ORPHEUS

Chapter 24

Orpheus wiped at the little drop of blood that had landed on his chin. He grinned down at Kathy's wide eyes.

She had nickes him again, but he wasn't too worried, she would learn to control that later. She leaned up and kissed the little slash on his lower lip, licking it clean, sucking at it. He wanted to moan_ to let her continue, but he had to stop her, she had newly transformed and he did not want her to get addicted to blood. He had to limit her blood supply or else she would develop bloodlust, she would become like the succubus who had morphed into Sloane. He shivered with dread at the thought. He wouldn't let that happen to her, she had him to guide her. He knew enough from his centuries of assassination.

"Kathy" he said hoarsely, against her lips as he pulled her away from him slightly.

"Kathy, stop. Enough now." He said, cooing his words. She looked to be in a daze now, her eyes had turned golden agian. He hissed as he realised she had her nails digging into his skin again. He let out a sigh and patted her face lightly.

"Hmm?" She sounded, shaking the daze off. "You look nice Orpheus"

She blushed as she belatedly realised what she had said. Then, not a moment later she jerked her nails away from his skin as she cried out in horror.

"Oh Lord, Orpheus! Your chest! I'm so sorry, these talons! I'm sorry. I didn't kno-" she was getting hysterical.

"Oh no, Angel it's alright" he said trying to calm her but she was not listening, attempting to rip a part of her chemise to cover his wound. She did succeed in ripping a part of her shirt, but apparently it hadn't gone as planned. She had exposed most of her midriff and turned red, but still undeterred, she pressed the cloth on his chest. She had also calmed a bit and was no longer panting.

"Oh, Orpheus" she said, her voice strained, almost sobbing, looking into his eyes as her own teared up. "I can't control it"

"You'll learn, I promise. I will teach you." He told her with a slight smile as he watched her eyes return back to their deep browns, staring at the beautiful pearly white elven designs that had appeared at the corners of her eyes, he wondered if she had noticed them and the her pointed ears.

So beautiful.
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Orpheus had spent the entire morning telling her facts and details about elves and demon, he had explained how both species tended to have better senses and faster reflexes, she had also discovered that her elven transformation had not been completed. He told her about the marking elves had along their bodies, that only the ones along her face had appeared and there was a faint glimmer of shimmery whitish designs on her neck. She had, admittedly in vain, almost panicked about how they would look, but Orpheus assured her that they would only enhance her beauty, as it was what made elves so ethereal. She had merely giggled and given him a kiss as thanks.

"Come now, hurry!"

It was late afternoon, just after they had had lunch when Orpheus dragged her out into the woods. He said that she needed to 'train' and 'hone' her newly advanced senses. She had obviously agreed. He then orded her to change out of the pale blue dress and had handed her a pair of breeches and a shirt. She had been surprised to find that they had been her size, she had questioned him about them and he told her, in a nonchalant tone, that he had purchased it they day before, while she was busy collecting vegetables and a suitable turkey for the meal she had planned. She was pleased but when he had drawn out the little sword, the length of her arm and thin as a needle, shining brightly and glinting in the light, she had wanted to embrace the life out of him.

"Now" he spoke sternly, but his eyes were soft as he looked at Katherine fiddling with her sword. "I know you're excited to use it, but first we'll work on your reflexes."

He took the sword from her grasp so quickly, she hadn't even noticed him move. But there he was with her sword in his hand as he twisted the tip at his index finger. Katherine wondered how he hadn't cut himself. He then swung it sharply, making her gasp and close her eyes. She only heard a sharp whoosh and after a heartbeat when she ooened her eyes, Orpheus was standing with his arms folded in front of his chest and the sword was sticking out of the ground near his feet, vibrating slightly.

She did need to learn how to react correctly.

He produced a strip of opaque black cloth, holding it by his fingertips infront of her. "I'm going to cover your eyes and you are going turn to face the direstion the sound came for. Do you understand?"

Katherine nodded eagerly, nervous for her first session but buzzing with excitement, she want to bounce on the ball of her feet. She could see that Orpheu almost smiled. He made a 'turn around' gesture, which she did and he bound the cloth around her eyes, making her blind to the world. But as her eyes closed, she felt his hand brushing past her ears, touching her thorns as they passed. It felt as if her eyes were opening after a long time as the sounds came to her slowly, one by one. She could hear the faint rustle of leaves and the smooth scrape when he brushed his hands on her horns. She could hear the whispers of the wind, as if they were speaking to her as they caressed her form. She could hear the calls of the birds and their hatchling. She could even heat Deimos neighing in his stable. She almost sighed at the feeling. She could see, but differently, without her eyes.
This was absolutely wonderful,  she thought as Orpheus stepped away from her. It was so subtle and so melodious.

"Ready?" She heard him whisper among the winds. Though his voice mingled with the wind, his presence didn't stop it caress, which meant that he was standing to the right, since wind was coming from the North-West.

"Don't think Katherine." He said, his voice low but stern. "Listen"

Don't think.

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Beautiful, he thought as he looked at her from a distance, her brows were furrowed and her lips pinched in concentration. She was trying too hard. The first time she had turned to the right when he was in front of her, no doubt thinking that he would have blocked the wind had he stood in front,  but he was quite far away. She must learn exactly how much her hearing had advanced.

"Concentrate!" He said, his voice still stern. She swiftly spun, facing  backwards, facing him. His heart soared with pride. She would learn quickly. 

Hopefully quick enough.