Love is Cold

Over

          I bolted up the stairs, sword ready to strike. I lunged  towards Ulric Gillian, but he sidestepped the attack and pushed me to the side with immense strength. I could tell that he was holding back, though. He was always the gentleman.

         I looked at Leo, who was freeing Prince Guthry. He broke the shackles and carried him out of the room. He came back with his claws bared, ready to fight.

          "Gillian, what happened to you? You used to be so nice," I wondered. He used to be a sweet guy who would try to be a good citizen, but his tyrannical parents taught him to be heartless and creul to those not of equal standing. Anyone beneath him was dirt or a corpse. He wanted my help to change. I tried so hard and he was making so much progress, but it's hard to stop a heart from becoming dark, once the seeds are planted. And his were rooted deep

          "I guess my father was right about me. I was meant to be evil and no amount of your time could change that. No matter how much I loved you," Ulric boasted. He threw another ball of fire at Leo, who swatted it with his hand.

          He kept attacking Leo. Over and over again, the fire flew at him and he countered it. I kept trying to get to Leo, to help him, but Ulric had put up a wall of fire, cutting the room in half.

          "This is the stupidest thing I'm ever going to do!" I quietly exclaimed, taking a running start and jumping the fire. I began running to Leo, as soon as I landed. As Ulric threw another attack, I slid in front of my boyfriend and blocked him like a shield. I shut my eyes. I couldn't watch. The fireball extinguished before it hit me.

          "What are you doing?! Get out of the way, Aria!" Ulric yelled, literally steaming. He had never liked Leo and for the, once, love of his life to be in the vampires arms; it made him want to burst with rage.

          "No!" I yelled back at him. "If you kill him, you kill me. I couldn't live without him... and my baby couldn't live with out a father." I look at Leo with tears in my eyes. I want to live and have this baby, but I'm going to die. I can't let him die, too. "Now get down here and face us like a man!"

          He put his hands up, as if in defeat. He then walked down the stairs and over to meet us.

          "Clever, Aria. I didn't imagine you would ever think to do that for the Night Child. And with child, my dear? I must say that I am surprised." He said it so casually, but I could almost taste the vet on laced into it. "But I still have the upper hand." With that he blasted Leo across the room, rendering him unconscious, and drew his sword. I drew my own, standing ready to strike.

          Ulric challenged, "Come on, Warrior Princess. Just like old times." We used to train, together. I would always beat him. I scowled and charged. I swung my sword down on him and he defended. He swung and missed. We faught for a long, drug on time.

          Finally, Ulric thrust as me and I twisted my sword. I launched the blade acrost the room. With a vengeful scream, he ripped open a pocket on his belt. From it, he revealed the weapon of my undoing.

          It was a double edged silver blade with a golden hilt sporting a circular ruby, at the bottom. The end was near.

* * *

          I came to, dazed and confused. My crest hurt and I could smell smoke and charred cloth and skin. Aria stood a cross the room, dodging attacks from Gillian. He was slashing at her with a knife, trying to kill her. He grabbed her by the front of her coat and spun her around. He held her to him with her back against his chest as she thrashed. Then, he looked over at me.

          Then, he grinned and announced, quietly, "If I can't have her, neither can you." At that, he stabbed her through the sternum and, then, he killed himself by slitting his throat. They both crumpled to the floor.

          "No! Aria!" I screamed. I ran over to her. She was dying and I couldn't help her. This is what she saw over and over again and saw this coming.