Kapitel 45: Chapter 45

Ana gazed in disbelief as she shifted her focus from Khai's menacing expression to Sean's contorted face. The sneer that once haunted her in her nightmares was now replaced with terror.

Sean pushed himself against the wall in dread, gripping his broken leg in agony. Grabbing him by the collar, Khai growled in a low and menacing voice. "You dare lay a finger on her?"

Sean flailed before attempting to punch Khai, but the latter effortlessly blocked it. In a swift motion, Khai's fist connected with Sean's jaw, causing a sickening crack. Blood trickled from Sean's mouth as Khai dropped him back to the floor.

Ana watched in horror as Sean struggled to take shallow breaths, as if he was clinging to the last remnants of his life. She looked up at Khai, who glanced at her to ensure she was still watching.

Crouching down in front of Sean, Khai picked up Sean's right hand. "Is this the hand that you used to hurt her?" he asked. He reached into the hem of his pants and pulled out a small pocket knife. He pressed Sean's hand against the wall and stabbed the knife into his palm, lodging the knife and Sean's bloodied hand into the wall.

Ana and Maeve both gasped as Sean's eyes flew open in pain. He screamed as he tried to pull the knife from his hand.

Austin clicked his tongue from behind Ana and said, "Tch. Too loud."

Khai snorted, then ripped off Sean's sleeve and gagged him, causing him to choke on his own tongue. He then proceeded to methodically break each of Sean's fingers, stepping on his broken ankle as he did so. Sean's wails echoed down the hallway as he thrashed helplessly under Khai's wrath.

A violent roar escaped Khai as he raised his fist to deliver another punch to Sean's face. The sound of flesh meeting flesh and bone cracking resounded in Ana's ears as Sean's eyes rolled back into his head and he slumped to the side, looking like a broken puppet hanging by his hand, still bleeding from the knife that was plunged into the wall.

Khai hung his head down as he tried to collect himself. After a long minute, his fist unclenched and his breathing turned even. He looked up at Ana, who stood two feet away from him, her gaze frozen on Sean's lifeless body. "Come here Ana."

Ana's feet moved to Khai who stood up and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. His cold skin felt like ice soothing her bruised arm. She watched him lift Sean's limp face with his clean shoe.

"Are you still scared?" His deep voice asked her in an impassive tone.

Ana gazed at Sean's battered form, huddled against the wall. Emotions warred within her – shock, relief, shame, satisfaction, and safety – but fear was not among them.

Tenderly lifting her chin to meet his eyes, Khai tried to read her hazel orbs. He was heartbroken at the sight of her. "Austin will turn Sean over to the police," he said softly. "He won't be healed or receive any medical treatment, just a one-way ticket to a life behind bars where he will never see daylight again. His limbs won't function the same way anymore Ana. He can't walk or eat freely, let alone touch you."

Ana tried to choke back her tears as she stared at Khai. He pulled her into a tight embrace, but immediately relaxed his arms as if he was scared of crushing her.

She heard his hoarse voice over her head. "Let's go back to Arcane. Maeve, Elliot ride with us."

Suddenly, Ana remembered leaving Meghan in the restrooms and bit in her lip anxiously as she looked up at Khai. "Meg! Khai, Meg passed out in one of the bathroom stalls. We've to…"

Elliot interrupted her panic mid sentence. "George went to look for her after Khai found you. Don't worry Ana. She's safe with him now."

Khai picked Ana up in his arms and carried her out of the hallway. She vacantly looked back at Sean's body one last time before they made a turn towards the elevators.

As they entered the elevator, Ana wriggled as she tried to set her feet on the ground. "I can walk." She muttered.

Khai pressed his lips together and regarded her with a narrow gaze before slowly setting her down. Elliot slipped out of his jacket and handed it to Khai, taking his car keys from him, as they reached the hotel lobby.

"Wait out front, I'll get the car."

Khai covered Ana with the jacket and put his arm around her as they walked out of the hotel. Once they were inside the car, Ana huddled close to him, resting her head on his broad chest.

Her consciousness flickered like a flame in the wind as they made their way back to Arcane. Between bouts of sleep, she watched the passing night outside the window, Khai's strong and defined jawline and then Maeve's worried expression.

A feeling as though she was floating enveloped her and her lips curved into a small smile as she reveled in the warmth and lightness she felt. She was jolted awake abruptly, when Khai gently laid her down on a bed. Struggling to open her eyes, she tried to take in the familiar room. Ana noticed that she was now back in her bedroom. Briefly blinking, she attempted to sit up, but she felt Khai's hand on her shoulder, preventing her from moving.

"Lie still Ana. Maeve went to get supplies."

She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out except a raspy croak. He supported her up lightly and held a cup to her lips. The water felt like rain after a long drought as Ana attempted to drink it greedily. But a pain hit her jaw when she tried to swallow, making her cough most of the water out.

"Careful Ana! Breathe, slowly." Khai panicked, soothing her as the cough only seemed to increase her pain. "Try taking smaller sips."

Ana did as she was told, taking tiny sips of water as she let out slow breaths. As her mind became clearer, she realized how she must look to him. Mortified that he was seeing her like this, she sat up to weakly push him away. "Go away. Send Meg, or Maeve."

"Let me stay until Maeve is back." He pleaded.

An urge to slap herself over came Ana at the hurt in his voice. She quickly looked up at him, her expression apologetic. "I don't want you to see me like this." She muttered.

Khai's jaw clenched, his expression turning dark. "I never want to see you like this. I can't bear the sight of your blood anymore." His face contorted as though he was being tortured. "Why didn't you just tell me Ana?"

Ana looked away, fidgeting aimlessly with her crumpled dress. She paused for a while, fighting her urge to shut off again. "Would you have held me the same way, kissed me the same way, if you knew I was so broken?"

"Broken?" His brows furrowed, almost as if he was offended by her words. "Ana, you are so far from broken. Your resilience is unbelievably strong. You're a warrior if I ever knew one Ana."

He tugged her face so she would look into his eyes. "Everyday, I will hold you, cherish you and kiss you more than the day before. I will be your rock, until the day I die. Never, ever question my feelings for you Ana. Ever again."

He leaned closer and held her face in his palms. She could barely feel his touch. He carefully pressed his soft lips against hers in a gentle kiss. Overwhelmed by his words, a lone tear slid down Ana's cheek, running over his thumb and the back of his hand.

Ana sighed softly as he pulled away. "Thank you." She whispered as she weakly wrapped her hands around his neck. Khai shifted from the chair to join her on the bed. He gingerly hoisted her on his lap and rubbed her back with steady hands.

Ana stared at the wall vacantly as she recollected the whole night. Although it began as a nightmare, she found herself strangely at peace with everything that happened. She could still see every detail of Sean's lifeless body in her head. It was ironic how Khai destroyed, within minutes, someone she had feared for years. The justice that she craved, came to her at the most unexpected time. The shackles that confined her heart for so long, finally broke. The freedom and warmth that spread through her was almost inebriating.

As she leaned further into his embrace, for the first time in so many years, Ana felt hopeful. The fear and trauma of the past seemed like a distant memory, and she couldn't help but wonder what the future would bring. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling his scent as she allowed the moment to sink in.

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