Page 84 of Fighting My Demons

I choke; the pain is excruciating, and tears burn my eyes, black dots flitting across my vision. I pray I would pass out as the acid-like venom spreads through my veins like wildfire.

Every cell and nerve in my body feels as though someone is holding a blowtorch to it. Even my hair hurts, everything burning like I am suddenly doused in petrol and set alight. My throat burns from screaming around Latham's hand, which is still clamped over my mouth, when my vision starts fading. I am fading, and I welcome the darkness as it swallows me. Anything to stop this excruciating pain.

Death I would have preferred. It would have been kinder.

Then I pass out.

Chapter Fifty

Xavier

Her screams will forever haunt me, and I hate Latham for making me do it. He fears something happening to her. I get it, however, he shouldn't have forced my hand. Pulling my teeth from her thigh, I look down at the scar it have left on her leg. She has passed out ages ago. My venom writhes below her skin like silver veins, spreading throughout her petite body.

"Did you get it all?" Latham asks, and I glare at him.

"Of course I fucking did. You think I want to do that again?" I snap at him.

"There was no other choice, Xavier," Blaine tries to tell me.

They didn't just hurt her the way I did.

Latham brushes her hair from her face. Her body is drenched in sweat and even while passed out, her body trembles and twitches. Blaine and Latham move their hands off her legs. Their taints burn into her skin, and I look away, hating seeing her so defenseless against us. It isn't natural; not for me, anyway. I like Latham and Blaine being mainly in control, but I trust them not to hurt me, despite them being a hell of a lot stronger than me. Bella, though, I’ve never wanted to force her into anything. I shouldn't have had to hurt her like this.

"It's done now. She will be safe from him."

"Will she be, though? The fact he could ward off my mark?"

"His taint was stronger than we thought, but you said you couldn't taste him in her blood at all now?" Latham asks.

"No traces, so let's hope he couldn't track her here," I tell him.

"Doesn't matter. We are leaving tomorrow anyway," Latham says, and I nod.

I wonder briefly if Bella would be willing to go now after this or if Latham would have to drag her away kicking and screaming because I sure as hell won't be after doing this to her. Although I enjoy feeling her stronger, no tainting is more potent than a venom one. It's just excruciating, even for demons.

"She will understand," Latham says.

I scoff. "Understand? She looked real understanding when she told me no!"

"Blame me for it."

"I am blaming you for it. You fucking made me do it! There is no way I would have done that when she said no otherwise," I tell him.

"I don't mind being the bad one if it keeps her safe from my brother," Latham says, climbing off the bed.

"Where are you going?" I ask him when Latham heads for the door.

"Organize things for tomorrow. Keep an eye on her," he says, and I nod before crawling beside her while Blaine undoes the handcuffs, freeing her wrists.

I tuck her against me, and Blaine tugs the sheets and blankets over us before leaning down and kissing her cheek.

"You did the right thing, Xavier. We couldn't have him track her to Soya or have him call on her and her go willingly to him without realizing," Blaine whispers, and I look away.

He is right. That doesn't make me feel any better, though. I never wanted to hurt her. I know they didn't either, but her screams and the way she thrashed make me feel like shit.

* * *

Bella