****UNEDITED****
The trees reached for me as I traveled the icy path to the
cemetery beyond. Crooked branches
scratched at the wool, which comprised my winter coat. The lace at my neck itched but I knew it was
from nerves and not discomfort. I
proceeded more slowly when the wind howled ahead, moving the white earth and
causing me to lift my scarf to my nose.
A dim light gave me some comfort but not enough to obscure the terror in
my heart.
Katara…
My boots halted as my ears strained to hear my name once
again. Keen scenes came with
unprecedented gifts; those you wished at times did not exist. He was here.
The love of my eternal life lay somewhere underneath the frozen ground.
Just that quickly, the call was gone, only coming once and
faintly. I cursed the state of his weakness. I knew he was more dead than alive. How could he not be, given the condition of
his…
Katara…
This time I hiked up my skirts and ran. I ran toward the soft whisper coming from the
graves beyond. This could not be my mind
playing a cruel game. Sin was alive and he needed me to save
him. My next breath was halted as a
lonely figure moved toward me, the lantern in it’s bony hand swaying in the
strong breeze. It had to be the
groundskeeper. How could I be so naïve
to think this place would be deserted? I
picked up speed and presently myself.
“Excuse me but I am in search of a fresh grave. Possibly a few days.” I knew I would find it on my own but needed the old man to not suspect what I was really about.
He raised his light and studied my face. He must have noted the rich cloth of my coat
and the fur of my boots because he smiled, presenting a few broken teeth, and held out his hand for
an offering. I scowled but obliged him
for the sake of removing him from my quest.
“There be a new one down the path to yer left. It be the only one this week. Must no be a vera popular bloke aye. Nay but one attended the site. Sad I tell ye.”
I watched as he shuffled away, griping the gold coin to his
side and taking the lantern’s light with him.
Looking to make certain I was alone, I focused on the space ahead and my
eyes dilated to give me the vision I needed to move ahead quickly. The area was barren save for a small
bench. The grave was unmarked but I
could sense the beating heart far below.
I backed away, still terrified at the thought of what had
been done to him. How could a being so
vile exist? But I knew it did. It crept along its existence torturing and
killing for the mere chance to have me.
I would never succumb to the whims of my demented father. To mate me to one such as he was
blasphemy. My tears fell uncontrollably
as I remembered my mother’s sobs as I lay in a feigned death. One I plotted in order to flee my
destiny.
Sidore was king among his kind. But I would welcome death before becoming his
bride. He wasn’t a man but a beast that
thrived on the blood of others. Wiping
my useless tears, I fell to my knees and pawed at the frozen earth, cursing my
inability to crack the surface. In my
current state I would be powerless.
Brute strength was needed and I sorely lacked it. I was still grateful for the spell that
protected my soul from being discovered.
But it would only last long enough for me to break Sin out of his
torturous imprisonment and run far away.
A slight movement alerted me and I faltered when the
enormous shadow fell over me in the moonlight.
I was found. Now my death would
surely come. I would kill myself before
I would be taken.
The beast spread it’s wings and howled at the pregnant
clouds, causing my teeth to chatter in fear.
I didn’t cringe for myself but for the thought that my beloved would
continue to dwell below, alone and in pain for all eternity. The animal moved toward me, it’s fangs
dripping with fresh blood. My hands came
up as I rose slowly.
“Do not fear me mortal.
I have come to lend you assistance.”
I didn’t hear him correctly.
My senses must have left me. He
followed my gaze to his fangs.
“Tis not the blood of an innocent. I battled to reach you.” His voice boomed though the open space even
though he merely whispered.
“But how did you find me and why—”
“The one who gave you protection, Zena, summoned me to
follow. She knew you would have need.”
I nodded, not believing Zena capable of giving me to that
which I ran from. How could she betray
me?
My own blood.
Yes, my cousin was a sorceress. She had been gifted with the power at a very
early age while I wallowed in failure. My
power was cursed and unruly which is why I couldn’t understand why my sire had
promised me to one so rich and elevated.
Of course it was said that my beauty couldn’t be rivaled. I didn’t think such things important and
never saw myself as such. Cursing it
daily is what I did because it brought me here, to this desolate place where
darkness and death were happily married.
The beast reached toward me, his eyes softening with both
sympathy and awe.
His claws retracted and his blunt fingers touched my hair. It was too far past my waist and a
nuisance.
“I could understand his fascination of you. Such beauty…”
“I could understand his fascination of you. Such beauty…”
I pulled back. “I
loathe it and would choose happiness ten times over.”
He sat back on his haunches and the hint of a smile touched
his leathered face, making the huge under bite of his features almost
comical. Such animals were not bred to
show signs of mirth, their composition made for battle and terror.
“I understand your plight and that is why I am here to help
you.”
I grimaced, not understanding the reason. “Who are you and
why would you oppose your king, your own kind?”
He stood to his full ten feet. “I am Zor, brother to the king and I detest
him and his rule. He stands for
everything I do not.”
My hand came to my mouth in disbelief. “You should have been the successor. Everyone thinks you dead!”
He turned giving me his back. “And it is as I wish. No one save you and a few others know. “ He glanced back. “You now hold a valuable secret as do I.”
