Demetrio instantly turned and rushed toward her.
Her eyes were wide open and red. She slowly sat up, her face blank, void of any emotion or expression.
Demetrio gently squatted in front of her and looked into her eyes. Arianna did the same.
"Aria…" Demetrio called softly.
Arianna broke the eye contact and glanced toward Ezekiel.
Her red eyes landed on the glass of blood in his hand.
"She wants blood, Deme," Ezekiel muttered quietly.
"Give it to her," Demetrio said, his eyes never leaving Arianna.
Ezekiel looked at her. Her gaze was still fixed on the glass.
"Now," Demetrio repeated firmly.
Ezekiel stretched the glass toward Arianna. She grabbed it instantly and gulped the blood down hungrily.
When it was empty, she began licking the inside of the glass desperately.
Ezekiel and Demetrio exchanged uneasy glances.
"Arianna," Demetrio called gently.
She stopped licking and looked at him.
"Aria… come back to your senses. It's me… Demetrio."
The glass slipped from her hand and shattered into pieces on the floor.
She screamed and clutched her head.
Demetrio's eyes widened as he quickly pulled her into his arms.
"Arianna, you'll overcome it," he whispered.
"Her human side and vampire side are fighting. Who's going to win?" Ezekiel asked.
"I hope her human side wins," Demetrio replied.
"You know that's impossible. You bite her. And you're the most powerful vampire alive. Her human senses can't overpower that," Ezekiel muttered.
"Just shut up!" Demetrio snapped.
"Ahhhhhhh!" Arianna screamed one final time before going still, breathing heavily.
Demetrio slowly pulled back from the hug and cupped her cheeks.
Tears streamed down her face. Her eyes were closed.
"Aria… open your eyes," he said softly.
Her lashes fluttered.
Then she opened them.
Amber.
Her eyes had returned to their beautiful amber color — meaning she hadn't fully turned into a vampire.
"That's impossible…" Ezekiel whispered, shocked. He couldn't believe her human side had overpowered the vampire instinct. Maybe she would turn later… but not now.
Demetrio smiled, staring into her eyes. How badly he had missed them.
For nine long years… he hadn't seen those eyes.
"Aria…" He leaned in and gently peck her lips.
Ezekiel scoffed from where he stood.
"Welcome back, Arianna," he said before walking away.
"Aria, talk to me… I missed you so much. I'm sorry it took so long to bring you back," Demetrio whispered.
Arianna slowly lifted her hands and placed them on his cheeks.
Her touch was cold… unnaturally cold.
"Deme… trio…" she whispered weakly.
"It's me, Aria," Demetrio smiled through the emotion.
"It was so painful," she muttered before wrapping her arms around him.
"I missed you, Aria," Demetrio hugged her tightly.
A single tear slid down his cheek.