Friends and Foes

AYA

The vampire who had been turned—a hulking figure with a long, fiery red beard—made the foolish decision to charge at Alexander. Alexander responded with a hiss, grabbed the attacker by the throat, and flung him into the water, causing a violent splash. The vampire emerged, drenched and furious, and lunged back onto the shore, his fangs on full display.

Simultaneously, Tom and his other companion sprang toward Alexander, their eyes glowing a menacing crimson. Without thinking, I stepped in, positioning myself between them and Alexander.

“Enough!” I hissed, locking eyes with Tom’s blazing stare.

“Aya, move aside,” Tom retorted, his gaze darting between me and Alexander. “Do you realize what a catch he is? Half the vampires in the world would pay a fortune for his head. The other half just wants the Night family eradicated. This is our opportunity, Aya. We could afford a damn castle!”

“I don’t want a castle!” I shot back. “I’m content with our life!”

“Well, I don’t give a shit about your opinion,” Tom’s friend snarled, his piercing green eyes never leaving Alexander. He was tall and lean, with a traditionally handsome face that was now contorted with hunger. “So step aside, girl, and let us claim our reward.”

Behind me, Red Beard chuckled. I didn’t need to turn around to know he was gearing up to attack. Tom and Green Eyes were closing in.

“Tom!” I shouted. “Stop this!”

“Aya, just step back. Come to me.” Tom extended his hand toward me. “Why are you wearing his shirt?”

I instinctively retreated, feeling the solid presence of Alexander behind me. His hand rested lightly on my shoulder, steadying me.

“You don’t understand, Tom,” I said. “He will kill you.”

“He can try,” Green Eyes scoffed.

“Aya,” Alexander’s deep voice sent a shiver down my spine. I twisted to look up at him. His icy gaze was filled with amusement.

“Step aside, little bird,” he smirked. “I want to see them try.”

I glared at him, but his smirk only widened. He was itching for this fight.

“You’re such a child,” I muttered.

He chuckled, then pushed me aside—rather roughly. I scowled at him.

“All right, boys,” he said, locking eyes with each of them. “Tell me, have you ever fought a pureblood before?”

None of them responded. Instead, they all lunged at him simultaneously.

Idiots.

I knew better than to intervene, but watching was equally frustrating. Tom and his friends circled Alexander like he was prey, testing his reflexes, but he didn’t strike until they did. And when they did, he grabbed them, spun them around, and tossed them like rag dolls. He didn’t draw blood—until they did.

Red Beard managed to get behind him, sinking his fangs into Alexander’s neck. That was his first and last mistake.

Alexander snarled, reached back, and ripped him off as if he was nothing. He slammed Red Beard to the ground, straddled him, then wrenched his head back and sank his teeth deep into his throat. He tore out a chunk of flesh, letting it spray across the grass. Red Beard collapsed like a sack of bones, his body twitching as his slow healing process kicked in.

Tom and Green Eyes hesitated now, their eyes wide, finally realizing what they were up against.

“Is this over yet?” I asked dryly.

Alexander roared with laughter and winked at me. “I think it is,” he declared, grinning at Tom and his friend. They scowled.

“Aya.” Tom reached for me again. “Come.”

I scowled. “I’m not a dog, Tom.”

Alexander chuckled. I glared at him, too.

“This isn’t over, asshole,” Green Eyes spat at Alexander. “Don’t think the queen won’t hear about this. You broke your banishment, and we’ll make sure everyone knows. You won’t make it far.”

Alexander tensed, but his smirk returned quickly. “Scurry off, then,” he waved dismissively.

Green Eyes hissed, his body coiled as if ready to attack again, but Tom grabbed his arm, pulling him back. He shot me one last look.

“Come on, Aya, we’re leaving.”

“No,” Alexander growled. “She’s staying with me.”

“I am not!” I snapped, tugging at the hem of his shirt as if that would change anything. For some reason, I didn’t move from his side.

Tom smirked and held out his hand. “Come on, Aya.”

My lips pressed together, a wave of frustration washing over me. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment in Tom, even though I knew his reasons. The Night family was notorious, and for Red Beard to recognize Alexander, there had to be a dark past between them.

