𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐘

Chapter 28: Stay With Me, Okay?

"How'd you find me?" Maybe, just maybe, she can stall long enough for someone to find her.

Seconds before the blade could slice her throat, Aelin ducks.

A cold laugh leaves his mouth.

"I have my ways," Sweat beads down her forehead, "After all, if it weren't for me you wouldn't have attended that damn academy in the first place."

Cain's lips curl into a cold, mad smile; it nearly reaches the edges of his eyes, and he lashes out again. This time aiming for her heart.

Aelin blinks, "What?"

Her heart pounds against her ribs painfully after scanning her surroundings and she realizes she has nowhere to go.

"Do you think it was luck your cousin's enrollment got accepted?" He twirles the knife through his fingers and she keeps her distance as they circle each other. "The both of you, street orphans? What a joke."

Her tongue feels like sandpaper in her mouth.

"How?"

It was more of a demand than a question.

"You've likely been introduced to my associate, Arobynn Hamel."

Aelins mouth parts slightly, losing the words to speak.

"W-what? So after all this time, you've been spying on me and sending your lackeys to do your dirty work?"

She couldn't- didn't want to believe a word that came out of his mouth.

"Not anymore." Cain smirks. "I've waited a long time for this. You don't deserve a quick death. I'm going to take my sweet time with you and you'll wish you'd never been born."

Suddenly there's a loud BANG and the back door slams open.

Rowan's panting and calling her name over and over again, until he finally spots her.

His eyes glide from her to Cain, and she's distracted enough that she doesn't move fast enough to block Cains blow to her ribs.

Pain like no other floods her body and she faintly hears Rowan running. "Get away from her!"

Another spine-raking laugh escapes Cains thin lips as he moves towards her. "Prince Charming here to save you, Celeana?"

He didn't get the chance of another step before Rowan was in his way, arm already swinging for his face.

"Fireheart, get up."

Both males were moving in a deadly dance, but Rowan wasn't wholly focused- after all he drank, sooner or later he'd give.

Clenching her fists she pushes herself up and swipes away the blood falling down her forehead.

"My name," She groans, ignoring her pounding headache, "is Aelin."

They fought like a wave of darkness, Rowan and Aelin circling Cain, both of them too easily blocked. Two to one, and yet they were losing.

She dodged the death that awaited at every swipe of Cains blade and didn't stop. She could see Rowan slowing, growing tired.

I love you.

She's wanted to tell him that for a long time now, and if they didn't make it-

Quicker than a fox, she grabs at the ground for the broken beer bottle and doesn't think twice before stabbing it through Cains leg.

Cain fell, screaming. "You bitch!"

Aelin sucks in a heavy breath and looks at Rowan. He was smiling, about to say something but then his eyes grew wide.

Not looking at her anymore but at Cain who was clawing at the knife just a few inches away.

She was too slow to process it.

Cain flings the weapon in the air with deadly precision, flying right at her. But then Rowan's there, wrapping his arms around her and-

"NO!"

But it's not her scream, instead it's terrified Elide, who watches Rowan fall against Aelin with a knife in his back, blood spilling like a river.

Then Lorcans at the door; Aedion, Dorian and Chaol, and just behind them comes Nehemiah.

Elide's already sobbing, calling for an ambulance and the cops. Aedion was standing above Cain, knowing exactly who he was, sending him punch after punch.

There was a ringing in Aelin's head, and she stared at Rowan lying above her. His breath was uneven, but he still met her eyes.

"You're so stupid, Rowan," She shakes her head, telling him that over and over again, "You're so stupid."

He lets out a shaky laugh, wincing at the movement.

"Why'd you do that, huh? Why?" Aelin whispers, eyes glistening with fear. He'd been so reckless, so stupid.

"There's nothing I wouldn't do for you, Fireheart."

His words hit her heart, and she softly drags a finger across his wet cheek. He takes in another sharp breath and his eyes start to flutter.

"You stay with me, okay? Promise me," Aelin whimpers, caressing his cheek with her thumb.

His eyes open, "Promise."

That was all she needed to hear before she let exhaustion take over. Her vision was blurry and out of the corner of her eye she saw Nehemiah dragging over a doctor to them.

And then everything went black.

She woke up not knowing where she was. Something was circling around her mouth and she could feel the ground beneath them shaking.

Medics were rushing around a body who was lying on their stomach right beside her.

She only manages to get out his name before the darkness greets her once more.

Thank you guys for reading up to here! I've just recently moved to a new country way different from my old town, and writing here and receiving your comments reminds me of home.

So I couldn't be more appreciative of you guys, it would mean a lot if you could vote and tell me what you think!