CHAPTER 16

**AMY**

Night envelops the mansion as we leave the arsenal and head back to the living room. I decide to go to the bedroom to change clothes. When I return, I find Aaron in conversation with Elara. A wave of concern washes over me as I see her there, exposed to the dangers we face.
"Is it safe to expose Elara like this?", I ask Aaron, my voice laden with apprehension. He looks at me, his expression serious.
"She will be safe with me.", he replies, his voice conveying confidence and determination.
I put on warm black clothes, preparing for the cold night awaiting us outside. We follow Aaron out of the mansion, the cold night air cutting our faces as we get into his car. A sigh escapes me as I look at the vastness of the night ahead of us.
I feel Aaron's hand intertwine with mine, and my eyes are drawn to the wedding ring shining on our fingers. The car begins to move, and the mansion lights slowly disappear as we drive away. I watch the trees passing by the window. A sense of unease settles in my chest. What will happen if the vampire leader finds us?
Aaron notices my worried expression and breaks the silence. 
"Are you okay?", he asks, his voice soft and comforting. I nod, forcing a smile to reassure him, but anxiety continues to throb in my veins.
Inside the car, as the world outside seems to blur into a mix of lights and shadows, my eyes are drawn to the dagger strapped to my leg. It's as if the weapon pulses with its own energy—a constant reminder of the imminent threat we face. My heart beats wildly in my chest; a feeling of unrest is taking hold of my mind.
I close my eyes, trying to block out the incessant noise of thoughts swirling in my head. It's then that the vampire leader's voice resurfaces, whispering dark and threatening words in my mind. A shiver runs down my spine, a cold sensation spreading through my entire body.
Amy... 
Amy... 
Listen to me, Amy...
I sigh, trying desperately to fend off the intrusion of the voice. But it's useless. The throbbing pain takes over my head, so intense that it makes me groan in agony. Aaron slows the car, his worried gaze fixed on me through the rearview mirror.
"What's happening?", he asks, his voice full of anxiety. I try to articulate a response, but the pain is overwhelming, dominating my senses.
"My head. It hurts so much...", I murmur, struggling to form the words through the haze of pain enveloping my mind. Aaron squeezes my hand tightly, his face a mask of determination.
"It's the vampire leader causing this. He's provoking this in you.", he murmurs, his voice echoing with dark intensity. Tears begin to gather in my eyes; a mix of physical and emotional pain overwhelms me. 
I feel as if I'm on the edge of an abyss, about to be consumed by the darkness threatening to swallow me whole. But Aaron's hand in mine, firm and comforting, is a beacon of hope in the darkness.
"I'll make this stop. I'll make him stop doing this to you; we just need to get to the city center.", he promises, his voice sounding like a sacred oath. I am enveloped by the warm comfort of his words, a sense of calm spreading through me despite the relentless pain in my head.
I moan loudly, feeling the pain tearing through my skull, as my eyes meet Elara's in the backseat next to me. Her hand holds mine firmly, and her eyes convey a mix of understanding and determination.
"Close your eyes, Amy.", she whispers softly, her voice echoing like a distant echo in my tormented mind. Confused and distressed, I look to Aaron for an explanation. He turns to me, his eyes serious but filled with confidence.
"Close your eyes.", he repeats, his voice firm and authoritative. With a trembling sigh, I obey, my eyelids closing over my burning eyes. I feel Elara's hand squeezing mine, a comforting sensation radiating through my tense body. Tears stream down my cheeks, a mix of pain and relief.
As I surrender to the darkness behind my closed eyelids, a sense of calm begins to spread through me. Elara is using her own powers to distract me from the horrors inflicted by the vampire leader, a surprising display of courage and strength from her.
I continue with my eyes closed, allowing myself to sink into the serenity Elara offers me. I feel the weight of the pain slowly diminish, replaced by a sense of peace and protection. A strong connection forms between us, a bond that transcends words and supernatural powers in this world.
When I finally open my eyes, I find myself in a surreal vision. I run through the forest, sunlight filtering through the leaves, illuminating my face with a celestial glow. I look back and see Aaron smiling as he runs behind me—an image of pure happiness and freedom.
The vision is beautiful and very real; I feel happy as I continue running and smile more when I feel Aaron's arms around my body. We fall together on the forest floor, on the leaves, and I turn my head to find his eyes fixed on my face.
I feel his hand touching my face with affection, and this time there is something different in his eyes, something I have never seen before. I look at our hands together, seeing our wedding rings shining against the sunlight, and I keep holding his hand, feeling my heart beating faster in my chest at this moment.
He smiles at me before kissing me, and it's a different kiss. I feel his hand holding my waist as we continue kissing on the forest floor.
"I love you, Amy.", he whispers the words against my lips, and I open my eyes before doing the same.
"I love you more than you can imagine.", I say, feeling the tears in my eyes as he kisses me with love and affection.
I quickly open my eyes when I feel Elara's hand releasing mine. I blink my eyes, seeing that I am back in the car and without the vision this time. I feel completely confused, and I raise my head, finding Elara's eyes fixed on my face.
"How did you do that? How is that possible?", I ask, whispering, and I turn my head, finding Aaron's eyes watching me.
"She used her powers on you. Elara has the ability to enter people's minds and make them see what they most desire in the world."
I frown as I remember Aaron's words in the vision, him saying he loved me.
"How does it work? Can she see the future too?", I ask, and he shakes his head.