Orla's POV

I couldn't feel him anymore.

I brought my knees to my chest and put my tears stained face on them. Closing my eyes, I tried to focus again, to find him, but it was empty. My heart was empty. Every time I reached for him and found void, it felt like being shredded to pieces.

It happened after he had bitten me. He'd said he marked me, gloated about it. I didn't want to believe it, but the gaping hole where the bond had been confirmed his words.

"You're going to give me the strongest line, and we'll rule everyone together," he'd said while licking the bite on my neck, his body restraining mine.

I had tried using my magic as soon as I felt his teeth on my neck, but couldn't. I couldn't bring it forward. It was locked deep within. I realized afterwards that whenever I had been able to use it, it had been either for Ezra's sake or with Ezra nearby.

So I just trashed under his body as he sank his fangs deep into my neck, drawing blood while I gritted my teeth until I couldn't hold in my cries of pain anymore. The bond faded until it was nothing, leaving behind an emptiness that broke my heart and almost made me lose my mind.

I wondered if Ezra felt it, too. I hoped he didn't. There was no reason for both of us to go through it.

"There," he said running a cold hand over my neck. I could barely hear his cold voice over my cries and ringing ears. "It's perfect. Now, I'm not that heartless. I'm going to give you some time to get used to your new life before we can start making our own little miracle."

"No," I whimpered, closing my eyes. He gripped my hair roughly, turning my face towards his. His eyes glowed red, a deranged, wide-eyed look in them.

"You better start adjusting, my dear. I expect complete obedience from now on," he said, dipping his head near my burning neck and taking a deep breath. "I'll come later to have a taste, you smell so bloody delicious."

One of his men dragged me to a room nearby, not a cell. It was a small bedroom, with a window that was entirely cemented shut. The walls were a stained white. It had a bed and a small attached bathroom. As soon as the man closed the door behind me, I threw my guts out in the yellowish sink, cleaning my neck with the trickle of water from the tap.

There was food when I got out. Did Hayden get anything? Was he even still alive?

I sat down on the bed and looked at the tray of food. I'd lost blood. I should probably eat to keep my energy. But I couldn't find it in me to do so.

Something warm trickled down my neck. I touched it, wincing as sharp pain shot through my neck. Scrambling to my feet, I headed to the bathroom again.

The bite looked angry and red. It didn't look anywhere near Ashley's mark. Blood still seeped out of it. Fresh tears blurred my reflection in the mirror. I choked back a sob, fear twisting my insides into a heavy knot.

Putting my sleeve against the bleeding mark, I went back to the room.

What should I do? I couldn't stay here knowing what he was planning to do to me. The thought of going through that made my knees shake.

I shivered, my stomach rising. How I wished I had given that part of me to Ezra. Maybe if I had, if Ezra had marked me, things would have been different?

I shook my head. No. There was no use in dwelling on the 'what if's.

I had to get out of here. I looked around. The only way out was the door. I checked it, just in case. Locked.

But even if I managed to unlock it, there was movements every once in a while outside my door.

Despair threatened to drag me into its well. What if no one came to save me? What if Ezra couldn't find me in time? What if-

No. No. Don't give up hope.

Ezra would be looking for me. Ezra and Sam and Haley. They all would. I just hoped none of them would get hurt in the process. Gray's limp body flashed before my eyes and my throat closed up. Poor Gray.

Wiping my cheeks, I sat down on the bed and forced some bread down. I needed to keep my energy up in case a chance to escape presented itself.

After a few bites of bread, I curled on the bed, my mind running in circles. The light bulb in the chipped ceiling flickered on and off. Every inch of my body hurt. I tried to think of anything other than my throbbing neck and the constant ache in my chest, but every train of thought ended with Ezra.

It was amazing how quickly he'd become such an important part of my life. I closed my eyes and tried to empty my head. It was almost impossible. Surprisingly, however, after several minutes, the pain retreated under a wave of crushing exhaustion, and sleep managed to find me.

It felt like I was only asleep for two seconds when a voice woke me up.

A voice I had never heard before. But it sounded so familiar. I was in that place between sleep and consciousness. Or maybe it was a dream. I couldn't really tell. But the man's voice was so warm and strong, like an afternoon sun on a cold winter day.

"Orla," the Voice said. "Wake up, my little cherry."

I frowned, trying to peel my eyes open.

"Wake up. Your mate is here for you."

My eyes shot open. The room was pitch black. Blinking didn't help. Did I go blind?

Slowly, I sat up, but I could see nothing.

"He's here."

I jumped. The voice. It wasn't a dream. It echoed in the room, or maybe in my head?

"Who are you?" I asked in a whisper as the haze of sleep vanished. Was I going insane? Was someone in the room with me?

"You'll find out soon. Ezra is here, but you need to get out of this house so he can help you. You need to wake up."

