Chapter 42 – Was I Worth It?

Gwion played his cat-and-mouse game with Ciro for twenty minutes before we left the cabin; repeatedly letting him get free, only to strike viciously causing deep lacerations and several bone crushing blows every time he caught him. I wanted Ciro dead, but the violence became too intense even for me, and I buried my head in Myrnin's shoulder. I shuddered to ever imagine myself fighting against Gwion. His destruction was breathtaking and devastating and beautiful, all at the same time.

While Gwion was otherwise engaged, Myrnin removed his shirt, and hastily tucked me into it. I was thankful to finally be somewhat covered. "How did you find me?" I whispered hoarsely.

"Gwion used his contacts to isolate potential states were Ciro might have labs. We selected the nearest state. We did not have the exact location, but once we were inside of the state, I could feel you," his voice broke and dropped off.

"You could feel me?" I whispered with wide eyes. A new realization was slowly dawning on me.

His jaw clenched and his eyes blazed crimson as he confirmed, "Yes, I felt everything he did to you."

No! I was horrified, knowing he had to endure my suffering, in addition to everything else I had already put him through. My fingers trembled as I reached to touch his face. "I'm sorry... You had to feel that... And..."

My hand dropped away as tears crested my lashes. I couldn't look at him as I mumbled, "You should have left me after what I did at the party."

"Stop that, right this instant!" he hissed.

I looked up in surprise at the anger in his tone.

"Stop presuming that I am so weak, as to not understand that you were not yourself during those moments. I do not blame you..." his voice softened. He locked me in his unfathomable gaze and spoke meaningfully, "Even if you had gone through with it... I would not have liked it, but I never would have blamed you. I don't run when shit gets hard. Did you run from me, every time I wasn't myself?" he pointedly reminded me of the many times he had tried to kill me – and the equal number of times I had begged him not to hate himself for it.

I understood then.

Fresh tears spilled down my cheeks as I smiled at him. He breathed a sigh of relief and pulled me tight. After a long moment, he gathered me in his arms and cradled me against his chest. As he walked toward the cabin, he murmured, "I'm sorry, but I have to know."

I nodded, shuddering in his embrace. When we walked through the door, he stood perfectly still as he struggled to contain the fury that vibrated through his body. Finally, he calmed down enough to gently set me on my feet. I swayed unsteadily; my head was pounding again and I was incredibly weak. His eyes were tight with concern as he stood with his arms in the air around me, ready to catch me if I fell. I wanted this part over and done with, more than anything, so I gathered all of my strength into my core and murmured, "I'm okay."

He stepped away and pulled his backpack off. "Which vials did he use?" he asked through clenched teeth.

I looked around and forced the science part of my brain to think. I pointed to all of the vials I could remember and whispered, "These two... Those three... And that one... And I think he used one of those dart guns to sedate me at the party. He mentioned a substance that could make any vampire, even Gwion, weak."

A low sustained growl emanated from Myrnin's chest as he gathered all of the chemicals, notebooks and finally, Ciro's laptop. When he was finished, he silently gathered me into his arms again and walked out the door.

Gwion was standing casually over Ciro's now-staked body. Ciro was paralyzed but still conscious. His eyes rolled wildly.

"Put me down," I told Myrnin softly.

He shook his head and resisted my request. After another moment, he relented and set my feet down in the snow. I knelt by Ciro's head and waited for his eyes to focus. I murmured, "Was I worth it?"

His eyes were wide in fear, as they locked on mine.

"Yes, remember all of those 'imaginable ways' you were going to show me pain? I suspect you planned to be very creative, so maybe your imagination has already drawn you a picture of what you can expect."

I leaned forward and promised softly, "Or maybe you don't really comprehend the potential instore for you, because even on your cruelest day – you do not hold a candle to the torture they can inflict."

He shuddered violently, knowing I spoke the truth.

"I'm ready," I murmured.

Myrnin immediately lifted me back into his arms.

Gwion smirked, "Lovely speech, little minx – and, oh so very true."

Myrnin growled low, "Burn it to the ground."

"With pleasure," Gwion smiled wider, before disappearing into the building. He exited a second later, running and hoisted Ciro over his shoulder, without breaking stride. "Time to go!"

Myrnin hadn't needed any encouragement. We were already in motion. I clutched tightly to his chest and started when the cabin exploded in a massive eruption. I stared over Myrnin's shoulder at the flames that licked the skies. I quivered. Myrnin tightened his hold. I tucked my head down against his shoulder and closed my eyes, letting my exhaustion and weakened state, pull me fast asleep.

I had no idea how much time had transpired when Myrnin gently nudged me awake. I looked around groggily, trying to get my bearings. We were hidden at the edge of woods and I could see lights ahead. Was that a gas station? I tried to make my eyes focus without much success. As I looked around, I was stunned to find a strange man standing with us. My fangs snapped down painfully, and my jaw ached – he was human!

"You need to eat," Myrnin spoke meaningfully.

My eyes opened wide in shock. At the same time, my throat burst into flames. I was terrified they were going to let me kill this man. I asked hesitantly, "You didn't bring any blood bags?"

