When Darkness Falls

Chapter 44: Sweet release

Silas kept a firm hold around my neck, his front pressed into my back, and it took every ounce of courage I had to keep my composure. Darius stood there, his teeth clenched together so tightly, I thought they would break, and his eyes glistened with fury.

He kept his hardened gaze on Silas, who hid behind me like the coward he was, and I knew from the look in his eyes that this wasn't going to end well.

Silas leaned forward, his thick beard rubbing against my cheek. "As you can see, Darius, I'm a little busy right now, but thanks for stopping by." He sneered, the words coming out in jabs, and Darius glared at him with hooded eyes, his face masked by shadowy plains.

"Let her go, Silas." He demanded his voice firm and commanding.

Silas scoffed. "Let her go? I don't think so; she's mine now." He said as a matter of factly, and I squirmed in his hold, trying to break free, but Silas gripped my face harshly, his nails piercing my delicate flesh.

He tilted my head back, bringing my ear to his lips. "Do you need to be taught another lesson in obedience?" Silas asked me, the words coming out in a whisper, and I shuddered.

Darius hissed loudly, and the anger that boiled inside him was coming off in waves as he watched Silas manhandle me. I peered into Silas's eyes and smirked before bashing the back of my head off his nose.

He stumbled backward, clutching his face, and I rushed forward, only to trip face-first onto the gravel. Silas placed a heavy foot on my back, keeping me firmly on the ground, with my face in the dirt.

Darius stepped out of the shadows and into the light, displaying the monster he hid beneath that beautiful exterior. My spine stiffened as I inhaled deeply, and my eyes widened at his altered appearance.

His eyes were no longer those shimmering gold irises but were now consumed by a crimson red, and his teeth rested on his bottom lip, the sharp points digging into the plump flesh. In addition, the contours of his features had become twisted and more prominent, only adding to the terror.

However, even with this different side of Darius coming forth, a chilling and ruthless facade, I wasn't afraid of him but thought he was beautiful instead.

Silas tsked as Darius emerged and stalked toward us, causing him to freeze. "Take one more step, and I'll crush her like a twig." He said with promise, and I squeezed my eyes shut, praying to whoever was listening not to let me die tonight.

I couldn't just lay here and not fight for my life, so I grabbed a hand full of rocks and chucked them over my shoulder, surprisingly hitting Silas with one of the stones. He tumbled backward from the impact, taken by surprise more than injured. I rolled out from under him, and that's when Darius rushed in, barreling into Silas like a torpedo.

Darius hit him with so much force that any regular person would have exploded, but it barely affected him and only caused Silas to groan aloud. I watched with interest as they crashed into the gravel, and the tiny pebbles flew all around, covering them in a layer of dust.

I looked all around me for something to use as a weapon, but the commotion taking place mere feet away continuously grasped my attention. I couldn't think, and to be honest, I had no idea what to do in this situation.

Silas and Darius continued fighting with each other, blood staining the ground beneath them and the sound of pain-filled groans filling the air like poisonous gas. I stood to my feet, panic and terror consuming my entire being as I continued to watch the horror unravelling before me.

I whipped my head to the side and was taken aback upon seeing my little winged friend perched atop a metal fence. He tapped his feet along the posts, watching me intently as he croaked incessantly and flapped his wings with purpose.

I stood there, looking into the raven's black orbs, and found his sudden appearance to be quite odd. The bird continued moving along the fence, croaking louder by the second, and his steps became more aggressive as if he was warning me.

I pursed my lips with confusion and turned my attention back to the commotion. I watched with utter horror as Silas grabbed Darius and flung him through the air. He landed with a harsh thud some 20 feet away, and then Silas set his primal gaze on me.

I gripped the fabric of my skirt and spun around, running as fast as my feet would carry me. My chest tightened with dread as Silas grabbed the back of my dress and yanked me to him. My back collided with his chest, taking my breath away for a moment. Silas growled and dug his nails into my neck, causing me to hiss out in pain.

Darius roared out, shaking the ground beneath my feet. "Silas!" He hollered, the once gentle voice I had become accustomed to no longer existing.

Silas whipped us around to face Darius, and he stood mere feet away, his chest heaving with rage. "Let her go, now!" Darius demanded, and Silas shook his head with defiance, the fine lines of his aged features tilting upward into a smile.

His chest inflated angrily, and his muscles tensed. "You're not going to let her go, are you?" Silas asked through gritted teeth, and Darius raised his head, slowly moving it from side to side.

Darius narrowed his eyes. "No!" He said with assurance, and I couldn't help but smile at how he fought for me.

As I gazed into Darius' eyes, I found it funny how far we had come since our initial meeting. In the beginning, he was an emotionless brute who fought with me, and now, he stands here fighting for me and has shown me what love truly means.

Silas tightened his grip around my neck. "Ramona wasn't even supposed to be yours; I saw her first, and she was meant to be mine, but then you decided to be greedy and keep her for yourself." He sneered, his tone sharp and filled with hatred. "So if I can't have her...." Silas said lowly, and I knew what was coming next as soon as the words left his lips.

He gripped a chunk of hair, roughly tugging on my scalp and tilted my head to the side. Silas opened his mouth wide, his teeth elongating. "Neither will you." He spat before sinking his sharp fangs deep into my neck.

I gasped and struggled in his hold, which only caused him to sink his teeth further into my flesh. Warm blood dripped down my neck, and my eyes widened with terror as tears welled in my eyes. The world around me began to spin, and a feeling of euphoria coursed through my nerve endings.

Darius ripped me away from Silas and tossed me to the side, freeing me from his deadly grip, but I feared it was too late. A brisk cold blanketed my body, and my heartbeat slowed to a dull minimum as the weakness consumed my muscles.

A moment later, Darius was by my side, landing on his knees with a thump and gently placed his arms beneath me, cradling me in his arms. "I'm here, baby. I've got you now." He whispered sweetly, and I revelled in the sound of his soothing voice.

I smiled and looked into his golden eyes as the sweet release of death finally came to claim my soul, taking me to the afterlife.