"But- How can I get out of here? It's locked and even if I unlock my door, there are guards. And I can't leave Hayden here and I don't have the key to-"

"You're smart, my little cherry. I'm sure you'll figure it out," the voice said, an odd tone of tenderness to his words. "You have to wake up, though. Now. He's close."

All he kept saying was wake up. I was already awake! Frustrated, I asked. "Who are you? Why is it so dark? And why do you keep telling me to wake up! I'm already awake."

The voice chuckled lightly. The sound went right to my heart, a blanket of comfort that made me feel safe and happy when I shouldn't be. My magic purred in content. "Are you really, little cherry?"

"What-"

A wave of dizziness hit me. I held my head and closed my eyes. When I opened them again, I was laying down in bed, in the small room, the light bulb in the ceiling flickering in and out.

"What the...?"

Blinking, I sat up and looked around. I was alone. That was so odd. Was I dreaming again? I pinched my arm. Ouch.

My magic nudged me. It felt so... alive. Buzzing. The way it usually did when Ezra was nearby.

The man had said that Ezra was close. Was I going crazy? Maybe that vampire passed some of his insanity to me when he bit me?

But no. My magic trusted the voice. It felt so at peace and happy when I remembered it. I bit my lip. I might be going crazy, but the least I could do was try. What if the voice was right?

He'd said I needed to get out. But how?

New found hope and determination fueled my movements. I jumped off the bed and looked around.

"Think! Think!" I mumbled to myself, looking around the room. The door was the only way out. And it was locked.

Wait. The voice also said that the tattooed man would come soon. Maybe, once he opened the door, I could try to escape? But how? He was stronger and bigger and faster than me.

But maybe... if he was distracted...

Something Sam had said flashed in my head, about my blood smelling good to vampires. A plan formed in my head, and I looked at the tray. I couldn't believe I was going to base my escape plan on a movie. Hopefully, watching Twilight would pay off.

I emptied one of the plates on the tray and held it up.

"Here goes nothing," I whispered and dropped the plate on the ground. It shattered with a loud crash. I snatched a piece from the floor, turned my head and without thinking about it, dragged the sharp end on my forearm. Ow! Ow, ow, ow. Blood welled out. I might have cut deeper than I intended. Oh, well.

I kept the shard of glass in my hand, hid it behind my back and sat on the bed, holding out my bleeding arm.

I really hoped the bastard would come before the blood loss made me faint. Maybe the voice was just my imagination-

The locked door clicked open.

I held my breath, my entire body locked. My magic buzzed and whirred.

The tattooed vampire walked in. His nostrils flared, and a sick grin stretched across his pallid face.

"Oh dear." His eyes set on the gash on my forearm, and his tongue darted out to lick his fangs.

Perfect. Now if I could just act the part of a terrified girl... Right. I was.

"I'm sorry," I said, my voice shaky. "I don't know how it happened. I was trying to eat and it just fell-"

"Oh, not to worry, my dear," he said. Coming closer, he knelt on the ground in front of me. His attention was completely taken by my arm. He even forgot to fully close the door. It was cracked open. "In fact, this is perfect. I won't have to hurt you to have my drink."

He smiled, gripping my forearm. He stuck his tongue out and licked along the gash. Don't throw up. Don't throw up.

His head was lowered on my forearm, and sitting on the bed gave me a perfect view of his back. I gripped the glass sharp tighter. I wanted to wait until his focus was completely on the blood. Now? Should I wait some more? I hesitated.

"Now!"

The Voice called in my head, spurring my movement. Without even realizing it, I swung the glass shard and stabbed it into the vampire's back with all my force.

"Aaaah!" he screamed, pulling back from my arm. I kicked him off. He fell back and I scrambled out of the room, closing the door and locking it from the outside. Bang. He hit the door from the inside.

The vampire's screams echoed in the house. Two of the hooded men appeared at the end of the hallway, running towards me. They must've heard their boss' screams.

My magic swirled, it was anxious as much as I was. I took a step back and raised my fists, even though I had the fighting experience of a new born kitten. The two men hesitated only for a second, before stalking towards me.

Oh, no. No, no, no. What now?

"Listen to your magic, Orla. It will always guide you."

The Voice calmed down my heart and pulled my magic out of the deepest corners of my heart. Listen to your magic.

I held my hands up. They were glowing, magic flowing freely into them now. The two men stopped again, looking wary.

The white glow in my hands turned a startling red right as two fire-like balls shot out through the dimly lit hallway towards them. A blur of red light.

The magic hit them, swallowing them whole. Their screams echoed in the hallway. They scrambled back, tripping over themselves.

Oh God. They looked like they were on fire. Their bodies writhed on the floor. The flames claiming them lit up the hallway, and their screams and the vampire's banging attempts at breaking the door disturbed the quiet.

It looked like something right out of a horror movie. And I did not like horror movies.

"Go!"

Steeling my nerves, I rushed past the two men, almost tripping on one of them. They were rolling on the floor, trying to put out the fire.

