The Baron and his Lady

Twenty-seven: A touch of life

Outside world
Claus' pov

The witch was dead. I killed her. Her body went limp yet I still held her throat. All the hatred and anguish wrapped into one powerful hand. The same hand that took her life. I couldn't feel the magic around, it must've died with her.

I blinked several times and only then did I realized I was crying. Once, twice, they fell slowly then gradually it just came pouring out. Emma's face was pale and blank. Totally dead. Dead. I could almost hear her voice in my head screaming murderer.

I dropped her body and sat back. Why don't I feel happy? Content? Or even relieved? Why of all am I feeling guilty?

"She deserved it. For everything she's done!" I yelled at no one.

The room was quiet. Nothing stirred. Perhaps that was for the best. I did not think I could handle anything at the moment.

I ran my fingers into my hair cursing myself for such reckless decision. She ought to confess to her sins first but I let my anger consume me. Now she's just a corpse and I'm still trapped in someone else's body.

"Oh Lucian..." I whimpered, "help me.."

But he wasn't there. He was dead. Taken from me. There wasn't anyone for me anymore.

No one.

Not a single one.

I backed all the way to the wall and curved into a ball. Like a child beaten down after being caught doing something naughty. I hugged myself still crying.

Whilst I missed the exchange that transpired between the witch and her descendant. Magic enveloped their bodies like a blanket. It first touched Emma then Tristane, it lingered into the latter.

I was too occupied to notice that his body had started to breathe again.

The beyond
Krista's pov

I ran my hands across the sheet and realized I was lying down alone. I opened on eye and confirmed that Lucian wasn't there. His side was cold, indicating that he had been gone for sometime now. But where could he be?

I sat up and looked around. His clothes weren't there either not even his coat. The sheet was the only evidence he had ever been here.

I gathered my clothes and dressed up. Something is in the air but I couldn't my finger into it. There was this heavy feeling holding unto me, like a shadow clinging on my back. I've been felt so anxious my whole life.

My eyes found footprints a few paces from where I stood. There was no mistaking Lucian's prints. I decided to follow where it led and maybe find answers to what I was feeling.

I just hoped wherever it would lead me things would end up favourable.
********

Tristane's pov

I felt warm. Comfortably warm. Like when my mother used to cuddle with me when I couldn't sleep after a terrible nightmare.

There was soft brush against my hair, a gentle touch yet so wonderful. I wanted the hand to continue caressing me but it never came back.

I groaned inwardly. Why did it go? Have I been a bad boy?

"Tristane.."

Who? Who's there?

"Tristane.." the voice called again, desperately this time.

"Mama?" I answered the voice.

"Wake up child..."

"I don't want to Mama."

"You must. They need you..."

"Who? Who needs me mama?"

But the voice was gone. I struggled against my back and opened my eyes. Darkness surrounded me. Not a single light penetrated the place. Where am I?

"M-ama?"

Silence.

Terrible silence.

Is this death? That means that I died? Why can't I remember?

There was suddenly a flicker —like a candle dancing against the wind. It was far. Too far for my reach. But I felt a pull to approach it. There was a sudden feeling in my gut that I must have it.

Now.

I stood up and walked towards the flame but it keep moving away. My legs increased it's pace, still the flame moved further away. I sprang into a run.

The flame moved faster, determined to get away from my grasp. I broke into a faster pace, not caring if I was out of breath. All I know was that I have to get it.

Get it.

Must. Catch. It.

I repeated these words like a mantra. My legs began to hurt, yet I continued to run. Behind me the darkness had followed as if it wanted to consume the flame as well.

No.

I must have it.

I reached out my hand until my fist enclosed around the flame.

There!

I got it.

I stared at my fist. For some reason I wasn't burned. I opened my palm and stared at the flame, so tiny it looked like it was dying. It glowed dimly also, like it was breathing it's last.

"Take it..." said the voice.

"Why?"

"...live. Take it and so you may live again."

"I don't understand. Am I dead?"

"I am beyond any help. I can only help you this way. Go Tristane, go before it's too late..."

Then I realized it was Emma's voice speaking to me. What did she mean she's beyond help? Did her magic backfired? Or worse, is she dead as well?

I gulped. This can't be real. Emma is alive, we'll be working together to free Krista and Lucian. She can't be dead.

I stared at the flame again. It gave off a soft glow of warmth, so tiny yet so precious. No wonder the darkness wanted it. Another force wanted it. I can't let that happen.

I looked around and saw nothing. The blackness was too thick. The only light was in my hand and it was flickering faster this time, like a beating heart fighting to catch it's last.

I did the only thing I could.

I lived.

The flame vanished and I no longer felt warm. There was strong gust of wind and I was drowned in it. Instead of fighting the force, I rode with it.

As soon as I felt it, I knew what it was.

Power.

I felt power creep into my body. Bathing my every nerve with magic. The sensation was too much. It was like getting drunk. My head felt heavy, my throat was dry and my lips parched. One moment I thought my spirit was being sucked dry then I felt it jumped back and took as much magic as it could. I wanted to move but my limbs were useless, I couldn't even keep my eyes open.

I was in a heavy stupor. My back arched as the power continued to surge within my body. It felt amazing and pulsating. I was beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

"Live...live...live..."

I reached out a hand and found the light I was seeking.

I breathed back into life.