Cimmerian Shade

Chapter 14

A/N- Ok, are you in shock? Please don't have a heart attack and die on me because then I'll never know what you guys think of the chap. I know I said I would upload this eve, but I'm able to update now, so why not? You better love me extra for this! lol I'm sure I missed some edits so sorry about that, and I'll love you extra if you overlook them. This chapter still needs revisions..it's not exactly where I want it but I hope its ok. I'll shut up now...sorry, I always do this...lil' disclaimers before the story. lol Ok im gone! Seriously!! Enjoy! Wait...I lied...Thanks to everyone who has fanned voted and commented!! You guys are the bomb diggity!!! Ok...now Im gone! :)

Ch. 14 “Tears are words the heart can’t express.”-Unknown

Alla didn’t wake up until late the next day. Sunlight penetrated through her eyelids, prompting her to turn over and adjust to the morning slowly. After opening her eyes, she rubbed a hand over her face, and stretched. Realizing that she was sore from the night before, she left her bed, and walked over to the mirror.

Stretching her neck in an attempt to view the damage, she noticed that ugly blue and purple bruises decorated her neck, and an angry red jagged line from the knife was clearly visible. Though she had bathed the night before, she could still see dried blood in certain spots. Grabbing a cloth, she dipped it into the water basin on the vanity, and slowly, gently, wiped away the traces of blood. After inspecting the rest of her body for any spots she might have neglected, she dressed, and began pinning her hair up.

As she stuck the pins into place, her mind turned to Brandon. Her fingers paused in their administrations as she thought about the night before; wondering how he’d found out where they were. He must have sent for Torrington after he found out about their escapade.

A knock at the door turned her attention away from the mirror; she opened the door to see Godfrey on the other side of it. He looked up, ready to speak to her, but then suddenly stopped. His bored expression slowly filtered away and his mouth twisted a couple of times until, to Alla’s astonishment, a small smile made an appearance. It disappeared as quickly as it had come.

“You are wanted in the downstairs study, miss,” he stated.

“Thank you, Godfrey. I’ll be there shortly.”

After closing the door, Alla returned to the mirror, and saw what Godfrey found amusing. One side of her hair was in a great heap atop her head, while the other half was down. She rushed to pin the rest of her hair up, and braced herself to go downstairs, her mind racing.

The debt she owed to Brandon was great; and she would always be thankful that he stepped in, aiding her and Breanne, despite how she’d acted towards him. Oh, she was still quite angry with him, but somehow, she’d softened towards him again. Was it because he had saved her? She instantly dismissed the idea. One act of bravery did not wipe away the effects his actions had on people he did not take the time to consider. So, why had things changed, then?

Though dreading the upcoming meeting with Brandon and Torrington, Alla walked to the bedroom door, but paused, with her hand on the doorknob. Turning around, she walked to her desk, and slowly opened the drawer. The sunlight showered its rays on the chain necklace and pendant that her mama had given her. She hadn’t worn it because it would cause questions to arise. But it was special. It was special to her mama, and her family, and to her. Picking up the necklace, she walked over to the mirror.

Once it was around her neck, she ran her fingers over the pendant, thinking of her family, and resolved that she would no longer refrain from wearing it. Taking a deep breath, she headed downstairs and found Torrington, Breanne, and Brandon waiting for her.

“Where have you been?” Breanne’s light voice broke the thick silence in the room. “You could not have been sleeping this whole time.”

Alla timidly smiled in response. “Well, it was a long night, Brea—“. She stopped mid-sentence, noticing the demeanor of the two men in the room.