ROTTEN LOVE - Chapter 53: Chapter 53

It was my mother who cursed the vamps, who sought to use her children for the gain of her pack. She doomed my relationship with Zain from the beginning by uniting me with the Malfattos and not analyzing the risks.
Serving the Malfattos was her master plan to tie us to them, making all vamps barren. It was genius but her worst mistake.
Because the bonds she made for us did not break at the snapping of a necklace or the reciting of an incantation. They strengthened as we became tested by her people and the mate she was so sure I would choose.
She made poor decisions and to an extent, there is a sense of having to atone for her mistakes. The overbearing responsibility heats me higher.
My skin radiates with a glow. Zain's arms reddened. My heart, at first thumping with fury, slows. I'll die at this rate.
However, screams halted my assault. The recognition of the voice is so clear that ice forms across my skin.
My eyes frantically search for the source until it pinpoints her in the center of the room with her head in her delicate hands. Marisa screams like never before and I go mad with worry.
Adam surrounds her in his arms as he scans for the origin while Maddox's face finally displays his emotions. His gaze lands forward and I follow it, tilting my head.
I stop breathing. Jason holds onto Maddie's hand as his eyes lock on Marisa. The way his green eyes have a dazed appearance but are focused on Marisa makes it clear to me that he is the cause.
Maddox's eyes were saddened at the realization that it was his right hand that betrayed him. His brows were so high at the surprise. I swear my face probably mimics Maddox's.
Another scream pierces the air. The windows shake in fear as Marisa falls to her knees.
"Jason, what are you doing?" I ask.
The screams stop and his gaze becomes clearer. He narrows his attention to Maddox. Like Marisa and I, I suspect they can read each other like no one else can. They are having a silent conversation.
I cut in, "What the hell?"
"I picked." He simply answers while eyeing Maddie's hand.
"Then, stay and let us go."
"He won't let you go and I can't lose you," our twin eyes meet, mirror images of each other.
Maddie isn't the only one he chooses.
The way his eyes scan my body. The sudden relief his chest depicts as he takes a deep breath. He knew I was burning out.
Jason is my equivalent. He will not let go of the hand that fuels his magic but he won't let me extinguish the fuel that powers mine.
I become aware of the true danger Maddox and Marisa face. They only have me to get them out.
"I will stay. Let our friends go."
"Leave," Jason orders them as Marisa is helped to her feet by Adam and Maddox.
The hold on me lessens. Arms slide to my hips keeping me in place. Zain's loose hold makes it clear that he has won.
I meet Maddox's eyes, "go."
"Not without you, my love." There is no resignation in his eyes. For once, his eyes shine bright with heat. There is a determination to save me at the risk of damming himself.
Zain growls and I flinch. I can see the pack members step closer. My pulse rises again.
"Stop, what's going on," I look back at Zain.
If the pack is moving, then he gives the orders. He answers, "They won't leave. This is the only way."
The pack closes in.
"Jason!" I yell.
But his eyes lower and Maddie caresses his arm as if helping him mourn his doomed friends. It outrages me.
The fire rekindles faster. Doubles in seconds. Zain curses at the suddenness and lets go.
I run to my best friend and my love. At my escape, Maddox and Marisa act. They fling werewolf after werewolf with Adam assisting. His steps were never too far from Marisa.
Zain growls and some of his pack members attempt to grab me. When they make contact with me, that very touch hurls them back.
I duck and punch fighting my way to them. Zain is no longer in sight. He has made his move. He must be near.
I can tell Marisa and Maddox tried to keep it clean but as the wolves fought harder so did they. The fight found its way from the entrance to the living room as we all progressed.
Furniture crashes. Windows break. Blood has stained the floors. Stunned by the sight, I lost focus and ignored my body's warning, the instant reaction to Zain's proximity.
Marisa snaps a wolf's head as she runs towards me. "Watch out."
I quickly turn to her warning, realizing Zain is at my heels. I ran in the opposite direction but he was closer than I expected. I am not going to make it.
Cold arms encompass me. I had not seen Maddox approach me. I look in between Maddox's arms in time to see his leg kick Zain in the abdomen, sending him several feet back.
