CHAPTER 216
Arianna’s pupils contracted sharply as her survival instincts kicked in. Without thinking, she summoned all her strength and delivered a swift, powerful kick to Piper.
The sudden impact made Piper yelp, her grip loosening just enough for the jagged bottle to miss its intended mark. The glass still pierced Arianna’s side, but it missed any vital organs. Sharp pain radiated through her, sobering her up almost instantly as the sting of the wound grounded her senses.
Gritting her teeth against the pain, Arianna acted quickly. She lowered her head and sank her teeth into Piper’s arm with all her might. Piper let out a scream, instinctively releasing her grip. Seizing the opportunity, Arianna shoved her away with all the strength she had left, stumbling as she did.
Clutching her wound, she turned and bolted toward the bar, heart racing.
"Don't think you can escape that easily, Arianna!" Piper's voice dripped with venom as she followed, her pace relentless.
The dim lights of the bar, coupled with the blaring music and the crowded space, kept anyone from noticing the dangerous chase that was unfolding. Arianna pushed herself forward, running on pure adrenaline, but the pain in her side slowed her down with each step. The alcohol still clouded her senses, and she felt her energy waning.
Piper, driven by rage, moved faster and was closing in on Arianna. She could sense the threat drawing nearer, her heart pounding in her chest.
Suddenly, Arianna felt a sharp tug at her scalp as Piper yanked her hair, forcing her to a sudden stop. The searing pain spread through her head, sending shockwaves down her spine.
"Keep running, Arianna! Let's see how far you get!" Piper sneered, her twisted grin filled with malicious delight. The cold, threatening tone in her voice made Arianna’s blood run cold.
Piper raised her arm in silence, her grip tightening around the blood-streaked, jagged bottle. She aimed it directly at Arianna’s exposed neck, intending to strike her main artery. With a surge of pure malice, she thrust the broken glass forward with all her might.
Arianna, caught off guard by the attack from behind, had no time to react. Her body tensed, and in the split second she saw the sharp glass coming toward her, she shut her eyes tightly, bracing for the inevitable.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three.
But the pain never came.
Instead, she felt the warmth of strong arms wrapping tightly around her, followed by a pained, muffled groan—one that was far too familiar.
Arianna’s eyelashes fluttered. She slowly opened her eyes, her heart racing in confusion. She turned her head slightly to see who had saved her.
And there he was.
Xander.
His usually sharp, composed face was twisted in agony, his brows furrowed tightly, and his jaw clenched. The strong scent of blood hung in the air, a mix of his and hers, thick and nauseating.
Her breath hitched as her gaze travelled down his back. His once-pristine white shirt was now drenched in crimson, the blood seeping through and spreading upward from the lower part of his back.
It was then that Arianna realized what had happened—Xander had thrown himself between her and the deadly blow, taking the full force of the glass bottle.
Piper stood frozen, her face a mix of disbelief and shock. She had never anticipated that anyone would step in, let alone Xander. The bottle, meant for Arianna, had lodged deep into Xander’s back, near his heart. Blood was spilling out rapidly, staining his back and dripping onto the floor beneath them.
Her grip slackened on the broken bottle, and her mind reeled. Xander had shielded Arianna without hesitation, and the sight of him gravely injured sent a wave of chaos through Piper’s thoughts. The man she thought would never care about Arianna had taken the blow meant to end her.
Piper squinted at the man standing before her, barely recognizing him at first. But within moments, the realization hit—it was Xander.
*Why would he throw himself into harm's way for her?*
*Why did Arianna matter so much to him?*
“Xander!” Piper spat, her fury intensifying.
Her hatred for Arianna was suddenly overshadowed by a far deeper resentment for Xander.
“Oh, you want to save her, do you?” Piper's voice dripped with venom. “Fine! If that’s what you want, you can die with her!”
With an enraged growl, she ripped the broken bottle from Xander’s back, a spray of blood following the motion. Fueled by her unrelenting anger, Piper aimed the jagged glass directly at Xander this time, determined to make him pay.
Despite the agony coursing through him, Xander summoned every ounce of his remaining strength. He shoved Arianna out of harm's way and then turned swiftly, delivering a powerful kick to Piper’s knee. The force of the blow sent her tumbling to the ground, dazed but still full of rage.
Xander stood, chest heaving from pain and exhaustion, his eyes never leaving Piper.
Piper cried out in pain but scrambled to her feet, her crazed determination driving her forward again. Her eyes locked on Xander, filled with fury. She rushed at him once more, the broken glass gleaming in her hand.
“Xander!” Arianna’s voice was filled with panic as she tried to stand, but the dizziness from her injury overwhelmed her. Her vision blurred, and darkness crept in at the edges of her sight.
Before she could fully regain her balance, Arianna’s body gave out. The last thing she saw before everything went black was Piper lunging at Xander, her face twisted with rage.
...
"Arianna."
The voice was faint but insistent, pulling Arianna from the depths of unconsciousness. Her eyelids fluttered open as she strained to see who was calling her.
Three steps ahead of her stood Xander, his tall, familiar silhouette framed by a soft light. He was smiling at her, a gentle smile she had seen only a handful of times.
Her heart leapt in concern. She scanned him up and down, anxiety swirling in her chest. "Xander, are you okay? Were you hurt?"
He appeared perfectly fine, though she distinctly remembered him getting hurt—sacrificing himself to protect her. Had it been a dream?
But Xander didn’t answer her. He simply remained where he was, his smile unwavering, his silence unnerving.
Arianna felt a chill crawl up her spine. Something wasn’t right. “Come here, Xander. Let me see if you’re injured.”
Still, Xander didn’t move. His eyes stayed on hers, but he stood there, motionless and silent.
Frustrated, Arianna tried again. "Fine. If you won’t come to me, I’ll come to you."
She got up, her legs shaky beneath her, and began walking toward him. But as soon as she stepped forward, Xander moved back, matching her pace in reverse. Confusion clouded her mind. No matter how fast she tried to reach him, Xander stayed just out of reach. Desperation set in, and she began to run.
But the faster she ran, the quicker Xander seemed to slip away. His figure grew hazier until, at the end of her chase, he vanished completely—fading into thin air like a wisp of smoke.
"Xander!" Arianna screamed, her voice raw with terror, and suddenly, she jolted awake.
The sterile smell of disinfectant filled her nostrils. Her wide eyes darted around the room, and she realized she was lying in a hospital bed.
A nightmare. It had been a nightmare.
Yet, the dream had felt so vivid—so real. As if Xander had come to her not to comfort her but to say goodbye.
Panic surged through her veins. *Where is Xander?*
*Is he okay? Is he...*
The horrifying possibility clawed at her mind, and dread settled deep in her chest.
