Ill Met By Moonlight

Chapter 22: Avals and Orim

Lex's eyes slowly opened, her back against rough ground instead of the soft arm of the couch. Her eyes took a few moments to adjust to the bright gray sky above her. Slowly, she got up, her body aching and her bones cracking every time she moved. She turned to see someone sitting near her.

Her heart started to pick up until she realized it wasn't the creature she thought it was. This... thing, had white haired like hers' but with black roots growing in and was less messy than Lex's. Its skin was lighter than Lex's skin but darker than the beasts' skin. Their eyes were a bright vermillion blue and their form was a bit distorted and staticky. Their eyes locked with Lex's and they gave her a small smile.

''Lex, you're awake. Please, sit with me.'' they smiled, their voice a bit garbled. Lex swallowed nervously but scooted towards the person but kept just enough distance between them. In response, the person who looked like her laughed which sounded strange do to their voice. ''I'm not like Avals. I won't bite.''

''Avals?'' Lex asked. The person merely gestured behind her. The white haired woman's brows furrowed as she slowly turned. Just behind her, was the beast that lived within her. Immediately, Lex shot up and stumbled away from the two of them.

The beast with red hair and white tips laughed sadistically. ''You've gotten to comfortable if I'm able to startle you just by standing here!'' The beast began to approach Lex, an aura of pure malice being more than obvious. The person with dark roots stood up and went between Lex and the beast.

''Avals, that's enough.'' the person said in a calm voice. The beast, named Avals, growled loudly at the person in front of them, drool rolling down their chin. The person with blue eyes used the sleeve of their shirt to try and wipe the drool away. Avals on the other hand, slapped their arm away.

''I don't need your help Orim, I can do it myself.'' they snarled viciously, wiping the drool from their chin. Then, Avals's piercing white eyes locked with Lex. ''You're getting to comfortable with that Beneviento lady you fancy. Getting comfortable means you get relaxed.''

''Is that such a bad thing, Avals? Honestly, just let her have this.'' the person, named Orim, interjected.

Avals didn't respond to Orim and just continued to speak directly to Lex. ''If you get relaxed, you get weak. And when you get weak, you die! I need you to be at your best when I kill you!'' they shouted at the white haired woman. The entire area went silent. Orim just stared at the redhead. ''That Beneviento is going to get you killed! Do you hear me? Killed! You were nearly killed by that tall bitch yesterday!''

''You leave Donna out of this.'' Lex growled.

Avals growled and threw their hands up and turned away, muttering under their breath. ''You idiotic girl. You're going to get yourself killed.''

Orim just sighed and looked at Lex with apologetic eyes. ''You better get going. It's almost time for you to get up.''

***

Her eyes snapped wide open and was met with a roof over her head and not a bright gray sky. She was laying on a couch and but there wasn't the weight resting on her chest she could faintly remember from last night. Lex looked down and saw her jacket and blanket laying over top of her and something soft supporting the nape of her neck. Reaching behind her, she pulled the object in front of her. It was her blue scarf but she had no recollection of returning to her room and grabbing it. Was she wearing it last night? No, she couldn't have.

Slowly, she sat up, her back cracking and her nose twitching. There was mouth watering scent in the air. Curious about what the scent was, she got off the couch with her scarf in hand. She let her nose lead the way, closing her eyes. Finally, she stepped into the kitchen and opened her eyes to find Donna Beneviento. The Dollmaker must have sensed a presence behind her because she turned around. She was wearing a bright smile and a black button up shirt with black dress pants to match.