chapter thirty-seven

I lay there next to Vanessa, her head resting on my chest and my hand stroking her hair. I listened to her breathing, slow and even, and I knew she was asleep. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction as I thought about what had happened between us tonight. She was mine now in a way no one else could ever be.

But as I lay there, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. It wasn’t that I wanted more from Vanessa. It was that I knew she wanted more. She had said Hadrian’s name in her sleep, and I knew she still cared for him. And I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe… just maybe… we could both have what we wanted.

I had never been in a polyamorous relationship before, but I was willing to try anything for Vanessa. If it meant she would be happy, I would do whatever it took. I just needed to find Hadrian and convince him that this was the best option for all of us.

I gently disentangled myself from Vanessa, careful not to wake her. I slipped out of bed and pulled on my pair of jeans, then made my way downstairs to the kitchen. I needed a drink, something to clear my head and help me think.

As I poured myself a glass of whiskey, I couldn’t help but think about how much my life had changed since I met Vanessa. She had turned my world upside down, and I couldn’t imagine living without her now. But I also knew that she needed more than just me. She needed Hadrian too.

I downed the whiskey in one gulp, letting the burn wash away some of my doubts. I needed to find Hadrian, and I needed to do it soon. I couldn’t let Vanessa go on like this, not when there was a chance for all of us to be happy.

I had no idea where I was going or how I was going to find Hadrian, but I knew that I had to try.

I stepped outside into the cool night air; the moonlight cast long shadows across the yard. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves, and then I set off into the night, determined to find the man who could make the rest of Vanessa’s dreams come true.

The hunt for Hadrian had been a difficult one. I had to call in favors, make promises, and even threaten a few people to get the information I needed. But after hours of searching, I finally found myself standing outside an abandoned warehouse that was under The Butcher’s name.

The building loomed over me, its windows dark and ominous. It looked like it hadn’t been used in years, but I knew better than to underestimate The Butcher. He was a man of many talents, and I had no doubt he could turn this place into a fortress if he wanted to.

I stood there for a moment, taking in the scene. There were no cars parked outside, no sign of life at all. It was as if the world had forgotten this place existed. But I knew better. I could feel it in my bones—Hadrian was inside, and he needed my help.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what lay ahead. I had no idea what I would find inside, but I knew I had to be prepared for anything. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small vial of holy water. It was a precaution, just in case I ran into anything supernatural.

As I stepped forward, I heard a noise behind me. I spun around, ready to defend myself, but there was nothing there. Just shadows and silence. I shook off the feeling of unease and continued towards the warehouse.

The door was unlocked, which surprised me. The Butcher was not a careless man, so I knew he must have left it that way on purpose. Was he expecting me? Or was this a trap?

Either way, I had no choice but to go in. I pushed open the door and stepped into the darkness. The air inside was musty and thick as if it had been trapped there for years. It was hard to breathe, but I forced myself to take slow, deep breaths.

I pulled out my phone and turned on the flashlight app, illuminating the room around me. It was filled with old machinery and crates, covered in a thick layer of dust. I could hear the sound of rats scurrying away from the light, their tiny claws scratching against the concrete floor.

I made my way through the maze of junk, my eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. I was so focused on my surroundings that I almost missed the sound of voices coming from a room at the end of the hallway.

I crept towards the door. My fingers started to tremble with anticipation. I could hear Hadrian’s unmistakable voice but couldn’t tell what he was saying. By the desperation I was able to hear, I knew I had to act fast before it was too late.

I burst into the room, my phone’s light shining directly into The Butcher’s eyes. He was standing over Hadrian, who was attached to a chair by the nails protruding from his hands. The sight of him, so helpless and afraid, filled me with rage. I couldn’t even begin to question the fury that welled up inside me as The Butcher advanced towards me.

The Butcher squinted against the light, but he didn’t back down. “What do you want, vampire?” he growled.

“I want Hadrian,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “Let him go, and I’ll leave you alone.”

The Butcher laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. “You think I’m scared of you?” he said. “You’re just a vampire. I’ve dealt with your kind before.”

I took a step forward; my fangs extended. “Let him go,” I said again, my voice a growl. “Or you’ll regret it.”

I surged forward, fangs bared and claws unsheathed. The Butcher faced me without flinching, the blade he had snatched from his belt slashing towards me. I swiftly dodged, sensing the breeze of his assault graze my cheek. My arm arced upwards, connecting with his jaw in a formidable strike.

The Butcher staggered back, but he didn’t fall. He wiped the blood from his mouth and smiled, a cold, calculating smile that sent a shiver down my spine. “You’re good,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “But not good enough.”

He lunged at me again, this time with a flurry of punches and kicks. I blocked as many as I could, but a few managed to get through. I felt the pain as his fists connected with my face and ribs, but I didn’t let it slow me down. I had to keep fighting for Vanessa’s sake. I couldn’t let him hurt her by letting him kill Hadrian, not after everything she’d been through.

I grabbed him by the throat and slammed him into the wall, using my superior strength to keep him pinned there. He struggled against me, his nails digging into my arms, but I didn’t let go. I knew I had to end this quickly before he could do any more damage. His eyes bulged in terror, and his lips parted in a silent scream. I could feel his warm breath on my face, and the smell of fear was intoxicating.

I bit down, hard, slicing through his neck with a sickening crunch as I tore out his throat. Blood sprayed from the wound, covering my face and chest. The coppery tang of it filled my mouth as I savored the taste of victory. I let go of his body, allowing it to fall to the ground in a lifeless heap. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the sound of my ragged breathing.

I stood there for a moment, my chest heaving as I caught my breath. I had done it. I had killed The Butcher and saved Hadrian. A surge of triumph coursed through me as I realized the magnitude of my accomplishment. The adrenaline that had been coursing through my veins began to subside, replaced with a sense of accomplishment and relief.

I turned to Hadrian, who was still tied to the chair. His eyes were wide with fear, but there was also a look of relief in them. He had been through a lot, and I could only imagine what he must be feeling.

“Thank you,” he said, his voice shaky. “I owe you my life.”

I shook my head. “You don’t owe me anything.”

I crouched beside him, my trembling hands gingerly extracting the nails from his flesh while disregarding his cries of agony. The Butcher’s instruments were at my disposal, but I opted for a gentler approach to minimize harm. Vanessa’s unwavering devotion to this man consumed my thoughts. I had to rescue him and care for him on her behalf.

Finally, I succeeded in freeing him from the chair. He crumpled into my embrace, his frame convulsing with tears. It was then that I understood Vanessa’s fascination. Hadrian was so remarkably resilient, yet he possessed an inner vulnerability that was utterly captivating. I had made the correct decision in saving him that night.

When his sobs started to subside, I helped him to his feet, supporting his weight as we made our way out of the warehouse. As the dawn broke, the first rays of sunlight gently illuminated the landscape, casting a warm, amber hue over the earth. It was a fresh start, a day full of promise.

I would take care of Hadrian, not just for Vanessa but for me. I would protect him and help him heal.