Shades of time

Three

Arie's POV

I can't believe I love this clumsy fool.

Who lets themselves get injured after breaking up with someone?

Thankfully I have still good relations with her parents. I sigh looking up to the ceiling, the white speckled tiles overhead expressing an instability bleak look. Turn my head back and stare her down. Trying to bet how long she is going to keep the situation a secret. Awkward silence continues through the beep noise of the machines. Slowly I wonder, for how long she going to let this go ? 

 I stare at her tired form. Her hair all a mess, the dark shadows under her eyes, fatigue in her voice. God, she did not even want to discuss why I wanted the breakup? I was hoping it would give her a chance to deal with her emotions or at least acknowledge them. She would finally have to talk about what is wrong.

"Nothing papa, The dream was different I--Adrina??!!", I interrupted  with no really regard.  I just stood there frozen life a painting after it has been finished.One beat became two before I moved forward. Feeling my shoulders tense as the conversation before. It was this instant that I truly did not know what to do and so I let my  hands fidgeting by my side. Soon the discomfort on her face was not from the pain.

"Arie" Starting softly, "this is a hospital you can not be running around shouting peoples names, This is a place of healing." Then turning  her head I finally realized another presence in the room. "Papa, could you please give us a moment?" He gave us both a defining look. It was a stare that told me we would be talking later.

"Let me go find your mama" as he walked out giving us some space. Not even five seconds later I finally saw what I was looking for came forward. Her eyes lit with a fiery tone I had not seen before. Giving the biggest glare letting out all of the turmoil form before.

"What are you doing here?"Again with the one sentence questions.

"Visiting you in the hospital obviously do - no what are you doing here?? As far as I am concerned you have lost the social obligations of visiting me."The fiery look of a debate reaching her  face. I finally relax as I am in my element, my shoulder start to soften realizing the blow had been dealt.

"You didn't even say anything, Not really. We were together for two years Rina" I chuckled in my head, Please tell what you truly say when a person breakups with you. What possible script that somehow should be passed around so people would universally be able to process.

"What did you want me to say? You dumped me with some half sawed reasoning. You!! who left me had some nerve to come barging in this place like you deserve an explanation."

I felt fury at the accusation but now was not the time.

"Adrina there has never been a day that I have not cared for you deeply, but our relationship was not going any further. Truly I am sorry, but your accident wasn't the only thing. I got a post, from your Grandfather Albert."

"So something they miss in the will ? What does this have to do with me ?"

"No... its was marked for twelve days ago....in his hand writing. "With that I took the time to place the package on her bed and turn to leave.

"You seem to forget that there are two people in a relationship Rina, for some reason you tend to think there is only one." 

Taking a couple of turns through the corridor and giving a few nods goodbye I end up in the parking lot. Scanning around, I found my car and mentally prepare to get the hell out doge.Walking through the entrance doors is when  my cell started to ring. My dad's familiar tone caused me to pick. 

"Did you deliver it ?" Was his only question. 

"Look I just don't want to be haunted by his undead spirit. So I dropped it off and I'm heading home now. Can we talk later ?  I have had enough upsetting news for the day. " I continued shaking my head and swiftly make my exit.

It takes me a minute to start thing about the package again.  Honestly who from the grave delivers a package to the granddaughter's boyfriend? I do miss the old man but games from the dead tend to end up bad for the recipients. 

The drive is shorter than I want to the studio. The trees has started changing red around the house as surrounding the grass as I park in the driveway. Northeast of this town is where I found this great spot back in November. Took quite a bit of convincing of my father but the move was worth it. 

Pausing  as soon as I turn my keys I felt the change in the atmosphere. There in that moment is an uneasy feeling as I enter the house.... It's too quite. Minimizing my foot steps, my eyes narrow as I slowly search my home.  The alarm wasn't tripped and the doorway was locked. Then out of the shadows appeared a figure quickly I duck as a mass in the shape of a sword drops down. 

"WHAT THE--- defende a túa sombra (defend your shadows)" the figure said. His left check held a crescent moon facing towards me with his neck bent and head at a slight angle. 

"Look dude- I dodge as another swing of his weapon came at me. "I Dont" a crack was heard throughout, my father is not going to be happy with the leftover pieces of out new nightstand.  I prepare to doge yet again trying to remember the words that he shouted. With a quick glance I noticed the crest on his sword.

Quickly trying to remember my training knowing this is going to get ugly. He is one of the twelve, probably before the sixth which means:  

"Proteger a sombra é o meu dever e luz" I shout crossing my arms blocking his sword with my parrying daggers. Sounds of metal clash before a silence. Staring him in the eye daring him to make a move. 

"You better have a good explanation to give to my father because I am not cleaning up that mess" I nodded towards the broken furniture. 

I started to move the broken pieces with a easy levitation. His face seemingly annoyed but defensive posture was calculating  slowly.  The person sitting on my crouch was one of the twelve. The elites that have been squabbling ever since the Betrayal. 

"I am Lord Richard Angevin, the third son. The accost was necessary as the time are currently hazardous." Richard said with the tone that could not be mistaken for anything else but snobbish nobility. 

"Well thank you for your not apology but next time you just going to get clobbered in the face." I said with an equally snobbish tone. This is just not my day. " What are you doing here anyway. I thought it was perilous to go between phases? " I continued. The shadows were finally done cleaning as I turned to face him. 

My hand was stilled at my side but at the ready for another attack. With a quick glance around  wondering if anymore people Would come out of the shadows. 

'Well you would do well in the Warrior class my lady. Not many would be so quick on there feet. "He continued. The Council has official allowed passage to be reinstated for a time. Your parents should do well in coming back towards the land. Enrollment is starting up soon so you should have no trouble in fitting for classes. 

He stalling now at this point and I am fed up.  Drawing my dagger to his throat I stated "Why are you here. Just because the Council let passage does not give you the right to attack another person in there home. " I growled with a death glare. 

"I was looking for the head of the Gravito's the gauntlet has been lite and the families from all classes have been asked to return." He said with a grave voice. I paused and slowly lowered my weapon. 

I stood tall , making the family signal with no hesitance. "I am Arie Gravito, First son and heir to the Gravito line. " and with that statement my father walked in.