Shadowglade [On Hold]

Chapter 3

 Osuin slowly pushed his empty plate away from him, looking at Sarun with an intent gaze that made him more than just uncomfortable.

"What?"

"You've been at my house longer than usual. That's abnormal."

Sarun blushed a little and played around with his untouched meal.

"My old man kicked me out. Said it was time for me to be a man. You're my best friend, I figured you would let me stay here for a while until I can save up to afford my own place."

"Damn straight!" Osuin said with a slight grin.

"Well, you're lucky, Osuin. Your father left you this house, paid it off. You were set up the day you were born."

"Just because my old man set up my life for me doesn't mean I've got it made."

Osuin clasped his hands over his mouth, trying to hide his discomfort. The scent of blood glided through the air, and eventually wrapped itself around Osuin's nose. His teeth became sore, but he ignored the pain and continued looking directly at Sarun. He figured keeping eye contact would help him ignore the pain. There was a sudden knock at the door, completely taking Osuin's mind off of the pain with the unnerving aggressiveness.

"This is the Glendale Guard, open up!" A woman called from the other side.

The knocking continued, and the best friends continued to glare at each other for a moment before Sarun too the initiative to get up. Slowly, he wrapped his shaky fingers around the doorknob, turned, and pulled. A flash of light erupted in front of him before he realized they were just stars, and his eyes were closed, but he could feel the butt end of a sword square on his forehead. Osuin's screaming his name seemed to fade. He could sense that a struggle was taking place, but that was all he remembered before his body went limp, and the noise faded.

***

Gael sat comfortably on top of the stone, ankle high wall that lined the top of a gothic structure not too far from Osuin's cottage. He had a clear view of what was going on, he wasn't human, after all. His senses far exceeded the limits of any normal mortal. His very being was enhanced...including his ability to sense those who sneak up on him.

"He's down there, Matron."

A woman emerged from the darkness behind Gael, her red eyes pulsating an eerie blood glow. Her downward curled lips shifted into a thin horizontal line, and moments later, they parted, but words didn't escape.

"He's the Unawakened our Dark Mother proclaimed to us. This might just be his time."

"It is indeed his time." The woman finally said, her husky voice ringing in Gael's ears.

***

Osuin easily slipped past the sword of one of the guards, grabbing the guard by his throat.

"What business do you have here?" He snarled, peering directly into the man's soul.

The guard attained a firm grip on his sword, swiftly thrusting it through Osuin's torso with ease.

"You...must die..."

Osuin gasped, releasing the guard as he stumbled backward, sword still in him. The world around him slowly faded, but he fought hard to stay awake, the soreness in his teeth now intensifying. In one last effort, he rushed to the guard, ripping off his helmet before sinking his teeth into the guard's neck. It was instinct, second nature. His muscles bulged and he slapped his hand over the guard's mouth to muffle the squealing. Adrenaline fueled him, and the warm vitality that spilled into his mouth energized every fiber of his being. Having obtained his fill, he tossed the guard aside like a ragdoll and easily pulled the sword out of himself.