Bab 347: 26. Nothing Gonna Stop Us Now.
He didn't leave a message. He just left once again. I was wide awake when he entered the room, dropping off his stuff. The sweet scent of passionfruit filled the air, accompanied by the soft sound of his breath and the rhythmic beat of his soothing heartbeat.
At that moment, I secretly wished he would come to my side and embrace me, but instead, I heard a muffled thump as he placed his phone and wallet on one of my nightstands. I feigned sleep, not wanting to make things awkward. If he needed to make excuses every time I woke up, that was his problem, not mine. I would focus on my recovery and maybe even continue performing gigs.
As soon as I heard the front door closing and the muffled roar of Damon's car as he drove away, I decided to get up. Sleep no longer interested me. Despite Damon's claim that he wasn't in the shed, I couldn't trust him. As his lessons had shown, he enjoyed hurting me, so I couldn't be certain about anything.
Though I was still frail and thin, I knew I was healthy, free from infections, loose joints, or any foreign objects inside me. I made my way to the shower, needing to cleanse myself, even though I wasn't particularly dirty. It had become more of a ritual than a necessity.
Once I had dressed, I surveyed the room. Adam, not Damon, mostly purchased the clothes I owned. Though Damien might have convinced him to engage in sexual encounters with strangers, the truth was that my husband was insatiable. A fucking machine. He had his reasons, and I no longer questioned or interfered.
I headed to the kitchen and was taken aback to find Magnum sitting there, ready to leave.
He looked at me and said, "Good morning. Adam and I are going to help you regain your strength, and then we can figure out our next steps."
I replied, "Fine, I'll be fine."
Adam smirked and added, "Magnum has already set up the downstairs gym for you, so after lunch, we'll head there."
I didn't respond to their comments. I just wanted to move on from this horrific experience and refuse to be the weak victim any longer. How was it possible that I wasn't stronger? I couldn't escape. Then it struck me. I should start searching for teleportation abilities. It would be incredibly useful if I could teleport out of that shed. I had done it once and teleported over immense distances.
The only problem was that I did not know how to tap into that ability; do I have it, or was it just a one-time deal? Gathering myself, I sat down at the smaller table to eat while Adam brought a generous amount of food. I devoured it hungrily, and with no mercy, Magnum and Adam led me down to the basement gym.
Nice. Now I then had two relentless lieutenants who were determined to whip me into shape with no mercy, and oh fuck, did I get a ride. The sound of their demanding voices echoed in my ears as I pushed myself to the limit. I had to perform extraordinary feats just to keep these two happy. But then the results came, and every time I achieved a little more or felt slightly less exhausted, they pushed me to do even more until I was completely drained.
Then, Adam went off to Montana for a wild escapade, where Damon was already waiting. The scent of anticipation hung in the air as Charles arrived to pick up Adam. With his commanding presence, Magnum took me under his wing, and we journeyed to the New Mexico base, where he continued my grueling rehabilitation. The expansive base welcomed us with its vastness, housing a gym and a fight hall.
Jake and Rob, both formidable individuals who had tasted my blood, were there, ready to push me even further. Evidently, they operated on a level far beyond that of ordinary humans, having learned from Magnum himself. As they both simultaneously engaged me in combat, the force of their blows left me battered and defeated.
They enjoyed it when they beat me to a pulp before I got any better, and then we had fun. Those boys were fast learners, and I taught them quite a few new moves, which they mercilessly used against me. In that gym, I was not a leader; I was just Mimi. Those guys showed me what they could do, and I pushed back.
I lost them both. Damon will never understand what they meant to me, and I can easily say that those were the two hardest losses I have ever witnessed. Good ones go away too soon. Both of them were more than subordinates or followers to me; they were friends, really dear and important ones, and to this day, I feel the pain of losing them. I know Damon will read this story, these words, and maybe he will get jealous, trying to erase those terrible memories about me losing them, but that I will not permit him to do. As painful and heart-wrenching as it was for me to lose two of the most important humans in my life, it strengthened me and showed me I will move on and that I can handle everything.
Hugh and Colin, also present on the base, took turns subjecting me to intense scrutiny, including blood tests. The lingering scent of Colin's leprechaun magic filled the room as he desperately searched for a way to weaken Damien, knowing how unpredictable Damon was.
Rumors of the Elders' actions reached my ears, signaling that it had taken them two days to execute their plans. Meanwhile, the Lord reveled in celebration once again, dragging Adam along to the festivities. I remained in New Mexico for three arduous weeks, sculpting my physique while simultaneously organizing gigs and tackling paperwork.
Ruby took a well-deserved break during this time, leaving me uncertain of her return. As Jake and Rob whipped me into shape, Jake himself embarked on a three-month holiday with his family in Austria. Rob, on the other hand, ventured off to join Magnum for some lucrative gigs. Colin had returned to Ireland, and even Penn was granted leave.
It was in this solitary state that Reddington reached out to me, presenting an extensive list of challenging targets to eliminate. I felt a mix of apprehension and determination as I warned him about the formidable Damien, surprising him with my insight. He assured me he would seek help to find a way to separate Damon from Damien.
So here I was, in a state of relative stability, yet undeniably alone. The absence of familiar faces left a void while the weight of my newfound responsibilities pressed upon me.
The men were passionately engaged in their party in the picturesque landscapes of Montana. Meanwhile, I was diligently immersed in my own gigs, traversing the vast expanse of America. As I undertook the job for merely a week, I astonishingly eliminated over two-thirds of my targets. I realized the remaining few would meet their fate soon enough.
With my thirst for vengeance quenched, a newfound desire to embody Mimi surfaced within me. I had successfully gotten back on track, leaving behind the realm of violence and bloodshed. Remarkably, even after Damien's egregious actions, my vampire instincts remained under control. Although I was unsure of Damon's activities because of my time spent in treatment and recovery, it was now time to relax and indulge in activities that brought me genuine joy.
