated debate, fueled by desperation to save my life.

A nurse climbed in, slamming one of the doors behind her. A rush of smells spilled inside before the second door closed.

I growled as the familiar scent invaded my nostrils, infuriating me. It was the demi-gods, all three of them. They were nearby. They came for her, my Sunny.

I watched as Sunny talked to Ferina, my lust-filled gaze branding every inch of her as mine.

I couldn’t allow them to meet with her. Not even once. She hated them right now because of what they did to her parents. But I knew her. Her heart was too pure to hate anyone forever, no matter the reason.

I had to take those demi-gods under heel. They and Varcus had become a thorn in my side too big to ignore.

I would do anything to create a world of peace and light for my bride. Nothing less would be worthy of her. I only hoped my soul wouldn’t be stained with too much darkness at the end of it all. I needed to protect her from the monsters of this world, and I would do just that, even if it meant becoming one in the process.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

LIVY

Itwisted the faucet and cold water peppered my face and chest, washing away the grime from today’s training session with Ferina. It was almost 3pm which meant it was time to visit Malek in the infirmary again.

I’d just been with him this morning and every day since he’d been admitted last week. Seeing that the long hours at his side were wearing on me, he begged me to take some time for myself. But I wanted to be near him and didn’t stay far from him for long.

Malek was my oldest friend and my feelings for him now were anything but straightforward. On the one hand, watching Varcus almost kill him made me want to rip Varcus a new one. But on the other hand, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was on the right path.

I lathered up my loofa, lathering every inch of my body before washing the suds away.

‘All of demon kind, no, the world would be better off with Malek dead,’ Varcus’s words played over and over in my head as I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around myself.

That big, beautiful demon had so much good in him. I saw it every time he beamed his million dollar smile at me. But his determination to wage war on the world hadn’t wavered. If anything, the attack on the center had only strengthened his belief that he needed to control each and every facet of the world.

And nothing I’ve said to him over the last few days to the contrary has made any difference.

I got dressed and quickly went across the palace, up to the fifth floor and into the infirmary.

When I left him this morning, the infirmary was quiet with only one nurse attending Malek. But now, as I opened the door and looked inside, an entire team of doctors and half a dozen nurses rallied around his bed.

I dug into the fray, asking what had happened as anxiety told me the worst had to have happened. On the other side of the wall of doctors and nurses, Malek sat upright on his bed, his bulky frame free of bandages and casts for the first time since he’d been admitted.

“Sunny! There you are. I was hoping you’d be back soon. They’ve decided to discharge me early.” He smiled at me, merrily combing his fingers through his glossy black mane.

“And how many of these doctors did you have to intimidate to pull that off?” I folded my arms. “You were at Deaths’ door only a few days ago. Your heart stopped three times. Three. Don’t you think you should rest just a little bit longer?”

“Nonsense. I would never intimidate an innocent soul.” He averted his eyes so I wouldn’t see the lie within.

Still, he seemed much better and as Demon God, his ability to heal was even greater than an alpha wolf. I supposed he was well enough to leave.

“Thank you everyone. I’ll be recommending a raise for all of you during my next meeting with Palace HR,” Malek said and the grateful doctors and nurses thanked him before leaving the room.

“You know my men still haven’t been able to find Varcus or his merry band of mischief-makers?” He took his pillow, crushing it between his fists. “Where could they have gone so quickly? It’s like they’ve just dissolved into the atmosphere.”

“They’ll find Varcus soon.” I took a seat next, palming his knee. “All we have to do is wait. Someone will spot him eventually.”

“Wait?” He stared off to the side, contemplatively. “No, waiting for him to attack again might put you in harm’s way. We need some time away from the palace. Away from all of this conflict and discord. Also, I’ve been dying for more alone time with you.”

---