Hellbound With you Chapter 712 - 716 Physients Stories
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Chapter 712 - Book
Alicia could only stand there, her fists clenched into tight balls as she stared at the buttons of Zeres' shirt that fell next to her feet.
"You might be right," she grudgingly forced the words a little angrily through her teeth as if to her, the buttons now had become Zeres himself. "This might really look a little like obsession to you. But it's not the kind of obsession you're thinking about, you, idiot. You think I enjoy thinking about that cold hearted vampire prince?! He's literally an ice block! You think trying to figure him out is fun?! I have no choice but to think about him because this is my duty now. Why can't you understand that and just listen to me and help me out?"
Frustration filled Alicia's eyes and she felt like she wanted to pull chunks of her hair out. Why must Zeres be behaving this way?! She was trying to understand Zeres but lately, her patience was running out. He had purposely avoided her for months on end and when they finally met, he was getting mad at her for doing what she was supposed to do. He was the only one who knew the very reason why she was doing this, but now he was acting as though he did not understand why she was doing all this at all! The way he was behaving really was driving her nuts!
"Fine!" she said, "if you don't want to cooperate, I'm not going to force you anymore. I'll just have to do this on my own!" Alicia snapped out and gave up on trying to be patient with him.
And she left, still feeling a bit mad at Zeres' attitude towards her. She even thought that he had acted like that with her because he was angry that she had interrupted his fun time and she could only flare up even more at that thought as she left Zeres' apartment.
…
When Zeres stepped out of the bathroom, he immediately sensed that she was gone. He leaned against the wall and let his eyes fall close.
A soft sigh escaped his lips as he ruffled his wet hair. He then violently snatched up his coat and left as well. He knew that he would not be able to sleep at all anyway, so he decided to just go out and continue on his search again, or else, he would probably go mad.
"You just said yesterday that we'll be taking a couple of day off, Zeres. What happened to that?" Jude, the rogue witch Zeres had caught months ago and who was now his search assistant, said with a tired sigh. He was truly looking forward to having a break but he guessed that that is going to be another faraway dream of his now.
"Let's go," was all Zeres said, causing the man to roll his eyes in exasperation as he stomped his feet and followed after Zeres.
"Oh, and by the way, I just received a call from that pretty witch… what's her name again? That famous movie star?" Jude remembered to report this to his boss.
"Kathleen?"
"Ah! Yes, Kathleen Snow. That's the one." Jude moved in front of Zeres, stopping him as they walked down an empty street. "She said she'll be giving us the information about this mysterious lady Calliste we have been searching for god knows how long. But… she did say that there is one condition to it…" Jude raised a brow, looking at Zeres with a knowing gaze. "She wants you to be the one to go to her. And she had very clearly stressed on this… that you must be alone."
Zeres' expression did not change even at Jude's suggestive look.
"When." He asked in flat tone, not even batting an eye.
"Hey, hey… you should at least have some reaction, right? Don't forget Snow is known as the vixen witch. You're definitely aware of what she might want you to do in exchange of that information, don't you?" Jude said. He was a bit concerned about this ancient witch who was his boss right now, because he knew how unworldly he was! Though right now, he is no longer as innocent as he previously was, there were still things he had yet to encounter in this vast world.
"It's no big matter. I even kill just to get information that I need and yet you didn't even react then. Are you saying now that sex is a big deal?"
"Well…" Jude scratched at his hair. "I forgot to tell you that that woman's a sadist."
Zeres creased his brows after hearing that. Hmm…
"And I am certain you do not have any idea what a sadistic woman likes to do for sexual pleasure, right?" Jude craned his neck out and observe Zeres' blank face, quite sure of his prediction.
"Right, I don't have any idea on that issue. But it doesn't matter to me, anyway. You already know that." Zeres walked past him. "As long as she gives me the information I need. Now let's go and bring me to her."
Jude's mouth fell opened, completely speechless at how flippant Zeres was being in regard to this. In the past months that he was with this silver haired male witch, Jude had already given up stopping him from going even to the extremes just to find any answer about what he was looking for. Zeres had done all sorts of things… torture and killing… but that just does not work for witches. Especially the rogue ones and in the end, Zeres could not find anything at all. However, lately, Zeres had changed his tactics. He had stopped with the violent approach and had switched to using a more gentle style somehow. And the result was far better than expected. Now he was able to find clues until it led to this. To the existence of a mysterious lady that might possess the answer he was searching for all this while.
