ALMIRA THORN- Knowledge of Another Kind. [Editing]

Chapter 11- Reassurance for a sealed fate-Part One

 

 

The house was bigger then I first imagined, the hallways long and endless, cold and unfamiliar in their darkness. Turning from one corridor and leading to another, Lucian led me down into more hallways, more doors, until finally we came to one older then the rest, bigger and far more gothic in it’s presence. As I stepped through, it led down, the floor turning into old stone underfoot and making our footsteps louder in the silence as we continued our descent. The path led by torches filled with bright flames, guiding us to what lay beyond. The cold began to seep in and I felt the caress of it’s touch, causing me to shiver and bring my arms in, hugging myself as I continued down, down into what hellish place Lucian was leading me, the coldness far from what I had felt before in the grand hall with Ray. The thought of Ray brought me back to the story he told, of how he came to be here, such pain and bravery for his brother when he showed nothing in return, I’d never heard such a fierce story other then what I’ve read in books, such determination.

“Quickly Almira, we haven’t got long, I can smell the change on you.” Lucians voice sounded distant and breathed. I snapped out of my thoughts and saw him on the edge of the stairs, a torch clasped in his hand, raised in front of him as he showed me his worried eyes. Lucian has the ability to turn into any feline animal if his emotions are increased. Does his sense of smell and sight improve? He wouldn’t need the torch otherwise. I shook my head slightly and jogged down after him, pushing the issue aside to discuss later, right now would not be the best of times to scare myself. I don’t feel different. As we reached the bottom of the stairs, the torches were placed either side of the walls, leading down a wide corridor, the walls each covered in doors with bars and locks. Tightness started seeping through me, fear. What where they going to do to me? I hesitated and saw Lucian tense; his shoulders bunching as he slowly turned and faced me, his eyes showing a worry that spread to me.

“Why are there cells here, you can’t possibly think to lock me away like some caged animal, do you?” I felt the words falter from my tongue as I questioned an answer I could read on his face, his eyes showing an apology that filled me with dread. He slowly walked forward and his footsteps became silent, as if the noise of his boots were only loud before for my own comfort, but now he hid nothing as he moved like a ghost, gracious and terrifying all the same. I flinched back and prepared for the attack, but his posture stood tall and gentle, no fight crossing his stance.

“Listen to me, I will make sure you come to no harm here, I swear it to you. You are at your most weak, but not at your most controlled, you will fight and the side of your brain that would stop the urge will be too consumed by the change. I cannot endanger the people of this house for I owe them protection also.” He slowly reached for me and I didn’t hesitate or feel afraid, the defiance in his eyes for the people of this house was so strong that it reminded me of the look Papa would have given me if he were here. Telling me to stay strong, stay brave but stay human. But I’m no human, nor have I ever been. I slowly grabbed his arm and he flinched, as if preparing the attack he thought I was going to give him, but instead I squeezed his shoulder and met his gaze.

“Then I will do what you ask, show me what I do to prevent harm on anyone.” I let my hand slide away and stood next to him, searching around and seeing which cell would be mine before I heard him gently thank me and walk down the hallway, sweeping the torch in search of the cell. I followed and peered in each door, seeing if they were accompanied, but they were empty. Only the frame of rusty beds and chains against the walls occupied the rooms, the light only a gentle glow for me to see through the bars. I forced my gaze away and saw Lucian at the far end on the right, his torch raised to the cell as he looked at me with a reassuring smile. I walked up to him and stared at my lodge for the night.