TO LIE WITH MIDNIGHT ROSES

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XAVIER

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All I wanted was to save her. 

 All I wanted was some form of redemption, maybe then I'd hate myself less. At least, I thought I would, yet here I am threatening her after I had told her not that long ago; "All I wanted was to save you." 

Save you for my own selfish reasons.

Even after all these years, the people I've killed still haunt me. Their eyes fading, their screams, their cold lifeless bodies lying limp in my arms. All of it ached in the back of my mind, like corpses clawing their way out of a grave - their nails scratching just beneath the surface. 

Then there was her and all I could hear was her screams, her pain - the same pain I had caused so many others but then there was her smell. Sweet and warm and intoxicating.

All I wanted was to right some wrongs but why, out of all the people on this planet did it have to be her? The girl whose memories I can't seem to erase. Why did it have to be the girl whose blood I so badly ached to taste? Why did it have to be the girl with curvy hips and a pretty face who was now stomping her boots behind me as she followed me through the corridor?

Trouble. That's what she was. She has caused me nothing but trouble and I'm starting to think the universe never wanted me to redeem myself. In all my life, I have never met a girl so stubborn, even more so than I am. I have never met someone so ungrateful to have had their life saved, despite the circumstances.

 Her breathing is heavy and angry as she continues to follow behind me as I turn a corner. She nearly bumps into me as I come to a halt in front of a large wooden door.

"This is Romans's study," I say, not turning to look at her. "He should be able to help you."

She doesn't speak as I turn the knob and enter the room. She hesitates, waiting in the hall. I quickly turn around, grabbing a hold of her wrist and pulling her inside. I shut the door behind us.

Roman's study was quite large. There weren't many windows, except for one large one off to the side of his desk. The atmosphere was quite dark, the grey storm clouds hung low outside. There are a few dimly lit lamps hanging off the walls emitting a soft yellow glow. His desk was a dark mahogany wood and scattered across it lay open books, papers and quills. 

Ryker sits over to the side of the room on a dark leather chair, reading a book. He looks up quickly, glancing towards my shirt as we enter, then returns to reading. He acts as though he's minding his own business, but I know he's only wishing he could read minds like his brother.

Behind the mahogany desk, Roman sits in a large brown leather chair that seems quite worn down at the edges. The walls were lined with dark wooden shelves, containing books and vases and all sorts of trinkets and things he had collected over the years.

"Renessa," He says, standing up from his chair and pushing it out behind him. He walks slowly over towards us as he glances over her, looking her up and down. "Well, you certainly look human."

"I am." She states. Then she outstretches her hand, offering it to him. "It is nice to meet you, Roman."

He shakes it in return. Then quickly he lets go of her, stumbling back slightly as his jaw hangs open - as if he were electrocuted. He shakes his arms and then lets it go limp, bringing a hand to his temple and scratching it. His face scrunches up.

"How curious. You carry a significant amount of energy." He states, his voice deep and melancholy as always. "And trauma. All I feel from you is trauma."