Hellbound With You

"I don't really… understand you sometimes Alicia." Zeres said in a weak voice and again, Alicia looked away. r

"I also don't understand what's so hard for you to understand Zeres." Alicia's voice was weak now as well with a slight tone of complaint. "You already know that I am willing to do anything for my people. You have known that for a long time now. You have already seen as to what extent I am willing to go through to save our race." Alicia was exasperated at having to go through this topic again with Zeres.r

"Yes, I know. I saw with my own two eyes… how you selflessly even gave not just your life, but your… just to save someone… someone you don't even…" Zeres choked and could not finish his sentence, just looking at her with those helpless eyes.r

"Zeres…" Alicia stared intently at him. "Please stop being guilty about what had happened to me. I already told you… this is not your fault. This is fully my choice. And I did not do that just for you. I did that to save all the future witch queens as well. I regret nothing, Zeres. That had to be done because there was no other way. You know that right?" her voice was soft, trying to reason with him again.r

Squeezing his eyes closed again, Zeres threw his head back. Ah… there they go again… this topic seems to be a never ending debate of back and forth between them.r

Even though he knew she was trying to lessen the guilt that he was feeling, it still hurts, nonetheless. A small ghost of a smile curved on his face. This woman really has a talent in driving him insane. He had already tried his very best to understand her and accept that Alicia was just the selfless queen that she was but… this thing about her plan regarding Kiel was just something he could not even begin to imagine. Was she… really planning to kill the man she… r

"So this time… for the sake of the witches', and because there is no other choice, you're willing to even… kill the man you…" Zeres could not finish his sentence. He kept his gaze on Alicia and it was funny how the woman did not even seem to bother to complete that line. r

"I told you, there is no other choice." She stubbornly steeled herself. "I know you're thinking that I can't do it because it's Ezekiel, but Zeres…" Alicia smiled slightly and bitterly, "I sacrificed my life and even my chance for the afterlife to save our race… do you think I'll just stay still and let someone annihilate the very thing I sacrificed myself for, just because this someone is Ezekiel?" r

She shook her head. "I won't let him spill the witches' blood for the second time. As long as I'm still here, I will not let my sacrifices go in vain. If Ezekiel somehow breaks his curse and still want to slaughter the witches like he had sworn before… then… I will… take his life myself." r

Zeres could only look at her, utterly speechless. He did not even know what to say or think right now. He could see that Alicia was beyond serious. And he of all people knew just how stubborn Alicia was once she had made up her mind on a decision. Right now, he could see that she had already come to a firm decision and nothing he could say or do would change her mind.r

And he almost wanted to shake his head again in disbelief and was about to question himself if he was wrong all along in thinking that Alicia had a feeling for Kiel if he did not see something that flashed in her eyes for a moment. He saw something like sadness or probably more than that when she said that line… that she would take Kiel's life. r

"Fine…" Zeres could only sigh in surrender. "I'm still honestly in disbelief but I can understand that you have already made up your mind about this so I will stop trying to reason with you about this… for now. But… I still want to know this first Alicia… how can you even kill him? I honestly don't think someone can even take Kiel down, much less even attempt to kill him."r

"I know. But I have found out his weakness." Alicia said in a weak but certain voice. "And no, I won't be telling you. Nor anyone. Because this is something that only a dead person can only know and do." r

"So you're saying even if I learn about this weakness, you're still the only who could kill him?" r

"Yes." Alicia said without hesitation. r

Zeres ran his fingers through his hair again, tugging on it a little. He was really feeling frustrated and the pain of pulling on his hair somehow took the edge off.r

"Alright, I need to go back now. I can't let my eyes off him longer than this. Just in case something happens." Alicia said and Zeres remained silent, just staring at her. "Also… Zeres…" Alicia took a step closer to him. "I heard you're doing something… whatever that is… please stop..." r

She swallowed at the sight of his expression changing for the worse and darkening like a storm cloud. "Alicia…" Zeres' voice hardened. "How about we make a deal? I will not bother you with your business with Kiel from here on. But in exchange, don't bother with my business as well, even if it's about you. You can do what you want… but I can do what I want as well… how about that?" he growled out fiercely, brows knitting together.r

Alicia creased her brows. She immediately realized that he had the same strong will as her right now. Both of them had the look saying that, 'nothing and no one can stop me, so don't you dare' flashing in their eyes right now. r

"I'm leaving now." Zeres snapped out and turned but halted after a few steps. "By the way, Alicia. If I were you, I will refrain from mumbling to myself when I'm close to Kiel." He looked over his shoulder next. "Don't forget that Kiel is not just a normal vampire." He warned and in the next second, he was gone. r