Aselia’s POV

His face fell at my words, he sat up and tried to take my arm but I recoiled away from him. He sighed at me and asserted: "I wanted to when you hurt yourself but I didn’t because I respect your boundaries. Please don’t be afraid of me. I won’t do it. I just can’t see you suffering and I am afraid of what you might do after that episode you had."

"How can I be sure that you haven’t already messed with my brain? Why didn’t you ever tell me about this before?" I was still suspicious of him, I didn’t believe anything he said anymore.

"I thought you trusted me, Leia. I am giving you my word, I never used my powers on you, and I promise to never do so unless you ask me." His voice was weak now, almost tired.

"I will never ask you, don’t ever think about it. I will prefer suffering than have someone messing with my brain and stealing my memories." I glared at him, this was a deadly power. Today couldn’t get any worse, one revelation after another was being thrown my way. I couldn’t breathe properly due to the suffocation I felt.

"I won’t, don’t worry about it. Forget that I can even do that." He crossed his arms against his chest and I wondered what I was to do about him. Did I even have it in me to do what I had planned?

"I can’t forget it, I don’t know what you might do to me if you get angry," I responded without hesitation. Our relationship had reached such a dangerous turn and I could imagine it toppling over any instant.

He closed his eyes and slightly hit his head on the headboard of the bed. I could see his jaw getting taut before he spoke: "Your fears are justified and that’s why I didn’t want to tell you about this. People start fearing what they don’t understand. I don’t know how else to say to you that no matter what happens I will never hurt you."

I wanted to laugh in his face, he didn’t know what he was promising me. In a few days, he would learn what I really was and I would like to see him keep this promise. It would be a miracle if one of us don’t end up killing the other.

"Only time will tell," I spewed out and he reacted to my words as if I had daggered his heart. His shoulders slumped and his lips formed a thin line of frustration.

"What’s that supposed to mean? You still believe I can hurt you." His voice raised and his calm features were now extorted in anger.

"Yes," that’s the only answer I gave him because I wanted him gone. He jerked himself off the bed in one swift movement and strode toward me from around the bed, his whole body seemed to be shaking in rage. I recoiled further away from him. He stopped in his tracks seeing my reaction, as if in shock, and spoke in agitation before turning away and heading for the door:

"You are unbelievable,"

Opening the door he stepped outside and slammed it shut with so much force that it rattled on its hinges and my whole room felt its impact. A chilliness fell over the room, that man always took away the warmth with him.

I closed my eyes trying to breathe, trying to make sense of everything that had transpired in the last few hours. The decisions I had made, the decisions which will affect both of us, the decisions to be cruel to him.

A whirlwind of emotions raced through my fragile heart; frustrating me, torturing me and dipping me into the depths of pain, a neverending pain that I knew my heart will carry as long as I live.

Hurting him was like hurting myself, my body had become so accustomed to his that it was nearly impossible to separate the two.

Cursing myself I got up and took out the block heel from the cupboard and locked myself in the bathroom. I took out the communication device and tried to contact Yurian, hoping he was still in range.

After coming back from Rivan’s house I contacted Yurian and he told me that he was staying close in case I needed him. Today I needed him.

The device sprung to life but all I heard was static sound for a while.

- - - - - - -

*Beep - Beep - Beep*

After waiting for 15 minutes it finally connected to Yurian.

"White Falcon is that you?" His voice sounded in my ears like a welcoming tune and I couldn’t help but sigh with relief. Knowing he was alright and staying closer to the hotel on the streets, waiting for me.

"Black Hawk, it’s me," I responded and I could hear him chuckle on the other end.

"How are you holding up?" His words almost brought tears to my eyes but I had to stay strong, I was so near to completing my mission now.

"I am fine Black Hawk, listen carefully to me now. I have gotten the information we sought and much more. There are still a lot of secrets so I need an extraction and I won’t be coming alone." I gave the details of my plan to him and told him to prepare everything within three days. We intended to leave this place after three days.

"Woah that is one thought-out plan, White Falcon. I will make sure to arrange everything. Do you have the sedation vial?" He inquired, listening to my plan.

"I do, just arrange everything else. Remember timing will be crucial for the success of our mission. We will use the night to our advantage. Be ready and wait for my signal. Don’t forget to bring some blood." I reminded him.

"Leave everything to me. Let’s go home, White Falcon." And I could hear jubilation in his voice. He must be tired of living in his hound form and scampering for leftovers in dark alleys and dumpsters. I had to salute his resilient spirit and the way he had been there for me.

"Yes, Black Hawk. Let’s go home." I disconnected the transmission and thought for a few seconds. Did I really want to go home and carry out everything I had planned for him? I brushed the thoughts away, my mind was made up now and there was no turning back.

Hiding away the device I slipped back into the bed and stared up at the ceiling. So much had changed in my life so many truths unraveled. The man I sought was so near all along and the man I thought was protecting me possessed a dangerous power, I feared it and what it might do to me.

The thoughts consumed me and lulled me to sleep slowly. I spent the next three days in anticipation and planning, going over the plan several times and making sure I didn’t leave anything out. Considering all factors, aspects and angles, it was flawless as long as it went the way I wanted. Yurian and I spoke again and he informed me the extraction team was on standby, they had arrived.

Xiran didn’t come to visit me and I wanted him to hate me as much as he could. It would be easier for him to accept the truth which will unravel for him today.

I inquired about his whereabouts with Frila and she said he was in a meeting and was staying in his room upstairs. I guess he needed distance from me after what went down between us.

"Frila I want to meet him. Can you take me to him tonight?" I inquired.

"Sure, I will inform him that you want to come over tonight and will take you." She replied before leaving the room. It was still noon and I had a few hours before night fell.

I adorned a black hoodie and jeans, braided my hair and tucked them under my hoodie. I hid the device in my pocket and fastened the sedation vial to my right wrist so I would be able to use it at the right time. His coat still hung in my cupboard and it took everything in my body to not take it along.

My body craved him and everything belonging to him. I was like a drug addict and he had become my drug, soon I was going to experience withdrawal symptoms.

His pendant still hung around my neck. Thoughts of taking it off and shoving it in a drawer occupied my mind but every time my hands went to it they would shudder and I couldn’t take it off. I let it hang like a noose, waiting for the time when it would strangle and suffocate me.

The door opened and Frila entered. I glanced at her as she spoke softly: "Señor will see you now, he is waiting. Let’s go."

Her words drained my body of every ounce of energy and I felt like I couldn’t move. This was it, this was the moment it had all come down to.