Death.

A flood of blood under her feet stained her skin crimson. However, she knew that the impure stains were deeper inside her body and not just on her skin. She was tainted from the inside. The blood she spilt last night was merely a droplet in the ocean of sins she had accumulated.

Sin.

Did she believe in sin? Yes, she did. She had to, since she was the one dictating them for her enemies. She was passing judgement for the world. But many asked and wondered; what gave her the right to play god? She never claimed to be god. But she did claim to be the saviour.

Saviour.

She killed so others wouldn't have to bear the burden of guilt. She went into the darkness willingly because she knew that she could do it without losing herself. Was that courage or arrogance? she always wondered. But she didn't believe she was arrogant, because if she was then she would not have fallen in love with the people close to her.

Love.

Was she deserving of love? she considered. Was love in her destiny? A sick twisted tale played in front of her just like it had when she was a child. Destiny dangled love in front of her, but she was unable to reach it. She had quit the chase a long time ago, but it wasn't from defeat or scorn. It was because she couldn't accept that she would leave her mate lost once she ended.

Life.

Her end was foreseen... it was only a matter of time.

Zero's eyes snapped open and she lifted her head, when she abruptly slammed her skull into another hard surface.

"Ow!" A voice exclaimed alongside her own grunt.

She rubbed her forehead and looked up. It was Severin. "What are you doing?" she grumbled.

Severin rubbed his head. "I was checking if you were breathing," he said. "If you didn't know, you sleep like the dead."

"Oh." Zero reached over and pressed her hand on his head trying to lessen the sting. "Does it hurt a lot?" she asked.

Severin's eyes looked up from under his blond ruffled hair. The deep purple shined as bright as amethyst under the light of the sun, she almost forgot that they were eyes and not crystals. Zero lost herself to them, to the softness they held and looked back at her with.

A moment passed where she found herself breathless. She felt as if he pulled her out of that darkness and showed her the light. Nothing seemed to matter anymore, all thoughts had left her in seconds upon laying on her mate. Now, she understood how last night the water did nothing to make her feel clean after that fight, it was Severin. She thought she had lost her mind for thinking that, but he proved how right she was whenever she looked at those eyes.

Was that even possible? Was a person even capable of being so full of light? she wondered.

Severin leaned into her touch. "It's still hurting," he groaned.

Zero checked if there was a bruise or not, there wasn't but his forehead did turn a little red. "Should I bring some ice?" she asked.

"No," he said, "but you can kiss it better."

Zero's eyes widened and she saw him grinning at her like a sly wolf. "You- you," she was speechless. She nudged him back and he laughed as he took a seat in front of her.

Zero finally came to it, she looked around and realized that she wasn't in her own bedroom. She was in the guest bedroom, in the middle of the bed, under the tousled duvet. She raked her hair back and remembered everything that happened last night. The massacre, her past, the temple... the mark! Severin had marked her yesterday. She could still feel the raw burn on her neck, because it was possessive and avowed of his claim on her.

Zero looked up at his side profile, the way his high cheek met his rigid jaw and his smooth neck. His nose was straight, his lips full. She found herself staring at them, but her mind remembered the kiss he had given her. The fervour of that kiss still lingered on her, and not just on her lips, it was smouldering through every muscle and bone in her body.

"How are you feeling?" he asked softly.

His smooth voice pulled her out of her own head. "I'm fine," she blatantly lied.

His indigo gaze locked onto hers. He watched her longer than anyone usually would. "I would appreciate if you didn't lie to me," he asserted. "I can tell."

Zero raised a brow. "No, you can't," she said. "Yes, I was lying before, but you can't tell."

Severin smirked, his gaze fell onto her exposed neck. He lifted his hand and touched the aching area that bore his mark. "That allows me to feel everything you hide," he acclaimed. "Your lies, your hidden desires..." he fell quiet as he skimmed the pad of his thumb down the column of her neck, feeling the pulse wherever he went because it felt as if her heart would pound out of her chest.

"There's no need to worry," she told him and this time it was truly what she wanted. Severin nodded and looked away.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he crossed his legs. "Last night was informative," he acclaimed. "I found out so much about you. But I remember this one particular thing that just makes me so happy."

Zero frowned. She didn't think anything that she had told him last night should make him happy. In fact, she was surprised that he was sitting in front of her right now. He didn't run for the hills from all the crazy in her. She had to give it to him, the man had guts.

"And what is that?" she asked curiously. She listed a few things in her own head that could be a possibility for him to say, but she kept it to herself.

Severin drew in a breath, his tousled hair shifted when he leaned closer to her. "You like to cuddle," he revealed with a whisper.

Zero gaped. "What?" she couldn't believe what she just heard.

Severin snickered. "I'm asleep, and to my surprise, I wake up with you sleeping in my arms and all over me," he jested. "I was truly shocked, which let me tell you is not good for my heart."

Zero glowered. "That's why I told you that I like to sleep alone," she said.