They had said that this lady's name was Calliste. And she possesses a book that her ancestors stole from the dark forest a long time ago.. This book was said to contain the answer Zeres was looking for.
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Chapter 713 - Black Flames
Jude knew that this man was willing to do anything to find that book. But in all honesty, Jude was having a hard time understanding why he had to go to this extent!
Sighing, Jude spoke as he followed after Zeres. "I really don't understand why you're doing this. Even if you love this person you're trying to bring back, I still think this is getting too much, you know…"
Zeres halted. He was silent for a moment before he looked up into the sky. "She died for me. Then she gave up her chance to go to the afterlife to lift my curse. And she did all of that even though she didn't love me." The last part came out just a little louder than a whisper.
As those words echoed in the dark, Jude's eyes widened. Zeres had never spoken about his reasons. He had only told him that he was doing this to save someone. Though Zeres had never said he loved the person, Jude could tell. Otherwise, who would sacrifice so much like this for someone you do not even love?
But now that he had heard these, he was speechless.
"What I'm doing right now is still nothing compared to all that she did for me." Zeres added then he walked forward again.
Jude hastily followed him. "Okay, I understand now. But… I think it is important for you to understand as well. I mean… you know that vixen might want to hurt you while doing, uhm… that…"
"You're saying she might try to kill me and that's why you're worried?" Zeres smirked a little. "Did you forget that I'm immortal?"
"Not that, you, idi... I mean I'm afraid you might accidentally kill her once she does something shocking to you before you could even get the information out of her. That's why I'm telling you to have some mental preparation first."
Zeres sighed. "What a pain in the a**."
After Jude explained to Zeres about what Snow might do, Zeres remained looking unaffected. He simply nodded at Jude before he entered the building where Snow's apartment was located.
To Zeres, this too, was nothing. He was running out of time. He had noticed Alicia's spirit was a bit more translucent than the last time he had seen her in the black forest.
Zeres had also thought that this was why Alicia could not stay still anymore and wanted to deal with Zeke's matter. He realized that it was because she probably felt her time was quickly running out. And this was why Zeres could not waste any more time.
Upon reaching the woman's door, it swung open for him, and a young woman was standing there, seemingly waiting for him.
"Hi…" her sweet voice drifted out, "please come in."
Her appearance alone surprised Zeres. She did not look like a vixen at all. She was dressed in a hoodie and had an innocent and delicate face. He thought that she was going to jump on him immediately like how Jude told him, but she did nothing of the sort and even maintained a proper distance from him. Did he enter the wrong flat?
…
In a certain presidential suite located in one of the tallest buildings in the city, Alicia finally found Ezekiel's place. She had also already sneaked into the luxurious but gloomy apartment.
Alicia was determined to spy on him from here on. And if… if she found out even a single hint that her suspicion was right… then… she would not have any choice but to carry out her plan…
She clenched her fists tight, and her eyes blazed with intensity as she wondered about inside the empty and dimly lit masculine apartment.
Approaching the desk that was near the floor to ceiling window, Alicia tried to look at everything in there. She was like a ghost detective looking for clues everywhere until she heard a sound of a door opening.
Alicia quickly hid behind the desk, remembering what Zeres had told her that Ezekiel might really be able to see her. She did not think so, because that was just impossible. But just in case… to be safe, she still hid.
She heard his quite footsteps moving closer and then it stopped.
Slowly, Alicia peeked out from the side of the desk and saw him standing there, holding a glass of blood. His gaze was fixed outside the window, so his back was facing her.
He was half naked and it was obvious that he had just came out from the bathroom. Alicia could not help but sweep her gaze all over his naked and broad back. She did not know that he was covered with tattoos – even on his arms. It looked like a black flame.
Now that Alicia thought about it, she had never seen Ezekiel wearing anything that does not cover his body up to his wrists. And for some reason, his tattoos were unsettling. It was like a black flame was engraved through his skin, burning on him forever.
When he moved, Alicia hid again. She stayed hidden for a while but eventually peeked out again, not able to tamp down on her curiosity. This time, she saw him seated on a chair now, still facing the window.
Alicia stood. If he could see her, knowing this man, he must have already felt her presence, right? But he did not look as though he had felt anything unusual at all.
