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Hunter's Choice Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Waking Up

-------Cassie's Perspective-----

I honestly can't believe my Mother sent a note instead of a battalion. 

"What does it say?" Mal sits down and hands the note to me. 

Dear Cassandra, 

I know where you are. I know exactly how many men it will take to seize the castle and kill you. I have no qualms about killing every person in the building. I send this note in the hopes you will come quietly. I don't want to waste any more men on this matter. Simply stand outside the castle and meet your fate. 

Headmistress Victoria 

What the actual f**k?! I know my Mother is ruthless but this is going too far. I can't let her do this. There are innocent people in this castle. Including Mal. s**t, Mal. No, his death won't be on my conscience. 

"What are you thinking, love?" I see the kindness in his eyes. Hmm, I'm going to miss those eyes. 

"I promised that I would never lie to you. And I won't. But, you're not gonna like this." 

"Speak freely, love. I am here for you." Dammit, why does he have to be so supportive right now? Why can't he be his dictatorial self? 

"Okay, here goes. I'm planning on turning myself over. It'll save all of the innocent lives in the castle. I won't endanger the people here, not if I can help it." And here come the fireworks. 

"Why is it you keep trying to die? Do you have a death wish?" 

"No, of course not. But, I can't let innocent people die because of me and my stupid ass choices." Mal pins me to the bed. Dammit! 

"Mal, let me go!" 

"No, I will never let you go. I go where you go. You are my mate. I will not allow you to die. Not ever. We will come up with a plan like we always do." 

"Oh, and our last plan went so well." 

"Seeing as you are still breathing, yes it did go well." I strain against his hand, trying to get my hands free. Hmm, damn this feels good. No, Cassie, focus. Focus. 

"You know you will never break free." 

"I thought you didn't want to cage me?" 

"You know I am not the one caging you. I promise you we will figure this out. Please, allow me to come up with a better plan." I can see the urgency in his eyes. He really cares about me. He doesn't want me to die. I mean, I knew he cared. I just never knew he cared this much. 

"Alright. You better come up with a damn good plan. Cause my Mother is dead serious. She will kill everyone here." He lets me up and starts to pace. Hmm, he looks so sexy. Focus, Cassie. Now's not the time. 

"How many men does your Mother have?" 

"There are about 10,000 hunters in her service. Now, about 5,000 are on patrol somewhere else. So, 5,000 right now." 

"That is good to hear." 

"Um, last I checked, 5,000 is a big ass number." I see a glimmer in his sea blue eyes. 

"I have a 100 men within this castle. Each man can kill at least a thousand." 

"Mal, these are hunters, not humans. It'll be a bloodbath." His eyes light up even more. It's as if moonlight hit his gaze. 

"Yes, it will be. No one will go thirsty tonight." He laughs and this time it really is creepy. It slips through my skin, causing goosebumps on my skin. 

"You're scaring me, Mal." He stops and looks at me. 

"I am sorry, love. I did not mean to frighten you. You know I would never hurt you." He cups my cheek and lays a kiss on my lips. Hmm, so light and delicious. Dammit, focus! 

"Don't try distracting me. Why do you think you'll win? You're outnumbered." 

"No, we are not, love. Each of my vampires can easily take your hunters. You have remarked on my speed before." 

"Yeah, I have." 

"My vampires are slightly slower than me. But, they are far faster than your hunters." Wait a minute. He's not saying what I think he is? 

"Are you saying that each of your vamps can move almost as fast as you?" 

"Yes, love. That is exactly what I mean." s**t! It's gonna be a bloodbath. Innocent hunters will die because of me. No, this isn't what I want. I won't be the cause of this. 

"No. I won't let this happen. No one has to die. I'm going out." I move towards the door and he pins me against it. Dammit! 

"I will not let you go. We can easily win the battle." 

"I get that. But, I won't be the cause of hunter's deaths! I could never forgive myself if I did. So let me go, dammit!!" I can see the shock in his eyes. 

"You would defend them? The very people who want you dead?" 

"It's not their fault! They're just following orders." 

"And that hunter who wanted to kill the witch girl? Was he just following orders?" Damn him! 

"That was different. He was gonna kill an innocent. I had to step in. This time, no one has to die unnecessarily." 

"Except you. You will be the one to die. I will not let that happen, Cassandra." s**t! I can't let him stop me. But, how am I going to get out of his grip? I have to do something underhanded. It's the only way to get the upper hand. It's not like I'll be around for him to punish me. 

"You're right. I don't want to die. I'm sorry. I'm just not used to being on the other side." I look into his eyes to see if he bought it. 

"I understand, love. I know these were your people. But, they want you dead. That is all they want." 

"I know. I promise, I won't go out." His hand moves off of mine. Sweet, it's working! 

"Thank you, love. Wait here, I will come for you once the battle is over." Like hell! 

"Excuse me?! I'm not some damsel you need to tuck away." 

"And I do not view you that way. I simply do not need your expertise to win this battle. I know you are more than capable as a soldier." I don't know why it matters. I'm gonna die soon. But, still, I don't want him thinking of me as weak. And of course, he doesn't. He's just being Mal. I'll miss that. 

