Chapter 8: Into the Devil’s Lair

I had just wandered a short way from the restaurant, but came to a stop when it suddenly occurred to me that I could run for now, but not hide, not from Zander, who would leave no stone unturned to find me. It was not the first time he was doing so,o as I had tried to flee from the camp several times, and this time, I was lucky enough to have reached City X. Frustrated, I went back to the restaurant but decided not to return to the suit. I spotted the restroom on my way to the private suite and headed that way, ay planning to spend a few minutes there. Not long after, I headed out and was on my way back to the suite when I noticed something, precisely someone, leaning on the room I had left Zander and Alaric. Not only that, he was also holding a gun, readying himself to open the door. Was he planning to assassinate them? Proba, bly yeah, what a stupid question. I smacked my forehead inwardly. My eyes turned sharp with the urgency of shedding blood rushing through my veins. With four large strides, I was already pinning the man on the ground, pointing his gun at his skull. One mistake and I would not hesitate to blow out his brains. "Colt M1911, nice gun you got here, dude. Too bad you messed with the wrong people," I punched him before dragging him inside. "Who sent you?" I kept kicking him till he was lying in front of Alaric and Zander, blood oozing from his nose and mouth. How satisfying I felt at that moment. It had been quite a long time since I made a mess. With one heavy sigh, I sat down beside Alaric, whose gaze was on me all this time. Maybe he was scared seeing me in action. But his half smile said otherwise; he seemed amused. "Regretting ever crossing me already?" He chuckled in response, only irking me more, because it was as if he did not care and was even less impressed. "I just saved your asses, boys." How those words came out of my mouth, I could not explain. I shut up and faced down instantly, feeling the air turn icy. "He's human," Zander went on. "I couldn't detect him nor feel his presence," Alaric narrowed his eyes. Whatever these two weirdos were talking about, I could grasp almost nothing, so I opted to keep quiet. "Neither could I. You think it could be them?" "Definitely." "He's getting bolder." "Not for long." Alaric stood up and walked past me, and squatted beside the assassin. His back was facing me, and I could not see what exactly he was doing, but the moment he stood up, there was a red liquid flowing on the ground. "Did you just slit his throat?" Hell yeah. He did it just like that, without even interrogating the man. "How about I slit yours so you can learn to shut up." The murderous gaze in his eyes scared me,e, yes he scared me, and I was not sure why, but the mention of slitting my throat sent chills down my spine. If he could do so to that man without a care then who was I? I knew better than acting off at that moment. I thought Zander was enough, but this Alaric was the calm before the storm. His silence was not to be taken lightly. "Take care of him!" He ordered Zande and was already walking towards the door. I looked at Zander, who was about to do as told, and my mouth fell. Just who was this Alaric, that even the Zander was under his command?nd. I stood up, intending to help Zander dispose of the body. I had done this countless times, but for the first time, I was shaken looking at that red liquid. Coming to think of it, what had Alaric used to cut the man's throat? Did he have some kind of secret weapon, more like a dagger? I shook my head to rid myself of the distracting thoughts when I heard his voice again. "Come with me." I looked up and met Alaric's gaze, indicating he was talking to me. Why me? Go with him? To where? "I'll just help out..." His glare was enough to shut me up and follow him silently. Before going, I glanced at Zander for help, but he just nodded his head in assurance. It was like I had run away from prison and thrown myself into the devil's lair. The atmosphere inside the car was getting icy, and I almost could not breathe. Though I was irritated with his bossy attitude, I kept quiet throughout the journey. As to where we were going, I was clueless and dared not ask. I was looking outside the window as we went far from the city. The buildings were replaced by the trees, and just like that, I fell asleep near my biggest fear yet, the man who brought out my darkest desires. "Wake up!" A faint, deep voice resonated in my ears. Could they not let me take a nap in peace? "Leave me alone, Jareth. I've not had enough sleep." I murmured and made myself comfortable, ready to go back to sleep. I furrowed my eyes, wondering why my pillow was this hard and also uniquely warm. It also had this sweet scent that was somehow familiar yet unfamiliar. I sniffed it and buried my nose in it deeper. "Damn it, woman! If you don't wake up, I'll throw you out!" Why did Jareths sound a bit charming and change? Did he perhaps catch a cold? "Does it pain you to see me sleeping, Jareth... Alaric?" I felt a knot in my throat as words got lost in my mouth. If there was I time I wished to disappear was now. I had mistaken Alaric for my friend from the camp, Jareth, and was now sleeping on his lap, burying my head on his stomach. What else could be more embarrassing than this? "Who's Jareth?" His question made me shudder as I slowly raised my head away from his thighs. Before I could even slip away, he held the back of my neck and pulled me towards his face. "Look at me carefully. Do I look like any Jareth to you?" I gulped and shook my head gently. "Words. I want words." He pulled me closer, almost brushing his lips on mine. "Alaric..." "Again." "You are... Alaric." "Good. Now let's go have some fun." And he got out of the car with a satisfied smile, leaving my heart, body, and whole being in a mess with complex feelings. Desire, passion, and something else I could not fathom.