GRACE'S POV

Hunter's island,
03:44 pm

Slowly opening my eyes I hissed in pain. I raised my head blinking rapidly to clear my vision but what I only was able to see was darkness. Complete darkness. I tried to move but I found myself tied to a chair.

My hands were tied behind my back. I touched my fingers to the thing to feel metal. It was a thick chain. My legs were also in a tight grip by a rob.

As my eyes got used to the darkness I recognised the place. Basement...the place everything started from.

A continuous beeping sound pulled my attention towards it. My eyes widened when I noticed a bomb. The small red light was turning on and off every second and a timer showed 20 minutes and the seconds were decreasing in number in it.

It's going to blast. No-no-no-no-no.

" HELP! IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE? PLEASE HELP ME". My voice echoed in the empty basement.

I painfully gulped after shouting for help as my throat was dry. " Someone please help". I tried to shout again but my voice broke. I hopelessly hung my head.

It's the end. There is no one.
No way. No hope.

" Love?". Goosebumps are what I felt all over my body when I heard a whisper along with a whimpering sound from behind my back. I moved my head up as I felt some wet and cold fingers touching my tied hands from behind.

Hunter!

His voice was calm as always. For the first time since I met him, I felt secure knowing he was around me.

" Hu-Hunter?". I stuttered.

" Don't call me with such hope, Love. I'm helpless myself ". He said in a very low voice and moved his head backward letting it come in contact with mine from the backside.

He was also tied behind me on a chair. The vulnerability in his tone terrified me. He didn't sound like the Hunter King the world knows. His voice was way too weak.

" It's hurting, love". He breathed out " Knowing you are hurting... hurts a lot".

Tears slipped from my eye hearing his words and the silence took place. Only the sounds of my sobs were heard.

Suddenly, I felt something bump my feet when I moved it a little. I bent down to realize it was a gun.

" Hunter?". I called gaining a low hmm in response. " A gun". I said.

" It's empty". He replied making me lose the last little hope. " Wait a minute, it has a bullet. I only used five". His voice came out a little hopeful this time.

" What do I do?". I asked.

" Pass it to me". He replied.

" How?". I asked.

" Try to grab it between your feet". He gave an idea.

I somehow caught it. " Done".

" Bend down".l

I hissed in pain as I moved down. " Done". I managed to speak as my stomach pressed against my thighs.

"Move your feet up till my hand". He said calmly. " Easy, don't drop it ".

I felt a hand trying to grab the gun as I moved my feet up. A sigh of relief escaped from my lips when I realized he caught it and I finally sat back properly.

I heard a click sound of the trigger. We both moved our heads backward. Looking down at our tied hands together. He placed the gunpoint on the lock but my eyes suddenly caught another lock.

" WAIT, there are two locks. We both are tied with different chains and locks. You are pointing the gun at mine-".

" I know". He cut me off and the gunshot echoed. I closed my eyes tightly shut.

" You are free". He said dropping the gun.

I opened my eyes feeling my hands released. I quickly removed the chain from my wrist and sat down on the floor to untie the rope that was tied to my feet. It wasn't as easy as I thought but it got untied after a few minutes of trying.

I immediately started searching for something around and eventually got an idea. I pulled out a clip from my hair and started twirling it in the keyhole of his lock. I kept trying with my shaky hands but it wasn't opening. I don't know how Caden did this that day.

" Love?". He called and started coughing. I went in front of him. I audibly gasped looking at him as he was showered in blood head to toe. Deep cuts all over his face, a bullet hole in his shoulder. Blood was oozing out from his mouth too as he was coughing.

He groaned loudly when I touched his cheek. But as soon as his dark orbs met mine he smiled. " My love". He slightly rubbed his cheek on my palm.

" Why did you do that? Why did you release me knowing there are two locks". I cried asking him the reason.

" Because I can't see the most beautiful eyes of yours lifeless. Because I promised you that I'll protect you with my life. Because I- I love you, Grace". He whispered the last words making his forehead come in contact with mine. I closed my eyes hearing him pouring his heart. " You always wanted to be free right? I released you. Just tell me that you love me. I know you don't but still, I want to hear that at least for once. Please say it before I die". He pleaded.

" Hunter-".

" Please ". He pleaded again.

I breathe in. " I -I love you". I said opening my eyes and moving back. It was meaningless for me. No feeling attached to those words but the satisfaction in his eyes screamed. The way his muscles relaxed at my words is beyond explaining in words.

I don't know why but I cupped his face and kissed him deeply. I didn't care about the blood on his lips at the moment when he moved them against mine.

I backed off and looked up into his eyes as they lit up. He grinned. I kinda got lost in his eyes. " I'll bring someone to help". I said looking at the door as I heard some noises.

He shook his head smiling. " There's no time". He said painfully moving back a little. " Run ". He whispered. " Run and don't look back".

The most powerful eyes were so vulnerable and tearful. The eyes which used to burn in rage had softness in them.

" I can't leave you here". I cried.

" You can and you will". He said in a stunt voice. " The reason I was living for has finished. I was living to hear you saying you love me. You did say it. I want nothing now. I'm happy". He smiled at last.

" You are crazy". I mumbled.

He chuckled in response. " I've heard it from people".

Both of our heads snapped towards the door when we heard a loud bursting sound along with screams.

I stood up and Unwantedly stepped backward not leaving my gaze from his face. " Go". He mouthed.

I turned around and rushed towards the door. It wasn't locked. I just twirled the knob and ran outside.

All the bodyguards and his men were running towards the main door. I tried to stop some of them from asking for help but everyone was running for their lives.

As I was running outside I heard a blasting sound back to back.

The black fog was blowing with air along with big flames of fire. The bursting sounds were coming from all sides.

Suddenly I felt a grip on my wrist. I turned to see Caden. He was injured too.

" Let's go ". He tried to take me with him but I didn't let him.

" Caden". I paused not knowing what to say.

" Grace, run. The ship will leave". He shouted.

"H-Hunter is t-there-". I stuttered pointing my finger behind him.

" Elly?". Caden called in disbelief.

" Save him please". I cried.

He looked back then at me again. " Get in the ship first".

" No". I shook my head." Get him first". I pleaded.

" Elly, calm down. Think about our child. You don't want to hurt it, do you?". Caden said brushing my hair back.

I shook my head. " But he'll die ". I sobbed harder knowing I was asking help from someone who hates Hunter more than anyone but I had only him to ask help.

" Okay, I'll do something". Caden said and held my face. " I promise... but after making sure you are safe". He put a condition.

I nodded immediately wiping my tears. My cheeks definitely got blood-stained as Hunter's blood was all over my palm.

Caden took me with him outside. There were two ships and people were rushing to get in. I saw Scott there who helped me claim the ship.

Caden turned to go inside but a girl called his name. Every one of us turned to see Vi. " Where are you going now?". She asked Caden.

I gulped knowing none of them gonna let Caden save Hunter. His their worst enemy.

" I'll be back ". Caden said and looked at me. I was already gazing at him holding my breath. He gave me a nod of assurance and turned to walk down the ship's stairs.

" Caden, don't be crazy- CADEN". Elijah shouted but Caden didn't stop.

I had my eyes on him as he ran inside the mansion. Soon he disappeared into the dark fog. We waited but suddenly heard another blast. This time the whole mansion exploded.

" NO?". I shouted from the top of my lungs.

• All empires are created of blood and fire.

Chapter published on: 01 September 2022.

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Didn't plan to update but since it's our Jk's day...💜💜💜