The Sunwalker- Heirs of the Night

16

Lars came running up the stairs as if he didn't fear the light. He should, Nadja thought as she moved her imaginary blanket over him. It was as easy and instinctive as blinking. At least she could protect him still, so she wasn't completely useless.

"Nadja!" Lars ran over and sat down beside her. "Nadja, are you alright?" His gaze fell upon the rubies she held. "What happened?"

Nadja stayed silent and leant her body against his, still unable to take her eyes off the rubies. After a moment, she took a deep breath and spoke. "I failed.. I couldn't save her, I... I'm useless." Her voice shook.

Lars took hold of her shoulders and held her up. "Look at me."

She lifted her head and met his beautiful deep blue eyes, the same as hers.

"You are not useless, you are a Dracas." He said, as if one excludes the other. Maybe it does, Nadja thought. She had never heard of a weak Dracas before. "We are not useless and we do not think lowly of ourselves. We're strong and learn from every defeat, which is why we always emerge victorious. You are one of us. You are strong too."

Nadja blinked. And then, she smiled. Her brother smiled back. The burden lessened. 

"Whatever happens, we stand together. You and I, we help each other." He said and hugged her.

It felt good. It felt as thought he had lifted the despair from Nadja and now helped her carry it. The sense of uselessness had been thrown far, far away.

"I tried to protect the Contessa from the sun, the same way I can with you, but.."

She didn't need to say more, Lars understood. He hugged her tighter.

"She had accepted death by then. The most important thing is that you tried. The bond between us is special, I'm not sure it's possible to do that with anyone else, I've never heard of it happening before."

"I think it is, possible that is, just that no one has ever done it before." She broke the hug and took his hand. "The Belov clan never trusted, not even our allies, the Grimur, were trusted fully. We had no reason to even try and share our power, but I swear it's possible. It felt as though something was pushing back, pushing me away. Which means, if I learn to push harder, I can do it. I know I can."

"Then I know you can too." He looked around. "Where's Tonka?"

"She hid, but after the Contessa died, I-"

"Cut her to pieces?" Lars asked.

Nadja furrowed her eyebrows and tried to remember. "No.." She said slowly. "But a beam of light hit her, turning her to ashes."

"That sounds like the Grimur power.." Lars nodded and got to his feet. "Come on, we should get back to the others." He held out his hand.

Nadja took it, got to her feet followed him. Each step they took down the stairs made Nadja's sense of guilt rise. Luciano stood waiting by the bottom of the stairs. Silently and still clutching Lars' hand for support, Nadja walked over to him. She couldn't bear to look at him, knew she ought to say something without knowing what. She let go of Lars' hand, raised the Nosferas ruby and laid it in his hands. Nadja wanted nothing more than to turn on her heel and run out of there, but the guilt kept her rooted to the spot. Lars must have noticed her discomfort, for her took her hand again.

"I'm with you."

Nadja put a hand on Luciano's shoulder and bowed her head with closed eyes. Everyone around them did the same. Through this silent gesture, they showed their support for Luciano. 

"Ivy!"