Ten

ZEVRAN ILVANE POV

The floor was cold, but my heart felt colder.

I sucked in a breath, the darkness creeping up the edge of my vision blurring out Vesper's face. 

Maybe if I closed my eyes, the throbbing ache in my chest would stop. Maybe if I give in to the darkness, I'll finally find my peace.

The sound of the car had long faded, so what was I waiting for?

Vesper was not coming back.

Tears trailed down the side of my face, the fire in my lungs burning fiercer.

Why. Why did you break your promise to me, Vesper?

I glanced up at the sky, the twinkling stars reminding me of her eyes. Those beautiful eyes. Eyes, I used to think, could save me. Eyes I would've burned the world for if I so much as glanced that she wanted it.

But now, all I saw was how they'd looked when she pulled the trigger. How they didn't blink. Didn't shake. Didn't care. 

My heart slowed, stuttering as my lungs started to close up. The air got chillier, slicing into my flesh like darts of ice, yet, all I could think of was Vesper.

Did she already get home? Did she regret shooting me? If I stay awake just a few minutes more, would I hear the sound of the car coming back?

I would have scoffed at my hope, but I didn't have the strength to move even a muscle. 

Why did you do it, Vesper? All I ever wanted was to be by your side. You didn't even have to like me. So, why?

"Is he going to make it" a soft voice whispered, shadowy figures moving around me.

"He's lost too much blood. It'll be a miracle if he survives..."

I didn't want to survive. No. I'd rather die.

If I survived, the pain I felt now was only going to morph into hate and anger. And if that happens and I can't take it anymore, Zevroth would come out. And unlike me, he'd remember this moment, he'd remember Vesper's betrayal. He'll know how much it hurt and he'll want revenge.

Because Zevroth never forgives betrayal. 

He'd hunt her down, he'll catch her and he'll make her bleed.

I would rather die than let that happen.

I let out my last breath, then closed my eyes. 

In another life, let's be together, Vesper. Just you and me.

******

I was still alive.

"His eyes are moving again, Master" a soft voice gushed excitedly. "I think he's really going to wake up this time," she uttered, her shoes tapping against the floorboard as she walked away from my bedside.

"Don't get so excited Camille, or you're going to be disappointed again. Remember what happened last month. We thought he was going to wake up, but he just developed more complications."

I was still alive! Why. Why the hell was I still breathing?

My heart clenched fiercely, waves of pain flooding my veins and twisting around my lungs. Beeping sounds filled the room as the heart machine connected to me sped up.

Sharp footsteps hurried in my direction, their anxious energy palpable.

"What was that? Do you think something is wrong with him? Again?" Her soft voice wavered, fear coating each word.

They weren't Vesper's voice. 

Just how long was I unconscious for? They had said something about me developing complications the month before, so did that mean I've been in a coma for longer than that?

"Maybe we should call the doctor. If something is wrong, we can't delay at all or it's going to get worse," she said, but she got no reply. She got more agitated. "Can't you just call the doctors and have them check his vitals. I really don't want him to die," she urged, her voice cracking.

I tried to open my eyes, but it felt like a lead had been placed on them.

"See that! See that!" She shouted, her voice a feverish pitch, then I felt a light touch on my arm. It was warm, but wrong. "If you can hear me, wake up, Zevran. It's safe to open your eyes. Trust me."

I could feel her breath on my face.

I blinked one more time, my eyes opening and clenching as the brightness burned my iris.

"Oh my goodness, he's really waking up, Master." Her voice burst out, high and giddy.

"I'll get the doctor. Stay with him," the other person said, stepping out of the room.

The man's voice was familiar. Could it be Master's stepbrother?

Warm hand cupped my cheek, smooth finger caressing my skin. "Open your eyes for me, Zevran. I've been waiting so long for you to get better. Come on, try again, come on" she urged, her voice cracking like she was about to cry.

I tried again, the blare of the light stinging, but the sharpness started to dull and my eyes slowly adjusted to it.

A face was staring down at me, her eyes wide and teary, her lips curved into a blinding smile.

I knew it wasn't Vesper, but confirming it had the blade in my heart plunging deeper.

I could feel Zevroth pushing to the surface, his claws digging as I fought to stay conscious.

"Oh my gosh," she choked out. "I can't believe this. You're really awake!" She gushed. "Can you see me. Can you feel my touch? How many fingers am I holding up" she asked, thrusting two fingers in my face.

The door opened, and my eyes moved in its direction.

Silvane stood there, the family doctors by his side.

I closed my eyes, the pain in my heart unbearable as memories of that night flashed in my head.

The doctor checked my vitals, then started to ask how I felt and if I could give him answers by nodding my head. I did.

Once he was done, he turned to Silvane, but I didn't listen to them, the roaring in my ear drowning them out.

Someone squeezed my hand. 

I slowly turned my head. The girl was smiling at me, her bright blue eyes shining.

"I'm Camille. Master Silvane's daughter"

My gaze shifted to Silvane, then back to her. Silvane didn't have a daughter, at least not one the same age as I was.

"I'm adopted," she informed, then leaned close. "You've been in a coma for two months. They were going to leave you to die you know, but I threatened to kill myself. Master had no choice but to let you live after that..." 

I tried to open my mouth, to tell her that she should have just allowed me to die, but the dagger in my heart was twisting too fiercely.

Silvane walked toward my bed, his dark eyes meeting mine.

Camille's hand tightened on mine.

"The doctor says you're going to be fine. Your wounds have already healed and you're expected to be on your feet in a week or two... The men are still very angry about your betrayal and the death of my brother Ilvane, but you don't have to worry, I'm in charge at the moment and as long as I'm here, you'll not be killed."

I blinked, the darkness becoming more pronounced.

"I don't intend to take over your inheritance. It's all going to be yours, but you'll need to prove yourself to those men... You'll also need to prove yourself to me. This is your second chance. Do not mess it up".

The darkness swallowed me whole.

Then red streaks of lights flickered in.

Fuck! I groaned, then drew myself up, the pain lancing up my side hot and fierce, but the rage in my heart overwhelmed everything else, because Zevran's pain and memory were all fresh in my head.

I jerked my hands out of the girl's hold, my eyes digging into her soul as I faced her. "Don't," I growled, my voice like sandpaper. "Touch. Me." I warned, taking pleasure in the way her face paled, her iris narrowed in fear. I smirked, turning my head in Silvane's direction.

"Where is Vesper Grey Lysan?" I asked, my voice flat and empty. "Where is she?"

His brows dipped. "We've been trying to find her, but it seems she's vanished from the face of the earth."

I scoffed, then laughed, the sound all broken and distorted. "Is that so?" I asked, my fist clenching tight enough to crack bone. "Fine. I'll prove myself to you and those men," I said then looked up, slow and trembling. 

"Vesper Grey Lysan. I need you to find her for me. Dig the earth if you have to. Rip through every inch of it. I don't care how far she's gone, I want you to bring her to me." My voice dropped, dark and cold. "She owes me something and I intend to take it back. Do you understand?"

The man stared into my eyes, a silent recognition flickering in his own as he glimpsed the darkness in mine.

"We have a deal."

I grinned, the rage swelling in my chest suffocating.

"I'll make you bleed Vesper. You just wait".