President's Daughter's Bodyguard-Chapter 123: What Refused To Die

Chapter 123: What Refused to Die

Pain had reduced the world for Theo to fragments.

Stone beneath his cheek...his blood drying against his ribs. The distant roar of fire like a living beast. His body screamed at him to stay down, to surrender to the black haze crawling into his vision.

Every breath felt borrowed and every heartbeat felt like theft.

But then he heard his bunny’s screaming and his own struggles didn’t matter.

Even though it wasn’t a scream of fear, but her statements forced by fury or maybe defiance?

Something inside Theo snapped upright like a wild beast.

His fingers twitched first, and then his jaw tightened.

His eyes opened just enough to see some people dressed in black and red moving around her.

Hands tore her clothes, and Argash was standing too close...far too close for Theo’s liking.

Theo’s heart kicked so hard it felt like it might split his chest.

’No...’

He dragged air into his lungs, it felt like his chest was splitting from inside. Theo’s hands pressed into the ground, and even his arms shook violently, protesting against it-his bunny needed saving.

His spine yelled at him as he forced himself up inch by inch.

"She will be the first. Burn the rest. Cleanse the failure."

"Let go of me, you disgusting beast!"

Theo’s vision wasn’t very clear, but he saw him.

"Argash..."

This bastard was standing over Danielle like a prophet convinced of his own holiness. Broad back exposed. Attention fully on his victory.

Theo’s hand brushed something cold and solid on the floor.

"Metal?"

The bronze dagger was right next to him.

His fingers curled around it without thought. Without doubt.

This was it.

He didn’t roar or announce himself. There was no dramatic rise.

Theo staggered to his feet silently, blood was dripping down his temple, legs shaking like they might fold at any second.

Every step forward felt like walking through fire. His vision pulsed dark at the edges.

Argash lifted his arm, and Theo rushed.

He drove the dagger forward with every shattered piece of himself that still wanted to fight.

The blade sank deep into Argash’s spine.

That sound tore out of Argash that was not human.

It was so high, wet and probably horrified.

His body jerked forward violently, arms flailed as the ritual knife fell from his hand.

"Aaarrgh!!!!" He screamed again as Theo shoved the dagger deeper with a broken growl ripped straight from his chest.

"Touch her again," Theo snarled hoarsely, breath ragged, "and I will make this slow."

Argash collapsed forward, convulsing, blood flooded his mouth.

"Theo?" Danielle rushed to catch him from falling.

The room exploded into forced whispering and louder gasps.

Men shouted, and boots thundered...yes, Theo knew he was going to die...there were too many of them to fight alone.

Someone slammed into Theo and Danielle from the side, tearing them away from Argash with massive force.

Theo hit the ground hard, and the impact punched the remaining breath from him. Hands grabbed at him, fists cracked against his ribs and shoulders. Someone kicked him in the stomach while Danielle just managed to get up.

He curled instinctively, coughing blood.

"Kill him!" someone yelled.

"No!"

She managed to fix her balance and rushed to protect him.

A man raised his weapon toward Theo, but Danielle didn’t hesitate.

She grabbed a fallen torch and swung it with everything she had. Fire smashed into the man’s face. He screamed, dropping his weapon as flames licked at his skin...

"Bastard! Stay away from my Theo!"

Another man lunged at Theo.

Danielle slammed into him from behind, stabbing blindly with the silver blade. He howled and stumbled back.

Theo forced himself up again, barely conscious, vision started flickering.

"You okay?" Danielle cried, grabbing his arm.

He nodded once, jaw clenched so tight his teeth ached.

Argash lay on the ground several feet away, choking, clawing at the blood pooling beneath him. His eyes locked onto Theo with pure hatred and disbelief.

"You," Argash rasped. "You should have died."

Theo wiped blood from his lips and smiled through the pain.

"I tried," he said hoarsely. "Annoyingly persistent."

More men poured into the chamber.

Too many...

Danielle tightened her grip on Theo’s arm. Fear surged through her, but she did not step back.

Then everything changed.

Gunfire erupted.

"Theo?!"

"Two men dropped instantly.

Another spun backward, blood spraying across the stone floor.

Shouts of panic followed. Orders shouted in confusion.

Aidan’s voice thundered through the chamber.

"Clear the left. Secure the hostages."

Relief hit Danielle so hard her knees nearly gave out.

Armed men stormed in wearing dark tactical gear. They moved like a single organism that was so efficient and professional.

Argash’s remaining followers scattered.

Aidan advanced at the front, weapon raised, eyes instantly locking onto Theo and Danielle.

Theo straightened despite the pain, placing himself half a step in front of Danielle without thinking.

Aidan took one look at them and swore.

"Jesus," he muttered. "You two look like hell."

A man charged from the right.

Theo barely had time to turn.

The attacker slammed into him, knocking him backward. Theo hit the ground again, weapon skittering out of reach.

The man raised a knife.

Danielle moved faster than she ever had in her life.

She grabbed a fallen rock and smashed it into the attacker’s temple with a scream of raw rage.

He dropped instantly.

Aidan’s men swarmed the rest of the cult members, disarming them, overpowering them one by one.

The battle ended as quickly as it began.

Aidan rushed to them, crouching beside Theo.

"Stay with me! You are bleeding badly."

Theo leaned back against the stone, exhausted beyond words.

"Danielle," he muttered.

She knelt beside him immediately, and her hands started shaking as she touched his face. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"I’m here...I’m here. You saved me."

He smiled faintly. "You saved me too."

Aidan glanced over his shoulder sharply.

"Where is Argash?"

Theo’s eyes travelled toward the floor.

But Argash was gone, and only blood remained.

Aidan swore again.

"Get medics in here now," he barked. "And seal every exit."

Danielle’s chest rose a little as she inhaled more air.

"He will come back," she whispered.

"Aidan..." Theo called him through clenched teeth.

"Yes?"

"Get us out of this stupid place! Now!"