Kiss of Death

My queen

350 days
It's been over a fortnight since my encounter with Tenebris.
Things have been... different.
Ever since I locked eyes with the new guy, who I have found out is called Damien through Esme's profession in stalking and gathering intel, I have been loving living. It's strange really, the empty feeling that clawed its way into my heart has been filled with joy, fulfilment, passion and motivation. It seems any depressing thoughts I ever had were whisked away and held captive in the purgatory mist, in which I first awoke.

Today, Damien was taking me out, and no, we're not dating. Though There is something oddly familiar about him which I couldn't lay my finger on. He truly was a mystery.
'Hey trooper' he called from downstairs, 'are you coming or shall I leave you to fantasise over Simon?' He joked.
'Coming' I shouted softly, shifting my gaze from the soft cotton clouds outside my window. They were so much more beautiful than before, the whips fading with cracks of light subtly illuminating my room.

I made my way down the stairs, my battered teal converse clunking as I gave a small wave to Damien.
'So what are we doing?' I inquired. Every time we went out he surprised me with something far fetched yet simple which filled me to the brim with happiness.
'We, my little friend, are going out on my bike.' He stated, a mischievous glint in his teal tinged eyes.
'Okay' I agreed cautiously. Before the end of summer I would have rather cocooned in a blanket and stared at the television screen attempting to find joy in something than doing anything actually enjoyable. Now my mindset was clear and open.
Damien guided me into his bike, shoving a helmet into my hands. I was excited.

The sun reflected off the light blue tinges threaded in Damien's black hair, the soft breeze working its way through every tendril of my own. We drove towards the sun, it's golden warmth embracing us and lulling us towards it. I smiled and laughed as the delicate leaves from the cherry trees brushed across the top of my head, the slight tickle sending a contrasting chill through my body. Damien laughed at my cautiousness as he gained speed and smiled at my wonder towards the outside world. It was truly magical.

After a while of driving Damien pulled to a stop. He grabbed a basket from the back of his bike and pulled me off, grasping my hand and guiding me silently through the cluster of trees. They greeted us as their leaves waved hello in the wind. I couldn't help but wave back. My feet stumbled and tripped clumsily over protruding roots, it was as if they weren't actually attached to my legs. A soft blushed graced my cheeks and Damien chuckled at my ditziness.
Soon enough we came to an opening, the canopies forming a circle surrounding a field of wild flowers, thriving in the solidarity.
'I found this place the other day, I was angry and it instantly calmed me. I knew you'd appreciate it.' Damien informed me as I eyed the area in joy. 'And I also brought food.' He added. With that I fell back into the grass laughing with disbelief and thankfulness.

We spent hours laughing and joking, small talk really. As much as I loved his company it hit me we barely knew eachother.
'So Damien, tell me about yourself' I inquired. The playful glint in his eyes drained away replaced with a sudden seriousness. Of course this only made me more intrigued.
'What would you possibly want to know?' He asked with gritted teeth.
'I don't know, where are you from, what's your family like, what are you likes, dislikes?'
'I am from California, my family aren't in the picture, I like my bike, I dislike personal questions.' He stated firmly.
Needless to say that shut me up.

We lay there in awkward tension for a while, my brain buzzing with questions. Why was he so closed off? I fiddled with my hands nervously and tried to conjure up a subject change.

'Look, I'm sorry, I've never really had friends before and I'm not comfortable talking about my personal life.' Damien apologised quietly.
'It's okay, all in your own time. Just know that I'm here when you're ready'
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At the end of the day I felt relaxed, the tension in my muscles had softened and the ache from my head had bloomed into a warm excitement.
'Thank you Damien, today was truly amazing' I whispered as I hugged him delicately, his cold hands running through my now knotted hair.
'It was my pleasure trooper' he replied, smiling at me and then making his way back to his bike. 'I'll see you at school' he said.
'Yeah, at school' I murmured, waving him off.
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'You're very convincing Ten, if I hadn't know better I'd have thought you were growing fond of this... human.' Seethed Nepthys. Her cruel was persona obvious through every inch of her being and she carried an aura of darkness.
'All part of the role my queen' I snapped. I would never grown fond of someone so, mundane. I refused to. I was just in character I soothed myself.
She chuckled darkly, hissing and cackling like a flame. You could compare her personality to a flame, seemingly tame and yet easily snaps and causes more damage than you ever thought capable.
'You're not giving into Damien then? Not accepting you're human ancestry?' Nepthys mocked with her innocent yet evil tone.
'No.' I stated through gritted teeth. 'I am not Damien. I am Tenebris. A Daemoniorum. Not some human scum. And I will not ever come to like one.'
'That's good my child, accept yourself' Nepthys chuckled into my ear as her claw like nails trailed the back of my shoulders, carrying with them a warning spark, trailing fire across my body. I flinched as her warning set in place, the burn searing at my heart. A wave of pain overtoom my body, every limb feeling as if it was on fire, sweeat dripped down my forehead as if my brain was crying in agony and I clenched my eyes shut.

'You better not defy me' she whispered tunefully, like a disturbing lullaby.

'Never my queen' I stuttered out, my knees giving way and my head bowing under her authority.

She lowered to my level, the piercing metallic  stench of blood plaguing my nose.
'Good.' She stated.