Colliding Hearts #Wattys2017

Chapter 38- War of Hearts

Alec stood in the shadows of the Institute, his blue eyes glowing as he rested his back against the cobblestone wall behind him. His arms were folded against his chest and his lips were pressed in a thin line. His eyes darted all along the backyard, his mark burned and though he no longer heard Ambriel, his mark still burned in uncertainty.

He felt strange, his senses had been on high alert ever since he left his mother's office, something was different and he wasn't certain what it was. He had followed his instincts, heading to the back of the Institute and waiting there, he wasn't certain as to what it he was he was waiting for he just knew that he had to wait for the sensation to leave him.

As he waited his thoughts roamed to how Emerson had acted around his mother, it was odd how his mother seemed to ignore her strange antics and how Emerson seemed more comfortable around the strict woman in such a short amount of time.

He thought of his mother's accusations; of his inability to think keep a level head when the girl was around. He cleared his throat, not wanting to believe that she had been correct, his own emotions were complicated enough, he certainly didn't need his mother of all people questioning him about them.

In the midst of the shadows a figure appeared, cloaked in darkness and shadows that seemed to move as the figure came to a stop a few feet from Alec. Alec stood up straight, his grip tightening on his bow as his eyes narrowed. There was an air of power and darkness surrounding the figure, Alec found him worried, fear and adrenaline mixing and coursing through his veins.

The figure smirked underneath his large hood, his slender tan hands reached outwards as he pulled back his hood; his golden cat-like eyes stared dauntingly into Alec's eyes. The being knew exactly who Alec was who his soul was and he found himself mentally comparing the two outwards appearances, the differences and the similarities. He found it entertaining that the old soul still held himself the same way, stern yet reserved.

"Ambriel or do you go by Alec these days?" He questioned, his words reverberating and surrounding the pair.

A familiar sensation stirred in Alec as he heard the man speak, a sense of familiarity washed over him and he fought to ignore it. He and Emerson had decided they would not be their souls; they would carry on with their lives. However hearing the name Ambriel out loud and spoken by this man made Alec want to greet him, as if he had been an old friend.

Alec shook his head and rolled his shoulders before he quickly notched an arrow and pointed it towards the figure. He could ignore his soul, he could ignore the strange familiarity this being gave him but he worried that Emerson couldn't. He worried that if Emerson were to face this man he would take her away. He had lost her once, and despite his confused emotions he knew he cared to much for her to leave his side once again.

"It's Alec, I suggest you leave." His tone was cold and stern, his eyes hard and his jaw set as he pointed the arrow at the man who only chuckled.

"Alec, it's a fitting name old friend, though I'm afraid I can't leave just yet. I've come to offer some advice, if you are willing to hear it." The figure spoke as his steady gaze looked past the arrow that was pointed towards his chest and towards the man that aimed it.

Alec remained silent and unmoving, his gaze dark and unwavering as he waited for the figure to continue speaking. However it seemed that the figure was deliberately waiting on him to speak and letting out an annoyed sigh Alec cleared his throat and merrily nodded his head. The figure smirked as he waved his hands in front of him in a 'well?' motion and Alec bit the inside of his cheek in anger as he lowered his bow.

Still he refused to speak, not trusting his voice or words, part of him wanted to tell the man to leave, another more hidden part wanted to greet him and ask him questions of his life and his well being. A sound in keen of a gasp caused Alec's head to shoot towards the floating goblin that appeared from thin air. The goblins tiny eyes widened and his teeth shone and Alec frowned.