The Beautiful Monster

He had no idea how long he was going to be gone for, so he didn\'t want to be set too far behind. It made him feel better to know that he would be able to catch up once things settled. If they ever did.

"Alright. Okay. Thank you," Elias murmured before hanging up. He sighed and tossed his phone on the couch, continuing to pace.

Soon, he would leave New York behind and head all over the country, trying to outpace Alaric and his followers.

He hardly knew anything about his enemy, but he knew that Alaric was real. He had seen him.

Elias turned when he heard the front door unlock and then swing open. He watched Alyssa walk inside with a slight slump to her shoulders that she tried to shake off before he saw. He frowned and walked over to her.

"How did it go?" he asked her. He had been regretting this day, but he couldn\'t stop it from coming. Neither could she.

"I\'m officially jobless," Alyssa said with a faint smile on her face, trying to make light of the situation. She reached out and took his hand. "But I\'m fine. I\'m sure some hospital will hire me."

"You\'re incredible at what you do. I feel terrible about taking you away from all those kids," Elias told her.

So many people needed her because she was so good at what she did. She was talented and caring, and he was stealing all of her attention away. It didn\'t make him feel right.

"If we do this, lives will be saved. That\'s all I care about," Alyssa replied, giving his hand a comforting squeeze. "Life will be waiting for us when we return."

Elias hoped that they got the chance to return. He didn\'t want to be stuck on the run forever. Part of him wanted to face Alaric now, but he had a feeling that he would lose.

He couldn\'t risk losing his life and leaving Alyssa all alone. He had to be smart about this, and Melina\'s plan gave him the best chance at survival.

"Thank you for coming with me. I\'ll make it up to you," Elias promised her. He didn\'t know how he was going to do that yet, but he would figure out something to make this fair. He had to do a huge favor, though.

"You don\'t have to apologize or make anything up to me, Elias," Alyssa assured him as she wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing them closer to each other. "We\'re safer together."

Elias rested his hands on her back, caressing her. He was glad that they were a team because he couldn\'t go through all of this alone. She was his rock.

"I just hope everything goes well. If that\'s even possible," he told her. It was hard to imagine a good outcome because he hardly knew what that looked like.

Did he and Melanie become so ultra-powerful duo and take down Alaric and his followers with ease in one big battle? Was this a one and done deal? Or would this last for months? Years?

"It is possible. Everyone is working together to come out of this alive. You have to do your part," Alyssa said as she peered up at him.

Elias nodded, realizing how right she was. He had been pouting and complaining so much, but he was a part of this problem whether he liked it or not.

He had a part to play, and if he wanted everyone in his life to be safe, he had to play it.

"I will," he promised her. "And… I\'ll try to get to know my sister."

Alyssa smiled at him.

"You should. She couldn\'t help that you guys were separated, and she seems nice," she pointed out.

Elias lowered his eyes. He knew that he shouldn\'t be so much of a jerk to Melina, but it was jarring having a stranger suddenly come into his life and claim that she\'s his twin sister. It took him a while to adjust. He was still trying to adjust.

"She seems kind of different from me," he murmured. Melina was soft-spoken, almost a little shy.

However, he had seen her use her powers, and she was definitely strong underneath that soft exterior.

"You two grew up in different environments. I bet you guys have some things in common, though," Alyssa told him as she stroked her fingers through his hair.

Elias rested his forehead against hers, closing his eyes and enjoying how close they were. He wasn\'t ready to leave this place.

He wanted to do so many things here with her, but danger was lurking nearby. He had to get moving tomorrow.

"We\'ll see," he said. That was all that he could promise her. Maybe he and Melina would get along, or maybe they wouldn\'t have a single thing in common. Only time would tell, and they would have to spend a lot of time together on the road.

Alyssa cupped his cheek, drawing his eyes to hers.

"I\'m proud of you for doing this," she told him.

Elias felt his throat tighten. He couldn\'t get any words out. He turned his head and kissed her palm gently to show his gratitude.

His lips then trailed to her wrist, drawing a soft gasp from her at the sensitive touch. He turned his head to gaze at her.

"We have one more night in this place. We should enjoy it," he told her, giving her a suggestive smile.

He didn\'t know when they would have the time or privacy to fully enjoy each other\'s company either, so he needed to take advantage of this time now.

Alyssa smiled at him and nodded.

"Now, you\'re talking," she said as she drifted one hand down his chest. 

Elias wanted to tear her clothes off right there in the foyer, but he wanted to do things right tonight.

He wanted to take his time and appreciate every single inch of her. He took her hand and backed up toward his bedroom.

"Then, let\'s go," he said, coaxing her to pick up her pace as they made their way to the bedroom for one more night of bliss.