The Baron and his Lady

Twenty-eight: Sacrifice

The beyond
Krista's pov

I managed to follow Lucian's footprints as far as the river bank but then it suddenly disappeared. Either he took another path or he realized he was leaving tracks and erased them, there was no more to follow.

The anxiety I felt grew heavier as I walked. I wonder what was happening to me. It's not like me to fret about something.

My breath was suddenly caught in my throat when I saw the clouds gathered thickly in a distance.

Are there storms here? Lucian said the weather is the same always like it had for many years. Why would the clouds suddenly act so weird? And it was hovering in one place only.

I stood frozen when I realized the spot it was pointed at.

No.

It can't be.

I quickly crossed the river bank, not caring that half of my clothes were soaked wet. I just have to get there. Once back in land, I ran as fast as I could. Wishing that I guessed wrong. But in the back of my mind  I knew I was right.

Something was happening to the portal.

A lightning suddenly appeared across the sky. I almost jumped back but my feet kept running. Shit. This can't be real.

But it was.

The cloud had gotten really dark now. I could hear thunder rolling up ahead.

A storm.

Disaster.

Lucian. Please be safe.

I pushed my self faster. My heart was beating widly against my chest. I hoped against hope that I wasn't too late.

Outside world
Claus' pov

I managed to calm myself after several minutes. My back ached against the rough wall. I exhaled deeply. What now?

The witch was dead and I can't stay in this body. It belonged to someone else. This person had a family, a wife and a daughter. I can't just take that away from him.

But how do I get out of this body? Can I project my soul to leave this shell? If so, where would I go? Is there a place for me? A murderer?

My musings were halted when I heard a scratching noise. I turned my head back to the bodies and thought I saw the young man's chest heaved.

I blinked and stared at him. It's not possible. I killed him!

But his chest went up again. He was really breathing! I scrampered across the floor and went to his body. His fingers twitched and I saw his pulse throbbed.

I knelt down and pressed my ear against his chest. At first I heard nothing. But then there was a heartbeat. And then another one and another one. His heart was beating again. Gracious! How is this happening?

The young man suddenly coughed so hard that I had to back away. He took a lungful of air as if he was drowning. His eyes were pale, unseeing and empty.

I let him catch his breath and stayed plastered against the wall. He hasn't seen me yet.

The coughing finally ceased. He slowly pushed himself in a siting position. Sweat drenched his shirt and hair. His eyes wavered and focused. It was like he just woke up in a different place, his gaze travelled around the room and fell down into the witch's body.

I stiffened. How would he take it? She was his ancestor and he shared the same magic she had. And now she was dead. Because I killed her.

The young man moved to hold the witch, his hand cradled her head. Her face was pale and umoving. I expected something. Anything to happen. But there was only silence. He didn't even cry.

"You gave your life... for me.." I heard him say, "after all the evil you've committed you managed to do at least one good deed at the end."

The young man touched her cheek and sighed. She was out of his reach to heal. He carefully laid her head down and put her hands on her stomach.

"I do not blame you Claus."

I gasped. He was speaking to me. I only stared at his back and refused to respond.

"You did what you thought you had to do," he suddenly turned to face me, "she's gone. She cannot hurt you anymore."

I held his gaze not quiet understanding what he meant.

"You're supposed to be dead.." I said to him.

He gave me a sad smile, "I know. I was somewhere out there with nothing but blackness. It was a sad, sad place..." his eyes stared at me, they were no longer pale and lifeless, "it's not a place I want to stay. But I was trapped."

"She...saved you?"

"Yes. She gave me the last flicker of her life so I can come back."

"Are you going to kill me now?"

He shook his head, "No, Claus. I came back to help you."

"H-help me?"

"And you are going to help me as well." He stretched his hand to me, "Will you do that for me?"

What am I suppose to say? I just killed him moments ago, now he wants to help me? What magic is this?

"Claus," his voice called to me, "I need your help to save Lucian."

"What? What did you just say?"

"She gave me her life and along with it, her power. I know how to set Lucian free but I need your help before it's too late."

What is he talking about? Lucian is dead.

"I don't believe you. It's her! You may think you control your mind and body but it really is her behind that voice. You're trying to trick me!"

"No. It's me Tristane and she's dead. Totally dead."

I shook my head, "No. She will never be gone. Not in this life or the next."

His hands touched my shoulders as if I was going to break, "She could've but she did not. She chose to give the last essence of her life to me. Her body is just a shell that she has finally left behind. She cannot come back even if she wanted to."

"But her magic, it's in you!"

"I am not like her Claus, I do not wish for power. Believe it or not, I am a good witch."

I stared at him. Truly stared at him. His amber eyes had the innocent look that Letecia did not have. Even his touch felt pure. The magic around him was light and warm.

Somehow, I knew he can be trusted.

"H-how can you help me?" I managed to ask.

He smiled a genuine smile, "We have to free Lucian first. And we have to hurry."

With the mention of his name I knew I was lost. Despite knowing that Lucian was gone, I could only nod at Tristane. Magic or not I wanted answers.