Chapter 13

                                    

                                          
After their gruesome feast, Caius and Alina moved on, leaving behind a scene of destruction. Alina's destructive tendencies extended beyond the physical; they affected her relationships as well, evidenced by her departure from Rosalie.
Alina and Caius navigated the forest with practiced ease, their movements swift and silent as they headed toward the car park. Alina's thoughts were a turbulent storm—a mix of anger, guilt, and an aching longing for Rosalie. She didn't let it show, though. The only visible signs were her steely determination and occasional flickers of irritation when she glanced at her brother.
They reached the car park, and Alina immediately spotted a suitable vehicle. Without a word, she broke the driver's side window, reached in, and unlocked the door. Caius followed suit, sliding into the passenger seat. The car roared to life, and they sped off, leaving the forest and their latest atrocity behind.
As the car sped down the empty road, Alina's mind drifted to Rosalie. She could still see the hurt in Rosalie's eyes, feel the weight of her disappointment. Alina clenched the steering wheel tighter, her knuckles turning white. She had left to protect her, to deal with the mess that was her brother, but she hadn't anticipated the depth of the pain it would cause.
"You're quiet," Caius observed, breaking the silence.
"Just thinking," Alina replied curtly.
"About Rosalie?" he pressed.
Alina shot him a glare. "Drop it, Caius."
He raised his hands in mock surrender. "Just saying, you're not the only one hurting here."
Alina didn't respond. She knew Caius was right in his own way. Their actions, their choices, affected more than just themselves. But admitting that wouldn't change anything. It wouldn't make Rosalie forgive her or lessen the guilt she felt.
The air inside the car was thick with unspoken tension, and the roar of the engine was the only sound that filled the silence between them.
After a few miles, Caius finally broke the silence. "You think they'll come after us?"
Alina kept her eyes on the road. "They will. Especially her."
She knew how stubborn the blonde truly was; she might sit and wallow for a few days, but after that...
Caius sighed, leaning back in his seat. "You really think it's worth it? Leaving her behind?"
Alina's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "You didn't really give me a choice, Caius. You know that. But still, we both need to deal with this mess. Together."
"And what if she doesn't forgive you?" Caius asked, his tone softer now.
Alina's eyes flickered with pain. "Then I'll have to live with that."
Caius nodded, his gaze turning to the passing landscape. "I know. It's just... you're different with her. She brings out a side of you I thought was gone."
Alina allowed herself a small, sad smile. "She does. So once this is over, if you can possibly ever revert your silly vow of not allowing me to return to her as punishment, I'm sure I would be ever so grateful."
Sarcasm oozed from the last sentence Alina spoke, and Caius swallowed thickly before averting his gaze toward the Italian landscape.
They drove in silence for a while longer, the road winding through the forest and then opening up into a more desolate landscape. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the ground.
Suddenly, a figure darted across the road. Alina swerved sharply; her vampire vision had caught the figure, but it was definitely faster than a human. Tires screeched as the car skidded to a halt just inches from the figure. Alina's gut told her to stay cautious. Caius turned his head to Alina, having not noticed the figure that was laid out on the ground in front of the car.