Beloved

darkened ashes

Edited

2018
Ryan Matson

They had returned from Necro Manor few hours ago. Ryan was lying in his bed, his mind reeling with questions.

Night had already fallen, grounding the neighbourhood in darkness. The streetlight had broken a while ago but still hadn't been fixed and with the houses drowning in darkness, the street was nothing but inky black.

He had come upstairs with the excuse of sleeping but once he had pulled the sheets on him, sleep had evaporated. In the silent room, his mind had immediately remembered the words Ethan had spoken, immediately leaving his mind reeling with question about his strange words.

Keep your family close to you, you might never know when you'll lose them..

Although the words seemed more like a threat, it wasn't. He had known that the words had rang deep with him even though neither he or his cousin had opened up about his departure from New York. His expression had given it all away. And suddenly he couldn't help himself but feel sorry about him. Although throughout their conversation, he had been rude. Insulting everyone and anything when the opportunity aroused. But he still couldn't help himself. Maybe he had lost his parents as he seemed awfully touchy about anything concerning himself. Even though he was a rich jerk, Ryan knew that somehow Ethan envied him.

And he couldn't help but feel victorious.

The pebbled road was deserted as the two woman ran for their lives. Fog hung low, shrouding the walled street in darkness. In the silent street, their running feet made the only sound. Terror ran through their hearts as they ran back home. The small lamp suddenly hurtled from one of the female's hands, immediately distinguishing as it hit the ground.

The Brunette immediately grabbed her sister's hand, knowing her fear to the dark. The blond's hand was shaking as now they walked ahead, fearing that if they run, they might hurt themselves. "Its alright, Jane. I'm right here".

She felt her sister squeeze her fingers as she panted, her eyes darting everywhere to notice the drunken man following them. Her other hand was whipping around her, as they made their way forward.

Suddenly, neighing of horses alerted them of another presence as light danced from a distance, gaining forward on them. Jane screamed, pushing on her sister to run. But the brunette had identified the wine colored carriage and and was adamant to stay, knowing that the male would help them. Right beside them, the carriage stopped. The door opening letting the male to step out. His male features burned golden in the light, his dark locks mixing with the surrounding darkness.

"You ladies should've been home by now". Frowning, he remarked. He wasn't wearing a waistcoat, but his white collared shirt was opened letting his neck to be full of view. The brunette gulped, noticing the red marks against his pale neck. Jealousy rose in her but she pushed it away.

"Yes, but we got lost and-".

"A drunken man was chasing us!". Jane suddenly put in, moving forward towards the light. "And we don't know where we are".

But the man's gaze was the brunette who was glaring at the workout steps, her mouth scowling. His expression turned blank, stepped out of the carriage and on the cobblestoned street. He waved his gloved hand, snapping his fingers suddenly making the two females move back.

He smiled sheepishly. "Sorry". But his tone wasn't sincere, his voice thick was annoyance. "Its just that I don't like being ignored".

The brunette scoffed, earning a glare from her sister who leaned closer to her, her warm breath tickling her ear as she whispered. "Don't be rude, Selena. He wouldn't help us then". A small smirk was on his lips, his charcoal eyes glittering with amusement. But he kept his mouth shut, his eyes on his beloved, who kept glaring at the cosmetic marks on his pale neck. He was jolly, noticing her eyebrows crinkled, her eyes jealously scoffing back at her sister, whispering back. Even though she knew of his true nature.

"We don't need his help, Jane. He's no better than him. Just think about it, why would an arrogant pest are like him help us?"

He rolled his eyes, his hands raising slowly as he gestured towards the inside of his warm carriage. "You are welcome inside".

While Selena crossed her arms together, refusing to enter, her sister had already gathered up her skirts and was letting the man pull her up into the interior. The male raised his eyes, his gloved Palm open to let the other female in. Sighing in surrender, seeing her pouting sister, she grabbed his hand and pulled herself inside, her skirt bundling up at her feet making her stumble inside. The door closed, leaving the company to stare at each other in awkward silence but the male turned around to whisper in his man's ear. He smiled at them, trying to make small talk. Jane happily chatted with him while Selena remained uncharacteristically silent, her sky blue eyes on the curtained window.

"How did the man look like? The man chasing you, I mean". Jane stopped, her speech long forgotten as she thought over it, while leaving her sister suspiciously glaring at the male. "What do you want with that information, Mr. Necro?"

He raised a silent eyebrow, making her blush scarlet and turn her head away. "I've seen him around town actually, Mr. Necro. You know that man who lives behind the market?"

"The one everyone says is mad, has that crooked scar across his left eye?" He asked, his eyes tightening up as he squeezed them shut. He still held his calm exterior, not letting the emotions get the best of him. But he still felt like he had already won. Without meaning too, she had accepted her love for him.

Jane nodded. "Yes, that one". Selena was still wary of him, her eyes trailing his every move. He nodded, as a thank you.

He turned to look outside, finding their journey coming to a close. His finger traced the marks on his neck, her midnight eyes following his every move. He noticed his distracted sister staring outside and taking the chance, he pushed himself forward. His legs nearly touching he leaned closer, exhaling her lilac smell before whispering so lightly that she had to strain her ears to hear his melodic voice. "You care for me, Selene. You can't deny the jealous looks you sent my way so why don't you accept me?"

She gulped visibly, noticing his eyes on her plump lips. She turned away, as he pulled himself back, his expression neutral but his eyes a storm.

She should've been thinking about her answer to him. But her mind was somewhere else
Is he going to kill that man too?