Chapter 22

Hello, you lovely people. I'm finally back. I finished my last diploma paper and free to write. Sort of. Anyway, since they made some changes to the Watty rules....I'll be writing like mad trying to finish this before the deadline. Ignore and apologies for the grammar mistakes and error because I'm really trying to finsh this on time. I appreciate your every support. Heck, it's 6.8 K. That's freakin insane. Thank you, guys! You're awesome.

P.S : This chapter is dedicated to the lovely Dana Adams, because she's freaking awesome and you guys should check her out her work :)

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She was anxious. Anxious and very nervous. Pacing in her room with clean clothes, her battle suit placed in the washing machine, she waited for Angela to return from treating Henry at the lair. She wanted to see Henry. She needed to know that he was alright, that he was safe and very much alive.

The moment they reached the lair, she sat next to him while he was on bed, holding his hand tightly. She wanted to stay but Angela told her to leave the room while she mended her. She argued with her but in the end, Angela managed to get her to agree.

“Believe me, Ela. You have a very badly injured vampire in there whose losing lots of blood...you don’t want to be there.”

“What about you?” Elektra asked.

“Oh, don’t worry about me. I’m a sorceress remember? Hungry vampires don’t scare me.” She replied before going back into the tube and headed to the lair.

The sound of the tube elevating stopped her pacing as she turned her head towards the hidden wall. Angela came out of the glass tube, looking very restless with her sleeves covered with blood. However, she noticed how her cheeks flushed and it raised curiosity in her.

Elektra wanted to ask her what was wrong but her question died when her eyes saw Angela’s wounded shoulder and noticed that it still wasn’t treated.

“Sit here.” Elektra ordered, her eyes gestured at the bed.

Angela raised an eyebrow at her before sitting on it while Elektra went to her cupboard and took out a first aid kit.

Angela was about to protest but Elektra gave her a pleading look. Taking a seat next to her, Elektra mended Angela’s wounded shoulder.

“He’s fine. Tired...might need some sleep but he’s okay.” Angela broke the silence between them.

“That’s great.” Elektra replied, letting out a sigh of relief.

Silence fell between them again before Angela broke it. “He doesn’t blame you, you know?”

Her words made Elektra froze, looking into Angela’s eyes before putting the tweezers with the cotton swab away.

“It was my fault.” She said, her eyes not meeting Angela’s.

Angela sighed, placing a hand on Elektra’s shoulder. “What is the point in blaming yourself?”

Closing her eyes, Elektra sighed with her head hung low. “I don’t...I don’t know...maybe because it was my fault. I shouldn’t have gone to Craig for information.”

“You needed information and you were desperate. You were deceived. It was not your fault.” Angela said, patting Elektra’s shoulder gently as she gave her a tender smile.

“Besides, Henry’s fine now. He’s alive. Don’t beat yourself up for it.”

Raising her head to meet her eyes, Elektra gave her a small smile. “Thank you.”

“Hey, no problem. It’s in the job description. Saving the protector’s ass.” She chuckled.

Elektra chuckled with her before lightly punched her arm. It only made Angela laugh, throwing her a smile.

“Go, see him. I’m sure he wants to see you.”

“Thanks, Ange. Get some sleep, alright?” Elektra smiled before she got off her bed and headed to the glass tube.

“Can I just sleep here? I’m too tired to drive back.” Angela groaned, dropping her back to the comfortable bed.

“Sure. Make yourself at home. Just don’t wake those trolls up.”

With that, she left Angela on her own and got into the glass tube as she headed to the lair. Stepping into the lair, her heart beat quickened and her palms became sweaty.

Her eyes met Henry’s lying form, his head sunk into the comfortable pillow, his shirt discarded, leaving him only in his pants and his chest wrapped with a bandage.

Taking in a deep breath, she held her head high and walked towards him. The sound of her boots alarmed him. He opened his eyes tired, meeting her eyes with a weak smile.

“Hello there.” He greeted, taking her hand in his as she sat next to him.

“Hey. How are you feeling?” She asked, as she moved her free arm and rested it above his pillow.

“Fantastic.” Henry chuckled, which got her chuckling as well.

Silence fell over them, her eyes looking far away from him. She could feel his stare bore on her but she did not meet his stare.

“I know what you’re thinking.” Henry spoke, breaking the silence. “You shouldn’t blame yourself. Don’t do that, okay?”

Elektra lifted her head to meet his sea blue eyes. His face change into surprised and then to worry. Slowly, he lifted his hand and wiped away the lone tear from her cheeks.

“I am fine, Elektra. I’m okay. I just need some more rest and I’ll be even better.” He said softly while he let his thumb stroke her cheek.

“You almost died.” She whispered with head hung low, melancholy in her eyes.

“And it wasn’t your fault. There is no need to blame yourself for things you did not do. Besides, I’m all better now.” He smiled. “I feel like a douche making you cry. I don’t like seeing you cry.”

Elektra chuckled as she placed her forehead on his shoulder. “You’re an idiot. Never, never, do that thing again, or I’ll freaking castrate you.”

