A/N:  I'm afraid...It's a short chapter, but it's a good one, I think! Leave some love and feedback in the comments! Thanks for making it to chapter 10 ya'll!  

Catijan Language Key:  No new words this chapter!

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I am floating in a black abyss. I can't feel anything; I can't hear anything, there's only silence. It feels so nice to float here, I smiled letting my weightless body drift into the darkness.

Jazmine please. Darius' voice called to me shattering the silence as a warm golden light began to glow above me.

Jazmine, I'm so sorry. Please I need you to open your eyes.

Darius? I whispered. Am I supposed to be here in the dark? Is that his light? Why is he in my mind?

Come back to me. He whispered. He sounds so pitiful and tired. I gasped feeling the crushing weight of his fear and worry rush over me and I know I can't stay in this limbo.

I mustered all the strength I have to reach for the light above me. I have to go back to him.

I slowly opened my eyes and groaned at the light while my eyes adjusted. I watched as my father quickly healed my wounds. I sighed releasing my newly regained strength to heal myself faster. I slowly sat up much to my father's protest.

"I'm fine." I sighed closing my eyes leaning against my headboard.

"Well, I would like to know what the HELL you were thinking, young lady?" He roared as I looked at Darius who is sitting at my desk holding his head in his hands as if he is in excruciating pain.

"Darius, I'm okay." I said, ignoring my father's question. He looked up at me, his grey eyes were bloodshot and his face had deep lines of tension again. He looks terrible. I can feel his fear and guilt washing over me in waves, and I feel sick. I did this to him.

Don't ever do that to me again. I winced at the sharpness of his tone; he has every right to be upset with me. I shouldn't have run away like that.

"I-I wasn't thinking. I'm sorry." I whispered as Darius stood up and walked over to me.

"Yeah, well I'll let your dejaino talk some damn sense into you." My Dad grumbled muttering under his breath as he left my room, closing the door behind him.

I looked down at my hands unable to meet Darius' eyes, I know he's furious with me.

"I'm not angry with you." He sighed sitting on the side of my bed putting his hand over mine.

"I'm sorry for running away from you." I said wiping my tears.

"I'm sorry for making you so upset. If-if I didn't bring up your past you wouldn't have run away. This is my fault." He said touching my neck where the giant bit me. I can feel his hand shaking on my numb skin.

"Darius, I'm alright." I said sliding my hand over his.

"You came to me in time. It's not your fault. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time." I said as he sighed shaking his head.

"I put you in danger. I did this to you." He said his voice shaking as a tear rolled down his cheek. I slid my fingers to his cheek wiping his year away.

"You didn't put me in danger, I did. You upset me, but I shouldn't have run away like that, you have every right to be upset with me." I sighed, I know what I did was wrong but sometimes my emotions get the better of me.

"I'm not upset with you; you just scared the shit out of me. I can't get the image out of my head." He sighed clenching his eyes shut at the memory.

"I've never been that scared in my life, Jazmine. " He breathed and I slowly wrapped my arms around his neck resting my forehead against his. He wrapped his arms around my waist holding me tight.

"I'm so sorry I scared you, but I promise I'm okay." I whispered as he let out a ragged sigh.

"I won't be able to let you out of my sight for a while, Jazmine. You're not going to like it and I'm sorry, but I can't risk you like that again." He said opening his eyes to see my reaction. What can I do? I understand where he's coming from and I know how much this scared him and how his domineering Dejaino traits are reacting to this.

"You're right I'm not going to like it at all, but I know how this must be affecting you and I understand." I sighed knowing his existence is to protect me whether I like it or not.

"Thank you." He said smiling weakly.

"Can we go home?" I don't want to be in my house anymore tonight.

"Yes, but you need to see your family first, they're really worried about you." He said as I nodded. He stood up taking me with him. I was a little unsteady on my feet as he held me around my waist for support. When we finally made it downstairs my family was sitting in the living room and all eight of their heads shot up as we walked into the living room.

"Jaz! Are you alright? Oh my God we were so worried when Darius brought you in." My mother cried nearly jumping across the living room to crush me in a hug.

"Yes mom I'm fine." I said hugging her back.

"Jesus, Jazy, what were you doing out there?" Shane said shaking his head as he squeezed Vienne's hand.

"I made a stupid mistake, let's just say that." I sighed.

"We're so glad you're alright. You scared the shit out of us." Vienne sighed.

"I'm so sorry everyone." I apologized.

"It's alright, you're forgiven, Jazy. Just don't do that ever again."Isabella said shaking her head.

"So how does it feel to be bonded?" Draina smiled.

"We're not bonded." Darius said as everyone looked at us confused.

"How aren't you bonded? Jazmine was on the brink of death, wasn't she?" Paul asked.

"Yeah I mean why didn't you bind her to you to keep her alive?" Madden scoffed looking appalled that Darius didn't bind me.

"I didn't have to. She was alive on her own, she's quite strong." He said squeezing my waist; I put a reassuring hand over his to keep him calm.

Relax, Darius. I'm right here.

I know, I'm sorry. He said kissing my head.

"I was so sure you'd have to bind her I mean, Jazmine; you looked like you were dead and that huge bite on your neck. It looked like the thing was going to take it off. Your head was just-

"Alright, can we leave out the details, please? I'm sure Darius does not want to relive it." I said stopping Madden from continuing. I can feel Darius shaking as his fingers clutched my waist as Madden was going through the details of my previous state.

"Oh sorry man." He apologized.

"It's alright."

"Well, Jazmine the good thing is that you're alive and you're still with us. I'm sure Darius would like to take you home so you two can be alone." Luna smiled at us as I sighed thanking my thoughtful mother for that.

"Yes I would like to get her home, if you don't mind." Darius breathed.

"Alright well you two be safe on your way. And don't you let her out of your sight, Darius. She's caused you enough trouble; I don't care how much she complains about you being around her." My father told him as Darius smiled.

"We've already been over that, Artemis. I'll be watching her." He said as we said our goodbyes.