Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ A Matter Of Choice ❯ The Watching Ends ( Chapter 36 )

The Watching Ends

 

As you can see, things had now become complicated. I found that I was completely lost to her, though I would never admit it. I became desperate to protect her from the others though she never allowed me to. I knew that Demetriov was her greatest threat, and our relationship would not change that. I feared that it would only spear him on. Though he remained inactive for some time in regards to the two of us. I only hoped that when the time came I could keep her from him. I would do whatever it took to keep her from the fate he had chosen for her.

 

On the subject, Demetriov was right of course. Our relationship sent shockwaves through the group. Their reactions were varied in scale. Alicia hardly reacted, in fact she didn't care. Adam seemed quite frankly to be amused by the whole thing, while Daniel did not take it quite so lightly. I had a couple of nasty confrontations with him regarding Tegan, and Marina… to say she was livid was an understatement. She took it as a personal slight; disgusted that Tegan had found a lover after destroying hers. I had great trouble staying out of the firing line.

 

Marina's hatred for Tegan grew out of control, fierce and intense. She raged for days and nothing would calm her down. I have to admit I was not dreadfully concerned while it was all shouting, arguments and no action, however, it was not long before she became focused and finally chose to act on the threat she had made so long ago. I tried to track her, to draw her away from Tegan. When Tegan found out her anger nearly matched that of her adversary. But no matter what she said, I couldn't just let Marina hurt her, I had to try.

 

Suffice it to say I failed. Marina was just too ruthless. At the time I had no idea how important this confrontation would become. It was at this point that Demetriov decided to sit up and take notice.

 

* * * * *

 

Tegan screamed as her head smashed against the concrete, coloured spots dancing across her vision. She sat up dazed, Marina laughing at her, Tegan aware of the blood running down her face. After Marina had jumped her, this confrontation has gone steadily from bad to worse. She could barely stand, several teeth seemed to be loose, and it seemed to be more of a case of what didn't hurt than what did. She was in a battle for her life, something that was becoming far too familiar for her tastes.

 

“Is that the best you can do bitch?” Marina cackled. “How you ever managed to kill anyone is beyond me.”

 

“I think that reflects more on the fallen than it does on me.” She retorted.

 

On reflection Tegan realised that making quips was perhaps not the best thing to be doing at this point in time. She had perhaps taken one too many blows to the head and was not thinking clearly. No forget the perhaps, that was a definite. She felt dizzy, her head pounding in agony. Marina on the other hand smiled as Tegan groaned, rolling onto her side, trying to ease something, anything that hurt. Marina merely watched her for the moment, savouring having her adversary at her mercy. She delighted in the pained moan she extracted as she hauled Tegan to her feet, contemplating the best way to end her life. Tegan swayed in her hold, looking for a way out of the mess she was in.

 

“Tegan, it puzzles me. Just why is Demetriov so interested in you? I can't see anything redeeming about you.”

 

“No offence, but I could say the same thing about you and Stephan.”

 

“None taken.” Marina spat.

 

With that Marina kneed her in the stomach, Tegan collapsing to the concrete, coughing up blood from a previous injury. Marina kicked her over and over again, robbing Tegan of breath as pain spiked through her body. Marina paused, giving her adversary a brief respite; she wanted to draw this out, make the hunter suffer for what she had done. Tegan rolled onto her back, her fingers coming into contact with one of her blades, which had been lost earlier. Hope flared inside her as she pulled it into her hand, unnoticed by her adversary. As Marina pulled her up, Tegan swung at her wildly, getting lucky and burying the point in Marina's neck. Marina screeched, clawing at Tegan's face while Tegan forced the blade deeper. As she hit bone she let go of the blade, the two collapsing to the ground.

 

Marina found herself paralysed down one side as Tegan had managed to sever the bundle of nerves that led to her arm and torso. No matter how she tried with her good arm, she was unable to pull the blade out. She grew weaker and weaker, the arteries in her neck severed and she was bleeding out. While it wouldn't kill her it would immobilise her for some time. Tegan crawled painfully to the alley wall as her opponent lay twitching. She gritted her teeth against the pain in her legs as she pulled herself to her feet, the right leg threatening to give way beneath her. Breathing hard she looked down at her fallen opponent, breathing hard and leaning against the wall for support.

 

“Well Marina.” She mused with a wry smile. “It seems that pride does come before a fall.”

