Destiny has left its mark (Vampire Romance) +

24 ~ Fire on Fire

Elijah quickly catches up to me, standing directly in my path, blocking my way forward. Frustration bubbles within me, and I can't help but protest, "Let me go." I'm irritated that he won't just step aside. It's bad enough that he sees someone else when he looks at me—why does he insist on trying to convince me that I'm the person he wants?

"I can't," he replies with a serious tone, his expression firm and unwavering. "You know I can't."

I shake my head, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me. "I'm not who you think I am. I can't be the person you desire."

"You are. Nothing can change that," he insists, his voice steady, almost pleading.

"What if you kill me? Is that it? Am I just supposed to stay with you and accept that fate?" I challenge him, feeling the weight of my situation pressing down on me.

"I will not kill you," he says, his voice softening. After a moment's pause, he adds, "I know you love me." His hand reaches up; he gently touches my cheek, his fingers warm against my skin. "We are meant to be together."

"And what if I disagree?" My heart races as I question him, unsure of where this is all heading. His hand drops from my cheek down to grasp my hand. 

"Then I won't let you go until you see that you're truly safe with me." With a quick, decisive movement, he flips my hand over and lightly scrapes it with his sharp nail, breaking the skin just enough to draw a small bead of blood. Then, to my shock, he bites himself, allowing a few drops of his own blood to fall onto the tiny cut, where it begins to heal almost instantly.

I jerk my hand back in disbelief. "What did you do?" I ask, my voice quivering with a mixture of confusion and anger.

"I made sure I can find you no matter where you go," he replies with an unsettling calmness.

"You have no right to do that!" I feel sparks of power surge in my hands, and anger boils within me, transforming those sparks into pools of fire that flicker dangerously.

From behind me, Neo's voice breaks through my growing rage. "Calm down, Daniella."

"I don't want to," I reply defiantly, keeping my gaze locked on Elijah, tears starting to stain my cheeks.

Neo turns to Elijah, concern etched on his face. "What have you done, brother? Didn't we agree you'd go easy on her?" He positions himself strategically between us, subtly shifting Elijah aside to create some distance.

"What's going on here?" Darryn asks as he approaches, holding a can of Coke in one hand. He glances around and then notices the flames that are erupting from my hands, his eyes widening in shock.

"What's it to you?" I retort, completely unfazed by his surprise. "I don't know you. You could be working with anyone for all I care."

"I am your brother, Daniella," he insists, trying to reach out to me, to make me understand.

"Yeah, my brother who shows up at Lincoln Academy just to search for his yang. How convenient," I shoot back, my distrust evident in my voice.

"Guardian Green asked me to come. I had no idea you were even there. Believe me, I was just as surprised as you are right now," he explains, his tone earnest and urgent.

"Let's just go inside," Neo suggests, a practical tone in his voice cutting through the tension.

 "This is a private beach, but humans could still show up at any moment. This house isn't the only one on this side of the beach, and we need to be careful." His words sink in, and I realize he might be right. The fight might have to wait, but the emotions surging within me can't be so easily quelled.