Page 44 of Fighting My Demons

Chapter Twenty-Four

My hands claw and scratch his as I struggle for him to release me. My nails dig into him, and tears run down my cheeks. Latham’s tongue moves across my cheek, stealing the stray tear, and his eyes close, a growl vibrating out of him.

“So sweet, so good,” he growls.

My hands let go, and my body goes floppy as my brain screams, needing oxygen. Latham forces my head up, which I have no strength to hold up myself anymore. I can feel myself dying slowly. This is what it felt like when I hung myself.

How did I ever think this was a good idea? Death by strangulation. I mentally chuckle. Ironic. Either way, I’ve always had a noose around my throat, but I thought it would always be my own doing and not a noose created by someone else’s hand.

Latham’s mouth moves over mine, and pain radiates through my chest as my heart beats slowly. I have no idea what he is doing, but it felt cold, and I feel a strange tugging. His lips are blazing hot against my cold skin. My head rolls to the side, darkness swallowing me.

It’s over now. No more pain, no more anything.

I feel his lips on mine again as he tries to open my mouth.

Thank you, Latham.

I use the last of my strength to kiss him. It is weak, and I am not even sure it happened. I feel his tongue plunge into my mouth, hot and searing, tasting every inch, and I can do nothing but take it, when his grip suddenly lets go.

My body’s involuntary reaction instantly kicks in, and I suck in a deep breath and gasp for air. Latham pulls away as I suck in the air. He blinks, looking down at me like he is truly seeing me for the first time before horror washes over his features, and he jumps back.

“Bella?” he chokes before his eyes go straight ahead.

I am too busy trying to breathe around my crushed throat while Latham tries to melt into the wall behind him. I hear a weird sizzling noise and can smell smoke before a pair of hands grabs me.

Blaine grabs me, pulling me against him. “She is okay, Latham. She is alive,” Blaine says, brushing sweat-drenched hair from my face.

“You’re okay, Bella. I am so sorry,” Blaine says, but I can’t move.

I must be in shock, or my blood was slow, moving through my body.

“Get her away from me!” I hear Latham snap.

“She is okay. You didn’t kill her,” Xavier says.

“I was about to. Get her out of here,” Latham growls at him when I suddenly move as Blaine stands before moving a couple of steps and kneeling again.

“Blaine!” Latham snaps when I am placed in Latham’s lap. Get her away! I nearly killed her, Blaine. Xavier, take her!”

“Letting go now,” Blaine says, and I squeeze my eyes shut, knowing I can't lift myself yet.

My legs and back fall heavily, and I can't even tense up from hitting the ground. I just close my eyes and pray it doesn’t hurt much. Arms lock around my back and arms before I am pulled back.

Latham's smell wafts to my nose, and I feel his chest against my cheek. He moves, pressing his face against mine, his nose in my neck.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. Please don’t hate me,” he whispers.

He’s nearly killed me, he is a demon, yet the sound of his voice makes me want to comfort him, which is insane. But why does it sound like he means what he’s saying? Why does it hurt me to hear the tone of his voice?

Latham pulls back, brushing a stray hair that caught between my lips.

“Hurts,” I choke out, barely audible.

I want to touch my neck to see if it is as mangled as it feels. Latham looks down, his fingers brushing over the skin of my neck softly, but the pain makes me flinch.

“You can’t fear us, Arabella. Don’t let us have your fear. No matter what, don't give me your fear. No matter how scared you are, trust that if you don’t fear us, we won’t hurt you,” he says, kissing the side of my mouth.

“I will tell you whatever you want to know. Just don’t run from us, please. We don't mean to be monsters,” Latham says before biting into his wrist. Gentle fingers press down on my chin, opening my mouth wider, and my eyes go to Xavier leaning over us.