The Tainted (An Original Story)

Chapter 10

Understanding

Noun - The ability to understand something; comprehension

Adjective - Sympathetically aware of other people's feelings; tolerant and forgiving; Having insight or good judgment

Seun-yong's POV

I watched as Lia slept in my arms. I couldn't believe how beautiful she was. I tried to suppress a smile, but I couldn't as I stroked her hair. Lia meant the world to me – but why couldn't Mercy or even Kadence understand that? I knew traveling with humans was hard on us all, but at least Cristian was the most understanding and had been trying to help. Lia had Jackson, August and Cristian laughing and joking. It was amazing how we went from emotionless soldiers to men like we were now in a matter of days. I could see what Lia thought we were different from the original Tainted. We loved, we laughed and we cared. Lia changed not just me, but the others in ways we didn't imagine.

Kadence growled, clearly frustrated, "We need to move Commander."

I shook my head. How could we continue our journey with Lia being injured? There was just no way not to do anything. If I carried her, I could damage her back even more.

"How can we do that Kadence?" I said, "Lia's hurt and anything I may try may end up hurting her more."

He rolled his eyes, "So? Give her some of your blood. We are vampires after all."

I shook my head. There was no way I could do that to her. There was no way of knowing if my blood would heal or kill her. "I can't do that Kadence, you know that."

He growled and shook his head. "You are a fool then."

I set Lia down and get to my feet, marching over to him and shoving him. "If I did that, there is no telling what it would do to her, you fool! I will not risk her life like that!"

Kadence shoved me back hard and I had to take a step back. He must have fed previously. He was not following my orders any more. This angered me. The more we fed, the more we became those monsters we once were.

"We move out when I say we move out. That's an order." I growled.

Kadence just shook his head, "You are no Commander Seun-yong. You are weak and pathetic like that human you protect. You will be the end of us all."

I punched him square in the face, knocking him to the ground with a heavy thud. The others sat watching. They knew I had to do this, to claim my rightful place as their leader, their Commander and to show no mercy. Kadence would get in line, if it was the last thing I did.

"Shut your mouth and do as you are told. Otherwise I am through with you." I barked and stalked away, back to Lia.

I sat back down and placed Lia back onto my lap and stroked her cheek. She shifted in her sleep, but remained oblivious to what had just happened. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, trying to calm my heart from pounding in my chest.

I sighed; I needed to keep myself under control. If I ever lost it, I would surely tear Lia apart and I would hate myself for it. I shook my head and opened my eyes. Lia had cuddled more into me and had a hand across my chest now.

I watched her for a little while before I felt the need to move away from her. The hunger inside me was growing again. I lifted her up off of me and laid her back on the ground and moved towards the others. I watched as Mercy smirked at me, her eyes full of hatred. I wondered what we did to make her hate us that much.

"So what now Seun-yong?" Kadence huffed.

I placed my hand up to stop him, "We move out at first light if and only if Lia is able to be moved. I can't risk hurting her more."