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Chapter 6

I put my head on his chest and pondered. I ended their mortal lives, just to lengthen my own. Bloody images and screaming filled my senses.

"It never really goes away." Gavriel interrupted. "Unless you sell your soul."

"Have you?"

"Yes. But only recently in fact."

I considered this and inquired more about it.

"You have a grey soul. Still a bit of remaining lightness, but partially black. The whiteness that is there is what makes you feel remorse. The black is what makes you feel indifferent. When you give up your soul, you lose all the white."

"Will I still have emotion and happiness?"

"Yes, but you won't feel sadness for the deaths by your hand, you will still be able to love, but the emptiness you experience will only grow with every kill."

I weighed these options and decided, since I was now immortal, I had plenty of time. Gavriel laid next to me and I rested a little better knowing there was an option other than dealing with the pain forever.

When I awoke, it was to the sound of knocking on the door.

Gavriel got up from beside me and looked through the keyhole.

"The tavern owner." He mouthed.

"What do you need?" He called out.

"A check, there are some criminals on the lose and I must check every room."

Gavriel beckoned me to him and I came. He unlocked the door, and the large owner came in. He had a grey beard and a round face. His height only exceeded my own by about an inch, though I was fairly tall. Gavriel held my wrist tightly while I tried to restrain myself. It took everything I had along with Gavriel's strong hold to keep from attacking the man.

He searched the bed, the closet, and everywhere else in the small room.

He looked back to the Gavriel and I, and scrutinized us.

"You two are awfully pale. Are you sick?"

"You could say that." Gavriel offered.

"Do I need to call a doctor?"

"No, don't bother."
"Is it contagious?"
"No."
He gave us a sceptical look and left the room.

We planned to leave when the sun went down. I missed the sun. When I was down or required help, I prayed to the god of the sun. He always helped me in times of need. But now, I can scarcely glimpse at my sun without being burned.

An hour or so later, more knocking sounded. It was almost dusk, but the beautiful ball of light still peaked over the mountains, casting large monstrous shadows.

Gavriel looked riveted as they started banging hard on the door, breaking it down, and as it fell, he pushed me behind him.

Two men pointed wooden stakes at us and held silver flasks. One was tall and had shoulder length brown hair that was pulled back in a tie. His face looked kind but was frowning. The shorter man had sand colored hair that was cut short. He had a sharp, battle hardened face along with an intense scowl.

Gavriel spoke up, "Are you sure you want to do this, men? It will be the last thing you ever attempt."

"Is that a threat?" The short, stout man asked.

"Take it as more of a warning."

The taller man immediately threw the stake at Gavriel and he easily evaded it, keeping me safely behind him.

The tall one opened the flask and flung water toward me while Gavriel tossed the short one across the room.

The water hit my skin and it burned. It felt as if scalding, poisonous snake venom were set to rest on my neck and arms. I hissed and lashed out at the man.

I shoved him into a wall and Gavriel called my name.

"Kill them." He uttered and I obliged. I sunk my fangs into the flesh of the browm haired man and drained almost all the blood from him. He fell to the floor pale and cold.

Gavriel punched the tall man and knocked him out. He bit him to finish it off and drank.

The room had been destroyed so we left, for it was dark now.

The pain in my chest hit and I collapsed to the floor. These men were only doing their job and we killed them. I can't believe we killed them. What about all those other humans I slaughtered? Gavriel bent down to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"I know what it's like. If you want it to stop, give up your beautiful, white soul. It's useless to you now and will only harm you."

"But I can't. It's all that connects me to my friends, my family."

"They are your past. They will die. You will feel better if you give it up. No difference except that you will not feel remorse."

I considered this again. "We can go see the witch. She will take your soul and put it to use if you would like."

"To use?"

"To help people, if that would make you happy."

"It would." I mumbled, looking to the ground. "But aren't witches evil and use black magic?"
"They are only evil if you get on one's bad side. They are usually very helpful as long as you have something they want."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. Will you?"

"If it is as you say, worthless and useless, then why should I keep it?"

"Good choice, my love."