"Don't worry, I find it very sweet," he said. "And I think it's nice to have a secret about you that only I know." He looked at her with that gleam in his cunning gaze. "I want to know everything about you, especially the things that the world doesn't."

Zero's heart skipped a beat. She was glad that the duvet cover was covering her, otherwise the crimson blush she felt would be obvious.

"Now, for the more important question," said Severin.

Zero swallowed and wondered what it was. Maybe, it had to do with her past or with what happened yesterday.

Severin saw her stiff posture. "What's your real name?" he asked.

Zero looked at him stumped. "I won't tell you," she said.

"Oh, don't be a tease," he said. "How about a hint, like the first letter?"

Zero laughed at him. "No," she said. "Now, move. I need to get dressed." She was about to move off the bed, when her arm was seized and Severin brought her to him.

"I will wait for you," he whispered. "However long you need to open up to me. I will wait."

"You don't need to because I'm already here," she said, as she put her hand on the mark she had. "I'm yours already." She confessed the truth and felt something lift off her heart. She got up on her feet and moved away towards the door to leave.

"But I can't be yours," he announced.

Zero froze at the door, her hand hovering over the handle when she heard the hurt in his voice. He didn't know how much she wanted to claim him, bond with him. But she wasn't going to do that. She had fallen for his light, but she was too dark, she'd only taint him. And how selfish of her to want to be beside him, to experience his purity for a little longer.

"It seems that I'm not blessed to have someone like you," she told him. "I'm a woman who carries countless sins, Severin. I can't drag you to hell with me." She opened the door and left to her room.

She scampered to the shower and got under the coldest water she could get. The shower felt like droplets of ice piercing her skin, cutting through the heat around her. She felt her breath fog in front of her and she dropped her head under it, letting the water through her hair and head. She finally cooled and got out.

Zero cleaned off with a towel and went to the adjacent room to her closet to get dressed. She had a mission today, which was take Severin to the place that she built with his father. Wayne helped her with a large mission, so it was time to show his son too. And Tom was arriving here today too, so she'd show him as well. Zero grabbed her phone and arranged for a chauffeur to pick Tom up and bring him straight here.

Once that was done, Zero grabbed a pair of blue jeans and slipped them on. She put on heeled boots, zipping up the sides to fit snugly around her ankles. She saw that it was a bit warmer out today than usual, so she slipped on a plain white shirt, she rolled up the sleeves and tucked a side into her jeans. She faced the mirror and dried off her hair, which frizzed up from the heat. She ignored the hassle and grabbed a bandana off the shelf. The silk was a dark navy-blue print with hints of white, yellow and red. She grabbed the ends and tied it over her short hair keeping the mess to look a bit tidier. She grabbed her wallet and phone before she left the room towards the lively kitchen.

It was a first that her house was rowdy. Usually, the place was quiet, only she filled it up with noise and scents. But that wasn't the case anymore. The scents of food permeated around her, the sound of dishes clanking made her hungry for whatever was cooking.

Severin was greeting Elijah and Zero was glad that Severin was the type to charm anyone into liking him. That was a quality she appreciated in him. He was friendly and never judged anyone. He smiled so the other person wouldn't feel like they didn't belong or didn't feel normal.

Zero knew that Elijah was uncomfortable right now because being stuck in a cage for so long makes one forget what it's like to be free. Zero pushed those thoughts down because it wouldn't do any good for Elijah.

She walked into the kitchen seeing Elijah over the stove and Severin near the coffee machine. "Good morning, Elijah," she said.

Elijah looked at her alertly. His blue eyes beamed and his lips lifted just slightly. "Good morning," he said. "I hope you don't mind that I used the kitchen."

"What'd you make?" she asked.

"Bacon sandwiches," he answered.

"As long as I get one, I don't mind at all," she said.

Severin walked over with cups of coffee in each hand. "Make sure to make Zero two sandwiches, Elijah," he added. "She's grumpy when she's not well fed." Elijah chuckled but Zero glowered at him. Severin gave her the cup he made for her. "Extra sweet, just the way you like it-" he grinned as she eyed at the cappuccino happily. He suddenly leaned down and kissed her cheek- "and good morning to you too." Then he walked off to Elijah.

Zero hid her smile behind the cup of coffee and ignored the flutter in her chest. She closed her eyes in defeat and couldn't help but fall deeper for him. He was driving her insane. Zero cursed and slumped down on the stool.

Elijah worked efficiently once he got Severin out of his way. He made a few sandwiches and served them hot to them. She poured herself more coffee as she enjoyed the food. Severin discussed their plans today, also added in a few ideas to visit some stores to go shopping for clothes. Zero didn't mind going, but it was for Elijah that she had in mind to get some new stuff. The man was in a desperate need for a new wardrobe. Right now, like usual, he wore another turtleneck, but it was a soft grey this time over dark ripped jeans and some boots.

