Faceless Instincts

The Trap Door

"Mr Wembley" I stressed, "no..." Nikolai opened the door and we entered inside the house, "no... I can't wait till two days."

"But Kiara... What's the hurry?"

I rolled my eyes so hard that they probably hit my brain which started to hurt, "hurry?" Nikolai got out of the car and came over to my side, he opened the door and offered me his hand, "you wanted me there and out of here didn't you?" I looked at Nikolai in confusion, holding his hand tentatively.

"Yes and I booked a ticket for you too." Mr Wembley agreed in his composed voice.

"Mr Wembley, I know I was acting crazy before but... I ... I understand now that this place is not safe. I got attacked last night and the person almost slit opened my throat." Nikolai's eyes widened again, even when it wasn't new information. His jaw clenched and I feared that he might break teeth or two.

"He did what now?" He asked in a sputtering tone, "that son of a bitch." His voice staggered.

My eyes widened, it was possibly the first time I had heard him curse, "yes.. that's why I just want to get out of here, I was thinking about leaving tomorrow night." I informed Mr Wembley and he fell silent meanwhile Nikolai started examining my cuts.

"Okay," Mr Wembley permitted, "leave tomorrow night, I'll see if I can arrange a ticket."

"Nikolai" I whispered after disconnecting the call.

"Do you know how furious I am right now?" He said peering at my neck, "you could have died while pulling that stunt."

"I am very much alive and it was not a stunt I needed to see that man," I said and he raised my chin.

"Why didn't you tell me about it?" He asked in a husky low voice, where you ever going to tell me?"

"I wasn't sure you'd want to know anything about me, anymore."

"I can't believe you right now Kiara." He said stepping a little away, "someone attacked you, and you thought you'll just let that slip just because you thought I don't care?"

"Nikolai, it's not what I mean, you were upset and I know I was the one to blame for it."

"You don't get to decide if I care for you or not, when you left the house that night, it was me who called the B&B and requested them to give you the room you had already stayed in so you don't feel odd in a new place." He stepped forward, frowning, "I was upset, my brother died and I was broken, wasn't I allowed to react?"

"I..." I started but he shushed me.

"Do you even know how I feel right now?" He held me with my arms, "I feel responsible for everything." He pulled me close, "for my mother's death, for Dorian's death and now for this?" He left me.

"Nikolai you are responsible for nothing..."

"...am I not, Kiara?" He laughed sarcastically, "am I not?"

"No," I whispered.

"But I am, love." He scooted near me, "I am, I shouldn't have let you go in the first place. I should have been there with you, I should've protected you." Tears pooled in his eyes and I just wasn't ready for this sight.

Nikolai? Crying? Would be the most heartbreaking sight.

"Nikolai, stop blaming yourself." I stepped towards him

"Why not?" He asked ruefully, "Kiara... I am a human. I did what I had to. I am bad, I know, I made mistakes and I lied but for what? I know I am a hard person but I am not a villain." Tears poured out his eyes as his lower lip trembled, "and now this." He gestured towards me.