Princess Of Darkness (Editing)

Fourteen: The Magic Of Will Power (Edited)

It amazed me at how little the library was used. Since the day I had followed Pitch through the archway and found it, I had been coming here frequently, ransacking the titles for things that would spark my interest. I appreciated the tranquil ambience that consistently settled over the space, and, I also enjoyed the serenity while I practised my magic here. Particularly, since I had found a section on one of the shelves containing books about inner energy and meditation to strengthen the mind.

That was where Lucian found me, sitting cross legged on the floor, pouring over one of these books. I didn't hear him approach as he swept into the room, his eyes glowing a deep sinister red, haunted by a look of agitation.

I felt him before I saw him, the vibrating hum of his energy like a persistent buzz in the back of my mind. He had been standing there silently for a few moments, observing me from beneath the archway of the door. The hum grew louder, more persistent, like a velvet touch caressing the edges of my mind, and I recognised him, before I was even consciously aware of him.

"Lilith." He spoke softly, his voice like the faintest breath of wind, my name being carried to me on an echo burdened with unease. I put the book down and looked up at him questionably.

"Hi, Lucian," I greeted him offhandedly, smiling shyly as he emerged from the archway. His skin gleamed in the daylight filtering through the windows, casting him in a radiant glow, his muscular form like molten gold as he moved toward me.

"I've heard rumours among the people here," he started, his voice smooth and silky as always, though, there was an edge of discontent beneath it which I wouldn't have detected if I hadn't been so intently focused on him. "There's talk of you returning to the Surface to confront Rapture."

I had to tilt my head right back to meet his gaze from where I sat on the floor. I closed the book I'd been studying, setting it aside, and climbed to my feet. Even standing, he was still so tall that I had to look up at him. He tilted his head, waiting for my response, and I hesitated, before shaking my head.

"I don't know," I said honestly, though, I felt a twinge of guilt, knowing that I had entertained the idea. "I never said to anyone that I was going to return to the Surface."

The tension seemed to leave his body, his expression softened and the hint of a smile played in the corner of his mouth. He reached a hand delicately toward me, brushing back my hair from my face and inclined his head.

"Alright," he said softly, his voice reaching right into my very soul, soothing me with it's gentle caress. "I am sorry for interrupting."

He let his hand linger at the side of my face for a brief moment, then, he took a step away from me, moving toward the archway again, but I caught his hand.

"Wait, Lucian."

He paused and turned back to me.

"Wouldn't it make sense, though?" I wondered, hesitating as he narrowed his eyes, then decided to press on. "For me to go back?"

He frowned, looking at me sidelong, his eyes burning, dangerous coals threatening to ignite and reduce the world to nothing but deadly wildfire.

"What's the sense in that?" He demanded, immediately on the defence.

I took a deep breath, knowing I'd have to tread carefully here, choose my words very wisely.

"Well," I clasped my hands before me, biding my time, then pressed on. "Each day, I practice my magic, and I'm getting good at it, you have to admit."

Lucian nodded once, slowly, cautiously, careful not to give me any ammunition.

I cleared my throat.