Dark Angel: Book of Souls

A Dark Past

            Cicero placed his hands on the top of the tomb’s sides and lifted himself up and out of his stone prison. As soon as he was free he pulled me into a hug, and I could feel safe; safe like when a little girl is scared and her dad hugs her, keeps her safe.

            “Windshift Evermore Grace, just look at you! God, how old are you again?” Cicero paused to recall my age and just as I was about to pipe up he opened his mouth to speak in that manical voice of his. “Oh, I see you’re going to be 530 this year, eh? Well, that is certainly a cause to celebrate.”

            “We can discuss that later Cicero; right now we need to get back to Black Rose. Plus, I have questions that need to be answered and we have some time I guess.” I trailed off as I watched my manical master contort his face into a look that both scared me and excited me. I felt a gust of cold air and my hair was in my eyes like an auburn, reddish curtain.

            “What was that…?” An irresistible, honey-like, smooth voice questioned from the dark.

            “Leonardo Motierre! How lovely to see you again, tell me you’ve been keeping a watch over my sweet Ever?” Cicero chuckled as he embraced Leo in a way that was only done by family-close friends.

            “You two…know each other?” I heard my voice quiver unsteadily. There was a twinge of pain in my chest and a hollow ache in my Soul Spot. “Proditores…” I choked out in a hushed voice. I blinked back salty, hot tears and ran, ran down the tunnel and back to Black Rose, back to Sam. Sam… Sam, you are all I have left; aren’t you?

            “I don’t think so. Maybe you should try to forgive them, and what happened. I think I have some answers for you while those two are catching up.” Sam Black stood in front of me. My eyes grew wide as I realized I was outside of the cavern, far ahead of the two companions I had run from.

            “How in the name of all things holy did I get here…?” My voice was a monotone, shock radiating around the room.

            “You didn’t know you can teleport?” Sam sent me a questioning laugh with one eyebrow raised.

            I pursed my lips and shook my head. I let out a groan of annoyance and feel backwards. I landed comfortably, on my bed. I was tired, mentally exhausted, and I passed out almost immediately.

            “Cicero, what do I do? I can’t control myself around her…she’s just so…enticing. How can I fix this? If I can’t be around her, I feel like I’m empty; just the shell of who I was…”I could smell Leo even before I heard him and I couldn’t help but let my heart beat falter at his voice.

            “She’ll forgive you. But you hurt her, Leo; you really hurt the poor girl. You have to speak to her tomorrow. Tell her what’s going on, and about her future…”Cicero mumbled coolly.

            “Yes Sir.” Leo responded and left.

            The dream faded and my eyes opened, revealing hazy sunlight and a bewildered man in the chair across from my bed. Cinnamon and something…tangy lingered in my room and I took a deep breath of the scent.

            “Good morning Leo.” I murmured in my husky, morning voice. I saw a smile play on the corners of his mouth.

            “I am sorry Ever. I am so sorry, but save that for later; I’m sure I have the answers you want.” Leo smirked at me, his boyish grin on a boyish face in a teenager’s body containing the soul of a man who was centuries old. I offered him a smile.