“Ouch.” He laughed lightly. She lifted her head to meet his smiling eyes.

Henry held her hand tightly, giving it a gentle squeeze.  “That night, when you saved me- I made a promise to myself to always protect you...even if it meant dying.”

She wanted to protest but he covered her mouth with his hand. He shook his head and gave her a gentle smile as he continued. “I’m an old vampire, Ela. I lived over 200 years...I have no kids, no wife, no lover. You are my only family. Let me take care of you, alright?”

She looked at him with tenderness and adoration in her eyes before resting her forehead on his shoulder again.

“I still think you’re an idiot. A crazy perverted vampire idiot.”

“A very attractive crazy perverted vampire idiot.”

“Not to mention annoying and old.”

“Oh, you love me.” He chuckled.

“Don’t push it.”

He chuckled as he tugged on her arm. Knowing what he meant, Elektra sat up from her chair and lied next to him hesitantly, worried that she might hurt him. Henry wrapped his around her shoulder and pulled her closer, silently telling her that he was fine. Elektra smiled, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the comfort.

“Thank you, Henry. I don’t know what I’d do without you. ” She said softly.

“You’ll always know what to do, little Ela. You’re Elektra Potter.” He replied, his hand gently patting her head.

“Here you are comforting me and looking after me...I’m being completely selfish.” He chided himself before turning his head to look at her with worry in his eyes. “How are you doing?”

Elektra looked at him with her eyes widened, feeling peculiar with his question. “I’m fine.”

Henry sighed, shaking his head slightly in disagreement. “No, you’re not. You were deceived, you saw your friends got hurt, and you killed a human for the very first time.”

His last words hit her chord. Remembering the look in Craig’s eyes when his life left him made her shiver.

She never killed a human before. It was not her department. She killed monster that outbalanced the peace in the world. She protects the world from the wrath of evil monsters. Humans have their own people to do that. She was not responsible for them.

Elektra shook her head to make the image of Craig’s lifeless eyes disappear. The image haunted her, terrified her. She never wanted to kill him. She was defending herself and it ended up with him dying.

“You didn’t kill him on purpose, Ela. You were defending yourself.” Henry reminded her with his eyes looking at her worriedly.

Squeezing his hand gently, she nodded. “I know...it’s just...I don’t know. I didn’t want to kill him despite what he had done.”

Seeing her terrified eyes, Henry pulled her head and rest it on the crook his neck while he rubbed her back gently. “I know, I really understand.”

“Killing monsters is different. I never killed innocent monsters. I killed the bad ones to stop them from causing a riot in this world. Humans need to be kept away from them. They don’t understand these monsters and some monsters takes advantage on these humans or vice versa. It is done to keep the world in peace...but killing a human...” She stopped, her hand squeezing his tightly. “What does that make me? A murderer?”

Her eyes looked at him hesitantly and Henry could see it. She was falling apart about this. Shaking his head, he replied with gentleness in his eyes.

“No, you’re not a murderer. You did what you have to. It was self-defence. He attacked you. Besides, you could have killed him before, but you didn’t. You are no murderer, little Ela. You’re not a monster.”

Ela gave him a weak smile before burying her head into the crook of his neck. “Then, what am I?” She asked as she closed her eyes, as tiredness started to kick in.

“You are Elektra Potter. The most extraordinary girl ever lived.”

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Two weeks has passed since the incident in the cottage. Elektra had tried to search for Vlad and Magnus, looking for them in every forest and asking around but it seems like they were invisible for she could not find them.

Henry was all better. His wound was healed and he was back up on his feet, helping Elektra with her quest searching for Magnus and Vlad.  Angela and Henry bickered and battered as usual, fighting over every decision they make. It seems like the night in the cottage never happened. They did not really speak about it.

All of them were emotionally affected by the incident. Elektra had to suffer the fear of losing Henry, her best friend while Angela felt as if though she could do nothing and Henry was having nightmares, dreaming of stakes piercing through his chest. It was enough for the scary memory to haunt them in their heads; they would not want to talk about it and reliving the scene again.

Sighing as Elektra put away the screwdriver, she held the prototype of the electromagnetic glove, staring at it, silently hoping it would work before putting it on.

She stood in the middle of the room, facing the sword that was placed on the table at the side of the room.

“Okay, let’s give a try shall we?” She muttered. Holding out her hand, she concentrated her energy on the glove to fire it up. Taking her aback, the sword flew to her. Acting away, she corrected her hand and managed to grip the sword.

Eyes widened in surprise, she looked at the sword in her hand with a bright smile on her face. She did it.

“Wow, good job there, Ela.” A voice interrupted her gleeful moment.

Turning her head to the owner of the voice, her eyes met with the man with the white blonde hair. His hair was wild and long, reaching his shoulders.  A smile brighter than a sun stuck to his elegant face and his forest eyes twinkling.

Her eyes widened in surprise and recognition at the person who stood in front of her. “Aflred.”

Alfred James had been a good friend of the family. He was her father’s best friend. Her dad was a scientist and so was Alfred, except Alfred did not go to work at the same place her dad did.

