Xiran’s POV

His words plunged me into the deepest darkest pits of hell, everything pained, my whole existence pained. My heart screamed and felt so heavy as if being crushed under a boulder. My legs had no strength and I knew they would give way and I will fall to my knees. The thought to keep her safe provided the sheer willpower to keep standing.

My mother bonded with a monster? Is that why she never left him? Was it the reason I was so obsessed with Aselia? Had she bonded with me or had I done it with her? Or did we both do this, resulting in such an intense bond that it causes us so much pain?

My mind whirled and raced, there were so many questions and so few answers but what destroyed me was the fact that my father knew she was an elf and I loved her. He was going to rip our lives apart. I had to make a decision. Finally stepping out of my dazed state I faced my father with contempt: 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"I don’t know what makes you say something like that. Bond? Vampires don’t bond, they just kill," my father’s hideous laugh echoed all around the room at my answer.

"You are still as naive as you used to be. Your mother coddled you so much and hid harsh truths. You are not only a vampire, you acquired most qualities from your mother including this bonding one and the way you have hidden that girl and keep denying it. I know it’s the truth, now be a good lad and tell me where she is."

So it had come down to either saving my best friend or her, knowing my father I knew he would rip Rivan’s heart out just to teach me a lesson. What a mess I had created just to feel loved, if I hadn’t been so selfish and had let her go when it was time, none of this would be happening.

I took a step forward and my father’s hand slid further in making Rivan shriek in pain as more blood dripped on the floor my heart hurt seeing him like this. My hands fisted at my sides and I wanted to punch this man who I called father to death.

"Let Rivan go, take me instead. Torture me all you want, spare him. He didn’t do anything wrong," my pleas fell on deaf ears as he didn’t release him.

"Hand her over Xiran because when I will find her myself, you will live to regret that day. You think you understand pain boy? You think you know what sacrifice is because you have experienced some of it? You have experienced nothing, I will give you so much pain that all that softness will forever evaporate from that malleable heart of yours."

All my composure dissolved at his crude words. I knew he was trying to extract a reaction from me. The sensible thing to do was to act emotionless but the rage coursed through my veins like lava and burnt bright in my eyes.

Before I could move or answer, the door opened like a breath of fresh air and my father was hurled forward by so much force that he crashed against the front wall and dented it, he fell and debris fell on him.

Instantly I sprinted towards Rivan and collected him in my arms before he hit the ground. A fiery arrow was hurled towards my father and pierced his neck, the only vulnerable spot which could be penetrated.

Blood dripped down from his wound as he stood up covered in debris removing the arrow from his neck he threw it aside and faced the culprits who dared attack him. Fuming with rage his icy cold eyes had even turned colder and I could feel darkness emanating from his body.

Another arrow was hurled at him and I knew this was also laced with a paralytic agent but my father was ready, he caught the silver arrow and snapped it in two pieces. He tried to move but was being held in his spot as a few more arrows were hurled at him but he dodged them all. My father was reaching a frenzied state.

"You dared attack me," he fumed. His black hair which was now ashen from the fallen debris, fell in front of his eyes and gave him a menacing look.

"Xiran, take Rivan and go, I will handle your father, we need to talk as well."

It was Amonidus and his power was the one which had propelled my father toward the wall and was still holding him there. It allowed him to control the movements of others, a kind of psychokinesis.

The other person with him was the Prince of Emeradius city, Casmian Zohane aka ’Archer of Fire’ he possessed the ability to launch fiery arrows and they were hurled at such speed that it was almost impossible to dodge them even for vampires. I had called him from my jet because I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle the situation alone with my father.

We became acquaintances when I visited Emeradius City for the first time. Being the son of King Zohane; who was one of the original vampires, Casmian was immensely strong and handsome, his reddish-golden hair and light brown eyes gave him that royalty vibe. His skin tone was dark which added to his alluring personality.

"Xiran, go. We will handle him," Casmian nodded at me. I gave them an appreciative look and picking up Rivan I flicked open my wings and flew away in the gloomy atmosphere. I heard my father’s guttural scream from behind me and knew he was utterly furious at the turn of events.

I glanced at Rivan and my insides screamed seeing him like this, so many of his veins had turned black that he was hardly breathing. I was sure his ribs and rib cage was broken and would need time to heal, deciding to take him to his private hospital, I flew towards it.

Peeking all around me I found my city burning and bloodied. Our two stripped flag in white and green colour with two hands one over the other, wrapped in a wreath, lay on the ground, stained in blood. It no more flew over the mayor’s office.

Every street was a battleground, police, hunters, special forces, guards, vampires, hounds, hybrids, wendigos, tribrids and chimeras were all battling it out down below in different parts of the city.

My shattered heart which was already in pieces was crushed some more. So much for peace, so much for love and so much for making a difference. I had failed my city, its people, and my loved ones just for my selfishness. It was time to let go of my selfish desires and put an end to this barbarity.