Eternal Sins

•Chapter Eleven•

The tightening of red rope around a pale neck, cutting in, bruising, fingers grasping for release, prying. Sudden cuts of wind that stole lungs from those in it's way. Jults in the night, beatings in the cold air, blood freezing over chilled rocks and shriveled grass.

Every second Eva was awake, eyes blinking, she felt pain. Her throat burned with urgency, remembering the eyes of her family, the way they blamed her. They saw a monster and the monster grinned back. She couldn't deny it now, the way rivers of blood ran through her with purpose, with intent to murder. Their sister was forever changed, impure, a ravenous demon that could destroy man in minutes. None of that could be changed now. Except, maybe, one thing.

"No!" Ben was shouting, his fists pounding into his desk, papers scattering from the tips of high piles. His head shook violently, anger forecasting his whole body. He was a dark cloud, ready to rage with Cedris in the room.

"It's not as simple as me going back in time to reverse his death, nothing can be done of our own hands. The story is written. The only one who could change it is Wyrrek himself. Which means, we have to convince my father in law to come here and right this wrong." Cedris stood tall, unphased by the anger gripping Ben so heftily. Cedris refused to back down from any anger he came across, it was clear to Eva now. He was fearless in that way.

Eva stood between the two, all of them rigid from discussion in the library. It had been atleast a day since Wyrrek's murder. Eva had not slept, pacing, Edana fussing but Eva barely hearing as her mind raced. Her grief was held in suspense, the pain brewing, aching for release, but she refused. There was hope, there had to be, and it was with Cedris.

"I cannot promise your father back," he had warned her after entering the ballroom, seeing the slaughtered men being dragged from the floors. Her sister still held their father, a death minister speaking to the group of them.

"But there is hope," Eva wagered, eyes swimming with dark energy.

"Small," he warned again. But it was there, the smallest chance was worth it to her.

If she could fix this, bring her father back, maybe her family would forgive her.

Ben hated the entire plan. Cedris and Eva, alone, for however long. Eva was in a sensitive state, she could implode at any moment, at any small trigger. Ben couldn't trust Cedris to care for her.

"The last time she went through this travel, it took her beyond a week to return to herself. This is dangerous, too dangerous. We risk her not waking this time!" His argument was valid and they all knew it. His eyes looked frantically between Cedris and Eva.

He, too, was affected by Wyrrek's death. The man had been nothing but gracious and patient with both Ben and Eva, all through their struggles. He had supported Ben's mother when she needed it most which was something Ben could never truly repay. A man of honor, someone to be idolized, and in ways, Ben did. He hoped to be a father of stature close to what Wyrrek was to his kids. And now, his own children would never meet their amazing grandfather. In a way, Ben felt responsible just as Eva did.

All through the night, Ben heard Eva pacing the room, unable to sleep himself. He hoped she would come to him, to ask for comfort, but she didn't.

Cedris stayed quiet at Ben's words, silently agreeing. It was dangerous, he couldn't deny that. Sure, he could search for Eva if she became lost. But there was no guarantee, no positive answer. Cedris knew Eva would choose this no matter the costs to her, considering how much of her life felt destroyed already. Cedris and Ben had to be the ones to watch for her safety. Looking to Eva, he waits for her rebuttal.