ONEUS 18 + Blood Moon - Vampire - (Book 1)

Lived Part 14

T/W *Physical assault*

Leedo had attempted to follow Hwanwoong out of the sanctum but had been stopped by Konhee, who stood before him blocking his exit. 'Let him go' Keonhee advised, placing his hand on Leedo's shoulder 'For now, the most important concern is to locate Neoma.' Leedo nodded, 'Once I locate her what then?' asked Leedo. Keonhee smiled, showing a row of neat and perfect teeth, 'Then I think for now you would be the most sensible person to care for her until she has an understanding of how to control her abilities.' 

Leedo nodded again, whilst Keonhees suggestion sounded sensible, he was still unable to surpass the feeling of wariness that Keonhee was beginning to instil in him. Something wasn't right, he just couldn't place his finger on what it was. Leedo glanced briefly at Xion and Seoho who were softly speaking together near the sacrificial table. Leedo eyed the scene warily, the feeling of uneasiness flowed over him, fingers of ominous dread. Mentally preparing himself, Leedo made his way to Ravn's chamber, certain that's where he would locate Neoma.

Meanwhile, in the depths of the endless forest, the world had become a desolate land of silence and shadows. The moon partially hidden from view by the dense unspoken tree figures who stood as silent witnesses to an unfolding tragedy. Neoma stared in horror at Hwanwoong. He remained motionless, the blood slowly dripping from his wrist, creating a modest and glistening puddle. His face was a mask of white hot anger bordering on mania. Neoma's heart pounded painfully in her chest, she was becoming increasingly weaker and could no longer protect herself. 

She was certain that a confrontation with Hwanwoong in his demon state would lead to her inevitable demise. She needed to bring him back down from the edge of fury which he was precariously dancing on. Terrified, but still clutching at hope, Neoma pleaded, 'Hwanwoong, I miss you and I feel so miserable.' She staggered forward, falling to her knees with fatigue. She continued despairingly, 'I regret my choices, I should have loved you more.'

Hwanwoong regarded her dispassionately and nonchalantly grasped his wrist to stem the bleeding. His expression was laced with disgust as he responded with chilling indifference, 'Like a dog, you smell the blood I shed and come back to me.' With painful realisation Neoma understood that her words meant nothing to him. Hwanwoong's dismissal of her feelings tore through Neoma's heart like a thousand brutal claws. Determined, she reminded herself that her will was stronger than this, and so was her love for him. 'There are so many things I want to say to you Hwanwoong.' she began, holding her head up, her tearful eyes meeting his icy emerald gaze, 'My heart hurts and my longing for you hurts more than when we parted.'

Hwanwoong strode towards her, with a slow and deadly pace. 'I won't be fooled again by your lying sweetness' he assured her, the sound of the dry leaves crunching sickeningly with each of his cruelly calculated steps. Neoma felt a flash of indignation 'I'm not lying Hwanwoong!' she shouted, Hwanwoong smiled nastily, 'Neither lie nor truth, they mean nothing to me anymore' he responded, in an unnervingly sing song voice. Neoma recognised the same eerily melodious tone he had used on the terrible night he had attacked her. She flinched at the memory and gasped in shock as Hwanwoong swiftly lifted her by the throat and forced her against a tree. 

Hwanwoong lent into Neoma, his face so close that she could feel the sublime softness of his perfectly smooth skin grazing her own. The usual fluid warmth of his gaze was now frozen with hate, 'Your love burnt my heart to black ash' he growled, as he placed pressure against her throat. His eyes became wide and menacing as he continued to squeeze, 'I have to get rid of you in my heart to live again.'

Neoma was becoming progressively weaker as each second passed. She knew that she had little time left. With the slight strength she had, she reached out and tried to touch his face. The gesture seemed to antagonise him more as his face twisted in rage and his teeth became bared. 'You wont fool me again', he announced, 'I'll cut you off!' Hwanwoong began to squeeze harder. Neoma attempted to struggle against him, but it was useless, she had no strength left. She could feel the lifeforce within her begin to disappear. In one last act of desperation, she met his eyes and gasped, 'Please come back to me'. Abruptly, Hwanwoong stopped squeezing. His eyes began to tear up, a single ruby blood tear flowed down his face. 

Hwanwoong's eyes began to lose their green luminosity and return to the familiar warm amber brown pools. He lowered Neoma down. Exhausted and fading, Neoma slumped to the ground. 'I thought I could erase you' Hwanwoong began, his voice cracking, 'but I just erased what I hated.'  Hwanwoong knelt down next to her and began tenderly stroking her head, 'I'm so sorry Neoma' he whispered, 'I'm crazy and I'm missing you to death' he confessed. Aware that Neoma was not responding, Hwanwoong lifted her unconscious head. Fear and desperation invaded him as he pleaded, 'Stay with me Neoma!' his voice sounding like a scared little boy. Panicking, Hwanwoong immediately bit into his wrist reopening the wound and cradling Neoma, he placed her lips against the crimson flow. Neoma lay still and unresponsive as Hwanwoong began to weep, the sobs wracking his slight frame.