When I turned back to Alexander—his throat still smeared with blood, his chin stained a deep red, his face shadowed with fatigue—I saw the same vulnerable young man I had met years ago. He was alone, on the run again.

I clenched my jaw, hating myself for letting him get to me. I needed to stop letting him under my skin.

“Just a minute, Tom,” I whispered.

“Leave her,” Green Eyes retorted.

Alexander shifted behind me, his hand lightly resting on my shoulder again. Tom bristled.

“Aya, we’re going now,” he insisted, his friends already retreating.

“I just need more time to think,” I confessed. I could feel Alexander’s hand squeeze my shoulder gently.

“What?” Tom’s voice nearly broke. “Aya, you’re choosing him over me?”

“No,” I responded flatly. “It’s not you or him. It’s not that simple.”

“Yes, it is, Aya,” Tom growled.

“Then I’ll catch up with you in Berlin, Tom,” I retorted.

“Fine,” he barked. “Enjoy your time with your maker. I’ll see you in Berlin!”

“Fine.”

Tom and Green Eyes hoisted their fallen friend and disappeared into the trees. Tom shot Alexander a bitter look before vanishing.

I let out a slow, heavy sigh.

“You made the right—”

“Shut up, Alex,” I cut him off.

I heard him chuckle before his hand gripped my shoulder and spun me around. He was grinning.

“Are you coming with me, Aya?” he asked.

“They’re going to tell everyone they saw you tonight. How do you plan to evade them all and get to France?” I crossed my arms. “You should go home, Alex.”

He shook his head, that infuriating smirk still playing at the edge of his lips.

“I can’t leave Caroline out here alone. Call it a conscience, but I need to get her back to safety.”

“You always did go the extra mile for your family,” I murmured.

“Family is all we have as purebloods.”

“I know.” I hesitated. “They will kill you, Alex. They won’t hesitate.”

“They can try,” he scoffed.

“Alex! You are not invincible. Losing the crown should have taught you that!” I snapped.

He scowled. I hit a nerve.

“I can make it—if you help me, Aya.”

“Alex,” I groaned.

He gripped my shoulders, steadying me. He leaned in until our eyes were level.

“Please, Aya. I promised myself long ago that I’d never do this—that I’d never ask you to fight for me again. I meant it, Aya. But I have no one else. And I’d rather face every vampire in the world than ask this of you, but here I am.”

His voice lowered. “You know what that means.”

“Alex, I can’t let you hurt me again.”

“I won’t. I promise.” His fingers tightened. “I swore to my mother I’d bring Caroline home. I promised Jessica I’d return to her. I need your help, Aya.”

“I don’t owe you anything.”

“I know. I have nothing to offer in return.” His voice was low, almost raw.

“But I need you, Aya.”

I closed my eyes. His presence was overwhelming.

“I hate you, Alex,” I breathed.

“I know. I hate myself.”

I opened my eyes. His ice-blue gaze pinned me in place, his dark hair curling slightly over his forehead.

“You know damn well I can’t resist you,” I whispered. “I would follow you anywhere.”

The second the words left my lips, Alex pulled me into a crushing embrace. His arms locked around my waist, his face buried in my shoulder as he lifted me off the ground, pressing me tight against his body.

“Thank you, Aya,” he murmured.

I wrapped my arms around his neck as memories crashed over me. His familiar scent, his warmth, his strength—I was drowning in him.

We held each other for a long moment before he finally set me down.

“If you hurt me again, I will kill you,” I warned softly.

He grinned. “Fair enough.”

He reached out, brushing his fingers along my cheek. “Thank you, Aya.”

I cleared my throat, stepping away.

“I’ll go with you to the castle in France. But if she’s not there, I’m going back to Berlin.”

He frowned but nodded.

“How long have you and that idiot been together?”

“I wouldn’t exactly call us a couple,” I mumbled. “We’ve just been on the road together for a decade.”

His lips formed a thin, straight line.

“I’ll see you in La Spezia when the sun comes up. Try not to draw attention to yourself.”

A soft laugh escaped him.

“I promise, Aya. I’ll be there waiting for you.”