Chapter 97

Almara’s POV

A blood curling scream rings in all our ears. It takes me a moment to realize it’s not me and recognize the voice belonging to the nurse. Startled by the loud noise, Arthur pulls his opened mouth away from Grace. For a moment no one else moves, that is until Grace begins to cry again.

Annoyed by the symphony of cries, Noah lets out an aggravated grunt. “What the hell is that?” He shoots me an accusatory glance and I shrug with wide-eyed confusion. Noah carelessly puts Grace in Arthurs lap and his lack of care has me seething.

As he begins to stomp away his heavy footsteps echo off the high walls.

“Sire, wait. Please” Arthur beckons. Noah quickly turns around.

“What?” He demands with impatience gnawing in his tone.

“Would my sire be willing to remove my chains so I may feast on this decadent meal?” Arthur asks while licking his lips and I can’t help but wonder if this is really is all an act.

A sly smile crosses Noah’s face. “I suppose it would shut the little darling up.” Noah slips a key out from his sleeve and in a swift motion drops down next to Arthur and inserts the key into their locks.

My heart beats wildly in my chest. I want to say something, anything, but I’m at a loss of words. If I yell for Noah to not unlock the chains, I risk foiling Arthur’s plan. On the other hand, if I don’t say anything . . .

“There.” Noah rises to his feet and goes to investigate the reason for the scream. With his back turned and his feet moving quickly away, Arthur reacts first. I know in that split second, I made the right decision.

Arthur softly rests Grace on her back before jumping to his feet, the chains fall around him with a sudden, loud clang. I catch a glimpse of confusion cross Noah’s face as he starts to turn back around, but he isn’t quick enough.

Arthur has the upper hand as he lunges at Noah. His feet lift from the air as he jumps on Noah and they plummet to the ground. I flinch back instinctively.

“You can do this, Arthur!” I cheer. I break from watching the fight and look at Grace, miraculously she’s drifting to sleep despite the raucous around her. I silently laugh as I realize chaos might be something of a norm to her given the circumstances in which she was born.

Looking back at Noah and Arthur, I can see Noah has got his bearings. Though he’s still pinned under Arthur, he has his arms loose and gives a quick upper cuts to Arthur’s chin. I squeeze my eyes shot, unable to see my love endue physical pain.

It seems like it’s fueling his rage. Lily tells me and I’m able to continue watching. Just then, Arthur lets out a scream and his wolf vocals bark through. His teeth morph into his canines, and by look on Noah’s face, it’s clear he’s surprised they aren’t fangs.

“No one touches my little girl.” Arthur growls as some spittle flies from his mouth. My hear gives a little flutter at his urgency to protect his daughter. For a moment, I think Noah might surrender. He seems to have shrunk under Arthur, then again that might be due to Arthurs growing size.

If Arthur does notice that Noah is letting up, he doesn’t show it. Arthur raises his fist to strike down on Noah, but just then; with his hands still free, Noah clenches Arthur’s neck. His vampire strength is making the veins down his arm bulge out.

“I’ll stick to seizing the father, then.” Noah mocks. A strangled breath escapes Arthur’s mouth and I shriek in terror.

“Let him go, Noah! Please.” I call out, though I’m not sure either of them can hear me in their fit of rage.

“Listen as your girlfriend begs for me.” Noah laughs and a look I’ve never seen on Arthur before comes to pass.

Oh boy. Lily says, but before she explains Arthur makes a sudden move. He lifts his hand back up, but this time as he strikes it down his claws protrudes from where his fingers were. He pierces Noah’s side and Noah is quick to release Author.

Noah clenches his side, but it does little to stop the blood flowing from his wound. Arthur doesn’t let up either. He continues wailing on Noah until he’s no longer responsive. Then, Arthur claws for the heart.

I close my eyes, unable to watch the rest.

“I think he’s gone.” I whisper from my bed. Arthur releases Noah and gets up from him. Noah’s body slumps lifelessly into the pool of blood beneath him. Arthur faces me and I almost don’t recognize him for a moment.

He’s covered in blood, his chest is rising and lowering with each panting breath, and he has this crazed look in his eye.

“Arthur,” is all I can manage to say, but so much meaning is packed in just that one word. I love him, and I’m afraid. I know he did what he had to for his family and I’m even grateful for that, but something still isn’t right about him.

As if reading my mind, Arthur nods. He inches closer, testing the boundaries. Before he can come closer, I point to Grace with my eyes. He glances back at her and sees she is asleep on the ground where he had left her.

He wiped his stained hands on his ripped clothes before scooping her up. She’s so small resting in his curve of his muscular bicep. There’s a love in him that exudes from his being every time he looks at her. He closes his eyes and breathes in the scent of her.

He then strides over to me and rests her on my lap. For a moment, I‘m awashed by an overwhelming sense of peace. I barely notice Arthur digging through Noah’s pockets. He moves around Noah as if he’s worried he’ll spring back to life.

Once I see Arthur has retrieved what he was seeking, I relax back in the bed. Arthur comes over and unlocks the chains. I gasp at the sudden relief and massage my wrists. I didn’t realize how raw they’ve been rubbed from the metal. I guess I can thank adrenaline for that.

Arthur lifts Grace from her place between my legs on the bed and he hands her to me. Before I reach out to take her, I place a reassuring hand on Arthur to let him know that everything is going to be okay.

I want, no need, Arthur to accept this gesture, but instead he flinches. I bring Grace close to my heart, in need of some comfort.

“You have to take her and go.” Arthur tells me, unable to meet my eyes.

“What do you mean? Go where?” I ask, anxiety rising in my voice.

“I’m not . . . well, Almara.” Arthur looks up at me and I can see a battle happening inside him. “I wanted to drink the blood pouring from Noah after I killed him. I wanted to,” Arthur cuts himself short and sucks in a sharp breath. “I wanted to drink the blood of our daughter.” Arthur admits as tears spring into his eyes.

“But you didn’t.” I’m quick to tell him, fighting my own urge to cry.

Arthur abruptly stands up and brings his hands up to his head, he begins pacing taking in deep breaths. “I didn’t this time. But that’s not good enough. I can’t guarantee I won’t snap.”

Wanting to have this situation under control, I also try to stand to be at Arthur’s level, but soreness keeps me down. “We should work on this together, as a family.” I urge. As I say the words, I know it’s no use. Arthur already has his mind made up.

“I’m not saying forever. I just need some time to overcome this.”

I swallow the lump in my throat and nod. “Where will you be?” I ask, not really able to see clearly as my vision blurs with tears. It’s then that I feel Arthurs hand rest on my arm.

“It’s best you don’t know, but believe me Almara, I will find you.” Arthur tells me, but despite the certainty in his promise I have this nagging feeling that I won’t see him again.