Obsession

Chapter 45

Leo

"You are both stupid, you know that?" Rue complains from the back seat as we're leaving Aunt Roma's house. "You can't possibly think any of this is real."

"We have to at least consider the possibility," Anna says. "Mara's life may depend on it."

"Kai is dead. If she stabbed him in the chest that many times, he's dead. There's no way he's not. There's a reasonable, logical explanation for his body disappearing," Rue goes on.

"Like what?" I snap, turning to look at her. I know she's Mara's best friend, but she's getting on my nerves right now. "What logical explanation do you have, Rue?"

She seems kind of taken back by my tone. She huffs and crosses her arms over her chest, not responding to my question.

"Look, there's no easy way to explain this. It seems unbelievable because it is," Anna says.

"We shouldn't worry about trying to explain it anyway. The only thing we should be worried about is keeping Mara safe," I say.

"So what are we gonna do? Have her sleep with him to make him weak?" Rue asks.

"Hell no!" I say quickly. "Not a fucking chance."

"Aunt Roma never said he specifically had to mate with Mara. He can mate with anyone," Anna says, looking back at Rue.

"I am not volunteering as tribute, so don't even look at me," Rue says, holding her finger up.

"I'm not suggesting that," Anna scoffs, rolling her eyes. "Kai's a good looking guy. I'm sure we can get someone to sleep with him."

"So we're going to sacrifice some poor soul to the demons?" Rue chuckles humorously.

"I don't care who we have to sacrifice," I seethe. "As long as he's gone for good."

"Listen to yourself, Leo. This isn't you. You're not this person," Rue says, sitting up between mine and Anna's seats.

I don't respond. I keep my eyes on the road and my thoughts on what I know I have to do. She's right. I'm not the same person I used to be just a few months ago. Kai didn't just change Mara, he's changed me too. He's turned us both into monsters.

"He's desperate to keep the love of his life safe," Anna says, coming to my defense. "He's willing to do anything to make sure that happens."

"I see that," Rue says quietly, leaning back into her seat.

"Kai's the reason for all this anyway. It's his fault. Not Leo's, not Mara's. They can't be held responsible for what happens," Anna goes on.

I stay quiet for the remainder of our drive. All I want to do is see Mara. It's been over a week since we've spent any real time together. Things are crazy and I know she needs me right now.

I need her too.

After I drop Anna and Rue off and their apartment, I head in the direction of my own. I'm exhausted and should probably get some sleep, but it's hard to rest knowing that the girl I love is so afraid right now. I just want to lie next to her and hold her tight; let her know she's always safe with me.

I stop the car and turn around, heading in the opposite direction towards the hospital. It's pretty late and visiting hours are long over, but I have to see her; even if it's just for a few seconds.

There's an ambulance wheeling a stretcher into the ER when I pull up and the commotion creates a distraction so that I get into the hospital unnoticed. I take the stairs up to the fifth floor and quietly move down the hallway, careful not to draw any attention to myself.