Chapter 57

**MIHAI POV**

I’ve killed hundreds of humans and Nati in my years on this earth, for which i have never shown an ounce of remorse or guilt, those who died at my hands deserved it.
I never felt anything because i didn’t care, i didn’t care about how much they suffered in their last moments, it never even crossed my mind. Death is as much a part of life as breathing. I have always understood that.
I understand that in this life comes pain, and yet, i have never wanted to take pain away from another human being as much as i do today. I want to take it all away from one person, because i know what she will face at midnight. I know that she will scream and cry, and i hate it. I want to stop it any way that i can.
But i can’t. She must go through this transition, otherwise she will die, and death is much worse.
Mae brings out a side of me that i thought had long since died, a softer side, a side that wants to care and love. I hate it. It brings out weakness, and i cannot afford to be weak. Not even for a second.
I cannot afford to fall in love, especially with her, she brings trouble with her wherever she goes. But i believe the time to leave is over, and i now i must face the choice that i made to stay by her side.
Because i do love her, i love her in a way that breathing has become a challenge for me whenever she isn’t near.
She is my breath; she is my oxygen and my life. Mae is the reason i am dragging up old allies that i long since abandoned.
She is the reason that i have called upon favours of the past. I have called upon Nati that i swore to leave behind, all because the council want her dead, and it shouldn’t matter. I shouldn’t care whether she lives or dies. But i do.
I care about her survival more than i do my own, though more than that, i care about her happiness. I want her to thrive as a Nati, and i want to be the one by her side when she does.
Mae is strong, she’s fierce and cruel, but she is also caring and compassionate to those who she cares about. The people she called family betrayed her in the worst way, and yet, she still wants to save them. She wants to set them free.
I have a feeling that sooner or later she will be forced to choose between herself and those she used to love, and the choice will not be easy for her.
But i will be there to dismember the bodies of those who betrayed her, i will not allow her to give up her life for those who would not do the same.
Whether she likes it or not, she belongs here, alive, with me and i will not let her give all that up.
I will not let her destroy a future can we can carve out of a dying past.
Mae may believe that she is all alone in this world, but she is wrong, even my soldiers ask of her, and how she is, because they know her strengths and her weaknesses. They have seen them both. And they saw how she killed for them. For me. She managed to gain their respect when all others have failed.
I walk into our shared bedroom to see Mae curled up on the bed with a book, she is trying to distract her mind from what is coming. She isn’t stupid. She knows that I'm not telling her everything, but she also knows that there is a reason for that, and thus far, she hasn’t asked any questions.
I clear my throat, still stood in the doorway, “Would you like some company?” i ask.
Normally i wouldn’t ask for permission, i would simply sit beside her and make her talk to me, but so much control has been taken from her today, and i don’t want to take more.
So, i will ask, even it if kills me a little on the inside.
“Sure.” She says her eyes still on the pages of the book.
“What are you reading?” i ask, sitting down on the sofa opposite to her.
I'd like to know what she is thinking instead, but i don’t want to scare her with details of the ceremony. Not if i can keep them to myself.
She places the book down, and turns to me, “A romance, i thought I'd give something new a chance.” she laughs a little, “I didn’t want to admit to myself that i liked it at first, but it is well worth the read.”
I nod, trying to pretend that i care. Book have never been something that i take a keen interest in, i tried once or twice, in my younger years, but i find collecting them much more interesting than reading what is within the pages.
“You didn’t come here to talk about what i am reading.” She says, looking directly into my soul. “Why did you come and see me? You said you’d be busy right up until it’s time to leave.”
“Mae.” i say softly, trying to smile, “it’s past ten, it is time to leave.”
Her eyes widen around the edges, fear ruining the shape of her face, “Oh.” She gasps, “I-I didn’t realise.”
“I have given you as much time as i can to prepare, but we must go now, Luthor is meeting us there.” i stand, holding out my hand for her to take, “I will be with you every step of the way.”
I will hold her while the earth trembles at the sound of her screams.
She sighs, taking my hand, “I guess i thought if i just ignored the time it would tick right past midnight.” she frowns, “I’m so stupid, i didn’t even shower.”
I squeeze her hand, “You’ll have time to shower once we return home.” i say, glancing at my watch, “But we have to leave now, it takes almost an hour to reach the ceremony house.”
“You have a house just for the birthday ceremony?” she asks, narrowing her eyes. “Why?”
I knew this question would come, and i am prepared to answer it, or so i thought, but as i watch fear creep back into her eyes, i hesitate.
She stops me from walking and pulls me close to her, “Tell me, Mihai, i need to know.”
“The ceremony can be stressful on the body, but depending on what power you receive, you can also be dangerous to others.” My voice is strong, but my heart trembles, “You could kill without even realising, and when the bloodlust comes, the less people around mean that there is less of a chance you will kill accidently.”
Tears glisten as they slide down her cheeks, “I’m going to want to kill?”
I nod, pulling her into my chest, “Yes, but i will be there to guide you, and so will your father.”
“You mean the man that i barely know?” she scoffs, “It may as well just be you, i have no one else.” she looks at me sadly, “You are the only one who has stood by me.”
“And i will continue to do so as long as you want me.” I say, kissing the top of her head.
I'd kill all the humans in the world if it meant i could spare Mae of the coming pain, but i cannot do either, she will suffer, but she will not do it alone.
I will be there to pick up all the broken pieces when the transition is over, and i will build her back up into the Nati she was born to be, and then, the council will fall. All of them. Including those she believed loved her.