The Phoenix Witch

Chapter 28

Christine's P.O.V

The lights turned on, and my heart pounded as the voice repeated In my head like a broken record. I unintentionally leaned a little into Matthew's, shoulder as I processed hi,s voice.

"And who might you be?" I heard Will ask.

"That is not necessary right now; just know that you will not touch this woman," the voice spoke again, and my breathing increased. I couldn't believe it; how was he still alive?

"Rest assured, we are not going to harm Miss Marley; we just need some answers," Will said in his calming voice. Could he detect the change in my emotions? I wondered.

The man scoffed and said, "I do not trust vampires, so leave before we do something to those pretty faces," the sound of guns cocking was heard, and I decided that enough was enough; I had to face him and if he was who I thought it was then he would not harm me or at least I hoped he wouldn't.

"Wait," I called out, and the room seemed to freeze. Matthew stiffened ever so slightly and deftly stopped me from sliding in front of him, but I tugged my wrist from his chilly ones and stepped forward.

"Chris," the man gasped, lowering his gun, and I felt my eyes pricking with tears. He looked the same yet so different; his head was shaved and his body more bulky, but those baby blue eyes remained the same.
"Death has treated you well," I croaked out, wishing that Will and Matthew weren't here right now.

"Chris? What are you doing here?" He asked in surprise and motioned for his friends to lower their guns.

Anger surged through me at the nickname, and I snapped at him, "You lost the right to call me that when you pretended to die. It's Christine now"

His face fell, guilt shining in his eyes and he said
"I am so sorry, Christine but we can discuss this later. First, please tell me why you are with these vampires"

Hating the way he brushed off his betrayal so easily and how he sounded so disgusted at the thought of me being with vampires, I scowled and said, "Do not talk about them like that! They are my friends"

"Friends? You trust these monsters, Christine?" He asked and continued when I did not answer, "They are vampires, Christine! The same ones who killed half of our team, remember?"

"Don't you dare speak about them, Roy! These vampires are trying to help; not all of them are the same" I said, my hands trembling as memories ran through me at the mention of our former team.

" They may not be the same ones, but these monsters are all the same. Don't be so naive, Chris. They will betray you at the end," he replied, sounding like he was the righteous one here.

" Oh please, you should be the last person giving lectures on betrayal! You left me alone in a world I knew next to nothing about, and I grieved for years; you know why, Roy? Because you betrayed me." I screamed at him as tears threatened to fall out of my eyes. An awkward silence followed, with me trying to keep my erratic emotions in check.

"Mr. Roy, we assure you we are not here to harm Ms. Marley. All we want is some information, and then you never have to see our pretty faces again," Will spoke after a few moments.

Roy stared at me for a few more seconds with a mix of guilt and pity and turned to Will, "Fine, but in two conditions: we stay here when you speak to her, and I get to talk to Christine alone for a few minutes" he answered and turned to me as he finished.

I saw Will look at me and knew what he was asking, for The Esecta, I thought and nodded, willing my hands to still.
"Done, Mr Roy" Will replied and continued, "But first I believe some introductions are required"