Moving from her hiding spot, Alicia walked towards him. She was here to investigate and observe him very closely. If he could actually see her, then doing this would definitely not work because he would just hide everything once she was there and keep his mouth shut. If he does that then what she was doing would be meaningless. However, if he could not see her, then she would have the highest chance to find out what she wanted to know.
And thus, Alicia decided to brave herself and try and find out if he could really see her or not. If he could see her, then she would have to think of some other way to execute her mission.
Determined, Alicia stood right behind him. He was just so incredibly quiet and still that Alicia could not help but wonder if he was even breathing. He might as well be a life-sized statue of himself.
Slowly, Alicia lifted her hand over his head then down over his face and waved.
A/N: thank you for waiting hellbounders. ♡
Hi hellbounders! I'm doing a signed paperback copy give away for hellbound as well for the highest tier privilege buyers this month.
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Chapter 714 - Enemy
After waving her hand in front of Zeke's face, Alicia retracted her hand in a swift move. She could not help but be a little nervous that he could really see her in this form even though he should not be able to. Though she was not afraid at all if in the case he really saw her, it would still be such a huge dilemma if he could really see her.
She did not have much time to waste so she had really hoped in her heart that Zeres was wrong. She would rather not deal with the inconveniences of him being able to see her in this form.
When Ezekiel did not react and did not even make a move at all, Alicia's unease quickly evaporated. A small smile curved over her face as her eyes shone with a more confident light now.
Waving her hand over his face once again to just do a final check that he truly could not see her, her triumphant smile widened as Ezekiel remained unmoving like a statue made of ancient stone. Thank goodness! Alicia breathed out with extreme relief and then she craned her head slowly forward to look at the living statue's face. Only to find out that he had his eyes closed.
Alicia was speechless when she saw that. She moved and she stood right before him. Her eyes narrowed as she observed him. Was he asleep the whole time she was being nervous over here! No way, right?!
But as she continued staring at him, Alicia found herself unable to take her eyes off him. This man… he looked so calm and detached from the things around him. It seemed as though he was an immortal that had no concerns about the matters of this mortal realm. It was to the point that he actually even felt so non-threatening right now… almost vulnerable, which was something so absolutely not like Ezekiel at all.
It was certainly a bit shocking. Ezekiel… this man looking like this was something Alicia would never even imagine before. She never thought that she would be able to see him being in such an unguarded manner like this. Looking as though… he was not the same stone-hearted man she knew. No, she did not know this man at all. In fact, no one might really and truly know him. Except perhaps for Alexander. Alexander would be the only exception.
Moreover, she would be a fool to ever believe that this man could be vulnerable. Because she knew more than anyone else he's the most dangerous man right now. Yes, this man who looked so perfect he might as well be god's most perfect work of art was a...
Shaking her head, Alicia closed her eyes tightly as if to ward off the distracting thoughts that came flooding into her head, unfettered. And when she opened her eyes again, they had already returned to being the eyes of a woman on a mission.
She firmly reminded herself that she was not here to admire some godly living statue, but she was here to spy on him and watch over him. And no matter whatever happens, she must never forget that this man… this man was her enemy. He was the witches' number one and most feared enemy.
That day when Alicia had seen Ezekiel's true face being revealed, she was shocked and horrified to her core. That was the one and same face of a certain vampire she had seen in her memories. These memories were the previous queens' memories that was passed down to all new witch queens when they took over the throne from their predecessors. There was no doubt that that the image of that vampire that was stamped into her mind was no other than Ezekiel.
He was the powerful vampire who had killed hundreds of witches' long time ago.
It was unsettling why the memories were all over the place. As though many parts of the memories about Ezekiel during that time was purposely messed up and many other parts were also erased.
But the things that she could see in her memories were more than enough for her to understand that Ezekiel was… and will always be their most dangerous enemy. That fact would never change and would forever remain as such.
She could never forget the look on his face while he had hunted down the witches and killed them so viciously as though he was their debtor that were chasing after them who owed him something extremely valuable. However, there was also that extreme fury and utter hate that was reflected within his eyes. He looked as though he was going to do anything and everything to annihilate all the witches that were in existence.
Alicia had tried to find out about the reason on why Ezekiel had done that. Because Alicia had that feeling where there must be a really inexplicable reason behind that degree of fury and hate in his eyes. Why? What had made him go after the witches to that extent?