"Oh, sorry. I really shouldn't jump to conclusions with you." 

"It is alright, love. Your people underestimated you and attempted to pin you down. I will never do that to you." He kisses me deeply. Hmm, so f*****g good. I can feel his tongue going around mine, the heat is spreading throughout my body. He breaks off. Dammit. 

"Wish me luck, love." 

"Good luck, Mal." He whooshes out of the room. I know he'll never forgive me for this. But, it doesn't matter because I'm gonna die. I peek around the door and no one is around. Good. Probably all preparing for the battle. My legs still feel a bit wobbly. But, they're good enough. 

I slip down the stairs. I swear, I should get a badge for sneaking since I do it so often. I look around and head for the door. Slowly. My legs can't take much else. I really need to do more stair work. It was a b***h on my legs. Not that it matters anymore. Focus, Cassie. I open the door and slip out. I walk down the stairs. Ouch!! I hate stairs. 

I manage to get down them and outside the castle gate. I take one look back and see a bunch of vamps on the windows. Ah, so that's where they are. 

"So, you decided to meet your fate. A wise choice." I turn around and there she is. My mother, her brown hair tied back in a bun. Her cold blue eyes piercing me. She is dressed in her black camo outfit and go coat. A bunch of hunters surround her. The rest are probably surrounding the castle. 

"Yeah, I decided to meet my maker, literally." 

"Dear lord. I won't miss that." 

"Can you really kill me, Mother? Can you really kill your own daughter? All I did was decide not to marry Julian." 

"You killed a hunter today. You renounced your title and have shamed the name of hunter. You will die." She unsheathes her sword. 

"Is this what Dad would've wanted?" What? Why did I say that? Mom never talks about him. Never. Her blade lowers. 

"How dare you invoke him now. How dare you sully his memory this way. If your father was here, he'd be ashamed. Killing hunters and siding with monsters. He's probably turning over in his grave. Now, die!" She aims her sword for my heart and it's knocked out of her hand. Mal stands there and I can practically feel his anger coming off of him. 

"How many times must I tell you, Cassandra? Do. Not. Lie. To. Me." His eyes are burning sapphire. s**t! I am in so much trouble right now. The other hunters move forward and fall to the ground. What? They lie on the ground, unconscious. Dammit, I forget how fast he is. 

"I have half a mind to chain you to the bed for what you have done." What the f**k? I know what I did was wrong and he has every right to be pissed. But, like hell am I being chained to a bed. 

"Excuse me, you will move. Now." My Mother has recovered her sword and is aiming it at Mal. 

"No, I will not. You will not kill Cassandra. Not now. Not ever. I will not let you." Damn, he is so sexy when he's like this. All powerful and full of righteous fury. Focus, Cassie. Focus. 

"Wait!!" What the hell?! Julian? He runs over to us. 

"I thought I told you to stay at HQ?" 

"You did. I disobeyed you. I can't let you kill Cass." 

"She killed a hunter. She has broken our laws. She is a monster." Wow. I never thought I'd hear my Mother say those words. She really thinks I'm a monster. I feel the tears hit my cheeks. s**t! I'm not supposed to cry. It's a weakness. I can't be weak, not now. Mal shields me and wipes my eyes. 

"It is alright, love. I do not think anyone saw you." He whispers and I am so damn grateful. He is showing me kindness even after I lied to him. I really don't deserve someone this kind. 

"Thanks." I finish wiping my eyes. 

"Cass was just protecting an innocent. She doesn't deserve to die. She isn't a monster!" God, Julian. You are such a fool if you think you can stop my Mother. 

"Enough. Either kill me or leave. I won't let you hurt anyone here. I will protect every last life in this castle and out of it." 

"Oh, you think you're a hero. You are saving the very vampires who ripped out your Father's throat." f**k her.

"No, they didn't. These vampires are innocent of any crime. I won't let you hurt them." I can feel the vampires gathering behind me. Damn, that's unnerving as s**t. Can't look back. Focus on her. 

"Yes, they did. You were never told what happened to your Father. I think it's time to tell you. He died on a hunt." 

"Yes, his throat was ripped out and he was left to die on the street. I know this already." I can see her smile coldly. 

"Yes. But did you know, it was your vampire friend that killed him?" What?!! No, that's not true. It can't be. Mal wouldn't do that. I know him. 

"You're lying. You're just trying to rattle me, it won't work." 

"How about you tell him the name of your Father?" No, I trust Mal. He wouldn't have done that to him. He wouldn't have just left him there. No, that's not him. It's not. 

"Fine. In hunter society, girls take the name of their mother. So my Father's name was Daniel Richards." I look over to Mal. He looks....upset. So upset. Why? 

"You did it. You're the one who killed him. Your friend is the reason your Father is dead." No, it can't be. It just can't. 

"Mal, tell me it's not true. It was some rogue or some other vampire. Right?" I look into his eyes and they're so sad. No. He didn't. 