I comprehended the trust he was granting me in sharing his
identity. If Sidore found him to be
alive his head was a good as gone. Zor’s
very breath threatened Sidore’s kingship.
I watched the snow
shift under the coming storm. We had to
hurry.
“I see the pain in your eyes, Katara. The one you love suffers and we must remedy
that immediately. Come.” He motioned with his arm. I followed, wondering how this was all going
to play out. Zor was alive and that
signified a huge relief for the Gargoyle race.
They lived in fear and oppression, most in hiding. If Zor could over through his sibling and
take his rightful place, all would be well.
My betrothal would be void and I would be free to marry Sin.
“Your heart is beating too quickly. You need calm for what is ahead. “ Zor turned
abruptly. “Why do you not embrace your
gift?”
I tilted my head in confusion. “My gift is shameful. Zena will tell you.”
He shook his head.
“No. Your gift is too great for
your own comprehension. It is you who is
holding it at bay. The fear of not being
able to contain it.”
I moved past him.
“You don’t know anything about me.
I am not—“
“Zena told me about your incident. I wasn’t your fault.”
“It was!” I whirled on him, unleashing the anger he didn’t
deserve.
“Katara, your mentor was a fool. He should have known you were not ready yet
he pressured you to continue. He was
responsible for the outcome.”
“And now he is blind because of me, a vagabond who resigned
his post. Do you think I can continue as
such?”
Zor scowled at the ground.
“You will see it in time. Now we
have work to do.”
I stood in numb silence as Zor pounded the cold ground with
his bare fists. The wide fissure granted us access to the iron coffin several
feet below. His arms shook as he parted
the earth, jumping in to lift the offensive metal. Sin had gone silent and I suffered my agony
in silence, waiting for the lid to open and expose the man I had loved for the
better part of my life.
Zor placed him gently before me, an offering for me alone
but I couldn’t’ bear to do it. My hands
would not move no matter how badly my head screamed for me to break Sin free of
his prison. Zor understood and stood
behind me, strong hands moving to do the deed.
I stumbled toward Sin, tears blurring my vision and giving
me a semblance of consolation that I could not see my love clearly.
“Sin…” I sobbed. My
hand reached out feeling his cold skin.
The only feature proving his identity was the brilliant blue of his eyes
staring at me with renewed hope, then terror when he glanced at Zor.
I squeezed his shoulder.
“It is fine, love. Zor is on our
side.”
His eyes widened at the name.
“We need to depart. I
have a fortress to the North where your beloved can recover.” Zor deep voice
sounded behind me.
I looked away from Sin and wondered how we could travel in
such conditions. Sin looked to be dead
if not for the constant movement of those eyes.
His features were gaunt and drawn after several days in this godforsaken
hell. I thanked the resilience of his
race. He would need to feed and very
soon. I pulled my sleeve back to reveal my
wrist. Zor stopped me before I could
avail Sin of my blood.
“No, Katara. In his
state he will drain you. I have come
prepared.”
I moved back and watched as Zor removed a pouch from his
sack. It was blood. The liquid was dark and plentiful. The small squeak from below alerted me and I
started as Sin made the first movement since we had unearthed him. His hand reached for the bag, fingers curling
in supplication.
“Turn away, Katata.
This will not be pleasant to witness.”
I stood and came closer.
“I will not. How much worse can
it be than seeing him sucked in and gaunt with death? I will watch him grow stronger. I need to.”
Zor didn’t appear to be at ease but he nodded and places the
bag at Sin’s lips. With incredible vigor,
he ripped the thing with his fangs and drank greedily. I watched as his beautiful blue eyes rolled
back in his head, making it appear as if he were possessed by a demon. His entire body trembled and torqued into an
impossible pattern. I covered my
mouth and didn’t realize until it was over that I sagged to the ground with
unbearable sadness. The cold slowly
crept into my limbs as my wits came back.
Sin was still but his features had filled somewhat and his coloring was
better. His gaze turned to me then his
eyes fluttered shut.
I felt Zor’s soft grip on my shoulder. “He will rest now. It’s the process of revival. We must leave before we are discovered.”
“Yes,” I whispered.
I didn’t notice when Zor single-handedly cradled both Sin
and I into the crook of his massive arms nor did I stir when he levitated,
moving us through the frigid night sky.
I must have dozed or maybe it was the upheaval of the last few days that
finally took their toll on my sanity.
Next I found myself ensconced in a very soft bed, a grand
fire roaring to my left, it’s warmth taking the cold from my body. Someone sat in a chair just a few feet away
from me. As my vision cleared I realized
it was Zena.
“Katara. It is I,
Zena. You have been asleep for over two hours.”
I sat up slowly, still groggy from my rest. “Sin…”
“He is well. We fed
him once more. A servant offered his
services for nourishment—”
I bolted. “Is he well?”
Zena came closer and sat on the bed next to me. “Do not
worry. The second feeding is always
better. He will need need several more
but all in due time.”
I looked around the spacious room. “I don’t understand. How do you know Zor and how long have you
sheltered him?
Zena rose and walked toward the fire. “He has been under my protection since his
brother ascended. He had to make
everyone believe he was dead.
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