Ever since she had met with Ezekiel, Alicia had always thought that he was cold and heartless but no doubt an amazing leader. He was most probably the most unrivalled leader she had ever known. He could maintain the control of all the vampires and was able to keep the peace among them until these days. That was such an amazing feat considering how strong-willed and rebellious the vampires were. Just within their own ranks, fights breaking out was something not uncommon. Their numbers were also steadily increasing unlike on the side of the witches, where their numbers were only being maintained or even slightly dwindling.
If she were honest, Ezekiel's leadership could be considered as flawless. He was always rational and would always do anything to keep the peace.. He was the type to go as far as fooling his allies and even using them as his pawns without their knowledge, if that was what it takes to achieve his goal.
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Chapter 715 - Curse
He was like a cunning and heartless chess master. And it was as if he was born into this world purely to be an almighty peace keeper. He was stone hearted and emotionless, all because he had such a heavy responsibility to bear on his shoulders.
That was how Alicia had viewed him all this time. But it all changed on the day when she saw his real face. The day she watched him kill off her fellow witches in that memory that was passed on to her… that day when she saw the way he had mercilessly killed them all...
She could never look at him the same way again.
At first, Alicia had told herself not to jump to her own conclusions because something was just weird about the memories that she had inherited. Most especially the fact that a lot of things seemed to be purposely erased. And it was just so unsettling when she noticed on how nothing was ever shown about the reason why Ezekiel even slaughtered so many witches. Also, the way the memories seemed to have put that subtle emphasis on how vicious and coldblooded way that he had carried out that massacre had her wondering even further.
In fact, Alicia had tried her best to find the missing memories. Because at first, she just couldn't believe what Ezekiel had actually done in the past.
However, she failed to find anything and then she later on realized that no matter how much she try to reason it out, she knew that nothing would ever change the fact that Ezekiel had slaughtered not only dozens but hundreds or even thousands of witches at that time.
No matter the reason behind why he came after the witches, he had still killed them off... in cold blood and without an ounce of mercy. Nothing would ever change that.
And the thing that caused her heart to shiver was that he even vowed that he would annihilate all the witches from the face of the earth.
Alicia had seen that part with her own two eyes, so vividly that it was ingrained into her mind. The utter and deeply rooted hatred in his eyes was even so hauntingly clear and Alicia knew that his vow… he was definitely going to make it happen at all cost once his memories returns.
Alicia had seen how much the witches futilely fought for their lives and failed.
And because the witches just could not stop Ezekiel, a witch queen had given her life to erase his memories. That was the only way to save the witches from his wrath.
Then Alicia had heard that queen's voice – the queen who had erased Ezekiel's memories – when she died.
When Alicia heard that queen's message, she then started to realize why the memories only showed the most terrible of the things that Ezekiel had done and there was not even a glimpse of the reason why behind it. All of that was done for the explicit reason in wanting to warn the future witch queens to beware of him. So that they will treat him as the absolute enemy, the greatest threat in existence to the witches. Because once the curse
is broken and he recalls his memories and remembers everything again, he would definitely execute all that he had vowed and work to finish what he had started a long time ago. He would then stop at nothing to slaughter the witches once again and annihilate them until not a single one of them is left.
And that outcome is something that Alicia would never, ever allow.
No matter in the event when she somehow discovered the real reason and it was actually something understandable on his part, Alicia thought that nothing might change. To her, what Ezekiel did to her fellow witches in past was unforgivable. And she couldn't help but fear him as well.
Ezekiel was also so much stronger now. If his memories were to be returned to him anytime soon and he comes after the witches again, they would definitely not be able to stand even a minute chance to stand up to him. Even with them having Zeres fighting on their side, that still might not even be enough to stop him at all.
And now, Alicia was in an even more difficult position because she had found out that there was really a possibility that Ezekiel's curse – the curse that erased his memories – will not last forever.
The voice had told her that Ezekiel might one day break the curse. And the reason was because Ezekiel himself was not just a normal vampire. He was a being that was so powerful that a strong curse might not be able to bind him forever.
But the voice had said that if the curse managed to remain unbroken for as long as seven hundred years, then the curse would be able to last forever and have no chance of being broken - ever. And no matter how strong he would grow, no matter how formidable his powers would become, as long as the seven hundred years mark has passed, he would never ever be able to break it.
The biggest shock to her was that Alicia had only recently found out that this year itself marks the exact time that the seven hundredth year would be completed since that curse was being cast on Ezekiel. And there was actually still two months left before the deadline of that seven hundred years was up!
