Ill Met By Moonlight

Chapter 34: Regrets

Luiza rubbed Elena's back, who was still crying due to the death of her father. Anton had come back inside, warming himself by the fire, finishing off yet another bottle of alcohol. Luiza couldn't blame him, he had removed the bodies of the dead from the house after all. The old woman still couldn't believe Lex was alive. She couldn't believe that Lex was The Beast Amongst Men that had terrorized the village for two years until the villagers prayers were heard by Mother Miranda. Despite being The Beast Amongst Men, Lex had led the wolf-like creature from the house. 

Was she protecting us? She thought to herself, which were interrupted by a loud banging coming from the front door. Lady Luiza looked towards the door and then at Elena, patting her knee softly and removed herself from the young girl. Anton didn't say a word, taking another sip of his liquid comfort as the old woman went to the front door.

The old woman adjusted her hair and rubbed her clammy hands against her dress to make herself a bit more presentable. Carefully, she opened the door and her eyes went wide. On the other side of the door, was Lex Miroslava. The woman's jacket was ripped and torn around her arm, the sleeve barely hanging on by a thread. Her blue jeans were stained a rusted colour of red. Steam emanated off of Lex's pale skin around her shoulders and abdomen. Cradled in her arms, with a blue scarf wrapped around it, was a sleeping infant.

''I'm sorry to intrude, Lady Luiza.'' Lex's voice was quiet. Gentle. Tired. ''The creature is dead, it won't be bothering you anymore. While I was recovering, I came across a woman and her baby. The woman's injuries were fatal... she didn't make it. This baby is hers'. The woman said that she hopes I raise her well but...''

Lex offered the baby to the old woman. She would be lying if she said she wasn't shocked by the action. Even if Lex was The Beast Amongst Men, she was still gentle with her before and even during her two year rampage. Something in the back of Luiza's mind told her that Lex wasn't going to hurt her.

The old woman reached forwards and placed her hands under the baby. Lex jerked her arms back slightly, almost as if she didn't want to let go of the child. However, the white haired woman removed her scarf and placed the infant in Luiza's arms. Lex took a step back quickly as if fighting against herself to snatch the child back while wrapping her scarf around her.

Luiza looked down at the sleeping child. The were no signs of any injury anywhere on the child. When she heard the shuffling and squishing of snow, her eyes shot up to catch Lex beginning to walk away.

''You're always welcome here... Lex.'' the old woman said. Lex stopped for a second, pondering Luiza's words before silently walking towards the fence. The white haired woman kneeled down and opened the bag she had removed from herself at the beginning of the fight. Luiza watched as the white haired woman gazed into the bag, troubled by something. After a few more moments, Lex closed the bag and slipped it over her shoulders once more.

''I mean what I said, Lex.'' Luiza said, a bit louder than before. ''You're always welcomed in my home. And you're welcome to visit the child.''

''Shadow.'' Lex said, just loud enough for Luiza's old ears to hear her. ''The kids' name is Shadow.'' and with that, Lex left Luiza's property; disappearing into the field as the sun began to hide behind the mountains once more.

***

Lex sighed, her fingers wrapping around the door handle of the Beneviento residence. She quietly slipped inside, removing her boots before hearing the ding of the elevator. Lex stared at the hallway, waiting to see who had been in the basement. From the dimly lit hallway appeared Ethan Winters carrying a box.

''Thank you for helping move the boxes Ethan.'' came Angie's voice.

Donna stepped out from behind Ethan, her veil over her face and Angie in front of her. The Dollmaker was about to say something through Angie, until she saw Lex. They didn't stare at each other in disbelief, instead, Donna ripped off her veil and completely forgot about Ethan Winters beside her.