The Baron and his Lady

Twenty-six: Flicker

Penthurst Manor

Emma's pov

I came to Patrick's room as fast as I could his door was unlocked and I flung it open. The light from a single bulb illuminated the room enough for me to see Tristane sprawled on the floor and Patrick knelt by him.

"Get away from him!" I yelled at the man I loved.

His shoulders tensed and I knew he wasn't himself. When he finally turned to me I saw it was Patrick's face but somehow I was seeing Claus instead.

"What... what's going on?" I muttered.

Patrick/Claus rose slowly to his feet, face bare of emotions. But before I could blink he got me pinned to the wall, his huge hands gripped my throat.

"Witch!" He spat at me. His face only a few inches away from mine as if he was going for a kiss.

But it wasn't Patrick and he wasn't going to kiss me. This was Claus and he was about to kill me.

"Claus?"

"Oh you can tell?" He smirked like the devil.

"But how?"

His eyes wavered for one quick moment but anger came back immediately, "You did this!"

I shook my head, his grip had loosened and I could breathe better.

"I don't understand. You're dead.."

He pressed his half-clad body against mine and it scared me. If this was Patrick I would've swooned with pleasure but it was only his body. Claus had taken over it all.

"You cursed me, remember?"

When I was about to shake my head for the second time but his hands tightened around my neck again.

"I swear! I don't know!" It took all my breath to scream at him because talking mildly to a supposedly dead person can get you nowhere.

"Lies! Nothing but lies! You took Lucian from me. Yet it wasn't enough. You trapped my soul inside this shell, making me believe all this time I was trapped inside my own body... but no, you used another person. Every one is just a pawn to you, isn't it?"

With one disgusted breath he threw me across the room, I landed on my back with a painful grunt. My head was spinning and my throat burned. At least I can breathe again.

"Who is he?"

I turned my head to one side, "He's my child..."

Tristane laid motionless. His eyes shut like he was asleep. Is he dead? Please don't let him be dead. Not yet.

"Your child?" He asked, bewildered.

"My children's children...son..." it still hurt to speak, there might've been a damaged vein in my throat.

He scoffed and knelt down again, his hand pressed me down. Knowing I had the magic and could overpower him soon, he used his body as leverage. He knew without enough physical strength I would be weak against him.

"You sent him to kill me.."

"No!"

"Lies again." He straddled me, pinning my legs rendering me motionless, "When will you let the truth come out of your mouth? Do you want me to squeeze the life out of you before you realize that are nothing but a dirt undusted on this beautiful world?"

"I do not lie Claus.."

"No? Or are you trying to convince yourself that you can really speak the truth? Are you that eager to die?"

"You can kill me right now but you wouldn't. You are not a murderer Claus."

He laughed sadly, "I already killed your son. After I kill you I am certain I am capable of murder."

I tensed. There has to be something I can do for now, I can feel Tristane's fire wavering against death's wind. He's holding on. I can still save him. I just needed time.

"Claus—"

"Stop calling my name you witch!" He moved his hands around my throat again, squeezing with all his might.

I was choking, air no longer moved through my lungs. I could feel blood threatening to burst out of my skin. The room began to fade as if evening has fallen fast.

"Die. Die. Dieeeeee..."

I snapped my eyes shut. Any minute now. It'll be over soon. I could my struggled breath as my body pulses against the pain. Darkness came faster this time, it brushed against my skin with an intense chill. My skin rose with goosebumps. Sweat broke and fell unto the floor. And suddenly the pain was gone.

The beyond
Lucian's pov

I woke up with a start. Krista laid beside me sleeping soundly after we made love. Her beautiful face so at peace and serene. A gust of wind blew past us, Krista curled against me. I wrapped my arms around her body to share warmth. I heard her sigh and went back to sleep.

I wonder what had awakened me. There was no one else here. It can't be the breeze or the branches of the trees. Then what was it?

Careful not to wake my wife, I pulled myself up and looked around. Nothing changed here in the beyond. When a leaf dies another replaces it almost like it was just planted back in place. The fruits never ceased to appear no matter how many times I picked it. The river, rocks, flowers.. they all stayed the same.

But something had touched me. It felt like a pulse. Distant but evident. Like a brush of magic.

Is something happening outside? Something bad?

"Lucian..."

I turned around and saw Krista still lying on the grass with a blanket around her naked body, her amber eyes staring at me. How I love this woman. Her hand gestured me to come closer.

"Yes my love?" I held her hand against mine.

"Is something wrong?"

I shook my head, "No. Nothing." I kissed her forehead because I knew she loved that.

I heard her gasp. Ah, my little innocent butterfly. I'd never be bored of her.

"I felt something..."

I tensed, "What?"

"I thought I felt something...but I was so sleepy, it might be a dream.. I'm not sure.."

"You must be having a nightmare."

She sighed, "It must be."

"Sleep my love. Once you are rested I'm sure you'll forget about it all."

She smiled and went back to sleep on her back. It didn't took long before I saw her uneven breathing turn into a relaxed rhythm. She was out.

I carefully moved away and hastily put on my clothes. There was something out there and I have to find out. Throwing one last glance at Krista, I said a silent prayer to keep her safe. Then I walked away. There was only one place I could check if something really is amiss. I was headed towards the portal.