That was why she had come rushing over here urgently after all those months she had spent to decipher the message she received from that queen. She was almost a hundred percent certain that her calculations were correct and that there were still only a little less than two months left.
If Ezekiel was not able to break the curse within this coming two months, then everything would be totally fine. However, if he ever shows even the smallest sign that he was about to break the curse… then…
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Chapter 716 - Intricate Puzzle
Clenching her fists tight, Alicia bit down on the insides of her lower lip. Before she came here, she had already formulated a plan. She was going to watch and follow after Ezekiel from here on, 24/7, until these two months were over, and the seven hundred years deadline was up. And if while tailing him, she sees even a hint of him trying to break the curse or starting to remember any of his suppressed memories, there was only one thing left for Alicia to do… and that was…
She closed her eyes in concentration and stepped back. In the past several months, Alicia had been spending all her time researching on everything that she could find out about Ezekiel. There was not much that she could dig out but there were some, though on their own, they do not make much sense alone. However, she had tried her best to connect all the dots on the information that she had found about him and also from the information by the previous queen's memories in the hopes of discovering on how to stop him in the case where that dreadful day would come.
Being in spirit form now, helped Alicia move ahead tremendously with her mission a lot. She had learned quite a lot of important things that would have been just impossible for anyone who was alive to find out. Because of her special circumstance, she was able to uncover some secrets about Ezekiel and what that could possibly be something that would be able to take him down.
Alicia grumbled within herself that this man was annoyingly flawless in everything. One could not even imagine in the first place on how anyone could even take him down. If she had not died and become a spirit, she knew she would never have been able to ever find out that this man actually had an Achilles heel as well. The fact that he even had one was so surprising! This is his one and only possible vulnerability. She was so shocked that she took quite a long while to process her findings about Ezekiel's secret.
It was something she had never ever expected to have been able to discover no matter how optimistic she was. And to think that she still had a lot she did not know about him.
He was an intricate puzzle she might never be able to fully uncover and comprehend, even if she spent all her remaining time in trying to figure him inside out. She had accepted that fact since the very beginning and that was the reason why she had chosen to focus on one aspect about him for the past several months. She had told herself that she should concentrate on just one thing, the most important thing, she wanted to know about him and get to know about it as best as possible, rather than to scurry about searching for many things and ending up with nothing at all.
And who knew it, but her decision was right! For the many months of searching, she was able to only find out two things that were certain about him. First, was his weakness, and the second thing was the exact date of the end of that 700-years mark curse on him.
Alicia had not told anyone about these findings of hers yet, not even to Zeres. The information came in too suddenly that she still was reeling from the impact of that knowledge. She then came to Zeres' apartment to tell and update him about the secret on these crucial two months before the time limit of the seven hundred years. But somehow, looking as how it did not go off too well when she interacted with him, in the end she just could not bring herself to say anything regarding that matter to Zeres at all.
Now that she had left Zeres' place, Alicia thought that it might be a really good thing where she was not able to bring up and tell anything to Zeres yet. Because there was still a possibility that nothing would happen at all after that time limit. If the curse does not break within these two months, Ezekiel will no longer aim to do anything to the witches, and that would also mean that there is no need for anyone to find out about these secrets anymore.
If nothing out of the ordinary happens within these two months, then these secrets that were kept hidden might just stay hidden with her, alone and disappearing along with her one day...
That thought made Alicia smile a little sullenly and made her non-existent heart ache, but she quickly erased whatever emotions that had flashed in her eyes and focused her gaze to Ezekiel's face.
She moved a little closer to him again. Her eyes traced along the tattoos that were decorating him, all over his torso.
"Are you really just going to sit there? Huh? Ezekiel? Or are you planning to sleep in the chair like this?" Alicia muttered. She had just realized that what if Ezekiel just stayed put like a statue this way for 24/7? Well, she had never imagined that a man like him was even living like humans but… he would not just be sitting and staying still like this all night, right? He should at least be doing something that would give her a clue on what he was thinking at least. A little is better than nothing! Otherwise, how would she be able to find out if he was already up to something or already realized that he was cursed and trying to figure things out?
Alicia sighed and moved closer to the window when that flesh and blood statue did not make even a tiny movement at all. Staying as still as a statue was truly impressive in its own way.
She stared out the window helplessly as she observed and appreciated the vast, beautiful view of the city below them.
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