Zaphira's Flame's
chapter 22

Something is pressed to my lips, and a voice urging me to drink. Everything becomes clear to me at once, and I freaked out, arms lashing out; until I came into contact with something, and I heard someone swearing.

“Calm down love. Your fine.” Looking around I’m in a bedroom, but it’s not my room. Alex is standing next to the bed, soaked from the water I pushed away.

“What happened to me?”

I asked my throat a little raspy.

Sitting next to me, he took my hand. “You passed out, after you talked to Zack. What did he say to you?” Thinking back, he said. Oh god! “He said he loved me.” I can see the anger rising in him. “He did what? What did you say to him?” I didn’t say anything for a second. “I remember letting go of the phone, then I guess Nick yelling, then it all went black. What happened after that?” I can tell by the on his face that he doesn’t want to tell me. “Nick called to me, and we brought you in here.” “And where exactly is here?” Looking around; the room is different than mine, darker, and has less furniture in it.

“You’re in my room. I wanted to keep an eye on you.” “How long was I out for?” “About a day. We’re now into April. Don’t look like that, you haven’t missed much. Are you well enough to come down to dinner?” I nodded. “Yeah I think so.” Throwing off the covers I looked down at myself.

Alex or someone undressed me, they dressed me in a large old T-shirt I like to sleep in.

I gave him a look, he just smiled and got me some fresh clothes, disappearing from the room for a second.

He came back with a pair of slacks and a green shirt. “I’ll give you a moment to change.” He started to leave but I stopped him, grabbing his hand. “No stay.” Standing I gave him a peck on the cheek, and went behind the dressing screen, they purchased for me, he brought it in here for me. They will have to put it back after.

I have always loved them, I don’t know what it is, about them.

Pulling off the shirt there’s a huge bruise in the shape of a hand print on my stomach, but it’s slowly starting to fade. How odd. Stepping out from behind the screen still in my red and purple bra, Alex is in my room, walking in, he turned to look at me. He was perusing my shelf of little things I brought from home, along with a few photos of my family. As his gaze slid over me his eyes swirling red. Gaze settling on the mark on my stomach. “What is that?” Shaking my head. “I don’t know, I was hoping you can tell me.”

In a flash he’s in front of me, kneeling down, inspecting the mark. Ever so gently he laid his hand on the mark; it’s a perfect match for a handprint.

“This must have happened when Nick went to catch you.” He put his head on my stomach; hands moving to rest at my back.

“I’m fine Alex. It’s already starting to fade. Nick was trying to save me, I know he didn’t mean to hurt me.”

He sighed, his cool breath tickling my skin. Standing he pulled me into a tight embrace, burying his face in my neck.

“I won’t ever lose you. I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. No one will hurt you again!” “You can’t promise that. Anything could happen down the road. But we will keep each other safe.”

He started to laugh, his lips tickling my neck, gently he started kissing and nibbling my neck.

“You know something? You are one amazing woman my sweet; and that won’t ever change.”

Taking my shirt from my hand, he helped me put it on. “There now you ready.” Taking my hand we head down to the dining room. Before we got to the door Alex stopped me. “Here let me put this on.” Moving behind me, he put crest of the fire demon around my neck, holding it tight he moved to stand in front of me. Taking my hand we walked down to the dining room. Nick and Raphe are sitting there waiting for us.

Alex cleared his throat and the guys stood looking me over. “Zaphira thank goodness you’re alright!”

Raphe said coming up to me. He’s hesitant about touching me, like I could break at any moment. “I’m okay. Thank you Nick for helping me.” Nick bowed smiling. “I didn’t want you to come to any harm. I am very sorry for what Zack did to you.”

Alex gave him a look that shut him up quick. Alex helped me with my chair and our lovely cook came in with our dinner. Pouring us each a drink Alex raised his glass. “To our Zaphira, we’re happy that you’re back with us, safe and sound. Cheers.” Clinking our glasses we settled down to eat, looking at our food, suddenly I’m starving.

“Dig in everyone.” Raphe said and that is exactly what I did.

Taking a sip of my wine, I noticed a folder on the table next to Raphe. “What is that?” I asked motioning to the folder next to him.

“It’s a report from the hotel bombing. It has taken a while to get it all.” Opening it he passed me a few of the photos. “There are from the security cameras. It took them a while to get them from the cameras; they were severely damaged.”

There a little fuzzy, but you can tell their leaving through the back door of the hotel. “Are they the vamps that attacked us?” Looking up at Raphe he nodded and said.

“Yes we found several of them but some are completely in the wind. But we will replace them.”

Nodding I moved the photos aside and took out a lab report. “It says the explosives were C.4 and a few other components that you can get your hands on easily.” Studying more photos more closely. “So these are the suckers that tried to kill us.” Raphe nodded. “Well it would appear we have a hunt on our hands.” Alex cleared his throat.

“Not right now we don’t.” Alex said taking the file from me. “Right now you’re going to eat something.” Smiling. I love the way he thinks he can boss me around.

I think I’m falling in love with this man!

We ate in silence for a while until I spoke up. “What did you do to Zack?” Setting his goblet down Alex gave me a look. “What do you mean? We didn’t do anything to him.” “I know you’re lying to me. Tell me.” “Fine. I told them to wipe his memory. Don’t worry; he will still remember you. But he won’t remember that he loves you, you’re his best friend. That’s all I swear it.”

He even put his hand up as he said it. Thinking about it, I nodded. “Thank you. I know he loves me, but I can’t love him, not like he wants me to. I know it was the right thing to do. But he will know who I am when he sees me?” “Yes. He is your best friend after all.”

Alex flashed me a fang filled grin, and poured himself another goblet of blood.

Watching it flow into the cup I can’t help but wonder what it tastes like; shaking my head, I took a sip of my wine, replaceing it tastes a little funny. Stomach clenching I ran from the dining room, hand covering my mouth. Just making it to the bathroom as my dinner came back up to greet me.

“Z? Oh god Zaphira. You okay?”

Still retching Alex knelt down next to me pulling my hair back from my face.

“It’s alright just let it all up. Don’t try to fight it.”

I don’t really have much of a choice in the matter. Flushing the toilet I leaned against the bathtub in one of the many guest baths in the house.

Everyday I’m in this house, I replace a room I never knew existed. “Are you doing okay?” Opening my eyes Alex has moved next to me, not entirely sure I can speak, so I nodded, closing my eyes again, trying to calm my racing heart.

“I don’t know what just happened to me. I was fine, then all of the sudden I wasn’t.” “Don’t worry. Your body just has to get back to normal.” There’s a knock at the door. “Everything okay in there?” “Yeah.” Alex yelled and helped me to the sink so I can wash my mouth out.

Opening the door Raphe and Nick are both standing there leaning against the wall. “I’m okay guys. I think I’ll so sit in the library for a while.” Letting go of Alex I started walking away from them, but I can still hear them talking.

“She’ll be fine. We’ll just keep an eye on her just to be safe.” That’s the last thing I heard. Stepping into the library I called some fire to the surface to warm me, grabbing a blanket I curled up at the window, head resting against the glass. It didn’t take very long before I passed out cold from the exhausting from today.