Without hesitation, Xavier retrieved the key and swiftly unlocked Elena's cuffs. He slipped an arm around her waist and lifted her into his arms, holding her close in a protective bridal carry. A soft, broken whimper slipped from her lips.
His gaze went down to her red eyes…which were earlier filled with life, now shimmered with exhaustion. A strange sensation rippled through him—tight, unfamiliar, and unsettling.
The deadliness in his eyes disappeared and was now replaced with something soft, something foreign. "Elena." He called softly. She slowly looked up at him, opened her mouth to speak, but quickly closed her eyes again. She lost consciousness, right there in his arms.
Gently, Xavier carried Elena to her bed and laid her down properly. He hesitated for a while, contemplating what to do about her wrist, which was now so red and trickling with blood. His heart ached again and he groaned, hating the feeling of guilt. He should not feel guilty. Never