No, Alfred was different. He was an elf. Her father met him when they moved in to this town. While he patrolled, he met Alfred and they both had became good friends. He soon introduced Alfred to her and her mom one day.

Elektra first thought when she saw him was that he was a beautiful creature. Alfred’s hair was long, white blonde in colour. He looked like he was glowing with that hair and his elegant face. His green eyes reminded her of the leaves in the forest. They were very sharp and alluring.

To be honest, Elektra thought that he looked far better than any woman she had ever met, apart from her mother of course. She was sure a lot of women would be jealous of Alfred’s beauty.

Alfred had been the one to take care of her after her father went missing that night. She was grateful to have him by her side. He was most helpful when she needed him. In fact, he was the one who taught her or continued teaching her the art of fighting after her father disappeared. He taught her well and made her become a very skilful sword woman and good enough to be the Protector.

Of course, she could never beat Alfred. He was one of the most skilful swordsmen she had ever met. She always told him that, but Alfred brushed it off and told her that she was becoming much better than he was.

Alfred went to Spain two years after her father passed, a year after she became the Protector. He needed to leave town, as the Elves Council had called him for help. He had no choice but go reluctantly, leaving her behind to protect this world. He sent her letters occasionally, but she hadn’t receive any of them recently. She was worried when she had no word from him but was glad that he was right in front her now and very much alive.

Elektra make her way towards him and he surprised her by engulfing her into a big warm hug, lifting her off her toes. She chuckled as he placed her down, looking at her with a smile.

“Elektra Potter...I have missed you.” He said, with his hands both still on her shoulders.

“I missed you too, Alfred. I was worried. I never received any letter from you recently.” She replied.

Alfred frowned and gave her an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Ela. The council had kept me busy. I was in Italy recently. Some work or agreement thing had to be done.”

“Ela, is someone here?”

Henry’s voice interrupted them and she turn at his voice. She couldn’t help but to let out a small chuckle when she heard Alfred groan.

Henry walked closer to them and his eyes filled with amusement, his lips pulled up into a sly smirk. “Well, well, pointy ears, you’re back.”

Alfred grunted and rolled his eyes before meeting Ela’s amused gaze. “You’re still with this bloodsucker?”

“Aww...come on, Alfie. Is that the way to treat you friend?”

“We’re never friends, dimwit.”

Here they go again, Elektra thought. This happens every time they meet each other. Elektra never understood why they did not like each other. They’re both nearly the same age. Henry’s powerful and Alfred is wise, they’d make a great team but they never seem to get each other.

“Now, don’t you go all Legolas on me, Alfie. Where’s you bow, Legolas? Lost it on your way to Mordor?” Henry smirked.

“Why are you staying in here? Shouldn’t you be standing outside sparkling underneath the sun, Edward?”

Elektra couldn’t cover the laugh that came out from her. Alfred knew how Henry hated being compared to Edward from Twilight. Let’s just say someone get really pissed off during the whole movie and after it. He didn’t like that thought of vampires sparkling under the sunlight. That’s more ridiculous than an ogre eating a decent meal, as he would say.

Henry let out a dramatic sigh, looking highly offended as he frowned and glared at Alfred. Knowing that these two weren’t going to break it up, she stood in front of Henry to stop him from attacking Alfred.

“Henry, that’s enough. Go and check up on Darcy.” She said.

“But-”

“Go...now.” She emphasized.

Henry groaned and reluctantly turned on his heels and left the room, muttering something about Elves.

She turned to meet Alfred’s smirking face, which dropped when he saw the look she was giving him.

“What? He started it.”

“And you provoked him.” She replied.

Alfred chuckled in return giving her a small smile. “Well, aside that...I came back because one of my friends here told me you were having trouble.” He said, his seriousness kicking in.

Elektra sighed and nodded but did not say anything.

“He told me everything...and I noticed something that you need to know.” He said with urgency.

They soon found themselves sitting at the centre of the room, facing each other with a dark oak table separating them.

Elektra could not help but to feel nervous about what Alfred was going to tell her. She had enough to worry about Magnus and Vlad and this was just about to make it worst.

“My friend, Gaius, told me that the monsters you fought are getting stronger.”

“In a way, yes.” She frowned. “ It’s getting really weird, Alfred. They’re stronger than normal.”

“I know.” He nodded. “Ela, I think Magnus is feeding them something.” He said, his voice filled with concern.

Elektra frowned. “What do you mean by that?”

“I mean like actually giving them something to make them even stronger than they were. You see, he could have created something to make them even more aggressive than before.”

“What do you think he gave them?”

Alfred shook his head, releasing a frustrated sigh. “I don’t know...maybe some kind of drug...or chemical. Something that magnifies everything in them.” He said as he lifted his head, looking at her worriedly. “If this goes on, it’d be harder to beat them.”

“Do you think he’s capable of making the drug or something himself?”

“No, I don’t think so. Magnus does not seem the kind of guy who’d do everything on his own. Someone’s doing it for him, willingly or not.”

Sighing in frustration, she ran a hand through her hair. “We need to find him. If we don’t find him soon, he might just win.”

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Update soon...I hope. Thanks for reading.