Fate Bound

part 2 chpt 6

He was in the same dream again. Every time he had to go to deep sleep to recharge, the same drasted dream replayed itself.

However this time it was slightly different. It was still, yes, the same meadow, the same trees, the same scene being played out. But this time, he was standing as a spectator, watching his own self. And he could sense the presence of another observer hidden in the shades of the trees across the field. He reached out to the person, to confront him, even as white grew at the edges and the colours slipped away …

When he reentered the corporeal world, his senses honed by years of experience alerted him – he was not alone.

His eyes snapped open to meet the gaze of a seemingly startled boy. The same boy from the previous night. Disoriented, he blinked, once. The room felt off. The light was dim. Something was on his neck.

Feeling the Sun’s position, he judged it to be about 5 in the morning. More than six hours had passed. There was a sharp tug on his left arm. Looking down, he realized his hand was tightly gripped around the young lad’s small wrist. His hand must have acted by reflex.

“Where am I?”

Thankfully, his voice did not give out midway. Usually people would have cowered under the menacing tone. This boy merely gave a small frown and pulled free, none too easily.

Young and surprisingly somber dark eyes scrutinized him, flicking about as if searching for something.

With carefully paced motions, the younger raised his hands slowly towards his sprawled form, much like how one would with a feral animal. He followed the motions with his eyes. The small hands rested on his forehead and neck, the iron coursing through the human’s hand making the touch scorch, slightly. He felt rather than heard the sigh of relief.

“You fever seems to have disappeared.”

He blinked once, again, surprised.  The lad turned around to pick up a bag. Movement in the shadows made him realize that the dog had been resting right beside the bed all this while. The boy faced him once more with obvious resolve and mouth set in a decisive line.

“Unfortunately, I have something I need to go to, soon. So, I would appreciate if you would explain simply what you were doing there last night?”

Fully aware of a beady pair of yellow canine eyes on him, he pushed himself semi-upright.  

He stared at the boy, taking in his slight form and stance – mildly defensive. He sighed and rubbed a hand over his face, using the chance to survey the room through his fingers. The only means of escape was the door; the window was out as he still did not have enough to manipulate air. However, between him and the door stood one boy and one very aggressive beast. And he could not attack the boy, as he now owed him a debt for saving his life, regardless of whether the boy knew it or not.

He was saved from making any decision.

The air between them shimmered. He had a sinking feeling in his gut as he watched the door grow and a figure Walked out.

Teal hair, white eyes that gave the impression of blindness, and the omnipresent smirk on those thin lips that made his blood boil. Threshrael.

“Well well. What do we have here?”

He resisted the urge to growl as Threshrael bend over him, sneering at him with false concern.

“Poor little Night Hunter, broken and tired? No worries, He ordered nice ol’ Threshrael to bring you home.” He grinned maniacally. “But He did not say to bring you back unharm – auf!”

His eyes widened comically as a shoe sole clipped the back of his head. The boy gave a sharp command, and the dog fell on the staggered Sidhe’s leg, snarling. Threshrael gave an annoyed snort, and slammed the dog into the wall. The creature slumped down with a whine.

“Darly!” The boy tore out an anguished cry, eyes blazing.

 “How dare you! You – what – who the hell are you?!”

The Night Hunter silently observed as the lad clenched and unclenched his fist around the strange wooden tube he was wielding, clearly resisting the urge to run to his canine companion. Flee, you foolish child, flee while you still can.  

Threshrael cocked his head to his right.

 “What’s this...? A human scum which can actually see and touch us?”

His momentary surprise did not last long, as his eyes took on a scheming gleam.

“Well, won’t this be fun.”

He reached out one white gloved hand and grabbed hold of the boy’s arm. Spinning the lad around, he gave the prone figure of the Night Hunter a mocking wave.

“See you soon, Little Doggy.”

And Threshrael pulled the boy into the portal, which collapsed in on itself after their exit, dousing the room in sudden darkness.

The Night Hunter leaned back on the bed and sighed heavily into the empty room.