Rebirth

11. The Maker

Dear Journal,
                      One of the few things that could never be taken away from me in this is new life is the ability to learn.

                                                    - 𝓔. 𝓢𝓽𝓮𝓮𝓵𝓮
(1605)

Elias was frozen in place. His back was braced against the door and his mouth was slightly agape as he stared at Odelina.

Her once matted and tangled head of hair was replaced by jet black curls and her decayed teeth were now perfect. She wore a simple gray dress as she sat on his bed barefoot, her left foot draped across her right and her hands folded in her lap. Her image had changed but he could never forget her face.

"Will you be silent all day?" She asked the dazed Elias.

"Wh-what are you doing here?" He stammered as he regained his voice.

"Am I not allowed to visit you?" She asked amusedly.

"Odelina" Elias warned, his voice stern.

"Elias" she said back, matching his seriousness before breaking into laugh.

"You have been very busy, young spirit. Tell me, has this new life been kind to you?" She asked as she made her way over to him.

He watched as she used her right hand to lightly run her clawed fingernails up and down his bare chest, looking up at him before giving him a smile. She then walked away to stand infront of his window, staring at the outdoors through the stained glass.

He noticed her reflection was exactly like his, dead and decayed. She, however, did not anger at the sight of her dead skin and hollow eyes. She relished in it, infact, she adored it.

"You have told me next to nothing" Elias said finally.

"The best way to learn is to teach yourself" she told him simply, her hands folded behind her.

"Do not toy with me witch" Elias retorted.

"Anger suits you" She said to him as she turned around.

When he didn't answer, she spoke again.

"What have they told you, young spirit? Did they speak of my wickedness? Did they make me out to be wretched? Did they sound as if they feared me?" She said approaching him suddenly. Grabbing on to the lapels of his jacket, she scanned every inch of his face as if they held the answers to her questions.

When he didn't answer, she stepped away from him, watching as he clenched his jaws irritably.

"Did you send that werewolf to destroy the castle?" Elias finally asked.

"Me? Oh no. That was Selvalley and their new ruler. Did your royal friends tell you that I did?" Odelina asked mockingly.

"How did you get Genevieve's necklace?" He asked as he ignored her taunting.

"She gave it to me" she regaled.

"I told you, do not toy with me!" Elias exclaimed as he sped infront of her.

She stared at him, her eyes dark and mischievous. They held each other's gaze before she spoke.

"Kneel" she said simply and Elias fell to his knees.

It had caught him by surprise but he knew that even if he had expected it, he could not stop it because he did not kneel voluntarily, his legs did it for him.