Dalliance

Nineteen

The rain was distinct. The smell of rain was everywhere just like how Death stood in every doorway. You dressed me and had me ready for the memorial of our fallen family members. As custom everyone wore white, we even dyed our hair white as tradition.

The memorial was small in numbers as many had fallen and so few of us stood. There were candles floating on clouds all around us echoing light into the darkness. I stood next to you copying your stance with my hands clasped in front of me and my head bowed.

Artemis gave a beautiful speech about staying strong and having courage. I watched as those left weeped quietly. I looked at you clenching your jaw. You weren't mourning, more preparing. Your eyes shifted often looking to your surroundings but not just what I could see, it was like you were looking in the shadows to see which shadows moved.

You held a book in your lap and after Artemis gave his speech you walked over to the graves and placed the book down in front of them. You layed your hand on top of the book whispering something to it and then stood regaining your composer and walked with your head held high back to your seat. You looked down at me and smiled patting my hands and giving me a nod.

You were drenched in Crimson red with blood staining your lips and hands. You looked hungry. And your eyes were on me.

"That was beautiful." I said to Artemis.

"Thank you." He said smiling proudly as he took a sip of wine.

We gathered in the foyer with the fireplace burning wood. We had scattered to different corners of the room but we were all together. I looked at you staring into the flames as they consumed your mind. I frowned placing my hand on your shoulder and you jumped as if I were waking you up from a deep sleep.

"Are you alright?" I asked worried.

You gave me your award winning smile, "I'm fine."

"Halcyon! Please!" I begged as you took a swing at me. I ducked my head as your fist flew by my cheek just barely missing.

Your eyes were crazed. They bulged out of you as you opened your mouth letting out a horrid squeal of pleasure. You ran after me holding out your claws ready to sink your teeth into my flesh.

"May I speak to you privately please?" Miyoko asked you. You both looked over at me.

You nodded and smiled rubbing my shoulder. "Be right back." You put your hand on Miyoko's back and guided her to another part of the room where you both whispered to each other.

I could tell it was bad. Your face began to change into a snarl. I tried to look away but then I heard you yell at Miyoko, "Then figure out a way!" As you threw your wine glass into the fireplace. The flames spurted out drinking up the wine and then returning back to their normal height.

I grabbed your shoulders tossing you to the ground with tears in my eyes. You scurried to your feet with your tongue hanging out. I prepared myself staring at you, unable to fight you. Not ready to give up on you. Not yet. Not after all we had been through. We had gotten so far and worked so hard for this to be our ending.

"Halcyon! Stop this! It's me! Your family!" I screamed. As I ducked again blocking your kicks and punches. I gripped my sword not willing to use it on you.

"We have to go." You grabbed my wrist dragging me out of the room.

"What? Where?" I asked panic.

"We just do, it's not safe here." Your grip on my arm tightened and I squinted my eyes in agony.

"Hey wait!" You quickened your pace. I snatched my arm back from your grip, "Stop it! Tell me what's going on!" I crossed my arms in front of my chest glaring at you.

"We don't have time for this!" You growled.

"I'm not six anymore! I want to know!" I stomped my foot in frustration and you raised an eyebrow at me smirking.

"Okay, you want the truth? Fine. He's coming to wipe us all out. He's not taking any more recruits. Now he's out for blood."

"He?" I asked.

You hissed at me lunging forward snarling in my face. Your nails dug into my skin and I cried out for you to stop. You tossed me to the ground climbing on top of me pinning me down. I had dropped the sword just out of reach and I inched my fingers close to it. You looked at it throwing your head back laughing and kicking it further away.

I locked my eyes with yours. I tried so hard to find you deep down inside tucked away behind some hidden staircase. "Halcyon." I whispered, "Please. It's me."

"I don't know you." You smiled opening your mouth wide letting the saliva drip down your chin.

I rolled us over and jumped back away from you. You screamed in delight jumping up and charging for me again. This time I braced for you. I punched your jaw feeling the flesh rip against my knuckles. You landed on your back scrambling back to your feet a manic smile on your face.

"Again!" You screamed charging forward again.

"Yes he. Sir." You crossed your arms in front of your chest looking at me annoyed.

"I don't understand. Sir? Why would he be coming? Why not send one of his minions?"

You smirked looking at your feet licking your lips, "Well not to toot my own horn but, uh, I killed them." I looked up at you in shock as you pumped your arm saying "Toot toot."

"You're kidding me."

"No I'm not, now we have to get moving. Sir is on a rampage and he's coming after everyone I love. And I love you the most which means you have a big target on your back." You placed your hands on my shoulders forcing them to be relaxed, "I could never let anyone or anything hurt you. I would never let that happen."

I thrusted my sword deep inside you and slid it out slowly as I felt your heart kick once, twice, and then stop. You crumpled to the ground eyes open staring at nothing.

"I'm so sorry." I whispered crying. I fell to my knees holding you in my lap burying my face into your shoulder.

Author's note:
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