Chapter Twenty Four

*Ariya*


I couldn’t hold back anymore. As Justin dragged me to my feet, everyone’s eyes were on me, including Justin’s, but it was too late. With one swift movement, I launched myself forward sinking my fangs into Justin’s neck. Justin gasped in pain and tried shoving me off of him. I could feel the strength returning to me. I pulled my arms apart as hard as I could, breaking the cuffs. With my hands free, I grabbed hold of Justin.
“NO!!!” Keo screamed, “ARIYA STOP!!”
Justin continued trying to shove me off. I released Justin for a second, but I wanted more. I needed more. This time I bit down hard onto the artery. I could feel the blood pouring out. A growl escaped me as I started losing control. Justin stopped fighting me. I could hear his heart slowing down. I looked over at Keo while I continued.
“Ariya! You have to stop! Please!” Keo begged me.
A small whine on my right caught my attention. Then a sharp pain vibrated through my body. I cried out in pain, releasing Justin who fell back and slid to the floor. I turned and glared, growling hatefully at Olivia who just electrocuted me. I barred my fangs at her and shoved her into the wall as hard as I could. She hit the wall and then crumpled up into a heap on the floor - unconscious. As I started towards her, a blade whistled through the air and then buried itself into my right shoulder. I growled in response to the blade, then took my left hand and ripped the blade out. I stared at the blade in my left hand, glaring at it. To my left Justin coughed and gasped for air.
“Oh my gosh! Justin!” Mya cried out, running to him.
Mya kneeled down and began healing him. Her left leg touched my foot and I instantly calmed down and regained control. My fangs receded and my eyes went back to normal. I turned and looked at Link and Boss. They eyed me suspiciously as I cut the ropes holding Keo in the chair.
“We’re leaving. Now.” I told them.
“You’re going to pay for all of this, Ariya!” Boss told me with acid in his voice, “Just you wait Ariya. I’m gonna kill you.”
“Try me.” I told him.
“One day, Ariya. One day. When the time is right.”
With that, Keo and I turned to leave. As we cleared the door we bolted down the hallway. Keo pulled his shirt off and handed it to me. I grabbed it and pulled it over my head, thankful that I wasn’t as exposed anymore. I saw the same type of scar in the center of his chest. I wanted to ask but there wasn’t time. Boss would sound the alarm at any moment. As we ran down the hallway making turn after turn to navigate through the building the alarm sirens went off. Keo and I grabbed our heads, the siren sent waves of pain through us. The siren hurt everyone that was near it, so it didn’t last too long. As the siren wails stopped, Keo and I went to continue running. After I passed by a corner, a shadow popped up and sliced Keo’s arm as we ran by. Keo gasped in pain. I growled in response and grabbed the shadow. I threw him hard against the wall, just like I did with Olivia. Just like Olivia, the Shadow crumpled into a heap on the floor, unconscious. I immediately went to Keo.
“Are you ok?” I asked, concerned.
“Yeah, he didn’t get me too bad.” Keo said, lifting his arm up to see the wound.
“Keo…” I trailed off, concerned about him.
“Stop worrying so much.” Keo said, grabbing me and pulling me to him. He kissed the top of my head. I buried my face in his chest. He was warm.
“But…I just…I don’t remember everything and I don’t understand.”
Keo held me tighter for a second and then let go. Blood gushed out of his arm more and I stepped back growling. I was losing control again. I was still hungry. My fangs pushed their way out and my eyes changed color. My breathing quickened as I tried to maintain control.
“Ariya?” Keo called my name, confused.
I walked closer toward him, hungry.
“It’s ok, Ari. You can feed from me if you want, I won’t stop you. But it’s not going to help you at all. Only Caleb can really do that right now. Unless you wanna start killing everyone here.” He said looking at me, his expression soft.
After hearing Caleb’s name, and the name that I felt so familiar to coming from him, I stopped and looked at Keo confused.
“You weren’t supposed to get the same scars as me, Ari.” Keo said, brushing his hand over my left eye. He was one of the only people who ever called me Ari.
Keo’s eyes changed and his fangs came out. I stared at him wide-eyed.
“How?” I breathed, he looked like he was still the same age as me, but when we turned we didn’t age anymore.
“Later, you needed to know that I did, but right now we need to go. I will explain it all in detail as soon as we can. But we need to get out of here. For now, it’s just something to do with our weirdo twin thing.” Keo said grinning wide.
I laughed and hugged him tightly. Forgetting completely about the hunger I felt. “I’ve missed you, Keo. I thought you were dead.”
“I’ve missed you too, Ari. You’re not completely wrong. But we need to get out of here. Based on your reactions, I’d say you’re brand new at this. Right?”
I nodded, “Less than 24 hours I think? I don’t remember anymore. Everything’s happening so fast it’s blurring together.”
“We need to get out of here.” Keo said.
I nodded and then took off. Running toward the doors that would lead us to freedom. As we approached the door the intercom keyed.
“Oh, Ariya.” Boss cooed, “If you leave now, you’ll never find out who is in interrogation room 2 and 4.”
Keo and I stopped. Frozen in place.
“Who knows,” Boss cooed, “It could be your little doggy. His name was Caleb, right?”