 

Tegan knew she was being cocky and she had no right to be, but she was filled with euphoric relief now she was no longer under attack. She knew she had to dispatch Marina while she had the chance, no matter how bad a state she was in. As the reality of the task before her hit home, all relief left her. She felt nausea rise in the pit of her stomach when it came to it, memories of the botched job with Stephan in the forefront of her mind. Still it had to be done, and it was oddly fitting the two should meet their deaths in the same way. Closing her eyes she gritted her teeth and kicked with every ounce of strength she had left, putting all the force into the wedged blade, forcing it between the vertebrae and decapitating her fallen foe.

 

The disgust hit her now and she slumped against the wall sliding down to the floor. She tucked her legs up into her body avoiding the steadily expanding pool of blood from the body before her. She sat emotionally numb as her body throbbed with pain, a tear rolling slowly down her face, mingling with blood that was slowly clotting, gluing stray hair to her skin. Oh she really was lost in this world of hers, life and death battles, so much pain all the time. The world seemed to have fallen away as her body struggled to handle the hurt she taken, and she was only vaguely aware of someone calling her name. Reality seemed to come back to her in a rush as she turned to see Torin running towards her, suddenly aware of the veil of tears she was seeing through.

 

“Tegan! What has she done to you?” he said worriedly as he knelt by her side.

 

“I've been worse.” She replied truthfully.

 

Kneeling beside her he looked at Marina, then back at Tegan, realising how close it had been for her. He helped her to her feet, wincing every time she cried out.

 

“Can you walk?”

 

“I think so.” She replied, starting to take her own weight. She tried to step forward but this time her right leg did give way. “Maybe not.” She grunted, groaning as she fell into his chest, jarring her injuries.

 

“You can't stay here. If someone sees you…”

 

He was a little panicked, not thinking clearly. The sight of Marina's headless corpse had disturbed him. He knew that it was the reality of her life, but to see a vampire dispatched in such a gory manner really got to him. Ironic really considering that he was a killer himself.

 

“I know, but try telling that to my right leg.” Tegan snapped at him, annoyed at his attitude.

 

He nodded quickly, breathing quickly, trying to control his emotions. It concerned her to see him so flustered, was he afraid for her, or afraid of her? He picked up her blades carefully, remembering how the silver would burn him. He lifted her up into his arms and carried her back to the apartment without another word. He set her on her feet inside the door and she could see the sadness in his eyes. She limped painfully to the bathroom, unable to stand there under his gaze. She wasn't sure what she saw, was it fear, reproach or something else? Either way the way he looked at her and the way that he couldn't quite meet her gaze made her uncomfortable.

 

Slowly, trying to aggravate her injuries as little as possible she began to strip away the layers of clothing she wore. Her reflection in the mirror showed her a sight that was becoming far too familiar to her. Blood had clotted thickly down one side of her face, dark circles already evident round her eyes, black eyes forming. From the feel of things there were many other bruises down her body, possibly hair-line fractures, but nothing that wouldn't heal in time. She would be taking some time to rest and recuperate from this battle that was for sure.

 

She ran water in the sink, letting it run over her trembling hands, the knuckles bruised and scraped. She splashed her face, the coolness soothing, the water falling back into the sink stained red. She pulled off her shoes and then her jeans, revealing the large bruises on her right thigh, the knee swollen where it was twisted earlier. Stripping off her t-shirt it was the same story, she was covered in livid bruises and cuts that she was sure she was going to be feeling for at least a week. Her mouth seemed to still be bleeding, her tongue probing a loose tooth, which she knew she would have to take out. At that point Torin walked in.

 

“Shit!” He swore, shocked and truth be told, a little sickened that this is what she put herself through.

 

“Don't look at me like that!” She spat.

 

She found herself suddenly angry, though whether her anger was meant for him or not was not clear to her right now. He sighed, his eyes softening.

 

“Why do you put yourself through this?”

 

“Don't be so condescending.” She rallied, though she suddenly wasn't sure if he had been.

 

He shook his head, a small flicker of anger flaring inside him at her unwarranted reaction. “In some ways you are so like him.”

 

“What!” She was incredulous, she knew full well who he was referring to.

 

“You both choose a cause and stick to it, no matter what.” He snapped.

 

Angry as she was she saw his point and calmed, but addressed the real issue.

 

“Would you come with me?” She asked him pointedly, his eyes registering shock at the question. “Would you run with me?”

