Origins of the Fates

4: Aires Ozias

Aires Ozias hides in the shadows as Mercury's men drag Elidi and Emmeranne to the overseer room. His magick power is that of shadows, and he uses it well. No one, not even the surrounding cameras, can see him.

The vampire called Tiberius Shade and the wraith, Thoran Noctus both drag the sisters. Aires watches them, his anger rising as Tiberius jostles Elidi in his grip. The girl is not even resisting. No, she's barely even keeping her eyes open. She looks over to her sister, and Emmeranne is looking at the floor, seemingly drugged.

Aires followed them into the room Mercury has Eris in. He feels his breath lodge in his throat, and he stares, tears in his eyes, as he sees Eris kneeling beside her sister. Eisley is bleeding, but as Aires nears them, he sees that her chest is where the wound is.

Mercury is leaning against his desk, smoking.

Emmeranne and Elidi are brought in, forced to kneel in front of Eris.

"Damn it, Mercury! Fucking let them go! I don't care what you do to me, but don't you dare touch my loved ones!"

Aires feels his heart squeeze. He loves her, and to see Eris like this, tears falling down her pale face, trailing into her jagged scar on her right cheek.

"Let me see.... why would I want to let them go, Eris?" Mercury asks. "I have all I need to get you to do as I please, and they provide me insurance. So, again, why the hell would I let them go?"

Eris bows her head. "Because if you don't..." Suddenly, a shimmering icicle forms in the air, aimed right at Eris's own forehead. "You won't have me anymore."

"Oh," says Mercury. He laughs, even as Aires and Eris's awake sisters begin to panic. "This is intriguing."

"Let. My family and boyfriend .... Go!"

Aires is shocked. But judging by the lack of surprise on Mercury's face, he already knows. Aires turns his gaze to Eris once more, and she looks so defeated. So alone. So .... broken.

And he hates it.

Inching closer to her, he strengthens his shadows. Eris looks up at Mercury, her eyes glowing silver with her ice power. "Make your fucking choice already, Mercury. Lose me or let my family go and keep me."

"What is to stop me from letting you die and then using your family to my advantage?"

"You won't," snaps Eris. She grins. "I know you won't."

Mercury tilts his head. "Fine. Thoran, heal her sisters."

Reluctantly, the wraith approaches Eisley and heals the blade wound in her chest. He then turns and heals Elidi and Emmeranne. Once Emmeranne is fully awake, and Eisley is healed, they are obviously confused.

"I love you," whispers Eris. "My sisters, my beautiful sisters .... I love you."

Aires watches as the sisters yell, desperately trying to get back to Eris. But they are taken out of the room.

Aires turns to watch as Thoran grabs the icicle and breaks it. He then shoves Eris to the floor, at Mercury's feet.

"Fuck up like that again, Eris," Mercury hisses angrily. "And your precious lover boy is next."

Eris looks up at him.  "Oh, I'm sure. I'm so sure you'll target him. But ... perhaps you should listen to me when I say that you won't touch anyone I love."

He laughs once more. Turns his back on her, and orders his men to get her out of his sight.

Aires follows them. He is ready to fight, ready to attack. But they just take her to the locker rooms, where the people who work for the leaders of the Glass City go before work. Then, as they deposit her on the ground and walking away, he shows himself.

Eris looks up at him. "Aires .... I'm so sorry. He knows."

He sits on his knees and holds her close. "I know, my love. I know. It's okay. I'm here. And I love you."