Orchid

Xander's Tears

But as I turn my head and expect a cry of victory from Xander, I don't hear it. All I hear are Shadowhunter's endless sobbing. I risk a look and find that Xander is locking her in a deadly embracee but not killing her.

Hesitating.

Set would've taken over and killed her immediately without any second thought.

But Xander doesn't. Anastasia is murmuring to him and swaying quietly. Her eyes are deep, dark, and sorrowed.

"I can't hurt her." He turns to me. "You gotta." Tears stream down his lovely face and he drops Shadowhunter and runs. Anastasia watches Shadowhunter with wary eyes, then goes after her fleeing brother.

What has happened to the one I thought I loved?

Set might've been evil, but he had a sorta sexy, edgy, and arrogant attitude that makes girls like him. This Xander is modest and kind and can't even harm anyone.

He's become a twin Jason.

And when something really confuses me, I always have to puke.

I retch my last meal up and I'm relieved the vomit doesn't splatter on my clothes.

Someone grips my shoulder. "Y'okay?" I turn around to see my cousin's eyes on me, looking concerned.

I grasp my stomach. "No. Nothing is okay. I want to go home and have a sundae and pig out on snacks." I give a sarcastic smile. "But I'm fine here, if you're asking about my condition."

Talor returns my smile. "We've stopped most of your fancy magic, but you have to come and look at Nira. That Dark elf....." Her grin drops.

"What did Shadowhunter do?" I drop my smile too and grab her by her shoulders. "What did she do to Nira?"

Talor's choking. "She hurt her pretty bad."

"If Shadowhunter did anything bad to her...." My arms tighten as I follow Talor.

Talor sweeps her arm to a lying form. "There she is."

I abandon Talor and run to Nira. Nira's on her chest, her fists clenched, her face pale. Her back's clothes have been torn.

"Oh my....."

Shadowhunter's sword nearly destroyed Nira's back. The skin's been shredded and her bones are nearly seen. The tough muscles on her back have lessened and blood drips from the wound.

"Orchid...." she murmurs.

Kc stands by in her flowing clothes and Kaylen is next to her. Kaylen is wearing new silver gauntlets and epaulettes on her shoulders. "She may take a chance for the worst and die. There is just too much blood." She nods her head. "Our fighters are winning. We will chase the demons away." Her eyes are sad. "Kaylen, you may go and join the pursuit."

Kaylen nods, her dark hair swinging like a deadly blade itself, and runs off.

Nira is crying. "Orchid, I don't want to die."

"I don't want you to die, either," I say, and ruffle her hair. Then I breathe. "Inhale, Nira. I will try my best."

Nira breathes in a deep, calming breath. "Fire, warm her. Air, soothe her. Water, balance her. Elements, heal her!"

My power leaps from my hands to her. It sinks in. Nira's face clears up and a dreamy look settles in, but her wounds have healed only a little bit.

She's going to die because of me.

Because I ever existed.

How many other lives will I take because of the fricking prophecy?

"Forgive me, Nira," I beg, and I hold my hand out to her.

Xander strides toward us. "What's the matter?" His eyes tear up when he sees Nira. "You're beautiful," he says softly. "But you're dying!" Tears flow from his eyes and drip onto Nira.

I'm about to turn away and deem it hopeless, but the tears gleam and catch my atttention. They splatter on her back. Nira clenches her jaw as the tears sizzle.

Then the tears close up all of the blood and all of the wound itself.

Xander is more capable of anything than I thought.

"How did you do that?" I ask him in awe as Nira stretches and smiles, her eyes radianting joy and love to Xander.

"Thank you." She giggles in a soft voice that reminds me of Hinata from Naruto.

Xander swipes a hand across his chin. "You're pretty," he says in a graceful voice, blinking his green eyes shyly like a doe.

Nira laughs. That sparkle of adoration is evident. "You're very cute." Xander extends a hand to her and she takes it.

The two look so cute together standing. Then Xander cups her cheek and kisses her with one of those butterfly kisses I've seen him give to a lucky girl named Cassandra before.

"Being in your arms feels like home," Nira whispers and grins.

Kaylen returns and wrinkles her nose. "Yuck! Sappy puppy love!"