The tension in the room grew thicker than the fog outside, as the two men stood there, locked in a silent battle of wills, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Aurora’s breaths grew shallower, her eyes fading as the pressure on her throat increased.
And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the sound of gunfire erupted through the air. One of Lucas’s guards burst through the door, his weapon smoking, his eyes wide with panic. He aimed directly at Damian, but before he could fire, the gun jerked in his hand, and two bullets flew through the air, one landing itself on the floor and the other lodging itself in Aurora’s shoulder.
Her scream echoed through the ballroom, the pain searing through her body like a white hot knife. Blood spurted from the wound, painting the floor with her own blood. Damian’s eyes went wide with horror, and his hand moved with speed to aim the gun at the guard, firing without hesitation. The guard’s body jerked, and he crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
Aurora’s world went dark as she felt herself slipping away, the pain overwhelming her. The last thing she heard was Damian’s voice, filled with a mix of rage and terror, “Aurora! No!”
Lucas’s laughter was a sound of madness, filling the room like of pure evil. He lifted his leg from Aurora’s throat, watching her gasp for air, her eyes rolling back in her head. The sight of her suffering only served to fuel his pleasure. “Look what you’ve done,” he tmocked Damian, pointing at Aurora’s limp form. “You’re as much a monster as I am.”
Damian’s hand trembled as he lowered the gun, his eyes never leaving Aurora. He could see the life draining from her, and he knew he had to act fast. Without a moment’s hesitation, he dashed across the room, dropping to his knees beside her. His gentle touch was the rage that had consumed him moments before.
“Aurora,” he whispered, his voice shaking, “I’m so sorry. I’ll get you out of here. I promise.”
Her eyes fluttered open, and she tried to speak, but only a faint whimper left her lips. The pain was unbearable, and she could feel the warmth of her blood pooling beneath her. She reached up to touch his face, her hand coming away sticky with blood.
Lucas’s laughter grew louder, echoing in the room like a taunting specter. “You can’t save her, Damian,” he said, his voice a sneer. “You’re just as powerless as she is.”
But Damian ignored him, his eyes focused solely on Aurora. He gently picked her up, cradling her in his arms, and started to move towards the door.
Lucas stepped in front of him, blocking his path. “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, his voice full of amusement.
“I’m taking her to the hospital,” Damian said, his voice firm despite the fear that gripped his soul. “She needs help.”
Lucas chuckled darkly. “The hospital won’t save her,” he said, his eyes glinting with a crazed light. “Not now. You see, I made sure of that.”
Damian’s heart sank, but he didn’t dare look away from Aurora’s face, afraid that if he did, he’d lose her forever.
“What do you mean?” he demanded, his voice a low growl.
Lucas leaned in close, his breath hot against Damian’s ear. “I had her poisoned,” he whispered. “Slowly, so she’d suffer. And by the time you get her to any hospital, it’ll be too late. She’ll be dead in your very arms.”
Damian’s eyes widened with horror, and he clutched Aurora tighter, feeling her pulse fluttering weakly against his chest. “You’re lying,” he said, but he could hear the doubt in his own voice.
Lucas just smirked. “Am I?” He stepped aside, gesturing to the door. “Go ahead. Prove me wrong. But remember, every second you waste is another second she’s closer to death.”
Damian’s mind raced. He knew Lucas was capable of anything, and the thought of Aurora dying because of him was unbearable. But he had to try. With a snarl, he bolted for the door, ignoring the pain in his own heart as he cradled her close.
The walk through the mansion was a blur, with Lucas’s laughter following them like a dark shadow. The staff had all disappeared, leaving them alone in the cold, silent halls. Damian didn’t bother looking for them; he knew that if he didn’t get Aurora help soon, she wouldn’t make it.
The night air was cold and damp as he burst through the doors, the rain lashing against his face like a thousand tiny needles. His car was parked in the driveway, the engine already running. He’d prepared for this moment, knowing he’d need a quick escape.
Laying Aurora gently on the back seat, he sped away from the mansion, the tires screeching against the wet pavement. The rain fell down on the windshield, blurring his vision as he drove like a man possessed, the car swerving dangerously through the narrow streets.
The hospital was a beacon of light in the gloomy night, and Damian could feel a little bit of hope in his chest. He didn’t dare take his eyes off Aurora, watching her chest rise and fall, each breath shallower than the last. He knew that time was against them.
Pulling into the emergency bay, he didn’t bother with the parking brake, just left the car door open as he sprinted inside, Aurora still in his arms. “Help me,” he yelled to the first doctor he saw, his voice hoarse with fear. “She’s been shot, and I think she’s been poisoned!”
The doctor took one look at Aurora’s pale face and immediately took charge, barking orders to the nurses. They rushed her into the emergency room, the doors slamming shut behind them, leaving Damian alone in the hallway, his heart pounding in his chest.
He could hear the flurry of activity through the doors, the beeps of machines and the rush of footsteps. He paced back and forth, his mind racing with the what-ifs. What if Lucas had been telling the truth? What if he’d left it too late? The guilt was like a heavy weight, dragging him down with every step.