Call Out My Name

EPISODE SEVEN

I chuckled at Brady’s text. It was a Saturday and she had drove two thousand miles to buy fae's ice cream.

Me: Are you crazy?

BradyCrazy: The boys love it.

She sent me a picture of Toby at an ice cream stand. Toby liked Brady and I wondered when she’d notice it or if she just ignored it. I turned my phone off and shoved it into my back pocket.

Mum had been called in because apparently, there was a serial killer out there and six were seriously injured.

Aysa had gone out of town for another family problem and I wondered if he was lying to me.

Bang!

I flinched and stawide-eyedeyed at the staircase that led to my room upstairs. I was alone at home with a serial killer on the loose. I turned my phone on dialledaled Soren’s number. I didn’t know why but I trusted him to get here quicker than the police.

“Who’s there?” I squeaked. A loud thud followed by a grunt was the only response I got.

“Aysa?" I pushed the door to my room open. Great! What would Aysa be doing here?

A masked man in an all-black attire stood in the middle of my room breathing heavily.

"um....are you lost?” Bravo, i***t. Ask the intruder if he’s lost.

I pressed the call button and made a run for it. He chased after me. The man pulled my hair back and slammed me against the wall. I tumbled down the staircase with a loud groan. He poured a hot black liquid from a vial on my head. Whatever it was, it washed away my hair dye in a second.

I crawled away from him towards the kitchen.

“What do you want?" I moaned.

Silence met my ears.

"Please don’t hurt me. Did he send you? I’m sorry for the vase thing?” I begged.

I stood shakily to my feet and rushed towards the sink, grabbing a kitchen knife. He studied me with amusement in his eyes. I lunged at him with the knife, it cut through soft flesh. He seemed surprised that I was able to land a hit. He grumbled under his breath and grabbed my wrists.

He swept me across the kitchen counter and threw me against the kitchen cabinet. I moaned and let out a choked sob.

“It’s not your fault princess. I just need the high prince” he snickered.

“I don’t even know the fucker” I let out a painful gasp. My vision was darkening as I picked up a knife and stabbed his foot with it.

He howled and his boot met my face. I coughed blood.

God this was pathetic.

'If you ever need me, call out my name'

Calling out Aysa's name was worth a shot. I was running out of options.

"Aysa" I whispered, trying to keep my eyes open.

In a few seconds, a blanket of black smoke swirled in my vision and purple glowed in it. Aysa stepped out of the smoke. He looked at me, worried and then he turned to the man.

Aysa slit his throat in one swift mood with the jewelled dagger in his hand.

I reached out for him and he hurried towards me but a loud noise made him back away and in a puff of black smoke, he was gone. The door to the house crashed down with force but I was too tired to try. I was out of it when someone picked me up gently.

"You’re okay Lia” I heard Soren mutter before I welcomed sleep.

I could hear Soren's voice as I slowly gained consciousness but I couldn't open my eyes.

“You have to tell her. With all due respect”

“I said no so drop it okay? I want double the security team you have on me for her”

“Your ____”

"I don’t care just do it” I heard Soren hissed.

“I want her safe at all costs. All cost” he spat.

I moaned, shutting my eyes when the light burned them.

"Alphy” Soren rushed to my side.

“Will you shut up? You’re so loud Ren” I swatted his hand out of my face.

Where was Aysa? Did I dream it all up?

He handed me a glass of water and I glared at him before accepting it.

“Still feisty” he whistled.

“What’s my diagnosis?” I asked.

“Bruised face, Bruised ribs, broken wrist” his voice was strained.

“Are you crying, Soren?” I was mortified.

“I just....God I was out of my mind with fear when I heard your voice through the call. By the time I got there, you were already safe. I'm so sorry I was late” he kissed the inside of my palm.

“Awwn. Don’t be such a wuss” I rolled my eyes. I was safe when Soren got to me. I didn't dream it all up, Aysa had come when I said his name.

But the smoke and the way he appeared. Only witches have that kind of power and witches are extinct.

“Typical Alphea” he chuckled, disturbing my thoughts.

“Your mum should be here soon and your friends.”

“Where exactly is here?" I examined the room. I was in a huge beautiful bedroom. Too beautiful to be a hospital.

"We are in Reeva” he jumped to his feet and pulled the curtains open. My eyes bulged out of my head and I choked on my water.

Soren rubbed my back soothingly and I shifted away from him.

“WHAT THE f**k ARE WE DOING IN REEVA?”

“I.......I needed to get you the best healthcare and you know that Reeva has the best. I flew you out only after the doctors cleared you for flight” he explained.

“So you flew me to the capital city of your kingdom where humans are not allowed to go for a few stitches” I pinched the bridge of my nose.

“Yes” he nodded.

"That is correct”

“Do they do a f*****g crochet with the stiches?” I cursed.

“We are also in the castle” he winced.

"I’m going to kill you” I stated matter-of-factly.

“That is also correct” he nodded and stepped away from me.

“We have more pressing matters than your death at the moment so scooch in” I lifted the sheets so he could settle in beside me.

“I’m not a f*****g china” I snapped when he hesitated. He laughed and joined me in bed.

“It's a really huge bed. Very soft too” I hummed.

“Do you want it?" he asked.

"That’s just crazy Soren. It would fit perfectly in a minimalist room. My room is not exactly minimalist designed. Maybe someday”

“Now. Who was it? Was he the pale boy’s goon?” I rushed.

“Slow down Alphy. What pale boy?”

“Pale boy, dark eyes, dark curls, vampire, long black coat that sweeps the floor.” I described the vampire who kidn*pped me to him.

He frowned and pulled up a picture on his phone while I explained what happened at school.

“Is this him?" he showed me a picture of the boy.

"That’s the arrogant pig”

“Alphy you sick f**k. You can’t recognize the high prince when you see him” he bellowed and doubled over with laughter.

My mouth opened in a silent “O”

“Don’t laugh. I whacked the high Prince’s head” I elbowed him.

"I could be beheaded.”

“He can’t behead you” Soren wiped his eyes.

“But he’s the high prince”

“Who you attacked with a vase” he snickered, pursing his lips and staring goofily at me. I couldn’t help but laugh with him. It felt good.

“Who was he? The man who attacked me. Who was he?” I looked imploringly at Soren. He looked away and tried to change the topic.

“I want the truth” I begged. "Please”

Hopefully, he didn't see Aysa and his thick black smoke.

“He was an assassin. He won’t talk because his throat was slit open and he is in critical condition,” Soren looked at me expectantly.

There was no way I was going to tell him about Aysa, not when I wasn't sure of what I saw.

I paused, I couldn't tell anyone about Aysa. He would be executed for exhibiting the qualities of a witch. He saved my life thrice and for that, I would always have his back.

“He said he needed to get to the high prince. Also, I had a knife, I must have slit his throat somehow,” I whispered.

“What?” Soren frowned. He didn't believe me but I didn't care, that was all he was getting from me.

"He said he needed the high prince but why use me? I couldn’t even recognize the guy” I repeated, trying to change the topic.

“Yeah” Soren answered absentmindedly.

“Now tell me the truth. Why do you dye your hair?" he tilted his head and waited for an answer.

“I....I....my mother makes me do it. It’s... It’s not natural for a human to have silver hair” I smiled sadly.

“I think natural is overrated” he coiled his finger around a curl. “It's a beautiful color”

“Thank you” I grinned.

His lips were only a hairsbreadth away, just a little more and his lips would be on mine. My heart thumped painfully against my ribs as Soren leaned in. What the hell was this guy doing?

I pulled away from him, laughing.

Pinching his arm, I hissed at him "Don't ever try that again. I'm not drunk on mirthwood today and even if I was, I would never kiss you"

"Sorry" he blinked, looking away. "I’ll be back soon. I need to make arrangements for the accommodation of your mum and your friends” and with that he left me alone.

I covered myself up and stared at the bright city lights of Reeva. Just great. I was protecting a guy who could be a witch because I had a crush on him. Maybe Aysa didn't even like me.

I finally nodded off to sleep.

A few hours later, I heard people come into my room.

“Alphy” my mum shook me gently. I groaned, tearing myself away from my dream.

“Mum?” I choked and threw my arms around her neck.

“I thought you were dead. I thought I lost you” she cried into my hair.

“I’m okay mum. I’m fine”

“Don’t do that again” Brady warmed before tackling me into a hug. Carl, Leah and Toby joined the hug.

Carl chuckled and planted a sloppy kiss on my forehead. “It’s good your cheeky ass is still alive”

“Lover boy must really be into you” Leah smacked Brady on the head and gestured towards my mum.

“Oh goodness” mum laughed “You can have all the boy talk you like in front of me” she handed me the tray of food a nurse had brought by earlier. I uncovered the tray.

It was a bottle of apple juice, some meat with potatoes and vegetables and a purple apple. I smiled.

"woah....a purple apple. Those are an honor only werewolves enjoy. Has he fessed up yet?” Brady pressed.

“Brady” Leah groaned, whacking her again.

“No. I don’t think he likes me that way” I lied, remembering last night.

My friends huddled closely around me as I recalled last night's events to them.

“It’s his lost” Brady sneered.

“And my gain” Carl bopped me on the nose.

“Let’s talk about something more interesting like your hair” Leah pointed out.

A hush fell over the room and my mother tensed. I looked at her for approval. A slight nod of her head was what I got.

“No creature has silver hair. Human or not. I was born with it and my mum and I decided to dye my hair so I wouldn’t attract attention. Bad attention” I explained.

“It's really pretty” Carl stared admiringly at my hair.

Leah knocked Brady again and they got into an argument about how Leah was too violent and needed therapy.

I was finding it difficult to breath. My lungs felt like they were on fire.

Shit.

I swallowed which was a big mistake since it only increased the burn. I cleared my throat uncomfortably as the burn spread to my throat and got out of bed.

I smiled politely at my friends and my mum before trudging to the bathroom. The burn spread rapidly to my chest. I pulled my robe aside and checked it through the mirror. My skin was turning red and looked inflamed.

Red was not a good colour on brown skin. My throat closed up and I clawed at my neck, struggling to breathe.

I couldn't call out Aysa's name.

Oh no. I pushed the door open and fell into the room.

My vision swayed from the effort to breathe. I was sweating profusely. I saw my mother’s face twist in horror as they laid me down on the bed and I choked on nothing.

Brady wrapped her arm around me and I gripped her tightly. Black spots were already appearing in my line of vision when the door burst open and an army of nurses and doctors stormed in. I couldn’t get enough air.

I felt hands on me before my heartbeat slowed and unconsciousness slithered its way towards me.