BLOOD AND Lightening

Chapter 30

“Who exactly are you?” Paxton asked Nimai, it has turned chaotic, Paxton had wanted to drink with Nimai, with her serving him drink, it was a ridiculous offer, it was clear Paxton was out for trouble and on purpose, Zephyr already fighting his men who are beginning to overpower him as Paxton finally got closer to Nimai

“Do not try touching me” Nimai said calmly, if there was something she ever learned from leaving with late Hector it was to remain calm in the face of danger or an obvious threat

“Stay away from milady!” Zephyr shouted coming to stand by Nimai, now it was them in the middle with Paxton and his men standing around, the bar owner and her girls shrieked by the corner hoping it ends quicker it wasn't the first time Paxton picked a fight over trivial matters, he was a regular known for making problems. He smirked looking at how hardly Nimai was glaring at him, Zephyr had turned completely scary, he wasn't going easy on any of them inflicting injuries on any who came closer to him, he was unexpectedly strong for someone who stays away from fighting, they had all assumed he was a soft fellow who happens to have special blood but perhaps he was special for a reason. Paxton had earlier grabbed the wrist of Nimai before she forcefully removed her hands, he suddenly inhaled his hands and chuckled weirdly

“Why is your scent enticing me? What are you? Human? Fairy? Vampire? Are you like this outcast?” he said pointing to Zephyr who cursed inwardly “are your blood mixed with all?, the lesser breed, the outcast” Nimai hated every word coming from this mans mouth

“ what if I am?” she asked him “what if I am mixed with a bunch of thing? How does that become the business of yours” Nimai questioned holding Zephyr's hand in an attempt to calm him down.

“Am never one to start a fight, I just wanted to have a drink” Paxton said scratching his head, “why did you resolve to violence?” he said, Zephyr had only wanted to leave quietly with Nimai immediately the Paxton arrived, he hated the obvious interest Paxton had for Nimai, it was his duty to protect her, he never knew he would come across any of his kind, they flock the bars but mostly at night, they were called night creatures for a reason, mostly because they are lazy, to be honest, Zephyr wasn't one to start a fight.

“When a maiden rejects the offer of a gent it is expected he takes it calmly if truly he is a gentleman,” Nimai said “besides it is too early to indulge myself in Alcohol intoxication I have things to do”

“Let's leave,” Zephyr said as he dragged her to the exit of the bar, the door opened from outside to review Haldir and Thanatos standing with their hands folded, Haldir's face turned sour at seeing Nimai and reading the energy of the room.

“What are you doing here” he sneered looking directly at Paxton as if he was talking to him whereas he was speaking to Nimai.

Nimai had turned into a shock hiding behind Zephyr,

“Hello brother! Fancy seeing you here!” Paxton said with a smile, Haldir stepped in fully his eyes scrutinizing every inch of the bar as his eyes finally laid on the bar owner who was sitting by the side. Paxton hated the fact he was ignoring him, he hated his nonchalant attitude he wants to see him lose his cool, and then again the suspicious maiden who he had never seen before, and what was she? She doesn't seem like their kind, he moved with his powers standing exactly by Nimai's side, before Zephyr could block him, Paxton grabbed her looking at Haldir, he only looked at them both waiting for Nimai to talk, he hated the fact she left the castle without him beside her.

Nimai stood looking at Haldir, mixed emotions, she was happy to see him around, but at the same time his stares were terrifying, both to Zephyr as he was reprimanding himself inwardly,

“Do you need my help now?” Haldir asked her looking at the interlocked hands between her and Paxton, she nodded hastily with a panic eyes

“Speak up do you need my help?” he asked again

“Yes,” she said, with just the word, he moved with speed and kicked Paxton to the walls of the bar, cracking his skin, Haldir held Nimai’s palm firmly, “Do not touch a maiden who do not want you especially not her,” Haldir said looking around before walking away with Nimai by his side.

Haldir didn't mind that his hood was gone revealing his silver hair drawing eyes as he moved with Nimai running alongside him trying to catch up with his speed, she could tell he was angry although he didn't say many words, in fact, he hardly said a thing, As the journey progresses she realized they were heading back to the castle, and she wouldn't be able to keep up with him if they continued in this speed.