"I was young then. I was defending my people. I am so terribly sorry, Cassandra. So sorry." No. No! It can't be! No!!! 

The man I trust, the man who takes care of me. The man I'm coming to care for, to be with. Oh God, the man I fantasize about. He's the man who killed my Father. I've been betrayed again. I knew it. It was a dream. Now....I'm awake. 

"Cassandra, please say something." 

"Cass, it's okay. You can come home. You didn't know." Julian reaches his hand out. My Mother sheathes her sword. 

"Julian is right. It is not too late to come back. You didn't know who you were associating with." Wait, what?! My Mother is backing down. Why? No. Can't think. Can't concentrate. Don't know how to do this. I don't know what to do. For once, I'm frozen. And all I want is for Mal to take me back inside and hold me. To feel his arms warm me and give me the strength I need. The same arms that killed my Father. No, not arms. His fangs. That was what killed him. 

"Cassandra, please talk to me." I can see the concern in his eyes. The fear. He is afraid. How can he be when he's the one who killed him? I need something. I need the world to stop spinning. I need....I need....I need my Dad. I need his laughing eyes and his comforting pat. I need his smile. I need his light and his life. And he took it from me. He took it. He took it. He took it!!! I open my mouth. 

An unearthly wail leaves my lips. Rage, pain, fear, anger, hurt, betrayal, pain, more pain. I feel my lungs burn out. I close my mouth. My hands balled into fists. Everyone is just staring at me. I swallow. 

"Are you....really....sorry?" Mal looks surprised. 

"Yes, love. I am extremely sorry. I had no idea that I had killed your Father. If I could take it back, I would." I look into his eyes and see the truth in his expression. Dammit. This would be easier if he was a villain. If he was a monster. I hate vampires. They killed my Father. I hate Mal. He killed my Father. 

But...I know him. I know he means it when he apologizes. And now that I know who did it, I don't know. Something has shifted in me. It's as if some weight is off my shoulders. Before, it was a complete mystery. I had no idea who killed him. Now, I know. And somehow, knowing makes it easier to manage. I know why Mal did it. He was protecting his people. Doesn't mean I forgive him for it. No, I will never forgive him for it. But.....I'm not going to kill him. No, he's not a monster. My Mother. She knew who killed him. 

"You knew. You knew he killed him." 

"Yes, I knew." 

"Why the hell didn't you kill him then?" 

"You've seen him. He's unkillable. I wish I could kill him. If you want, you can try." 

"Oh, you'd like that, wouldn't you? Me dying from trying to kill him? No, I won't make it easy for you. You knew and you never told me. You never told me how he died. I had to find out on my own. There was no funeral, no mention of him ever again. It was like he never existed." 

"It was better that way." 

"Better for you maybe." 

"Let's have this talk back home. Come on." 

"You think I'm going with you?! Like hell I am!!" My Mother and Julian look shocked. 

"Cass, he murdered your Father. He left him there to die. How can you stay with him?" 

"What I do or don't do is none of your concern. You forfeited that right when you took my Mother's side." 

"Cass." 

"It's Cassie or Cassandra to you, jackass. You don't get to call me that anymore." I can feel the hurt in him. I'm so tired of him and his dumbass plans for me. 

"You honestly can't mean to stay with him. He did murder your Father." I look at my Mother. 

"And you talk about it as if he stepped on my foot. Don't you have a heart underneath all that ice? Don't you care that he's gone?" 

"Of course I do. He died, I grieved, I moved on. And you should too." 

"No. I won't forget him. I won't forget the way he laughed, the way he talked or how he took care of me. I won't forget him. I will never forget him." 

"I'm not asking you to forget him. I am asking you to move on from your grief. You are so dramatic." 

"No, I'm a human being. I have feelings, thoughts and opinions. Unlike you, I actually feel things." 

"I'm not discussing this here in front of monsters. Come home, now." 

"No. I'm not living with a monster. I will never live with a monster." I turn my back and walk back through the gate. 

"And you say I have no feelings. You're just going to forgive the man who butchered your Father?" I turn around. 

"No, I will never forgive him for this. Never. He took my heart. He tore it from my chest. I will never forgive that. But, I would rather live with him than with you. It's a choice of evils. And contrary to what you may think, I still have the right to choose. So, f**k off." I go back through the gate. I walk up the steps and go inside the castle. I can feel Mal behind me. Mal. The doors close behind us. Dammit, Mal. The tears start flowing from my eyes. I don't think they'll ever stop. 

I move up the steps and go to my room. Mal is following me the whole way. I take off my shoes and crawl into bed. I hug myself as the tears overwhelm. I can't breathe. I can't think. It hurts. It just hurts. I feel the bed dip as he moves on it. 

"Go away." He stops. He moves off of the bed but doesn't leave. I look up through watery eyes to see him sitting on the chair. 

"I will be here when you are ready, Cassandra." Damn, I don't want to think. Don't want anything. I curl into myself, heaving my lungs through my eyes. I can feel the lids close. I fall into the dark. 

End of Chapter 11