Chapter 378: Taken Over
Clay had been headed in a completely different direction, grabbing hold of Vivian’s arm as tightly as he could. For some reason he could not explain, he wanted her to live, and he was prepared to make sure that it happened.
"Do you even know where you’re going?" Vivian had asked him.
He had gone ahead and loosened his hold on her, which allowed her to speak freely without him having to coax words out of her.
A worried expression was on her face as she continued to speak, allowing herself to be dragged considering how tired she felt after losing a lot of blood and being unable to feed to replenish it.
"We should find somewhere to hide!" she added, continuing especially when Clay remained quiet as he dragged her farther away. The heat at their backs was enough to remind them that they needed to run farther and harder than they currently were.
Clay knew that regardless of the result of the battle, he needed to run farther than he already had. If the leader died, then the leader’s essence inside of him—and in others—would also die. At least that was the extent of the information he knew about his connection to him.
I want her to be safe! he thought again, not knowing where the thought came from and not caring enough to think deeply about it. The source didn’t matter. All he cared about was the fact that the thought seemed to stem solely from him.
...More like protecting a child! he thought, even as a smile slowly crept onto his face. He pulled Vivian away, lengthening the distance between himself and his lord even more than it already was.
But he had just taken another step forward when he suddenly froze.
It was like an invisible hand had reached inside his chest, grasped his entire heart, and squeezed.
A fire erupted from his insides, slowly consuming him as he dropped to both knees. His face twisted in agony as a groan tore from his throat.
Vivian stepped closer, her face filled with concern as Clay continued to gasp. His eyes rolled back one moment—and the next, he went completely still.
"Are you okay?" Vivian asked, stepping closer with worry etched across her features. She leaned down to check his face, noting the hint of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth—blood darker than red, almost black.
Vivian wasn’t stupid.
She had already discovered what Clay was and knew that in her weakened state there was no way she would be able to defeat him, even if she used every ounce of power available to her.
It was already more than enough that he wasn’t attacking her and was instead protecting her. The last thing she wanted to do was rile him up or call him a monster.
Unknown to her, he could control her anytime he wanted.
But barely had the question left her lips when Clay moved.
His hand shot forward with lightning speed, piercing straight through her chest.
Vivian gasped in shock and pain, her eyes widening as she looked directly into Clay’s.
He stood up slowly, and there was not a single iota of recognition in his gaze as he stared at her. No warmth. No confusion. Nothing.
Only emptiness.
Then he pulled.
He tore her heart straight out of her chest.
Before she could even process what was happening, he shoved it into her mouth—even while she was still alive.
Her body trembled violently in shock as she felt life slowly draining from her. She staggered backward, collapsing onto her side, her vision dimming.
Hearts didn’t matter to vampires. They could be healed if injured, as long as it wasn’t with silver.
But it was a different case if the heart had been ripped out and eaten.
Vivian’s body hit the ground with a dull thud.
Clay, whose eyes still held no recognition, crouched down and devoured her brain and other parts of her swiftly, absorbing her memories with terrifying speed.
His bones shifted.
His flesh twisted.
In mere moments, he morphed into her.
When he stood up again, Vivian’s face stared back at the world.
His gaze—now hidden behind her features—was filled with nothing but anger and despair. He changed his clothes into that of a female without difficulty. The entire place had been abandoned; the citizens had already been ordered to evacuate.
Clay felt nothing.
The only thing hammering inside his head over and over again like an endless command was the same message.
"FIND ARIA! KILL HER! FIND HER NOW! KILL HER!"
The command was so loud, so overwhelming, that he could not refuse it or even think to do anything else.
He raised his face slightly and inhaled deeply, pulling the air into his lungs as his eyes scrunched shut in concentration.
Then they snapped open.
He had found the direction.
Without hesitation, he darted forward at full speed, not once glancing anywhere else.
His body moved fast—far faster than Vivian could have ever hoped to move. Clay had been able to infiltrate from the very beginning because his bloodline was strong and unique. Just like the other Zygon leaders, he possessed a core that made him powerful.
Using the fastest speed he could muster, it was only a matter of time before he found the person his body commanded him to kill.
Aria.
Then... then... I’ll be able to return to... he thought.
But every time he tried to remember what exactly he was trying to return to, his thoughts blurred.
It was like a thick veil had been placed over his mind—one he couldn’t tear through no matter how hard he tried.
***************
Fearful that another rain of fire would be unleashed upon them—one they would be unable to hide from or defend against—it was agreed that they would all hide in the first mansion they came across.
It needed to be tall enough for them to monitor what was happening outside, giving them the chance to flee if necessary.
Aria headed into the mansion with the rest the moment they found one fitting the description.
The doors were forced open, and they stepped inside—
Only to freeze.
They were not alone.
The mansion was already occupied.
Barely had Lord Drehk stepped inside when a dark mask fell over his face. His expression hardened instantly as his sharp gaze locked onto the person standing ahead.
The figure did not dare meet his eyes.
