The Wicked Ones: Destiny of a Vampire

Decisions

Zaidh glared at Keira, wondering if she realized her future with Arius was doomed unless he changed his mind about becoming a hybrid. No matter how much she loved him, she was dangerous to Arius, and deep down, she knew it. Hybrids belonged to a different world, one that could never safely intertwine with the human world.

Zaidh knew now was his best chance to get closer to Keira, and he decided to seize it. If she pushed him away, he would let her go. But he was certain that, in her vulnerable state, she might be looking for someone to lean on. Arius wasn't strong enough to help her, but Zaidh believed he could be exactly what Keira needed right now.

"Leave him alone," he whispered as he approached her from behind. They both watched Arius, and then Keira shifted her gaze to Zaidh. "You nearly killed him twice, two days in a row."

"Don't you dare tell me what to do."

Their faces were separated only by a few centimeters from each other. His vibrant green eyes glared at Keira mysteriously.

"Since when do you care about Arius?"

"Since he's a fragile human," Zaidh snapped. "You have nothing to offer him now."

His harsh words made Keira avert her gaze and tears welled up in her eyes. But Zaidh said the truth. If Keira loses control, she could kill Arius in an instant.

"Tearing up like a child," Zaidh scoffed, his tone dripping with contempt. "Time to face reality."

He turned and headed to the bar without saying another word. Zaidh grabbed a bottle and sank into a couch in the dimly lit lounge, feeling almost weary from the growing tension in the hotel. The shadows in the room mirrored his mood as he leaned back on the black leather couch, stretching his legs out onto the small coffee table.

Zaidh could feel the tension between Keira and the others lingering in the hotel. He wondered how long it would be before she reached her breaking point and lost control again. He couldn't allow that to happen, knowing that without restraint, Keira would destroy anyone in her path, and nothing could stop her. Zaidh wanted her to use her powers wisely, to help build a new empire. But she lacked the experience to do it alone, and he lacked the power. In his eyes, that made them a perfect match—at least for now.

It was clear that she was already struggling to accept this new reality. Especially the fact that Arius had chosen to remain human.

Keira watched Arius for a few moments until he suddenly tilted his head to the side over Anas's shoulder and gazed at Keira. He stood up, but Keira vanished from the entrance instantly. She went to the bar and found Zaidh already seated there.

They both gazed at each other for a moment before Keira rolled her eyes and took a seat near the bar. After a few seconds, she felt Zaidh standing by her side.

"Moran." Keira muttered to herself and leaned her head on the bar.

"Did I hurt your feelings, witchy?" he mocked, jumping onto the bar with a smirk. He swung himself over to the other side and grabbed a bottle from the shelf.

He returned with two glasses and a bottle of wine, pouring the deep red liquid into each glass.

"This should cheer you up a bit," he said, pushing a glass toward her. Keira glared at him, frustrated but took the glass and drank the wine. Surprisingly, the wine tasted really good, making Keira raise her brow.

"Why don't you just get out of my sight before I rip your heart out, huh?" she snapped, straightening her back and crossing her arms over her chest.

"Do you always act so ungrateful toward your friends?" He smirked and took a sip from the glass.