Thirst

Sylas

The hallways are in disarray as Clayton leads me through the cell blocks. I’ve been releasing the most sane-looking prisoners as we go further into the facility. All thank me as they go to reap their revenge on the multitude of guards in this place.

“Your friends are right around this corner,” Clayton points.

I lean against the wall, out of breath and hurting badly. My limbs are stiffening more with each passing minute we dwindle in this cursed hall.

“Sylas!” Coal puts his hands on the glass wall as I come to release his door. I do the same for Lucy who is on the other side.

“That bastard…” I say, “He put you both here at arm's length for his own amusement.”

“Lucy!” Coal brings his mate into his arms and checks her head from the beating she got from Evin.

“Coal, I’m fine,” Lucy lets her mate examine her for a moment before turning to me.

“I saw him,” she says, her voice filled with sadness, “They took me to where he was. He walked off without a second glance when I called his name. They knocked me out after that. I really should get my head checked out after all of this.”

“Lucy, I’m sorry,” I apologize. My voice is raspy and void of emotions, but the she-wolf pays no mind.

“I just need to find him,” Lucy begins to tear up, “He’s so close. His scent is very faint but it’s almost like he’s standing right here with me.”

“His cell is down this hallway and to the left,” Clayton chimes in, “Once you make that left turn, go straight. He’ll be down that way if I know anything about that batshit crazy doctor.”

“I’ll ask who you are later, but what are you guys going to do?” Coal asks, “Where’s Lake?”

“That’s what I intend to find out,” I cough, “You two go find Derrick. Leave Kjarni to me.”

“You look like you're about to topple over!” Lucy argues, “I may not like you, but you’re the key out of this mess.”

“Lucy, for once,” I grumble, “listen to me. By the time you find Derrick, Lake and I will be on our way to you.”

Lucy seems flabbergasted by my way of speaking to her. I don’t blame her. This entire time I’ve tried playing referee and peacekeeper, but not now. The life of my Essence is on the line and no one is going to stand in the way of me getting her to safety. Not even a friend.

“We’ll go,” Coal nods, “Bring Lake back safely.”

“I intend to.”

Clayton and I slowly but surely make our way to the medical ward of this place. Letting out any sane wolves in our wake in order to buy us time and to use as a distraction.

My heart is slowing to a critical beat, but I have to keep going. Even if I’m able to free Lake and be left behind, this stubborn-headed woman is being brought back to safety, damn it.

“She’s in here,” Clayton whispers and tries the handle, “It’s locked.”

“Well, I can’t very well go and break it down,” I argue, “Go all wolf and let loose. I know you want to.”

Clayton smirks and cracks his neck. He straightens his body up against the large door and with one powerful throw, breaks it off the hinges.

“What the—”

Clayton takes out the guard before they know what’s going on. I stare daggers at a woman in a lab coat. She giggles uncomfortably and looks at Clayton.

“You were such a promise,” she says disappointedly as Clayton knocks her out with one punch to the jaw.

“Kjarni!”

I look in horror as I see Lake strapped to a table. Multiple bags of her blood sit on a cart next to her. Not one, but two IVs stick out of her arm in the same vein.

I limp over to Lake. Her eyes are closed and her dark hair is all over the place. The outfit that Oliver made her seems to be even darker compared to the bright lights and silver beneath her. The crystal Lake is always conscious of is glowing a deep red.

“Sylas?” Lake opens her eyes and smiles up at me. “Funny, huh? The second one is from me smarting off too much apparently.”

Blinded by anger, I pull the needles from her arm. She whimpers from the pain as blood begins to pool from the needles and her arm.

I feel my heart drop heavily. The scent of her blood—my Essence’s blood—is heavenly. The hunger inside of me stretches my veins and makes my muscles ache with need.

It’s just too much.

My fangs extend as the urge to bite down on her light skin grows.

Lake

I watch as Sylas stumbles back and hits the wall furthest from me. His eyes glow a brilliant golden color as he covers his mouth and nose tightly.

“Here.” A blond-headed male undoes my restraints and hands me a napkin for my arm. I look at him with confusion. “Long story. But listen, I’ll leave to give you two some privacy. I need to get back to my mate.”

I nod wearily and watch as the male leaves. His scent somewhat reminds me of the ~delightful~ Delilah somehow.

Jumping down from the table, I approach Sylas. He tightens himself against the wall as I crouch down and get closer to him.

“Do I smell that bad?” I joke. Well… Half joking. It’s been a minute since I’ve had a full shower.

“Get away from me.” Sylas pushes me slightly, taking me from a crouching position to a full-on sitting on the nasty floor position.

“What’s your deal?” I ask, almost offended.

“Kjarni… your blood.” He says, trying to hold his breath. “My thirst is too great for you to be bleeding and this close to me right now. I don’t want to lose control.”

It finally hits me. Something I’ve tried fighting until this entire thing was over and done with. Sylas truly loves me.

This entire time, Sylas has put me and my needs first. He fought to ensure my freedom from this whole ‘Essence’ thing—not wanting to force me into it.

Even now, his thirst is so bad that I can’t get too close because it would seal that bond between us.

Lynne, being more active and alert, doesn’t share my concern for Sylas. She couldn’t care less about his well-being. The only one she’s concerned with is Derrick and Drax.

As I move closer to Sylas, she sends waves and waves of pain in her disapproval to the front of my mind. It causes a brain-splitting migraine, and I can barely see straight.

~Enough!~ I scold her internally, ~This is my decision!~

~

Lynne is confused by my response. Back in the day, I would bend to her will and do anything to make my wolf happy, but not anymore. This time without her did more than give me the strength of my Vampyre side.

~Lynne, I love Derrick, too.~ I tell my wolf, ~But Sylas is my mate, just as much as Derrick. You don’t have to accept it, but I can’t let this happen.

~

“Sylas…” I say softly. Lynne backs off and lets me see the man in front of me.

Sylas is still struggling with himself as I inch closer to him. His normally slick hair is in curls on his brow. I can now see the pain he’s been bearing this entire time now that it’s just the two of us.

“You’ve been in pain this entire time, haven’t you?”

Sylas looks at me surprised. A tear creeps out of his eye and down his cheek. It quickly dries, seeing as the blood in his body is almost dried.

“No.” He lets himself breathe in my scent and painfully takes in air, “Not like this. You’re not ready.”

“Whether I’m ready or not isn’t for you to decide.” I smile, “This is my decision. And I decide to let you drink.”

I motion to my body, “Take your pick, Kj...Kjarn.. You know what I’m trying to say.”

“Kjarni…” Sylas reaches for me, I take his hand immediately and move into his arms. I feel completely safe in his arms, just like I would in Derrick’s.

He moves my hair to the side, his jagged breath is hot on my shoulder, “You’re sure about this?”

“More than anything in a while...”

With that, Sylas sinks his teeth into my flesh.