Xiran’s POV

I sprinted out of the headquarters and a few hunters followed me in their modified vehicles but weren’t able to catch me, for my speed was faster than theirs. Once I was out of their range, I decided to wait in an abandoned building for the night to fall. It was not safe to fly during the day and I needed some rest.

My heart still ached at the thought of leaving her behind but she had asked for my trust and I had to give it to her. Would she be safe? She betrayed her organization just to get me out of there, my heart was sinking. I shouldn’t have left her there, they were going to hurt her and she would never even tell me.

Frustrated I kicked the dilapidated wall of the old building I had taken shelter in and it almost fell on me. "Great, yes fall on me. As if I hadn’t suffered enough in the past few days." I glowered at the wall.

My wrists had almost healed now and so had the ankles. Those bloody chains, it was making my blood boil just thinking about them.

Night time had fallen and I knew I was somewhere in Tremais, but where, I had no clue, needed a phone to make contact. Stepping outside the building which seemed to be the remains of a shopping mall, I paid heed to my surroundings.

It was a small town, streets seemed abandoned as soon as the night had fallen. The street light had flicked on and a gust of wind picked up the stray leaves on the sidewalks.

I needed to find a pay phone and a shirt to wear. Hearing footsteps coming my way I hid in the shadows of the building. It was a middle-aged man who was probably returning from work. As he walked past me I emerged from the shadows and grabbed him, placing one hand on his mouth to muffle his screams while taking him back into the dark.

I pinched the nerve on his shoulder and he instantly lost consciousness. Carefully laying him down I rummaged through his pockets and took out his cell phone.

"Sorry man," I mumbled to him while walking away and dialing Rivan’s private number. He picked up on the second bell.

"Rivan! It’s me." I muttered, relief washing over me.

"Xiriiii! Is that you? Are you alright? Where are you?" His excited voice filled me with warmth on this cold night.

"Yes, Rivi. Just track this number and come to get me from a rendezvous point that is closest to here and Druhais. I will use online maps to figure out my location. Keep in touch." I tried to keep it as short as possible, so he could move quickly.

"I am on it, don’t worry. We are coming to get you." His assuring voice calmed my flustered heart.

"Bring some clothes and blood," I requested.

"I will, let me call you back after I discover your location through this phone." He cut the call and I turned on the online maps to figure out where I was.

This town was about 500 miles from the border between Tremais and Druhias. The nearest city in Druhias with an airport was about 600 miles away. It was a long way to go. I called Rivan again and told him to meet me there.

Pocketing the phone, I scanned my surroundings once again before spreading my wings and taking flight. It was safer to fly at night, I reached a higher altitude so no one will be able to spot me and kept flying.

I was getting closer to the border. The cold wind rushed past me and I could feel my blood freezing due to the extreme weather. There was no moon today, it was mostly cloudy which provided me with the perfect cover.

As soon as I was about to reach the border, I descended near the coastline. A vast sea lay on one side while Druhias lay on the other side of Tremais’s borders. It took me about 6 hours to reach there.

Swiftly landing on the deserted beach, I informed Rivan of my location and sat down on the calm beach to stare at the waves as they washed over the sand which resembled my eyes.

Carios and Rivan soon reached me in Rivan’s black sports car. I glanced in their direction as the two men I trusted the most rushed toward me with shock evident in their eyes. I slowly rose to my feet as Rivan strode over and embraced me in his sturdy arms and asked with deep concern: "You ok, Xi?"

"I am, let’s get out of here and go home," Rivan let me go and guided me to the car while Carios quickly opened the back door so I could climb in the warmth of the car.

"Sire, good to have you back," Carios offered me a small bow and I acknowledged him with a nod.

Settling inside I placed my head on the back of the seat and let out a sigh. Rivan sat beside me and Carios started the car. I tossed the phone out the window and closed my eyes, trying to finally relax, knowing I was safe now.

"Have a drink," I opened my eyes to see Rivan handing me a bottle of blood. I took it and gulped it down in one go. Warmth filled me and my body began to heat up.

"Feeling better?" Rivan inquired, his concern-filled eyes not leaving me. I knew he was observing my destroyed hair but was keeping quiet for now.

"Yes,"

"I have fresh clothes on the plane, bath, and change into them when we get there," I nodded at him. The warmth lulled me to sleep in a matter of seconds. And when Rivan woke me up, the car was already inside the plane.

Climbing down from the car we made our way to the seating area with blue leather recliners for seats, a huge screen, a washroom, and a kitchen. This was Rivan’s private jet.

His attendant gave me fresh clothes and a towel so I could wash and change while Rivan went ahead to the cockpit to instruct them about take off.

I made my way to the washroom and discarded torn pants and shorts. Turning on the hot water I stood underneath it to relax my tensed muscles and wash off all the grime and sweat that had settled on me.

Foaming the shampoo I washed my hair which didn’t take much effort for they were short now and it made my whole body tense. I wanted to scream in agony but pursed my lips and finally looked at myself in the mirror.

My hair was falling on my shoulders now and was cut haphazardly. There were no physical wounds on my body thanks to Aselia’s blood but my soul was soiled and the memories will forever be itched in my brain. I will never remove them.

Tearing away my gaze from the mirror which was torturing my wounded heart, I dried my hair with the towel and changed into clean slacks and a black shirt.

Stepping out Rivan had arranged for food and I settled across him to eat. He kept placing food on my plate understanding I was hungry and I ate to my heart’s content. Once we were done with the food and relaxed on the recliners, Rivan asked in a serious tone:

"Tell me everything in detail, don’t you dare leave anything out."

I informed him of everything that had transpired and how I had escaped.

"Man, she fooled us all. I had started having doubts about her so I was doing a background check without informing you. I knew you would never permit me. And by the time I found out who she was, she had already taken you." Rivan confided in me while shaking his head.

"Rivan I need every single detail about her, everything you had found and everything you remember about the night I rescued her, how I rescued her. Tell me all." I was becoming restless again, knowing I had seen her before but having no memory of it was killing me.

"I will. I was about to make my move by including Amonidus, I am glad you escaped before that. And hasn’t she done enough damage? Wouldn’t it be better if you would erase your memories of her and just forget about her existence?" He held contempt in his tone for Aselia and I knew I couldn’t blame him for what she had put me through.

"Rivan, I can’t. Not after she put her life on the line for me. She has professed her love for me, I can’t abandon her now. Besides my family is responsible for turning her into what she is," I countered.

"Your family but not you, all you ever did was care for her. She is toxic for you Xiran and she will always hurt you. I know I can’t dictate your life choices but think very carefully before bringing her back into your life."

My heart double-dived at his words.