To Save My Daughter

Part 31: Near Death

I know this is a long time coming, and it's rather short.

Part 31: Near Death

Klaus slammed on the brakes, as I flew forward. Smashing my head against the windshield, I flung back into the passenger seat. Trying to open my eyes, everything began to spin. I could smell the burning rubber that engulf the vehicle; causing it to choke me.

Hearing Klaus curse dramatically, he revved the engine. Trying to focus through the pain in my head, I noticed the large spidering crack in the windshield where my head had made contact. Klaus didn’t even acknowledge what just happened. He continued looking straight ahead, tightening his hands around the steering wheel.

Following his gaze, I could see Xander’s Lexus coming straight at us; fast. Trying to reach for my seatbelt, I braced myself for impact; I felt our vehicle fly forward.

Ear pinching screeches from tires filled the air. Ours or Xander’s I had no clue. I stiffened as the blunt force of both vehicles threw me out the passenger door. Feeling my body skidding across the road, as each piece of shrapnel ripped through me. Suddenly, the only thing I could hear is the cracking sound of my bones, as I came to a stop, as I made contact with something hard. Spinning into darkness, I became consumed by the smoke and fire that filled my lungs. I didn’t matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t help but feel that I was drifting up and away from my body.

*

The smell of smoke settled in a haze around me. I tried to force my eyes open, but everything was dark. I couldn’t open them, or move my body. Was it fear the paralyzed me, or was I dead?

The silence engulfing me began lifting like a heavy fall fog. In the distance I could faintly hear movement and voices. Everything seems so far away, but familiar.  

“What in the hell did you think you were doing? You could have killed her.”

“I wouldn’t have needed to anything if you have just given her to me in the first place. I don’t know why you’re freaking out anyway; she has my blood running through her, brother.”

“You better hope that your blood only heals her, because if you turned her, I don’t care if you’re my brother. I’ll rip your head from your body myself.”

“Honestly, if I turned her, problem solved. Ava will be mine.”

“Over your dead body. You being with Ava will never happen!”

“Over my dead body or not, you know very well that if I end up being the one that turns her, she’s mine. You’ll never be able to claim her. Once he’s become my mate, you know the rules. We mate for life.”

I lay there as still as possible listen to them argue. If I understood this correctly, if I die right now, I will be forced to be with Klaus. I didn’t want Klaus. Crap did I truly want Xander. I had no idea what I wanted. I just wanted to live, and be back with my daughter.

I felt my body start to drift back into the silence of the darkness around me. Using every ounce of strength and focus I had, I brought myself to the present. Slowly I started to feel again. The pain that once consumed me was gone, I could feel arms wrapped around me. Holding me to their hard body. I could feel my chest move against theirs as I took in each new breath. Opening my eyes, I looked into the most loving and amazing blue orbs I had ever remembered seeing.

“Xander.” I choked out. My throat dry, causing my voice to be hoarse.

“Ssh, love. It’s ok. Rest.” I hear him coo to me.

“Am I d-dead?” I whispered.

“No, my love. You made it through. You are still human and free to choose.”

With those words, I drifted back into darkness. Not before hearing Xander say. “Clean up the mess you caused, I’m taking her home.”