Chapter 78 - Falling Into Desperation

The hours dragged on, each passing moment stretching into an agonizing eternity. My body was exhausted, my mind restless, and my heart tormented by the unknown. Sleep had abandoned me, leaving me to stew in a suffocating mix of anxiety and dread. I couldn’t take it anymore. With a sharp inhale, I steeled myself and decided to try again.

Carefully, I braced against the nightstand, using its solid surface to steady my trembling frame. My limbs were weak, but sheer determination pushed me forward. I inched toward the edge of the bed, rocking slightly before forcing myself upright. A wave of dizziness crashed over me like a tidal wave, my vision momentarily swimming. I clung to the wall, desperate for balance, forcing one foot in front of the other despite the disorienting blur before me.

Then, just as I gained some semblance of control, a sharp tug at my arm stopped me in my tracks. My gaze flickered to the IV embedded in my skin—the very thing tethering me to this place. Without a second thought, I ripped it out, ignoring the sting that followed. My breathing was labored, but I pushed forward until I reached the door. My fingers stretched toward the knob, but the moment I made contact, my strength betrayed me.

Pain erupted through my body as my knees gave out, sending me crashing to the floor. My head and back hit the ground with a sickening thud, and for a brief moment, the world was swallowed by darkness.

The sound of a door bursting open jolted me back to reality. Before I could process what was happening, strong arms enveloped me, lifting me off the cold floor with ease. Malios. His voice was sharp, laced with concern.

“You should be in bed. What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

I barely had the strength to glare at him, but I forced the words out. “What do you think? I’m going to find my baby.” I struggled against his hold, but his grip was unyielding.

“Do you honestly believe you’re in any condition to do that?” His voice softened slightly, but the frustration was still evident. “You can’t even stand on your own.”

“Let me go!” I snapped, my emotions unraveling. “I can’t sit here and do nothing! It’s killing me!”

Malios let out a quiet sigh before effortlessly carrying me back to the bed. He laid me down with surprising gentleness, then turned his attention to the IV I had so carelessly removed.

“Luke’s men are already searching for him,” he reassured me. “They’ll find him. You need to rest.”

But rest was impossible. How could anyone expect me to lie in bed while some monstrous vampire had taken my child? The thought made my blood boil.

I exhaled sharply, my voice colder than intended. “Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be out there with the others?”

Something flickered in his expression—hurt, maybe. I wasn’t sure, and I wasn’t in the mood to care. I needed to lash out at something, someone, and he was convenient.

“I asked to stay behind. To look after you.”

“You shouldn’t have done that,” I shot back. “My baby is more important than me.”

His jaw tensed. “You’re important too,” he said, and for a second, my breath caught in my throat.

I bit my lower lip, feeling heat rise to my skin. I hated this—hated how he said things that made me pause, that made my chest tighten in ways I didn’t understand.

“You need to stop,” I murmured. “Stop saying things like that. If Damon hears you—”

“He’d kill me. I know.” Malios cut me off, his tone unreadable. Then, after a pause, he asked, “When you said I reminded you of someone… who was it?”

I blinked at him. “Why does that matter?”

“Just answer the question.”

I hesitated before whispering, “Evan. He was an old friend… but he died.”

His gaze darkened slightly. “Evan. The one who died at Akbur Hills when the Emantors attacked?”

I nodded, surprised he knew. “Tiffany must’ve told you about him.”

“She did.” He studied me for a long moment. “He was more than a friend, wasn’t he?”

I let out a small, dry laugh. “No, not in the way you’re thinking. We had a long history, but it wasn’t like that.”

Malios tilted his head. “Then how do I remind you of him? Is it because of how I look?”

I looked away, my fingers gripping the sheets. “No. It’s your presence. Your energy. You feel… honest. Genuine. Safe.”

“Unlike Damon.”

My head snapped toward him, my eyes narrowing. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Malios didn’t flinch. “Maybe he is, with you. Or maybe… not at all.”

A tense silence stretched between us. His hand moved as if to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear, and instinctively, I recoiled.

“Don’t—”

“Relax,” he murmured. His fingers brushed against my skin, and for reasons I couldn’t explain, I let him. But something about his closeness felt wrong—like I was betraying someone just by allowing him near.

The moment was shattered by the sound of the door opening.

A gasp.

We both jumped apart like guilty children caught in the act.

Standing at the threshold was Valia.

“Oh! I—I’m sorry,” she stammered. “I didn’t realize you had company. I’ll come back—”

“No, you don’t have to go,” I said quickly, desperate to move past whatever just happened.

Malios cleared his throat, his face unreadable. “I’ll be outside if you need me.”

He left without another word.

The awkward air lingered, but I pushed it aside. “Is there any news… about my baby?”

Valia’s face fell. She stepped inside, her expression weighed down by guilt. “No. Not yet. But we’ll find him. I swear it.”

I frowned. “We?”

She nodded. “Of course. I was the last one with him. I don’t know how anyone could’ve taken him without me noticing. I feel responsible.”

A pang of something sharp twisted in my chest. Damon never told me she was the last to see my baby. He must have been trying to protect her from my wrath.

Valia hesitated before adding, “Wherever Tessa took him, she can’t actually use him.”

My blood ran cold. “Use him?”

She bit her lip. “I mean… he’s a hybrid. She can’t feed off him—it would hurt her. So she’s probably just keeping him hostage to mess with you. But he’s safe, I swear—”

Before I could demand more answers, Valia’s eyes widened. She abruptly clamped her mouth shut, as if she had already said too much. Then, without another word, she turned and hurried out of the room.

I sat there, heart pounding, mind racing.

Safe.

I wasn’t sure I believed that.