Shade Academy

Chapter 30

One day turned two and that turned into weeks. Weeks since Samuel even acknowledged my existence. It hurt, it hurt a lot. I love Samuel, and I'll never give up on him, but his actions, his attitude towards me has all but broke me. He wouldn't look me in the eye, ignored me in class and actively avoided me in the halls. I did my best to stay strong, to act as if it didn't bother me but I knew it wasn't working. Ashe, Alex and Axel all stayed at my side eyeing Samuel with death stares whenever they saw him. He didn't care of course, he ignored them the same as he did me. 

Weirdest thing of all, the connection to him I have, the intense pull was fading. I could still feel it, our bond, but no where near as strong as it had been before. It worried me. Why would our mate bond be fading? Does that mean whatever was within him was blocking it out? Making sure he didn't come back to me? I couldn't handle this much longer, it felt as if a piece of myself was dying with the fading of the bond. I don't know how much more I can take. 

"Anna please." Ashe all but whined as he rubbed his temples. I noticed Alex and Axel were both tense and uncomfortable as well. I scrunched my brow as I regarded them. "What am I doing?" I asked. Ashe sighed and looked up to me, his eyes full of pain. "Anna, we can feel you emotions, remember? And your confusion, anger, sorrow, everything you are feeling is so strong it physically hurts." I stared at him stunned. I was causing their pain? I didn't mean to, I would never want to hurt them. I quickly closed off the link between us. Each of them released a relieved sigh the minute the bond was blocked. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt any of you." I whispered brokenly.

Ashe pulled me to him and started rubbing my back soothingly. "We know love. You are in pain and are mourning. We understand." He assured me. I closed my eyes and leaned into him heavily. His embrace one of the only places I could find peace and solace lately. As I snuggled deeper into Ashe's chest I felt his chest rumble as he chuckled. "Easy there kitten, I'm not going anywhere. You can burrow into me anytime, no need to be so possessive." 

How wrong he was. I had already all but lost Samuel, there was no way I was going to let anything happen to them. Them and Elana was all I had left and I was determined to keep them, even if I had to lock them in my room until I was positive whatever was out there was gone. 

I sighed in contentment as I found a comfortable position and Ashe wrapped his arms tightly around me. I was happy he was relaxed now since I blocked our link. Then it hit me. I sprang away from Ashe and to my feet. "I think I know how to reach him." I all but shouted. They guys were on their feet in an instant. "What is it?" Alex asked. "The link." I said. "If there is any of my Samuel left then the pain he will feel from out bind could bring him back. I try and keep my bond with him somewhat closed, so he can't feel me the way you all can. If we could get him contained just long enough for me to open out bond completely I think he will return to us." 

They each thought about it for a moment before agreeing. "If there is anything a mate hates it's that their mate is in pain. Feeling your pain was excruciating. Especially knowing there was nothing I could do to help you. This plan is solid, but how are we going to keep him contained?"

"My power can hold him easily, we just have to get him alone." I told them. Each of them nodded at me and went separate ways to find Samuel. God please let this work I pleaded silently. I walked the last direction I saw Samuel going. He may not acknowledge me, but I always had my eye on him, at least the best I could. 

Walking the halls alone, with no one around sent chills down my spine. I have no idea why, it's not like this place is scary or anything, but just the desolation was something I was not use to. I wrapped my arms around myself as I continued along the halls, using my magic to expand my senses. I could hear the water dripping in the nearby bathroom, the buzzing of the heating system. I could hear everything withing a fifty foot radius, but nothing that seemed like another person was in this section of the school. 

I was about to give up when I heard a soft cry. I expanded my hearing further, stopping to see who or what it was before I moved again. "Why are you doing this?" Samuel sobbed. The brokenness in his voice shattered me. Who was he talking to? I wondered. "This is who you are truly meant to be." A harsh raspy voice responded to him. "You don't need that bitch." He hissed. "Don't you dare speak of her that way." Samuel defended, voice so much stronger. "You forget hybrid, I own you. I could make you kill her if I wished. I could make you kill yourself in front of her and keep you alive long enough to let you see her crumble." The voice threatened. 