Unlike Severin who guessed that turtlenecks were just Elijah's preference, Zero knew exactly why he wore that. He hid his slave markings behind the long sleeves and stiff neckline. Elijah bore the marks of his past, just like she did. So, she found herself in sort of a bind with helping him overcome his past. She needed him to accept his marks and work with her.

Zero figured that this was going to take longer than she thought. But when she remembered last night and how he fought with her. Maybe, she wasn't far off the mark. Elijah was a skilled fighter and he'd get better now that she was going to train him.

"Do you want another?" Elijah asked as he carried the skillet over to her.

"Sure," she said.

Elijah used the spatula to lift the sandwich off the pan, when Zero's eyes caught a bandage around Elijah's wrist.

"Hey," she called for Elijah's attention. He looked at her confused. "What happened here?" she pointed to his wrist.

"Yesterday, when I was fighting, I must have nicked my wrist" he told her. "I'm not sure myself."

"Do you need stitches?" she asked. "Let me see."

"I'm good. I've taken care of it," he reassured her before he moved back to the stove.

Zero frowned, but let it go thinking that he wasn't comfortable showing his wounds just yet. "Leave it," she said to Elijah when he turned to wash the dishes. "Come eat first before it gets cold."

Elijah listened and sat down to eat too.

"So, you still haven't told us where we are going today," Severin said to her.

Zero ate a piece of bacon that fell out of the bread, the crisp saltiness made her drink some coffee to calm the flavour. "A place your father helped me build," she revealed.

Severin straightened, a sense of maturity appeared at the mention of his father. Zero recognized this dignity, she had seen it when she had taken him to his company. He was a completely different person, but he was exactly what she expected a company leader to be like. The day she saw him work with his father's partners and his own employees, she could tell why Wayne held his son at high regards.

Suddenly, the doorbell went off.

"Oh, that must be Tom," Severin got off the stool and went to the door.

Zero pulled up her phone to look at the camera to make sure it was. And when she saw that tall, black cloaked figure with those indigo eyes, she recognized Thomas Salvatore right away.

"Tom?" Elijah asked curiously.

"Severin's brother," she told him.

The foyer filled with more voices. Tom and Severin were more than excited to meet up again.

"Did you come on a taxi?" asked Severin.

"No, a car was sent to pick me up," Tom answered. "I thought you sent it."

"It was me," Zero said as she walked to them. "Welcome, Tom."

Tom smiled. "It's great to see you," he said. "How are you?"

"Better now that you're here to handle Severin," she jested.

Tom laughed. "I knew you'd cause trouble," he said to his brother. Severin stood with a cheeky grin. "Oh, what happened outside?" He pointed out towards the front yard that had the black crater from yesterday.

Severin laughed. "Bonfire gone wrong," he answered as he brought his brother and his luggage inside.

Zero closed the door. "We were just having breakfast," she told him. "Would you like to eat too?"

"I already ate on the flight, but some coffee would be fantastic right now," he said.

Severin looked down at the single duffel bag. "How long you staying for, brother?" he asked.

"Just a few days," he said. "Dad also said to help you out at work."

"You hate going to the company," remarked Severin.

"I do, but dad doesn't know that," he said. "Besides, any excuse that allows me to travel, I take it." The brothers smiled with that familiar mischief.

"Come inside," said Zero. "I'll show you the room you'll be staying in later."

The three of them went to the kitchen where Elijah was cleaning the dishes after he had finished eating.

Zero faced Tom who seemed surprised to see another person in the house. "This is my partner, Elijah," she told him. "He lives here with us too."

Elijah turned upon hearing his name and he dropped the skillet from his hand into the sink. They all jolted from the loud clatter. "Sorry," he groaned and rinsed off the soap that got, well, everywhere. He turned around and faced them. But he looked like a frightened kitten who saw a whole tub of water and knew his impending fate.

"Uh- hi," said Tom with a smile.

"Good morning," Elijah spoke with a tight-lip. He looked at Zero and then at Severin, almost begging them to stop all this. He looked embarrassed to death.

Severin got the message loud and clear and helped out by taking his brother to a seat. He gave a cup of coffee and asked him about the flight. He also asked about everyone back home and if dad was freaking out about this whole thing yet. The brothers were comfortable enough to share their thoughts and opinions.

Zero went to Elijah privately. "He's not gonna hurt you," she whispered. "They're good people."

Elijah held his head down, as he continued to clean like that was the only thing keeping him lucid. "That's not what I'm worried about," he admitted with a low voice for only her to hear.

Zero saw the gleam of pain in this beautiful and kind eyes. "You're worried that you could hurt them," she said. Elijah had no answer, only the pained expression and burning eyes. "You won't do that because if you were capable of that, I would not have brought you here."

"I am capable of a lot, Zero," he said, "and that includes hurting innocent lives. I did it for years."

Zero put her hand on his arm where the wound was. "You also protect," she said. "I'm going to teach you how to fight to protect and not to survive."

"I don't think I know the difference anymore," he whispered.