City of Fire

Chapter Thirty-Five

"Zane"

Zane knew he'd hurt her but he didn't care...

He didn't care...

He stood atop the roof of one of the towers, the cool night air washing over him. He could hear the distant wails of the Hollows as they prowled the dark recesses of the forest. His sharp gaze roamed over the trees and he found he wanted to see her, to talk to her.

"Who are you looking for?" The voice was sweet beside his ear and he closed his eyes.

"Why did you do it?" He turned around and was surprised to find that she'd removed her hood. The pale moonlight flickered over her face and his head ached as he tried to remember.

"They deserved it," she hissed and he looked at her, his gaze cold. She scrunched her nose up at him.

"Don't look at me like that," she reached up and touched his coat, running her fingers along the edge of it, "you never looked at me like that." Her voice was soft, her tone sad.

"You were never like that before," he murmured and the utterly cold tone made her look up at him.

"And how would you know?" She shot back and he straightened, raising his chin. His heart thumped and then tightened. He wanted to reach out and hold her, but he also couldn't erase what had happened.

"Ella," he said her name softly and she looked up at him. They stared at one another for a long moment and she seemed to realize something.

"You're not coming with me," her words were quiet; "I know that look." She sighed and before he could react she stepped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. "I think I knew that you wouldn't, that you'd go with her, but when you get your memories back you'll understand, understand why I've done what I have. When you do," she pulled back and he was surprised to see a tear slide down her cheek, "I hope you can remember." She ran her hands up his chest, framing his face, and pulled him down. He didn't resist as she placed her lips on his and kissed him. It was a long moment before she pulled away to look up at him and a soft smile played about her lips. "Goodbye, Zaleos," at the sound of the name on her lips his eyes widened. Turning sharply, her cloak billowing around her, she leapt into the air, the wind picking up to carry her away.

He stared after her until the dim images grew until they finally formed a picture.

"Be careful, Zaleos, Ella's new and she doesn't have anyone left." It was his mother's voice.

"Just like us," he replied and he could already hear the bitterness in his voice. He couldn't see his mother's face but he knew that his remark had hurt her. Regret surged within him but he refused to apologize.

"Yes," she whispered the gentle breeze taking away her soft words, "just like us." A wagon appeared on the winding road being pulled by two massive draft horses. It halted outside the city walls and the driver stepped down. It looked to be an Earth Dweller by the clothing he wore but Zaleos's eyes were trained upon the little figure. She was cloaked in dark purple, the hood drawn but he could see dark curls spilling out.

He suddenly wanted to touch them...

"Who are you?" The voice was sweet but held a sharp, biting tone to it. Zaleos raised his chin, indignation filling him. His mother chuckled.

"Oh, Zaleos, I think you both are going to become good friends." He felt her hand on his shoulder and he bristled.

He would never be friends with her...

And he was right...

They were going to be much more...

He opened his eyes and looked out over the charred forest.

Zaleos...

That had been his name. He turned and leaping off of the tower roof he felt his fingers digging into the stone as he slid down the wall. Twisting his body he landed on a balcony and turned slowly to look through the glass.

A figure lay curled on a bed and stepping through he let the shadows conceal him. He stood over her, looking down upon her face. It was relaxed, but he saw her brows draw together as if she were having a nightmare.

He knelt down and reaching out smoothed them, his fingers tracing the smooth curves of her cheeks, of her delicate jaw and slender neck. She sighed, her flesh shivering and he halted, his fingers still touching her skin.

His heart thumped...

He withdrew his hand but only to smooth back a loose strand of her hair, loving how soft it was.

She'd been right...

He was in pain...

To the point where he couldn't see, couldn't breathe.

"Maybe you can save me," he murmured, "save me from my darkness," he withdrew his hand, "or maybe I'll pull you down with me." He loomed over her, the sudden need to protect, to posses, filling him. He frowned, rebelling against the urge. It was as if someone had stuck a blade into his chest and he took a step back, retreating back into his sweet blackness.

Where it consumed him...