 

He stood unable to answer, and sighed heavily.

 

“More to the point, what would you do in my place?”

 

He hung his head. She had this horrible knack of being right. Despite his years, he sometimes found that she was so much wiser than he. She took his hand, bringing him close to her.

 

“I know you worry about me, but trust me, I am happier this way. No matter how bad it looks.”

 

“I know, I just don't think with my head sometimes.”

 

“No, you think with your heart, and it is a good heart.” She smiled, placing her hand gently over where his heart lay.

 

He smiled at her weakly. He held her gently, all too aware of her injuries. She closed her eyes and savoured this. When her body hurt so much this simple pleasure became so sweet. The throbbing in her face was becoming insistent, almost too much to bear, she would have to bite the bullet and do something about that tooth. He sensed her discomfort and drew back.

 

“You okay?”

 

“I will be in a minute.”

 

She turned to the sink, grabbing it hard with her free hand and she reached inside her mouth. Grabbing the offending molar she pulled it out, grunting at the sudden flash of pain. She dropped it in the sink as her mouth welled up with blood. She heard Torin's sharp intake of breath as she spat it out, the red bright in contrast against the white porcelain. She caught sight of him in the mirror, turning away as she had to spit again. She smiled wryly, wondering whether it excited his hunger, or it disgusted him. He remained turned away as she rinsed her mouth, the blood washing away. She swallowed a couple of pain killers, but the throbbing was easing now.

 

“I can't stay tonight.” Torin muttered, still unable to look her in the eye.

 

She nodded. He hadn't fed in a while, and he never stayed with her afterwards. It was one of those things. She had never asked him to, but it was a decision he had made on his own. It seemed that he didn't want to expose her to that part of his life, so he spent the nights that he fed back at the mansion, the rest of his time here with her. Perhaps it was because if he kept it from her, it would allow them to forget about it more easily, to ignore the fact of his nature.

 

“Are you going to be okay?” He asked, lifting her face so their eyes met at last.

 

She smiled gently in reply. “I'll be housebound for a few days, but I'll be fine. The tooth will take some getting used to.”

 

He drew her into his arms once more, savouring the feel of her against him. He felt awful, she had survived but only just, and he had been able to do nothing to help her. He kissed her forehead, not wanting to kiss her mouth when he was so hungry, knowing that she was probably still bleeding. He stroked her face concerned, but her smiled soothed him enough for him to leave and do what was necessary.

 

* * * * *

 

Demetriov was sat on the stairs facing the front doors. It was late and Marina hadn't returned. Given her mood of late he had a feeling he knew where she would be. Torin was due a visit and if the confrontation had happened he needed to know the outcome. To be honest he was a little concerned, what if Marina succeeded? Should he have stepped in sooner? The door opened in front of him and he wasn't surprised to see Torin before him. Torin regarded Demetriov carefully, he knew what was coming.

 

“From your expression I would guess that Marina has met her end at Tegan's hands.”

 

Torin nodded slowly.

 

“And Tegan?”

 

“She'll live.” He growled, not happy that Demetriov was showing this concern. They both knew it was because he wanted his prey alive and well.

 

“But not too badly hurt I hope.”

 

“She'll be fine.” Torin ground out.

 

“Good.” Demetriov smiled, rising.

 

Torin sneered at Demetriov's pleasure, storming past him, heading for his room.

 

“I would have thought you would be happy about that.” He called at Torin's back, chuckling as the comment stopped him in his tracks.

 

“I am, but I take no pleasure in seeing her get hurt!”

 

With that he stormed away, slamming the door to his room behind him. Demetriov laughed at his behaviour, but then again, he was being deliberately antagonistic. Now it was time to be serious. He made his way down the stairs to the salon to his left and stood by the warmth of the fire. Tegan, now there was a problem. All the young ones were either dead or missing. She had been so successful, after what had started out as a rebellious stand she had proven to be an opponent beyond his wildest dreams. It had been one thing to lose their younger companions; he had never cared for them. But now she was in territory, which could get her killed. She had been lucky so far.

 

He stoked the fire for a moment, smiling to himself.

 

“Well Tegan, I think the time for watching has passed, and now for the fun to begin. It's time you joined me at last.”

 

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Author's notes:

Hmm, nothing much here, well this was a number of things, a window into the relationship that Torin and Tegan have, a way to get rid of an annoyance… so anyway, now we are starting to ramp up so hold tight, the fun is just beginning