"Yes master." Samuel said brokenly. That did it for me. Hearing the broken and hopelessness in Samuel voice fueling a fury I never knew I was capable of. I levitated off the ground, soaring through the air to Samuel. When I got to him he was alone. I quickly pinned him to the wall, my rage fueling every part of my being. "Who are you and what have you done with Samuel?" I seethed in his face. A ugly looking smile spread across his face. That smile was not Samuel's and looked foreign on his beautiful face. 

The creature laughed a malicious and sardonic laugh. "I am Samuel's personal hell." The creature laughed. "He was cursed with me the second he slaughtered those people." The dream, I remembered him smiling and covered in blood. "No." I said firmly. "I know Samuel he didn't kill those people, you did. You've always been with him, latching onto him like a leach." I hissed. The creatures eyes widened marginally. "Beautiful and smart." He said with acid in his tone. "How did you figure it out?" 

"Before I even met Samuel I had a dream about him. He was covered in blood, his fangs elongated and dripping fresh blood. The malicious and cruel smile on his face. I had forgiven him for what he did, but seeing you now and comparing the images, it was you. Who are you?" I demanded.

I sensed worry coming from the creature now. "I am ancient, I am one of the original demons. Samuel was the perfect vessel for me. Powerful, hybrid and easily influenced." My anger just kept rising with each word he spoke. "No" I stated firmly and opened out bond wide open. All my pain, sorrow, anger, love, everything flowed from me into Samuel in a tidal wave. The storm of emotions hitting him hard making him yell out in pain. Guilt swept through me as I kept pushing every emotion at him. I just hoped this was enough save him. Demons didn't like emotion, especially such strong ones as mine. 

The demon screamed a guttural sound. His pain resonating and echoing in the desolate halls. I was now glad the halls were all but abandoned, otherwise this would looked really bad. "I'll be back." The demon promised. "You can not keep me contained forever." I narrowed my eyes at him. "I will find a way to free Samuel from you." I promised him. "I will not let you torture him anymore, he is no longer alone." The demon roared his rage just as he was shoved into the farthest depths of Samuel's mind. 

I released my hold on Samuel and he dropped limply onto the hard floor. I rushed to his side pulling his head into my lap. "Samuel?" I whispered as I stoked his hair. Tears filled my eyes as I watched him. He stirred at my touch, opening his eyes in what seemed to be a painful way. The pain, regret and just complete brokenness in his eyes shattered whatever was left of my heart. 

He closed his eyes and turned his face away from me. "I am so sorry Anna. I never meant for this to happen, I thought he was gone. I was wrong. Please just go, I don't deserve your love or you help."  he said, pain and sorrow lacing his tone. "Look at me." I commanded softly. He didn't move. "Samuel, look at me." I said more sternly. He turned his head to me and looked me straight in the eye. "You are mine Samuel. I decided who deserves me. Your pain is my pain, your sorrow is mine, your regret is mine. When you are weak I will be your strength. I will be your anchor,  your safe harbor. I love you Samuel." I whispered the last part as I caressed his cheek. 

Tears fell from Samuel's eyes. "What did I ever do to deserve such a treasure like you?" He whispered as his hand reached up and stroked my cheek gently. "You were born." I said. "From the moment you were born, you were meant to be mine. And nothing or no one will take you from me." I vowed. I then closed my eyes and pushed some of my energy into Samuel, giving him the strength he needed to get up. I stood beside him and quickly pulled him tightly to me. I clutched him to me as if I would never see him again. 

I didn't want to let go, and by the feel of it, neither did Samuel. "Come on love." I said pulling away and grabbing his hand, you need to rest. Samuel followed me, keeping his arm firmly around my waist holding me close to him. It was hard to walk like this, but it didn't bother me. Feeling Samuel close to me, feeling his contact his warmth, it settled the aching in my chest until it was a dull throb. It would take some time for me to fully heal from what he put me through, even if it wan't truly him. Samuel would also need time, I couldn't imagine what is was like having a heartless demon living within you. I did know one thing though, I would free Samuel of that beast, even if it cost me my life, he would not gain control of my Samuel again.