The Accidental Strigoi

Chapter 7

Rhydian was horrified when he saw me. He ran to me and started undoing the chains. "I'm going to kill him." He said simply as he ran a hand over a bruised and cut cheek of mine. "Rhydian, we have to save Lissa. Percy found out she was visiting my dreams and now he's gonna kill her and Rose and-." I gasped as I fell, forgetting the chains were the only thing holding me up at the moment. Rhydian was surprised by this but he didn't say anything, simply catching me and putting me on the floor as he sat beside me, assessing my wounds. "Can you make it to the academy?" He asked as I shook my head, hating the feeling of uselessness and helplessness. "Percy broke my leg. I can't walk." I said as Rhydian's face suddenly changed into one of pure anger. He punched the wall, bare fisted, yelling out in anger as I flinched. Call it force of habit but when he saw it, the eyes shutting in fear and hands rising to cover my face, his face morphed into one of guilt.

"Rhydian!" I had unintentionally yelled as he turned around. I could see the outrage on his face gone and what was left was one of fear and concern for me. He got up, steadying himself before he leaned down to carry me. I hated feeling helpless. I hated needing to be helped or rescued. But I was so glad he was here. So glad he had found me. I heard the collective gasps of the guardians as they saw my wounds. I didn't even want to look at my foot which was apparently bended at an awkward angle. Soon, we were in the SUV driving to court to warn the others. Other guardians had suggested I go back to the academy but I wasn't having any of it. I could go to the court's infirmary. Rhydian agreed with everything I said, either from the fact that he was running autopilot or just wanted me better again, any way possible. The whole ride back, I laid in his arms, which wrapped around me so tight I thought I would pass out from lack of oxygen. But I loved it.

I knew he felt horrible that I had been taken and he didn't want any possibility of that happening again. He loved me and didn't want to lose me again. And it honestly felt so... comforting that I was with someone who cared about me. Who didn't use me for personal benefit or fun but because they actually truly loved me. "Evangelista." I looked up at him at the sound of my name. There was so much sadness in his blue - green eyes and in his unusually soft voice. I couldn't stand seeing him so upset. "Yes Rhydian?" I responded. He hesitated for a moment, then spoke slowly, "I'm so sorry, Evangelista. He shouldn't have taken you. I should have stopped him." He said. I could have betted a million dollars he'd say this but the fact that he was saying it made me feel good. Like I was worth something. "Rhydian, it wasn't your fault. You weren't there. There was nothing you could have done." I said in an attempt to make him feel better.

"Exactly, I wasn't there. You were alone when he took you. I should have been there. I should have been able to protect you." He said. "You can't protect me from everything. We're guardians. Our job is to protect the Moroi and kill the Strigoi. This life is full of danger and we're going to get hurt at some point in it. There is no way we can always be safe. It doesn't work like that." I said simply. I could see he was still upset but my words made him feel a little better. He no longer looked angry at Percy or annoyed he let me get kidnapped. Rather... he looked tired. Like he hadn't slept in days. I know I would if he had been kidnapped and presumed dead. I pulled him closer, hugged him tightly, and smiled as he kissed me on the top of my head and then on my forehead.

I think I may have officially found my heaven because the warmness of Rhydian's lips and his skin was heavenly compared to what I had endured in the past few days. I had hated having Percy's cold lips on my neck and his sharp fangs biting into my throat. It was terrible. Just the thought made me shiver with disgust. Rhydian noticed my change in mood and shivers and pulled me close as he wrapped his arms around me again, looking into my eyes. "Are you alright, Evangelista?" I smiled at his slight Welsh accent. It sounded so comforting and nice as a contrast to Percy's evil laughs and words.

"I'll survive, we need to worry about Lissa right now. We have to stop Percy. No one else can get hurt." I said as he nodded. Looking around, I saw many other guardians nod in agreement. "We will take care of Percy, but you are going to get those injuries checked out." He said, nodding to my feet. He had done a pretty good job with stopping the bleeding from my gun shot wound but the blood loss was still evident in my pale skin and inability to do anything but stay curled up in Rhydian's arms. I wanted to argue but I knew he was right. There was no way I could help protect Lissa from Percy with a broken leg and so much blood loss. I would only be in the way. With those thoughts, I fell asleep knowing I was safe in Rhydian's arms.