“Haldir” she mouthed not necessarily speaking up but he stopped turning to take a look at her

“I can't keep up with your speed,” she said softly avoiding eye contact

“We are almost home,” he said continuing on his way while she followed again, he didn't reduce his previous pace like he was doing it on purpose...

Nimai struggled to catch her breath as she immediately sat at the table as Star hurried to serve her cup of water to calm her nerves.

“Leave us” Haldir added taking Nimai by her hand and dragging her through the stairs to his room, the memory picture of Hector dragging her by their old stairs to her room flashed through her memory

“You are hurting me!” she shouted as he slammed the door shut, the agitation in his eyes mellowed as he watched her keenly

“Were you trying to get me to worry about you cause it's working?” he asked leaving Nimai confused

“What exactly were you trying to achieve going outside with Zephyr? I trust him around you but he is considered young among us” Haldir said obviously annoyed and frustrated “what if I had arrived later?” he asked

“Zephyr would have protected me till the end,” Nimai said in a low tone, she knew she was reckless but she had also thought vampires didn't walk under the sun

“Do you know I could smell you from far away, I found you by your scent what more the others, it would have been a disaster if I arrived later” he said in lower tones while approaching her, her eyes were beginning to turn tearily

“I just wanted to move around I didn't know it would result in meeting a troublemaker” she defended

“Must you always have things your way, you can't just move around because you want to!” he lost his calm finally letting out his frustration

“I hate having to worry about someone, but all I do ever since you come into my life was worry, I worry about every single thing about you now I also have to worry about your safety” he continued, Nimai was left torn between being glad he was caring for her and hearing his hurtful words, she was never a person that got whatever she wanted.

“I have said you do not make the rules, what if you got yourself killed!” he shouted again

“Why do you care!” she shouted back, causing Haldir to grasp in frustration

“What?” he asked

“Isn't that what you actually wanted my death! Everybody wants that, for me to disappear” she said

“What do you actually take me for Nimai? The devil? Lucifer? Have I not shown you that I cared, Have my actions so far not shown that I want you to live” Haldir said, he regretted disclosing how he felt immediately her eyes mellowed, strangely this woman was getting to him, he was weak for her eyes, her words always showed her hatred for him but her eyes were something else like it has a mind of its own, he wanted to protect them, he was sorry for causing her pains since when he didn't know but he did enjoy the trust her drunk self had on him.

“I just can't seem to trust you Haldir, you told me you can't walk under the sun” she finally said breaking their awkward silence, as her words registered he realized she has used his name twice, she was actually capable of calling his name, he enjoyed her calling his name, it was perfect, he never disliked her calling him devil, he wasn't much different but he doesn't want to be a devil to her anymore.

“You told me that you need my help, I am yet to know about the help, was it a lie?” she asked waiting for his answer

“It was a lie” he answered honestly trying to hold her closer to him but she sneaked away from his touch

“Why?” she asked in shock “why did you lie to me, why do you all have to lie to me, am I really that easy to deceive?” she asked wondering why she has to be lied to. What was precisely the reason Haldir came for her?

“Did you enjoy fiddling with my emotions, making me believe I was going to do you a favor in return for my safety, how sure am I that you are incapable of causing me harm now,” she asked and chuckle realizing that she wasn't crying.

“You are just like the Emperor” she sneered

“I am nothing like him,” he said finally holding her, his voice came out lower than he had wanted but he was thankful for it for her eyes mellowed again

“Do you really hate me that much, I would have never killed your mother in my right senses, I know nothing I say would right my wrongs but I do not plan on causing you pain” he said holding her.

Haldir had gone out earlier to sort a seer for her family, earlier he never planned on having her in his home for long, he had no plan for her shelter initially but all of a sudden he feels this urgent and persistent need to protect her, he enjoyed seeing her around, noticing she was uncomfortable with him around he watched from a distance, he suddenly wants to seem good in her eyes, he wanted her to talk freely to him too like she did with Zephyr, he has no basis for conversation but he is a good listener, Alfredo was a dangerous place for her but with him, by her side, nobody would harm her.