9— Confrontation

Is this my fate? Is the prophecy really happening? Or... did Serena curse me that time? Is this what she planned from the start? I could only tightly grip my fist. I almost forgot about that prophecy when I met Alpas. I thought our love was enough to break that prophecy. Is she doing all this because she also likes Alpas?

Tsk, pretending to be my best friend when she only wishes for my demise. You got me good, Serena, but I won't let you live a happy life. I will ruin you and Alpas. After all, I know that he still loves me but is just in denial.

"I wanted to hate you, but I love you too much, even now..." I grabbed his hand, which was holding a pistol, and pointed it at my chest. "I chose to set you free, but you chose to point your gun at me without giving it a second thought. Then, if that's what you want... Kill me, Alpas. Kill me now."

As I closed my eyes, I could feel his hand trembling— awaiting my death in the hands of my beloved, with a sliver of light in our happy moments together. He had feelings for me... He won't just shoot and kill me, will he?

I have faith in our love, I have faith in you Alpas. My eyes opened wide when I heard his cold heartless voice.

"Do you really believe I won't be able to pull the trigger?" I stared straight into his eyes, hoping that this is all a lie. "Don't get the wrong idea, Renee. Now I see it..." I heard the trigger click as I closed my eyes, unable to bare the thought of Alpas truly killing me. "I would never love a cruel woman like you. I may have just pitied you and mistook it for love."

"No, you don't mean that," I cried. "You don't mean that, right? You love me, I love you, and we love each other. You can't mean that."

"For the sake of the woman I truly love, please die Renee." He clicked the safe trigger of his gun. "Please die for Serena."

A tear fell on my cheeks as he uttered those words. Alpas might have been bewitched by Serena. She is capable of bewitching the man I love just to make me miserable. That must be how she hates me so much.

I could feel the touch of the mortal on my wrist but everything just went blurry for me. All I could hear and think about is Alpas' last words... it totally tore me to pieces. He never loved me, he just pitied me and it was Serena he truly loved. Following a loud gunshot, I felt a heavy figure fall into my arms. I opened my eyes to see the stranger standing in front of me, and I felt a warm liquid on his back. When I put up my hand, it was covered in his deep scarlet blood, I could see my hand shivering. I always go crazy whenever I see blood but seeing his blood is a different kind of crazy. This can't be.

"No!" Alpas gasped, trying to get closer to us. "I didn't—"

"Not another step!" I growled, brimming at him with murderous intent.

Panicking, I shifted my attention to the mortal when he started coughing with blood. My eyes bore into my dying savior, seeing him in this state felt like rage, grief, and the pain was swallowing me whole. I helped him lie flat on the ground, cradling him in my arms. What should I do to stop his bleeding? He can't die! I never imagined bawling for someone I barely knew.

"N-No, no, no!" My eyes started to blur with the building-up tears in my eyes. "Why?! Why did you do that?!"

"You might not know me but I have always been with you, Renee." The mortal muttered, cupping my cheeks. "I was supposed to only watch from the shadows and protect you. I was supposed to not fall in love with you yet... I did."

"Stop," I sobbed, holding his hand tightly with him still in my arms. "Stop talking like you're saying goodbye. You will survive this!"

"L-live..." he coughed out blood. "No matter what, you have to survive. I won't and can't let you die, Renee Crim—"

"Don't you dare close your eyes!" I shrugged his shoulder, trying to wake him. He wasn't able to finish his words and left just like that!

This can't be happening. We only shared a couple of hours together but him dying in my arms feels like I am being thrown into the pits of hell. It hurts so much. He sacrificed his life for me, this can't be, he doesn't deserve this. I don't even know his name. Why did he sacrifice himself for me? No, this can't be. He can't die. My conscience wouldn't let me live as he wish no matter how hard I try.

Wait, I-I know, I'll turn him into a vampire... yes, that. There's a low chance of success but trying is better than doing nothing, right? I can feel that he is different, he can definitely survive this and I'll be with him all the way. I owe him my life, so, I will give him another chance at life by being like me. I might not be a full vampire but there's still a part of me that is a vampire—

"Step away from him, Renee."

I hissed at Alpas. "This is your fault! You killed him!"

"Too many people are dying because of you, Renee! Let's end this here—"

Laying down my savior on the floor, I wiped my tears away and stood to face Alpas. I was supposed to give you my life if that meant your happiness Alpas, however, I can no longer do that. I snapped my fingers and my claws became longer.

"An eye for an eye, Alpas."