43 - I'll Be Seeing You

Ailsa

The knife sinks deeply into the chest of the guard, the sound slicing throug the silence. Tears are already surfacing in my eyes as Alec shoves the dead man to the ground, kicking his body aside as he uses my key to unlock the heavy door.

I don't deny that he has every right to kill to find his brother, but I am not accustomed to such violence.

I never wanted it to come to this, but I was pushed into a corner. I must be strong, for him.

All I want to do is lay here and cry, begging for forgiveness from any God that will hear it. Blood pools at my feet. I cant fall now, if I do that, then the risk is all for nothing.

It had to be done, it had to be me, at least that's what I keep telling myself over and over again as we make our way down the stairs quickly, just the two of us.

This isn't about my soul, this is about love and sacrifice for that love.

Because it is the only way to save Fraser.

"This way." I murmur, marching forward, leading a vampire to the cages where his kind has been held for simply being themselves.

Alec warily eyes the destroyed cell, the bars crumbled.

"He did that?" The silver reflects against the light of my candle.

"Yes." But I'm not looking at him, I'm looking into the cell adjacent that holds a dark, slumped figure.

"Fraser." I say, breathless.

My mind rears at the sight of my love. He's chained up at the very back of the cell, plastered to the wall like a crumpled painting. Even in the dim air, I can see my bearded man covered in his own blood.

"Oh sweet heavens." I say in reverent horror, rushing to the bars, gripping the bars and pulling. Of course, nothing happens as I yank mindlessly. I have to get to him, have to save him.

"Move." Alec says, gently pushing me aside as he grips the thick bars. They did not bother to paint it in silver this time, why would they when he's chained and on the brink of death.

Fraser's younger brother pulls the door from its very hinges, carefully laying it down so that it wont make a sound.

My satchel goes unnoticed as I throw it to the ground, my candle even toppling over as I rush to his side. At once I'm by him, petting his hair and whispering to him.

"My love, oh my love." I whimper, my tears falling freely down my cheeks in salty rivers. What have they done to him?

Alec is there, ripping the manacles from his wrists and frowning deeply, his eyebrows are harsh slashes across his forehead.

"Bastards. Every one of them."

My breath won't come fast enough, my shallow pants are not a good sign. My weak body is betraying me, I have to calm down. I have to calm down for him. I'm no use to us if I'm in a panic.

"I'll fetch Brody and Gavin. Try to rouse him." His tone is odd, closed off as he stands up swiftly, leaving me alone with Fraser.

I don't watch him go, simply cradling Fraser close as I observe his destroyed body with tears and tightness in my chest.

The open slashes on his back come up over his shoulders, covered in blood that won't scab. Fresh blood is dried on his torso from where he was stabbed, and I can barely see the skin underneath it. The blank look in his eyes fades as something else entirely takes control.

Red hot hunger.

They starved him, almost killed him, and now he's dying. They are the true monsters. My own Father is a monster.

I pull the collar of my dress back, revealing my neck in the dark jail cell. My fingers nimbley fiddle with the top few buttons. My clothes part, making way for him to feed.

I'm going to save him. And there's only one thing I can give him now. My blood.

I ready myself for it, prepare for the strike that will come, the pain that may come along with it. I'm so used to him feeding at my wrist, but I have dreamed of him at my throat. That's where he should be, I could always sense that from seeing his stare settle at the pulse beneath my ear. He needs this, now more than ever.

The idea of it is so natural to me. I'm ready.

"Go ahead, Fraser. You must get your strength." After my words, he's on me, pinning me to the ground underneath him, his lithe limbs caging me where I lay.

The power he has despite his weakened state is sobering. I have no chance against him, but I will not fight him because this is freely mine to give.

My elbows sting at the contact with the harsh ground, but I remain quiet. He needs this, and I will give him anything he needs. I touch Fraser's handsome face with my fingertips as he looms over me. There is no recognition there, only a beast of a man turned by the hatred of others.

I love him with my whole heart. It kills me to watch him in so much pain, so much anger and ferocity in the face that I know is kind and gentle.

His eyes are dark, filled with need. Any words I spoke didn't register within him. His torture and thirst are so far gone, he has no idea or care of who I am. But he will. I know he will. As soon as he has his fill, he will know me and he will stop, I have so much faith in Fraser that I tilt my head to the side, revealing my vein to him.

He would never hurt me, never go too far.

That's what I hold on to as his fangs grow twice as long, the white tips gleaming in the beams of flame-light still streaming from the candlestick. His low hiss is a warning before he strikes deep, biting down harshly on my neck like a snake striking its prey.

The moment the blood starts to flow, calm rushes through me. The loss of breath I had before is a dull memory as my body naturally pulls in oxygen. The overwhelming sense of peace I have eases my anxiety, erases my condition more than any smelling oil ever could.

The sounds of greedy gulping fill my ear. Fraser moans in joy at a meal. His strong hands clamp down on my arms, the pain of his abuse only dampened by the numbing bite that holds me hostage. He's keeping me in place as he feasts, unaware of how much force he's using.

Who knows how long he's gone without nourishment? I will gladly give it to him. My love for him knows no bounds.

As time passes, he holds me tighter, and I become sleepy. I wonder where Alec is.

I'm dimly aware of Fraser's beard hairs as they tickle the skin of my collarbone. His jaw locks down hard as he bites down with renewed strength. I imagine my life giving blood filling him with power, healing his wounds and waking his mind.

He will stop, won't he? The few times he fed from me, he always stopped, always told me that he can't take too much.

He shows no signs of even slowing down now. If anything, the drags of blood from my vein become more desperate. There is no pain as I fade.

I only feel deep love, acceptance of him and everything that he is. If this is my end, I do not mind. It is a peaceful way to go. I would rather die saving the one that I love than by the hand of an enemy or the disease that attacks my lungs.

"It's... alright my love." I struggle through saying, "Take all that you need" My voice is feather soft, he only groans in reply, taking a long pull of blood into his mouth, and swallowing it.

"I love you."

His guzzling doesn't slow at my words, his grip never eases, not once. He doesn't know me, pays no mind that I am slipping away with every gulp. I don't care, don't mind.

"I love you."

It dawns on me slowly that I am going to die, here and now. He has no control, has no thoughts, he just needs as much blood he can get to heal himself. He's running on pure instinct.

I don't mind that I am to die, I've always known that I would, and here I am now, facing the inevitable. It was my choice in the end, wasn't it? I chose this and if death is the consequence, then I am the only one to blame.

I hoped that he would take me away from here, and maybe that is what he is still doing. Maybe this is a way for him to rescue me, for him to take me away from my own misery. Maybe this is my chance to be freed.

When he sees what he's done to me, maybe he will give me his blood. I was so scared to become a creature of the night, but if I can be with him for eternity, then it's an easy choice. Maybe he could still change me.

And if I do die, I die saving the person who means most to me. There is no shame in it. No pain. No regret. I will gladly save him. I can only hope that I succeed.

"I'll... be seeing you." I whimper, my eyes flutter shut and the warmth of sleep fills me and I go limp, blackness taking me away.

The only sensation in my bones is adoration, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Ooooh it's happening