"I told him we should have brought blood for you, however he doesn't seem to trust the blood supply with me anywhere around. As if I would play the same game twice... How unimaginative," Gwion rolled his eyes as he responded.

"I won't let him die," Myrnin murmured, understanding my distress. That was all the encouragement I needed. In less than a blink, I was out of Myrnin's arms and latched onto the man's neck, sucking greedily. My balance was off and we toppled precariously. Myrnin caught us and gently lowered us to the ground, so that I did not have to stand to eat.

I quickly straddled the man, locking both legs around him, intent on keeping my meal from getting away. In my thirst, my clothing – and my modesty – were the farthest things from my mind. I felt Myrnin gently tug his shirt back down over my now bare ass, as Gwion chuckled.

I didn't care and moaned loudly in pleasure, as the blood coursed into me. Gwion growled low, his tone clearly emanating lust.

Myrnin hissed at him.

"What? Tell me you don't want to be him right now," Gwion pointedly defended himself. Even without looking, I knew he was smirking.

Myrnin hissed again and instructed, "We are going to need another one."

"Very well. Are you going to be able to get her off of that one?" Gwion asked.

"Yes. Go," Myrnin answered shortly.

Before I was ready, Myrnin grasped my shoulders tightly and whispered in my ear," You need to stop now."

I growled at him angrily.

"Gwion is bringing you another one. You don't want to kill this man," Myrnin urgently reminded me.

Reluctantly I released my fangs from his neck, and looked around in anticipation for the snack Gwion was bringing back. Gwion materialized with a rather large man. I wrinkled my nose, as I took in his attire and lack of hygiene.

"Selection is a little slim, presently," Gwion responded to my obvious distaste and then smiled at me knowingly; as he slashed open the man's throat. Immediately, my reservations were gone and I sunk my fangs deep into his neck. Once again, Myrnin lowered us to the ground and I settled myself astride him as I sucked. Apparently, this one was not compelled as completely, because both of his hands grabbed my ass tightly.

Myrnin hissed and smacked his hands away.

Gwion chuckled, "You may want to hold her body a little bit farther away from his. I strongly suspect he is going to come before she finishes."

I was shocked to realize Gwion was right. The man was rock hard beneath me. I let Myrnin hold me higher so that I wasn't lying directly on the man's ample stomach, but didn't stop feeding...

...until Gwion laughed, "Yep... He's done."

I instantly let go and Myrnin pulled me to his chest. I looked down at the large wet spot on the man's pants and muttered, "Ewwww..."

Now that I was no longer in contact with the man, Myrnin relaxed and chuckled as he told Gwion, "Take him back."

"That is probably the most action he has had in a while. My, my, my, little minx..." Gwion's eyes danced mischievously as he hoisted the man to his feet and disappeared.

I stared at Gwion's retreating figure with no idea what to say. If I could have blushed, I would have been crimson. I looked at Myrnin. His expression was suspiciously smug.

"That was not... right," I stuttered, struggling to find an appropriate word.

Myrnin could no longer contain his laughter as he looked at the shocked expression on my face. "If he had the chance to do it again, I promise you he would," he assured me.

I shook my head, forcing the image of the man out of my mind. Gwion returned with his ever present smirk. He twirled car keys on his finger and asked, "Are we ready?"

I suddenly realized in alarm, that Professor Silver was missing! My sharp intake of breath immediately caught Myrnin's attention. His brows knitted together as he whispered, "What's wrong?"

"Ciro..." My voice shook as I answered.

Understanding lit his expression. He hurried to explain, "We still have him; he's in the trunk."

"Oh," I breathed as I relaxed and asked, "Where are we?"

"The border of Wyoming and Montana. We still have a sixteen hour drive ahead of us, so will stop before the sun comes up to check into a hotel," Myrnin explained.

"But first, we need to go to Walmart," Gwion interrupted.

I looked at him in complete confusion. I couldn't even envision Gwion or Myrnin walking through a Walmart, let alone in the middle of the night, in Wyoming. My expression must have been sufficient to ask the question because Myrnin leaned down and murmured, "You need clothing, Cariad."

Of course.

Gwion murmured silkily, "Please do not assume that I am offended by your present attire in any way. And if you wish to stay that way, I would certainly respect your wishes."

I rolled my eyes at him and ordered, "Get in the car."

Gwion grinned and walked around the luxury sedan, settling in the driver's seat, while Myrnin sat with me in the back.

"You know how to drive?" I breathed in surprise.

Gwion raised an eyebrow at me in the rearview mirror and confirmed dryly, "It may shock you, but I know how to do a great number of things."

I leaned against Myrnin. All I wanted to do was sleep, but knew I needed more than just Myrnin's shirt as clothing. I had no idea what to expect from these two, in the middle of a mundane human retail store, but knew it couldn't be avoided...

And so, we headed to Walmart...

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Hello lovelies! Thanks so much for the feedback! Hope you enjoyed this chapter...any guesses yet as to the conclusion of the story? Other thoughts, impressions?