At the inertia, we twist slightly as his feet come back to the ground, giving me enough time to witness Marisa at Zain's throat. Her eyes are a depiction of vengeance.
While Zain's members have transformed to handle the Malfattos, Zain's cockiness keeps him from shifting. He fights her in his human form.
A pureblood versus an alpha, natural enemies. She tries to get her hands around his neck but he dodges her. The surprise attack ended.
Her fangs elongate as do her nails. They seek blood. She tries to slash a major artery but he moves.
Maddox does not leave her alone. This was his fight too. In fact, he probably saw it as his only.
Both Malfattos surround Zain and I think they have him trapped. Adam takes on anyone trying to interfere.
We are going to get out. I think.
Then dirty blond hair comes into view. Maddie can't interfere because that will make Jason have to participate.
Time moves faster.
Maddox holds Zain from behind. Marisa snarls in satisfaction. This is her shot to end him.
Maddie assesses the situation and understands that if she does not act, then her brother is done for. She eyes my brother, pleading.
The beats against my chest stop. She is asking him for support.
"No," I scream but it was in vain. Maddie and Jason's hands make contact again, giving him power.
Maddox snarls this time. Pain etched on his face. His arms release Zain.
Zain turns to get Maddox while he is debilitated but Marisa's hand is in mine seconds later. Then, it's Zain's blue eyes with torment.
Both the men I cared about are being tortured.
Maddox tries to hold back a scream but it's too much. For the first time, my shield is broken. He is shattering and it pains me.
Marisa's familiar essence quickly fuels Zain's torture. He is the one on his hands and knees now.
Both Jason and I are determined to help our loved ones. He wasn't going to let Maddie get hurt by allowing harm to her brother, even if it meant breaking Maddox.
I wasn't going to let my love go. He isn't some backup plan. Zain won't be able to replace him.
It's a game of will. On one hand, we have my brother fueled by Maddie, his mate. The woman made for him. What if she was also made to endure everything Jason extracts?
Can that bond be stronger than the one I formed with Marisa? Marisa's energy seemed endless to me. I never wielded magic and felt like I took too much from her. I don't even think I got near that.
This is a battle in which cipher will burn out their energy source first. Perhaps, condemning their self in the process.
My eyes widen. I can't lose Jason. He will go that far for Maddie.
I look back to Maddox, but I can't lose him either. I observe the whole room. A pair will likely die followed by the person they are protecting. The loss would be too hard to fathom.
I scan the room for anything else that can help but all that I see is blood scattered. The promise of more sickens me.
A phrase comes to mind. The wielder can die. Blood magic. That's the answer.
What is one life if it saves everyone else?
There is no instruction manual for blood magic. But it contains two elements, a sacrifice and a wish.
Zain loves me but if he is the man I thought he was, he will protect his people. I loathe that I'm about to take a play from my mother's book but it's the only way to get Zain to leave the Malfattos alone.
The wish will need a lot of magic. It will need a lot of blood. The wielding will surely kill me but I am willing.
I grab a broken glass I conveniently spotted in front of me and slash down my arm.
"Witches from the past. Members from the present and descendants of the future hear my chants. I, Helena Thorn, ..."
I speak loud and clear despite the blood trickling down. The air changes.
Zain's growls aren't heard. Maddox is silent.
"Helena what are you," Marisa begins but I proceed, "place a curse on Zain Levine, an alpha, connecting him to all alphas..."
I slash my other arm. This time it's Jason who inches forward, releasing Maddie's hand. "No. Helena stop this."
I give him a lamentable smile. "...in which from this moment on, their lines will become barren."
The blood trickles down but the power trickles in. My body hums at the energy. However, as I continue, the need to close my eyes increases. The sacrifice will have to be paid and I was on the road to becoming it.
Zain's voice quivers, "Babe, don't. You win. I give up. Live but don't continue."
He isn't the man I thought he was. He is better. He wants me to stop because he cares. A feeling of elation engulfeses me until I realize the power still comes in. I cover my wounds but my body intensifies.
This magic is not meant to be played with. There is no going back. The wish has to be finished and the sacrifice will have to be made.