Noir
Chapter 54

NOIR

I fixated my gaze on the plush carpet, its intricate patterns weaving a tapestry of memories. The soft fibers tickled the soles of my feet, grounding me in the present moment. But no matter how hard I tried, her image refused to fade from my mind. It clung to me like an indelible mark, impossible to erase.

The scent of alcohol hung heavy in the air, mingling with the musky undertones of despair. I had turned to drink, seeking solace in its temporary embrace, but it only fueled the growing darkness within me. The monster that lurked beneath the surface was clawing its way out, threatening to consume everything in its path. I needed help. I needed Eton and Thorin by my side once more.

As I pondered my next move, the encroaching darkness wrapped around me, suffocating and relentless. It whispered in my ear, urging me to give in to my primal desires. The hunger for her blood, for her touch, surged through my veins, shaking me to the core. I clenched my trembling hands, desperately trying to regain control, to resist the temptations that threatened to consume me.

Time was slipping away, slipping through my fingers like sand. The darkness inside me grew stronger with each passing moment, mocking my feeble attempts at restraint. I was losing myself, losing the battle against my own nature. There was a sense of inevitability, a foreboding that it was too late.

In the midst of my turmoil, the sound of footsteps echoed outside my door. A soft knock reverberated through the room, and Eton's presence filled the space. His steady gaze met mine, understanding etched in his eyes. He had sensed my struggle and had come to lend a helping hand.

Drawing in a deep breath, I sought solace in his presence. His mere existence seemed to quell the tempest raging within me. We were in this together, bound by the trials we had faced before.

"The hunger is strong again, isn't it?" he asked softly, closing the door behind him. "I can see it in your eyes."

I nodded, unable to meet his gaze again. "I can't control it, Eton. I'm trying, but it's getting stronger."

He stepped forward, sitting down in the chair beside mine. His presence alone seemed to calm the raging storm inside me. "We'll figure this out together," he said firmly. "We always do."

His words carried a sense of determination, a promise that we would replace a way to conquer this darkness.

Hope flickered in my eyes as I looked up at him, gratitude filling my heart. I had kept my true self hidden from him, fearing the consequences. But now, in this moment of vulnerability, I found comfort in his unwavering support. "Thank you, Eton," I whispered. "I'm sorry for keeping this from you, for burdening you with my struggles. But I'm grateful that you're here."

He nodded, his expression resolute. "We've been through too much to let this tear us apart. We'll face it together, just like we always have."

His words became my anchor, grounding me in the belief that we could overcome this darkness. With Eton by my side, there was hope, however faint it may be.

"So, is it the chains' again tonight?" he questioned.

I nodded, feeling the weight of my situation grow heavier. Binding me in chains was the only way we had figured out to keep me controlled until the transformation had passed.

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"Yes, the chains," I replied, looking at him. "I'm sorry for the trouble it causes you. You shouldn't have to go through this."

Eton shook his head, his expression gentle. "Fuck, you're my brother. I'd rather go through this with you than not have you in my life."

The weight of his words hit me like a physical blow. I'd never thought of it that way. He was right. We had been through so much together, and our bond was stronger than any chains or transformations could break. Nodding slowly, I pushed out of the chair, gesturing toward the door. "Let's get on with it, then."

ETON

Hours after locking the last lock of the chains on Noir, I stood outside his self-imposed prison, listening to the rage in his voice at being chained and locked in the small cell. His vampiric nature had emerged full blown and had proven to be more than a match for his bindings. We had been forced to chain him to keep him contained until the transformation had passed. It had been three months since Lyra had left and it was only growing worse.

"Are you sure you don't want to try something else?" I asked him, concern evident in my voice. "Maybe there's another way we could manage this?"

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Noir growled in frustration, his chest heaving as he fought to control the monster within. "There's no other way! I can feel it taking over more and more every day!"

I winced at his anguished cry, helpless to do anything but offer words of encouragement. "We'll replace a way through this, Noir. We have to. You're my brother, and I'm not giving up on you."

He snarled, the chains clanking ominously as he struggled against them. "I don't want you to give up on me, Eton. I just don't know how much longer I can last like this."

My heart ached for my brother, hearing the desperation in his voice. It was a daily struggle for me as well, watching him suffer through this transformation. I had no answers, no solutions. All I could do was offer what little comfort I could and hope that somehow, we would replace a way through this darkness together.

"I know it's hard, Noir, but you have to hold on. We're not giving up on you, okay? We'll replace a way. We always do."

I swallowed thickly, the words catching in my throat. "And if we can't replace a way... I just want you to know that I'm glad you are my brother. You've made my life worth living, even when things were at their darkest."

Noir's shoulders slumped, and for a moment, I thought he might break down. But then he spoke, his voice steady despite the pain that lurked beneath the surface. "And I'm glad I had you too, Eton. You and Thorin are the only ones who can really understand. And I'm sorry for everything I've put you two through. For everything I've turned you into."

I reached through the bars and gently squeezed his shoulder, the metal links of the chains between us cold against my skin. "It's not your fault, Noir."

He snorted, his voice bitter. "The hell its not."