The Consort's Will 《COMPLETE》

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Humans are fascinating creatures. Though genetically separated from other mammals, they share a number of similarities. In this instance, it's in the way they experience the emotion of fear. Like animals, when humans are in danger, there is something in their genetic make-up which produces hormones and forces their minds into a state of panic. Their thoughts pose a single ultimatum: to act or run. To flee or fight.

Guard One fought and lost. If Nate follows his footsteps, he will lose too. I tip my chin up, sensing the way Nate's brain processes the emotion with an obvious hesitancy. Unlike his counterpart, he wants nothing more than to flee. Every twitch of his limbs and tremble in his voice makes that clear.

Unfortunately, I need him.

For now.

My fangs elongate and Nate backpedals. He worries he'll be my next meal. If I had any sense of humor, this may cause me to let out a genuine laugh. As if I would waste my appetite on a man who reeks of dread and piss.

I widen my stance and tower over him, glowering at the sweat beading across his forehead.

"We will not be going to the infirmary," I murmur. "You will take me to the lab, where they keep the serum. Then you will take me to where they are holding the vampires hostage."

Nate sputters in disbelief. "I can't – we don't - "

"Patient Zero is dead," I hiss, cutting him off. "I know what comes next, and I am not ignorant enough to think your infamous Mr. Primary hasn't been hunting down vampires and holding them against their will in preparation of this day."

Nate's jaw goes slack, confirming all my suspicions.

"Take me to the lab," I growl. "Now."

What I fail to mention is I also know what is happening to my human behind closed doors. Now that Reyo knows my human's blood can remove the entire vampire species from existence, he'll be draining him of every drop. Only a single flicker of disdain shows on Nate's features before he nods in submission. Mr. Primary has gained quite the loyal followers. But not loyal enough.

Nate drags his feet as we shuffle down the narrow hallway, and my limited patience wanes. It has been decades since I have put the phrase 'time is of the essence' into motion. To vampires, time is meaningless as it is endless. We are never in short supply, running parallel with it as opposed to running against the hands of time.

I step in front of Nate and curl a hand around his throat, lifting him up into the air. His feet wiggle in an attempt to find the ground, but his attempt is met with nothing but stale air. His life is in my hands, and he frantically claws at my wrists as this realization sinks into his thick skull. The kicks and flails are futile.

Two sharp pinpricks pierce the skin along the inside of my elbows. I glance down, wondering if Nate somehow wounded me. I will admit, if this is the case, I will be impressed. Yet my skin remains unscathed. My fingers tighten around Nate's neck. No, this is the pain my human is experiencing at this very moment. My fury triples. Reyo has begun taking his blood, leaving me at the mercy of Time's doorstep.

"If I wanted a romantic walk," I sneer, "I would have held your hand and asked for your favorite color."

The pain in my elbow doubles, and it's enough to break my hold on Nate's meaty neck. He thinks it's my way of showing mercy. It's anything but. He staggers to his feet. The color blooms back into his cheeks as he coughs and gasps for air.

Imbecile.

He attempts to run and falls once. Twice. The smell of his urine-soaked pants lingers in the air. He does not look back as he winds through hallway after hallway. Odd that we do not pass anyone along the way. Silently, I take note of this. Normally guards are peppered throughout the corridors, but it appears Reyo has determined this undertaking large enough to pull his guards out from even the deepest trenches.