The Devil You Know (editing)

Chapter 8

I usually melt down old metal jewelry, necklaces, rings, bracelets etc. Then all you have to be touch it. The metal works its way up your arm like small snakes making their way up a tree. A light crest is a very powerful object, only the few elites have one. More would bear it but the pain of getting one is almost not worth it. I had run out into the city and grabbed the first gold thing I could find which was quite easy surprisingly.

"You ready" I look up at Warren his face was torn between two emotions, excitement and being terrified. Axel who stood in the corner tried to offer him some comforting words like it won't hurt at all and you won't feel a thing but Warren knew that those were lies. "As ready as I'll ever be." All he had to do was touch his finger to the metal and the process would begin. The golden brown liquid started to make its way up his arm and I could tell that he wanted to scream out in pain but he held it in.

Warren was starting to turn red as he gripped his arm. "Axel do something." I said worried that he would suffocate. Ax moved at the speed of light, next to me in milliseconds. "Hey Warren let it out ok we won't judge we both know the pain." He wasn't listening, or he was and just wasn't taking the advice at this point I started to panic. "Warren look at me." I grabbed his face making sure he was looking me in the eye, and as calmly as I had spoken to that flame a long time ago I said to him. Commanding him to "breathe." Almost immediately he sucked air into his lungs and let out a howl in pain. I looked at his arm where the light crest was forming and saw that the outline was the only part done. He still had a long way to go. "You're almost done. You just need to hold on for a little bit longer" I spoke lying through my teeth.  I held Warren ass he cried out in pain again, looking over at Axel I gave him a look of 'what do I do' but he didn't need to answer because I already knew. My hands went up to stroke Warren's hair telling him that he was going to be ok that I'm here for him. Looking up at Axel I watched as he gave me a slight nod and I snapped Warrens neck. He fell limply into my lap no longer in pain as the light crest continued to work and form delete swirls and loops. He's not dead I kept repeating in my head. He's not dead.

Vampires can't die from their neck being snapped. No we can heal from that, we tend to be pissed when we revive though.

We walk the dark streets of New York; the sun isn't up yet which gives Warrens light crest a chance to finish. Warren's body is draped of Axel's shoulder as he walks next to me. No one is on the streets at this hour. We walk like that for awhile not saying anything to each other. We come to a dark alley way that didn't smell, too bad. Axel places Warren up against the brick wall gently. I crouch down next to him to check his light crest and how it was coming. I push up his shirt sleeve a bit and I can see it. It was almost done I concluded watching the lines move.
The first light crest was created by a witch to protect her daughter from burning in the sun. It must have taken a lot of power and energy to make this mark. It took me centuries to figure out how to give one to someone else.

Axel told me that I'm in love with Warren so for a minute I study him with his coffee brown hair and great body and I hum to myself happily. I picked a good one to fall in love with.
"Elizabet," I turned around to face Axel whose back was leaning against the wall, arms crossed over her chest. For the first time ever I really looked at him. His chiseled chin and amber colored eyes. His almost 6-foot-tall body. His arm that were built to lift heavy objects, and his- "Elizabet, are you studying him?" he chuckled as he added "and me?"

My face heats up and I know that I must be red. "Yes, no. I don't know maybe." I said rambling on. I hear him chuckle as I mumble about needing to go on a walk.
I turn about to walk away when he asks, "can I come." Pissed off already about turning red I didn't really care. "It's a free country" we walk next to each other but no one talked. Axel knew to give me space. We walk down 42nd street passing a few homeless people sleeping but other than that it was quite. Strange for the city that never sleeps. All this way I feel Axel studding me. "Out with it Ax. I know you have something on your mind." I spoke, seeming to surprise him. He grabs my wrist gently to get me to stop and face him. His bangs are covering his eyes but I don't notice because I'm too focused on his lips. I've never felt this before especially with him.
One little kiss won't hurt.

Yes it will! My brain yells back, it will change everything. My hand that doesn't have Axel's wrapped around my wrist starts to reach up to touch his face while the voice in me yells to stop. His face is soft as my fingertips brush his cheek. I watch as his eyes amber eyes widen as they watch me unflinching. "Kiss me." it's barely above a whisper. My own forwardness surprises even me. But I don't back down, my eyes stay on his as he leans in until his lips touch mine and everything melts away.
Images flash before my eyes too many to count, all at super speed. I gasp as I pull away from Axel looking into his amber eyes, rejection and confusion take over the eyes I love. "It's not what you think" I say as my hand reaches up to cup his cheek. "I've got them back, my memories they've all come back." His eyes flash with anger so fast if I didn't know him as well as I do I would've missed it.

I pull my hand away from him. "Now don't be like that Axel." I drop my head my eyes glued to the sidewalk were standing on in the middle of one of the busiest cities. Although it's morning people keep bumping into me but I don't sway I don't even move. I would take an explosion to move me when I don't want to be. "I was going to marry him, and what you did," I suck in a sharp breath trying to get my thoughts straight. "I was what was needed at the time. Our memories had to be taken but the fact is I love him and I want to try to make it work with him." a single tear escapes and falls to the pavement below. I stare at the spot it made trying not to let anymore fall.

I raise my eyes to his and I see pain for a split second then it's gone. The Axel I've been working so hard to break out of his shell is back behind the emotional wall where I found him and what breaks my heart is the fact that I'm the one that put him there.