I ran towards the hallway leading to the cells. I just had to get Hayden out- Wait! The keys! I didn't have the keys. I whipped around, looking at the fiery men.

"The fire won't hurt you," the Voice in my head said.

"Oh God, I'm going crazy," I mumbled to myself, walking back to the men. The Voice chuckled.

It took me two tries to convince my brain that the fire wouldn't hurt me. The men were trashing, and searching their pockets was easier said than done.

The fire, indeed, didn't hurt me. It actually felt pleasantly warm. And the two vampire barbecues were too occupied with themselves to even pay attention to me, but their flailing limbs caught me in my side and arms a few times.

The key ring was glowing red from the heat, yet it didn't hurt. As I rushed back towards Hayden's cell, the sound of the door cracking made my heart drop. What if that asshole got out?

I would just have to make sure he didn't. I glanced back at the hallway and pushed my magic forward. The idea in my mind materialized, and a wall of fire closed off the hallway where he and the two men were.

"I hope it stays in place," I mumbled, running to Hayden's cell.

"It will."

Right. Believe the voice in your head.

Fumbling with the keys, I tried every single one. My hands were so shaky. For every key, I had to try several times to get it inside the hole.

"Come on, come on," I whispered to myself as another key failed to open. The last key turned in the lock, and my heart soared with relief.

Of course the right key was going to be the last one in the ring.

I shoved the door open. It slammed agains the wall. Hayden huddled in his corner, looking worst than I left him. His face was ashy, his lips chapped and his eyes two pale blue bruises on his face.

He did a double take when he saw me. His eyes widened, gaining some spark. "What the fuck?"

I rushed in and helped him up. His feet and hands were chained. My magic rushed forward. I gripped the center of the chain. My hand glowed. A moment later, the chain glowed as well. Then it cracked. Gooey bits of it falling onto the ground.

Hayden gawked at me. I knelt and worked to on the chains around his ankles.

"What the hell?" he said. "You can use it at will, now?"

"Apparently. Well, as long as the Voice is with me."

The chain broke and I stood up. Hayden looked at me like I was losing my mind.

"I'll explain later," I said. Slinging his arm over my shoulder, I helped him out of the cell.

"Why didn't you just go like I told you?" he hissed.

"Shut up, Hayden!"

We stumbled down the hallway. The hallway was still blocked by a wall of angry red flames. Screams and pained moans echoed behind it. Hayden looked at it with wide eyes, then at me.

"Ezra has no idea what he got himself into," he mumbled.

"Thanks." I huffed.

Hayden tried to not put too much of his weight on me, but he was too tired and the silver had drained his energy.

We went through another hallway. A dark one. This place was like a freaking maze!

"How," I wheezed, "do we," another wheeze, "get out?!"

Hayden didn't answer, he was breathing heavily.

"Your magic, my little cherry."

Right. I held my palm up. A ball of light shot up. Moving ahead of us, guiding the way through the dark wounding hallways. I followed it, because... well, I was supposed to trust my freaking magic, apparently.

Hayden shot me an incredulous look, his blue eyes sparkling with the glow of my magic.

"Don't ask," I told him.

The moving light bulb stopped at a metallic door then vanished into thin air. Darkness claimed the place again.

"I guess this is the way out," I whispered, stumbling to find the door handle.

A little help would be good now, I thought to my magic. It swirled in my veins, excited, amused, alive.

Then the entire outline of the door glowed a blinding white, before it fell out, as if it was cut out of its spot.

Fresh air hit my face. Like water in the desert. Hayden and I stumbled out, almost tripping over the fallen door.

Hayden had been right. We were in the middle of the woods. It was so dark and cold. The tall trees loomed like giants around us, reaching for the sky with scrawny limbs.

I looked around. Where was Ezra? Was the Voice wrong? Had I simply imagined this entire thing? Was I still dreaming?

Grass crunched under our steps. Hayden's heavy breathing sounded spooky in the absolute silence of the night woods. My eyes adjusted to the darkness. Hayden's face glimmered with sweat. I almost tripped under his weight.

I felt like my body would crumble to the ground. But I gritted my teeth and kept walking.

"Just leave me here," Hayden mumbled, his eyes unfocused.

"Shut up." I gasped for breath. "We came together... We're leaving together."

An enraged scream echoed in the air behind us. It fueled my steps, lending me strength I didn't think I still had in me. Did the fire wall disappear? What if he came out? What if there were more guards around?

Come on. Come on. Come on. Ezra, where are you?

I dragged myself and Hayden, trying to move faster. Steps echoed somewhere behind us.

Oh God. He was following us. My neck prickled. I pushed myself to the limits, even Hayden seemed to dig up some energy and helped me along.

We broke through a line of trees, and as we walked through it, I felt as though my body was floating. My vision blurred for a moment before everything cleared up.

Then I heard his voice. Ezra's voice. And I could finally breathe again. 

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M.B.

P.S: If you like this story, then you'll absolutely love Blue Flames. It's completed and free, so give it a shot if you want XOXO