Being A Vampire's Slave

Chapter 44: Back To The Palace

A/N:  For Jacks flashback see ch:23

Jack's voice cut through the tense air like a blade. "You're the one responsible for this? For Harrison's legs?"

I turned to Aries, my heart pounding. His expression was cold, his voice sharper than unusual. "Yes. He came after me. He is a hunter, and I don't tolerate threats."

Jack's fists clenched, his eyes narrowing as anger radiated off him. He stepped closer to Aries, his voice rising. "A threat? You crippled him! Ruined him! And you stand here acting like it's nothing?"

Aries's jaw tightened as his gray eyes turned violet glinted with irritation. "It's nothing to me. He made his choice, and he paid the price."

Jack's breathing grew heavier, his voice shaking with fury. "It wasn't just him, was it? My family... they died because of you. My father is crippled because of you!"

Aries tilted his head, his voice laced with disdain. "Your family? What are you even talking about?"

Jack's anger boiled over, his voice cracking with emotion. "Don't play dumb! That night—the break in! You and those monsters! My mother, my brother, my little sister... they didn't stand a chance! How I seen my brother was torn to shreds! And my father... you took everything from him—everything from me!"

I froze, my heart breaking at Jack's words. I remembered he told Janice and I his story of what happened to his family. Aries, however, didn't flinch. Instead, his lips curled into a sneer. "Like I said, it wasn't me. About your dad, well he had it coming didn't he?"

Jack took a step closer. "Nothing is good about you, and now I'm supposed to trust you with her?" He pointed at me, his eyes blazing with hurt and fury. "You're nothing but a cold-hearted monster!"

Aries's posture stiffened, and in a flash, he closed the distance between them, his voice deadly low. "Watch your tone, Jack. I don't owe you an explanation. You think your little accusations scare me? You're nothing more than a fly buzzing around that can be squashed "

Jack refused to back down, glaring up at Aries. "You're exactly what I've been hunting my entire life—a parasite that takes and destroys everything it touches."

Aries leaned in, his voice dripping with venom. "And yet here you are, breathing, because I've allowed it. Keep testing me, Jack, and I'll show you just how easily I can end this little game you're playing."

"Stop it, both of you!" I yelled, stepping between them. My voice was shaky, but I refused to let this escalate further. "This isn't helping anyone! Jack, Aries—please, just stop!"

I looked at Jack, his face still contorted with anger, then I turned to Aries, who was glaring at him like he wanted nothing more than to rip him apart.

Aries's gaze softened just slightly as he looked at me, but his words remained sharp as they shifted back to Jack. "She's the only reason I'm even tolerating your presence. Don't push your luck, hunter."

Jack looked at me, his face a storm of emotions—hurt, anger, and something else I couldn't place. Finally, he let out a sharp exhale and muttered, "Fine. But this isn't over."

Harrison's voice rang out behind us, sharp and demanding. "Why? Why is she so important to you, vampire? What do you want with her? Why risk yourself for her?"

For a moment, I thought he might actually answer, but then he simply said, "That's none of your concern." His tone was cold, final, and left no room for argument.

Harrison clenched his fists, his face red with frustration. "You can't just walk away!"

Aries finally turned his head slightly, his piercing gaze locking onto Harrison. "We're leaving. And let me make this clear," he said, his voice low and full of menace, "if you so much as think about trying anything, I promise you'll regret it. You've already lost enough, haven't you?"