Unpredictable (A Lashton Fanfic)

Chapter Thirty - The Pictures.

I woke up just a little after midnight, my heart racing and sweat dripping down my face. I couldn’t escape the feeling that something was wrong, although I wasn’t sure what exactly that something was. I sat up, hoping the feeling would go away, but it didn’t. That’s when reality came rushing back to me—today was the day. Today was the big ‘showdown’ between, in a sense, good and evil.

            There was a very good chance that I would die today. Nathan had told me so, after all, and he was the most dangerous vampire in existence. There was also a very likely chance that Calum and Michael—wherever he might be—would die today as well, along with all of my other friends that had gotten dragged into this mess because of me. As I looked over at Ashton, who was lying beside me with a peaceful expression on his face, I realized that if it was the last thing I did, I would keep him safe. I wouldn’t let him get hurt. To be honest, I probably wouldn’t even let him near the fight. He could stay in the room, at least then nothing could harm him.

            I made the decision to just get up already, knowing that it would be virtually impossible for me to get back to sleep. I slowly stood up, careful not to wake Ashton, and walked as quietly as I could to the door, stepping outside before closing it softly behind me.

            As I made my way downstairs, I was surprised to find Calum, Cody, Austin, Colin, Christian and Dimitri sitting at a large round table, along with Russell, Danielle, and Dan and Shay. “Hey, guys,” I said as I sat down next to Austin. “What are you all talking about?”

            “Today,” Colin replied simply. “We’re talking about our plan for today. You’re just in time.” He took a deep breath before continuing. “I have a feeling that Nathan is going to want to meet at a warehouse or a building like it, judging by our past encounters with him. He’s also going to want a fight, but our main priority is to find Michael, not to fight. If we have to resort to violence we will, but that’s not our ulterior motive for meeting him.”

            I rolled my eyes. “You know as well as I do we’re going to resort to violence. There’s no other way to take him and Ariana down.”

            Colin ignored me and continued. “I’m almost certain Nathan is going to call on his other Strigoi friends Carter, Cameron, and Shawn, and they’re the same ones that attacked Luke and Ashton on the island so we know for a fact that they’re dangerous. Cody and Austin, you can take them while Russell, Christian, Dimitri, Luke, and I focus on Nathan himself. Danielle, if you think you’re up to it, you can deal with Ariana.”

            “What about me?” Calum asked, his voice sounding as tired as I felt. “I have to go in and help you guys find Mikey.”

            “You’re staying here,” I said before Colin had a chance to. “You and Ashton both. I’m not letting you go and risk getting hurt.

            Calum shook his head defiantly. “No. I’m going. There’s no way I’m staying at this stupid hotel while you are out risking your life. It’s not going to happen.”

            “How about you and Ashton stand outside with Dan and Shay and keep guard while the rest of us are inside?” Dimitri suggested. “That way we could make sure you two were safe without having to leave you here.”

            Calum nodded slowly. “Okay. That works.”

            “Wait a second,” Dan said quietly. “Why don’t you let Danielle stay outside with those two while Shay and I go and fight Ariana? We can deal with her better anyway, since we have more knowledge of what she is and how to take her down.”