Kill Me, My Love

Chapter 45

**"Visit"**

Lina woke up to the noise in the living room. Through the haze of sleep, she heard loud footsteps and the creaking of doors. And although she stubbornly wanted to sleep for a few more minutes, she understood that it was time to wake up. So she opened her eyes, yawned, and sweetly stretched. Sunlight was breaking through the curtain. The day promised to be fine.

Sam was not beside her; the tidied left side of the bed and a small note on the nightstand indicated his absence:

"Breakfast in the room. Don't go anywhere. I'll be in the third. Kisses, your Samael."

The girl read the message a few times and smiled. "Your Samael." How wonderfully these two words sounded together...

Her romantic musings were interrupted by a tremendous crash. All thoughts immediately flew out of her head, and only one thing hovered before her eyes: "The main thing is that everything is fine with Suzy."

She dashed into the kitchen, as that was where the source of the noise was. However, she stopped on the threshold. A picturesque scene spread out before her.

Suzy was holding an empty tray, while the floor was a battlefield. The porcelain teapot was in shards, the cup was too, and the plate with breakfast was sprawled on the carpet... The girl herself looked very confused and scared, as if she had been caught red-handed.

Lina couldn't help but burst into laughter. She thought something terrible had happened. That evil forces had stormed in, or the police, yet only breakfast had suffered... They would definitely survive such a catastrophe.

– I made you scrambled eggs, – mumbled Suzy, not understanding why Lina was still laughing.

And tears of laughter came to the girl's eyes...

– I guess it was delicious, – Lina replied, calming her feelings.

She hadn't felt so carefree and happy in a long time.

– The carpet can tell us about that, – the child shrugged awkwardly. – But household items don't like human food...

– Probably, they don't, – Lina replied. – Well, what now, we need to clean up the disaster. Go wash up; there are some clothes in bags in the living room. Pick what you like, and we'll think about what to do all day.

– Okay, – Suzy beamed and, turning the tray onto the table, left the kitchen.

Lina smiled again, surveying the mess. Children are so funny. How can you not love them or scold them for such things? Even though she broke the dishes, her intention was noble. This was evidenced by an entire mountain of dirty dishes.

The girl stretched, loosening her still sleepy limbs, and began to tidy up.

* * *

An hour later, she lay with Suzy in the living room, munching on burgers and watching television. Fortunately, the little one did not notice the package with breakfast that Sam had prepared. So they were not left hungry.

The television was broadcasting extremely strange shows. Brightly dressed girls were sitting in a lavish mansion, gossiping about each other while seasoning the dialogue with profanities and blunt criticism. On another channel, plump men were wrestling in the mud, while their families watched the cruel spectacle with happy faces. On yet another channel, a host was eating cockroaches. A journalist was explaining how to earn millions without leaving home. In short, a real madhouse.

If it weren't for the cartoons among this television garbage, they would have had to unplug the TV. Suzy didn't need to see this nonsense. Such shows were a direct path to degradation!

Suddenly, Lina's thoughts were interrupted by a pounding on the door. The girl glanced at the clock – it was just eleven. So, it was not Samael. Then the question arose – who could it be? Someone from the staff? A neighbor? Some stranger? She didn't want to open the door; she could pretend that no one was home, but the cartoon was loud enough for the mysterious visitor to understand that the room was not unoccupied.

She sighed and looked at Suzy: the girl was carefreely watching as some fairies tried to rescue their friend from the clutches of an ugly, green monster. Considering that the knocking did not stop, she stepped into the hallway, carefully opening the door behind her. Moving extremely cautiously, she quietly approached the exit and looked through the peephole.

Nathan was standing in the hallway.

He looked anxious and displeased. His clothes were dirty and somewhat torn. He continued banging on the door as if it were his personal enemy.

What to do? Damn... What a dead end. The Light have found them... Everything is lost. Where to escape? They probably surrounded the whole hotel. And there was no way to contact Sam...

– Lina! – Nathaniel ground out through clenched teeth. – I know you're here. I saw Samael leave the hotel. Open up! I won't harm you!

The girl understood that if she said anything, she would give herself away... But her intuition told her that Nathan had come with good intentions.

She gathered her courage. Clicked the lock and let the man in.

Nathaniel immediately closed the door and sighed in relief.

– Finally. A few more minutes and the staff would have noticed the homeless guy banging on the guests' doors.

– What do you want? – the girl asked, blocking the passage.

She didn't want Suzy to see a stranger.

– You're rather ungracious. Do you remember what I told you about the influence of the dark? You need to spend less time in their company.

– Nathan, it's none of your business. How did you find us and what do you want? – right now the girl was not in the mood for small talk.

In these days, she had changed dramatically. The frightened bunny who could be twisted in different directions had disappeared. No, now she was ready to fight for her life and her happiness.

– Nothing special, Lina, I need you.

– Not a chance.

– You have no idea what's happening around. Everyone has gone mad. I was expelled, stripped of almost all my powers. Everything is going to hell. The only thing that can save the situation is your death. Don't be so callous. Do you really want Samael to die? And this girl you're hiding in the living room... Yes, don't be surprised, I tracked every one of your movements. Though it wasn't easy, considering what I've become now...

The light in Nathan's eyes burned with a crazy gleam. Now Lina fully saw what had happened to the man. The cold, narcissistic handsome man had vanished. Now, in the hallway stood a thin, life-beaten man. With bruises and scars, in clothes that should have been changed two weeks ago, with unshaven stubble and stale breath.

– Listen to me, Lina, I have everything figured out. I've thought it through down to the details. I have a special sleeping powder that will knock Samael out in just minutes. This is a special technology developed by a familiar of yours – Anton La-Vey. A similar solution was injected into us that night in the woods. So a strong, ten-hour sleep is guaranteed for him. You should know how hard it was to get it, – Nathan grinned predatorily. – But I got it. With sweat and blood, Lina, I got it. So... As soon as your dark one falls asleep, I'll be waiting for you with the car, and I'll personally deliver you to the Abyss of Abaddon. I will even personally throw you in there if necessary. It's all perfect. My genius plan. The world will be saved, your beloved dark one will stay alive. The rescued girl will also be alive. You will die, and that's just a small sacrifice.

The girl was breathless at what she was hearing... She wanted to erase her memory, wanted the Light to shut up. Yet he continued:

– Time is running out, Lina. You are a good girl, kind. I know you are kind; I feel it. You won't let so many innocent souls die. The world deserves another chance. I deserve this chance!!!

Nathaniel was pushing on weak spots, pouring salt on wounds. Deep down in her heart, the girl realized that Sam would not find a third option. That this cursed choice would remain: her or the earth. Now, the question stood bluntly. And although she had never guessed what to do if she decided to sacrifice herself, now Nathan had brought a ready plan. Simple and genius. All she had to do was agree, and it would immediately feel easier. It would definitely feel easier.

She stepped back a few paces, her hands began to tremble. Nathan stood before her like the angel of death. Resolute, persistent, uncompromising.

– I need to think, – she whispered, flustered.

Well, she couldn’t just sign her death warrant like that. After everything she'd felt, leaving life was unfair. She wanted to disappear, squeeze into a corner, and sob bitterly. And let all the worries fall onto someone else's shoulders. Someone more experienced, smarter, stronger.

– Alright, – Nathan spat through clenched teeth. – You still have five days left. On the evening of October thirtieth, I’ll be waiting for you downstairs. In this hotel. I don't care why you are staying here for so long, Lina. But if you leave from here, Uri'el will find out your location and storm you. Whether you like it or not, we will get what we want.

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