ALMIRA THORN- Knowledge of Another Kind. [Editing]

Chapter 25 - Redemption

As I walked through the hall, I turned into the cloakroom, ignoring the occasional glance, the stares of Immortal Bloodlines. They stood proud, their wealth flowing off them in gowns, diamonds and even the look of disapproval in their gaze. They had forever after all, and to the men, it meant an everlasting supply of women and chances for more fortune. For the women, it meant more time to see if this world would accept women, would allow us to rise in ranks also.

As the door shut behind me, I reached for the bottom section of the skirts, using the knife at my ankle to hack it away, until eventually, all that was left was the leather breaches and a fashionable top half.

I went for the door handle and slowly peered through, seeing the guests all wandering into the hall again and taking the chance to slip out and head into the other direction, down yet another long hallway. I would have laughed if the situation didn’t have me shaking. My excitement and fear had molded together to create an unbearable feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Slowly though, after the corridor’s candles became fewer and the light appeared underneath one of the many doors on the right, I halted, allowing my new hearing to prove my suspicions.

“How did your travels go? You left me in enough of a hurry.” Rohan’s voice chuckled. It’s sound something that repulsed me. The way it was calm in such a monstrous situation, like the lighthouse overlooking a storm at sea.

The other voice chuckled in response and it’s noise was not monstrous, it sounded…. different.

“You managed to hold the fort while I was away. It went well, Paris is certainly a glorious sight at this time of year…. I bet you remember the days when it wasn’t.” He enlightened.

That voice shook my core, the feeling was too unusual to figure out.

“True, Napoleon was the life of a party though.” Rohan laughed. “But now, let us attend business. As much as I’d rather not, we’ve got a couple of guests to pay a special visit to.” He added.

As their footsteps grew distant, I heard the click of something and quickly peered through the key hole, seeing the shadows of Rohan’s suit disappear behind a…painting.

When they had completely walked through, I quietly pried open the door and walked across the room, ignoring the blazing fire and wrapping my fingers around the painting frame, pulling it open and seeing a small stairway, spiraling down. The memory of Tom’s training room flashed in my eyes and a thought flashed through my head, making me grow uneasy.

Biting it down, I ignored the fears and quietly followed after them, what did I have to lose?

*        *      *      *

The steps finally, after what seemed like forever, began to widen as the floor came into view and the wisps of Rohan and the stranger’s coat floating around a corner and through a door.

This following was beginning to grow tiring, their efforts to hide their business was as much to worry about though.

This is the man that destroyed my chances of a normal future, took away the father who raised and loved me, accepted me.

My head’s voice kept chanting these words until my grip on the knife in hand began to turn my knuckles white, my vision began to focus even more, picking up on the fragments of dust in the candle-light and hearing the flames burn with passion.

Before I’d even registered the events, I was at the door, noticing it slightly ajar and peering into the scene before me.

The stranger and Rohan  stood with their backs to me, they stood strong in front of what looked to be a prison cell. As I ignored my need to bury a knife in Rohan’s throat, I looked on at the bodies bound to the wall in chains of all kinds.

“What a pleasant surprise, Lucian.” Rohan mock purred. “Chains certainly suit you my feline, locked away like you should be.”

Lucian’s eye was swollen from a punch but the eye that was unharmed stared at Rohan with so much hatred, it scared me. The colour had gone to a pure orange, the pupils dilated and formed into a slit.

“Rot in hell you filthy bastard!” Lucian roared, his teeth enlarging and his canines growing longer, into fangs.

Rohan’s eyebrow rose, “Such rude manners, may I remind you of who dragged your body from that ship the day you turned? Or perhaps your memory has been fogged like the rest of your judment.” He spat, all his calmness suddenly leaving him in a rush of emotion.

Lucian’s head merely dipped in disgust, the chains looking so tight that even his heavy breathing drew blood onto his body. The chains looked too tight for him to change in to anything without killing him, I guess that’s why he hasn’t ripped Rohan’s throat out yet. I acknowledged to myself.

The urge to run and save him was so great; I felt my limbs fighting against me. But I knew that I needed to hear more, already I knew of Lucian’s mock hero that day, maybe he knew where Papa was.

The sound of another voice had my heart screaming to go to him, tears beginning to blur my vision.

“Be quiet Tom!” Lucian hissed, the pain of the chains now taking a toll on his body.

I looked at Tom and saw his body chained, though not as much. It was his hands that were bound, preventing him from using his ability.

“Do not tell me to be quiet Lucian! We have to warn her for god’s sake!” Tom shouted back, his eyes furious but worried.

It was too much. I ran toward Rohan, my knife raised and my eyes hard. Death. His death was the only answer to my questions right now.

As I moved, I had allowed my emotions to take control, and I already knew my mistake.

I’d forgotten the other man.

As the thought crossed my mind, I felt him grab my arms with such strength and power, it momentarily stunned me. I lifted my other fist and it connected with his jaw, his hands letting go and covering his face. I didn’t hesitate, I grabbed my knife and began to drive it to his belly, crying in frustration as he blocked it and had me pinned. My fear for Tom was controlling my every move now, I was like an animal running on instinct, I didn’t even hear the voices around me.

“Almira, Get out of here!” Lucian’s voice screamed.

“Please, don’t take her!” Tom begged.

But it was the last sentence that halted me.

“Allie, my sweetie, stop!” The voice implored, the grip on my hands hard as I looked into green eyes…. my eyes. 

To be continued....