Bid farewell to New Mexico, I found myself in Minnesota, where an exceptional bakery and a grand chocolate shop awaited my presence. Delighting in their offerings, I sought internships in various bakeries and chocolate establishments, eager to nurture that side of myself.
In the comforting embrace of the Minnesota House, I reveled in the luxury of shorter workdays. My loyal companion, Mimosa, was content to occupy herself throughout the day, tending to household matters while I honed my skills.
I confided in Jarod, recounting the events that had unfolded, sharing the tale of Damon's ruthless slayings of his past lovers, and introducing him to Damien. Jarod's excitement grew as he contemplated the possibilities, admitting he had encountered no one like them.
He advised me to keep my pretender persona at the forefront, observing as many people as possible. He believed this would facilitate the development of that side of me, potentially leading to a breakthrough when I reunited with Damon. I had no qualms about maintaining my pretender facade; it was enjoyable.
In just a few days, I marveled at the wealth of new information I had gained, even from the patrons who frequented the establishment where I received training. I realized how peculiar the originals always seemed to appear at our parties, forming close bonds with Damon. Consequently, I couldn't wholeheartedly trust every word that escaped Damon's lips.
After all, vampires are complex beings, and my focus was solely on acquiring knowledge and enhancing my skills. I triumphed in perfecting my bonbons, skillfully tempering chocolate, and even mastering the art of crafting chocolate decorations and candies.
Next, I focused my attention on the delicate sugar decorations. As I carefully molded them, I could feel their fragility on my fingertips. But despite their delicate nature, they were absolutely stunning to behold. The process was both captivating and enjoyable.
Additionally, I delved into the art of creating various types of cookies—and little cakes. The aroma of freshly baked cookies filled the air, enticing me with their mouthwatering scent. I also mastered the skill of crafting a more sophisticated mirror glaze, which added an elegant touch to my creations. My cake-decorating abilities also flourished during this time.
In between my bakery visits, I dedicated my time at home to practicing what I had learned. Mimosa, my ever-curious companion, eagerly awaited each creation. Although she had a tendency to devour everything, she found a particular fondness for the savory pastry I developed, filled with wagyu beef mousse and duck mousse. It was a triumph.
As Mimosa and I continued exploring the ideal food for her, I sought guidance from various vets and animal nutritionists. They enthusiastically accepted the challenge, analyzing Mimosa's shit and piss, conducting blood work, and evaluating her diet. Our minor project with Mimosa became a source of joy and excitement.
Then, three months after my awakening, I received a message informing me that the Pack had arrived in Virginia. With a PR gig scheduled to begin in five days, I quickly packed our bags, ensuring Mimosa accompanied us on our journey. I hoped Damon, not Damien, would be there.
I longed to seek Damon's opinion on my teleportation ability and how I could harness its power. I wondered if he was aware of it, if Damien had shared the memory, and what Damon's thoughts on the matter would be. Aside from Jarod, I hadn't discussed it with anyone, as I believed Damon's age and experience would be invaluable.
Embarking on the road to Virginia, I cruised in my sleek, dark green metallic Lamborghini convertible. The engine roared to life, filling the air with a powerful symphony of revving sounds. As I drove, my mind wandered, pondering various possibilities. Would Damon adhere to a three-day rule at the gig? Would he disappear again? And most importantly, would I be reunited with Adam?
But for now, in my mind, the dimly lit room enveloped maybe Damon and me, offering a brief respite from the chaos of my life. The musty scent of uncertainty lingered in the air, mingling with the faint hint of desperation. My life was what it was. There was always some complication. First of all, I was careless and sloppy about my safety. If I didn't tread carefully, I could've become entangled in the sinister web of a drug company's unfathomable experiments.
And if I did certain things that my husband would not like, like, say, let Nick paint me, Damon, in his twisted way, might have resorted to kidnapping and stabbing me, prolonging my suffering, relishing in his control over my fate. The mere thought sent shivers down my spine.
This would be his core, the Darling side, who loved to give me some lessons of pain. He did not have such twisted pleasure, nor did he want to break me fully; no, he just made his point painfully clear. At the same time, he was indulging some vampiric needs of his.
Damon, my husband, had gradually unveiled his darkest secrets to me, and among them, the existence of Damien, his malevolent twin brother who lived within his troubled mind. I questioned whether Damien was a creation of time and Damon's harrowing experiences or if he had once walked the earth as a tangible being. Damien emitted an unpleasant odor reminiscent of a wet dog and ashtray if Damon's bloodlust got him to, a scent that clung to the memory of his torment. His actions were nothing short of violent and brutal, his touch leaving me marked with an unsettling residue.
He had infused me with some sort of substances over these two brutal shed sessions; he had some sort of experiment going on with me. Despite undergoing countless tests, the truth about their nature remained elusive, leaving me bewildered by Damien's motives. My longing for answers only intensified. There was nothing wrong with me, nor was there any trace of anything special in my blood.
Being coined by Nicodemus, an experience I yearned to comprehend, seemed to hold the key. If Damon hadn't delved deep into my psyche, delivering shocking jolts that rattled my very core, the demon within would have triumphed. Damien emerged during this tumultuous ordeal, revealing himself to me in all his wickedness. I shared this revelation with Damon, but the revelation alone could not rectify the chaos that had consumed our lives.
As I contemplated the upcoming journey to Virginia, weariness weighed heavily upon me. I yearned for solitude, to bask in my husband's undivided attention. The intrusion of others, constantly wedging themselves between us, had become an unwelcome presence, tarnishing our connection. Soon, I would reach Virginia, where I hoped to unravel the mystery that awaited me.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone