Change of Heart

Chapter 16

The red light around him began to grow brighter. "Alex.." I called out to him again as I grabbed a hold of his hand.

"I am going to protect you no matter what, you got that?" Though his tone was filled with anger and hatred, the meaning of his words were drenched in sincerity. I couldn't help myself and I wound up wrapping my arms tightly around him.

"Serine..." My name was just a whisper under his breath, but he still called out to me. In response, he wrapped his arms around me as well. Looking up at him, I noticed his eyes beginning to change shade to a much darker red.

Biting my lip, I wanted to tell him how I felt. The thought had crossed my mind over and over again. At a time like this, it probably wasn't the best time, but it may have been the only time I could finally say it. Right now though, the way he is so profound to protect me is making me fall deeper for him. I had to say it, say it out loud. Make it more real. Hesitating, I started. "Alex...I-" Something stopped the words from escaping my mouth. It was his hand again...it was just like the first time. I was suddenly thrust away from Alex and thrown against the wall.

"Serine!" Alex shouted my name. I could hear him running toward me. As I opened my eyes, Alex was being held back by something. He began struggling, trying to reach me.

Pushing myself up, I groaned from the pain circling through my body. I leaned forward only to be pulled back again. My mouth was covered leaving me unable to scream out. My arms were being held down at my sides by another arm wrapped around. This strength...this feeling...I didn't want to believe it...but it was...

"We meet again, at last!" Zander's voice, this time for real. It wasn't just an echo, it was his true voice. "My Alex, you haven't changed a bit."

Looking over at Alex as I struggled for freedom, two hideous creatures held each of his arms back. Alex screamed out trying to force his way out of their hold. "Get your filthy hands off of her!"

Zander held me closer to his body causing me to wince through his palm. "Please, your hands are just as filthy as mine." He held his head over my shoulder. On instinct, I pushed my head away from his. "Does it bother you seeing her wrapped in my arms rather than her in yours? Tell me, does it make you want to kill me?"

Alex's face had an even more frightening look. He was beginning to transform. "Let. Her. Go."

A maniacal laugh sounded out from behind me, and I desperately began crying out. "You can't even answer a simple question, can you? I already know the answers though." The words he whispered in my ear made my heart sink. "Watch as I break him down...just like I did you."

Chains began to wrap around Alex, leaving him helpless to move. He began to struggle just as I was. "Listen to me Alex. No matter how strong you are, there is still one irrefutable truth."

"Shut up.." Alex groaned trying to break free from the chains.

"You can hide it all you want." Zander continued, a more vile and heinous tone. "We both know why you're trying so hard all for the sake of this human girl."

His voice raised, getting more annoyed. "Shut up!"

"This human is your weakness, isn't she? All because you fell in love with her, haven't you?" My eyes shot open when he said those words. Could it be...true? Not once had that ever crossed my mind, all because I only thought about how much I've fallen for him, but...for him to have fallen for me?

Alex exploded with anger, uncontrollable. "I SAID SHUT UP!!" The chains broke apart causing it to shatter into hundreds of pieces. I looked away shutting my eyes, but Zander pushed my head back forward.

"Don't look away now. After all, this is all because of you." Shaking my head, I started screaming out again, this time calling Alex's name. Opening my eyes, I saw the two demons being thrown across the room. Alex has completely transformed. His horns pointed straight up with a bit of a curve in the middle while his wings were folded in.

Zander scoffed. "Haven't seen you this serious in a long time. So, then I really was right. Maybe I really should keep her for myself, though that was my intention all along." And in that instant Alex disappeared, and struck him from behind. The hand around my mouth was pulled away, and I was finally able to breathe out. While Zander fended off Alex's attack, it caused his hand to loosen around my body. I was able to push through and as a result I fell to the ground.

"Dammit!" I heard Zander yell out as I ran forward. Just before I opened the door, I was grabbed from behind again by one of the other demons.

"Let me go!" I yelled struggling to break free.

"Take her back! I'll hold him off!" Zander demanded the demon, and the demon grunted in response. A spiral began to form in front of us, the colors red and black mixed together. My eyes widened at the sight of it. I knew that it would lead to one place, and one place alone...and that was Hell.

As Alex was being blocked by Zander, he was unable to get through. "You bastard!" I heard him yell. Unable to see what was happening, I tried pushing myself away from the portal. To my surprise, just seconds before I was about to be hurled in, the ceiling was destroyed and the portal vanished causing the demon and I to fly backwards.

Looking down, I realized I was caught in the air. My heart began pounding harder and harder. What just happened? I looked over at Alex and Zander, both had stopped attacking, staring in my direction. Both of their faces were frozen with shock, eyes wide open, mouths open in awe.

A voice sounded above me, it was almost, joyous. "Am I too late for the party?"

Alex swallowed hard, almost hesitating. "How-"

Looking up at him, my face grew as surprised as theirs. I couldn't believe my eyes. "It's been a while...hasn't it, little brother."

It was Alek.