Infirmitate

ELEVEN | Conflicting Thoughts

"Jacob!"

Of all the names I could call for, I called for him. He's always acted as my hero, saving me when no one else can. My voice pierces the cold air and echos throughout the trees. Why did I not call for Stephen? Now's not the time to ponder that question. I just manage to reach the top of the forest floor when a hand grabs my ankle.

I scream as I fall hard to the ground on my hands and knees. I spin around and kick at Thanatos' head. He growls and tries to grab my other ankle. "Let me go!" I shout as I manage to kick myself free.

I jump up to my feet and start to run again. My ankle screams in pain and I frantically pull at the inhibitors around my wrists. I am at a terrible disadvantage without my powers. I'm surprised Thanatos isn't using his to get me back.

"They may control parts of me but not everything." Thanatos' voice sounds in my head through the twin link. I finch at his voice and I can hear his pounding footsteps close behind me. "If you let me catch you, I cannot protect you from the monster they turned me into."

I pick up my speed as I see the old pond coming into view. "You confuse me to no end, brother." I say through the mind link as my lungs burn from the cold air and running for so long. "You can trust me here, Alexa. This is the only place where I am the real me, the old me."

I scream in pain as a rock suddenly appears from the ground and trips me. I roll several times on the forest floor before Thanatos catches up. I move to get up but he steps on my hand causing me to cry out again.

I know by now I have caught someone's attention and can only hope that they hurry to where I am before Thanatos can take me back. "Jacob cannot help you," He growls as he bends down to grab the back of my neck and pull me to my feet. "Unless you want me to capture him as well."

Several figures catch my attention as they come running over the hill past the pond. I smile weakly as I twist to keep Thanatos' attention on me instead of my approaching help.

"I think that it is you who will be captured, Thanatos." I grin as the figures close in on us. His eyes flash up to the four guards and Blade. Thanatos' grip tightens on the back of my neck and sharp spikes grow from his forearms. He holds his arm to my neck.

"Don't come any closer." Thanatos growls as he pulls me closer to the tree line. Blade gestures for the four guards to hold back while he holds his hands up in surrender. He slowly continues to approach us alone.

Thanatos pulls me closer to his chest and raises the blade until the sharp edge draws a small line of blood. His chin rests above my head so, even if I tried, I wouldn't be able to jerk my head back and hit his. Nothing would happen but stupidly get my throat cut.

Blade stops walking and stands calmly before us. "Let her go, Thanatos." Blade's voice is strong but not antagonistic as his eyes meet mine. His eyes seem to ask me if I am ok and I incline my head as a "yes".

"Come any closer and I kill her." Thanatos pulls the spike even tighter to my throat to emphasize his seriousness. My hands automatically reach up to try and pull his arm away from my neck but he doesn't budge. I can't even swallow for the fear of cutting my throat open.

"You don't want to kill her, Thanatos." Blade's mystical accent grows thicker as red flames dance in his dark eyes. I can see the dragon begging to be let out. Thanatos sees this too and he takes a step back.

"What are you?" He asks, shielding his large frame with my smaller one. Blade grins darkly as his black and red-scaled uniform appears to have a mind of its own. It begins to expand and take a new shape. Blade melts into the skin and forms into his large dragon.