Lace

17.

Erebus POV

Pain was a feeling that I wasn't acquainted with. Its been a lifetime since id felt the sweet sense of pain embracing my weathered self.

But today, seeing her dressed in the most exquisite silver wearing a crown of power that demanded attention from every man, woman and murderer in the room with glossy red eyes and speaking with a voice filled with desperation I couldn't help but allow the sweet honey of pain to embrace me bit by bit. It drove me insane. It sparked suggestions of darkness deep within me that even I didn't know dwelled in my very being.

Lace has tunnelled herself a little soft spot against my wall, that much I knew. I'd watched her develop from a fragile little homeless with a spark of fire in her eye to a powerful worrier that I'd trust with my life.

It felt wrong seeing her like this. It made me want to hunt down the person who made her so vulnerable and exposed. No...not hurt them I wanted to make them suffer, to make them beg for death while Lace shows them how brave and powerful, she is. She's she one who deserves to make them hurt the way that they made her hurt, I'm just there to keep things in line.

"It's not Milo. Erebus can we please go home."

It's not Milo? Then who the bloody hell is it? I've had my eye on her since she'd left my d=side, so how could anyone get close enough to affect her without me noticing?

"I'll ask Soren to bring the car out front, but Lace, what's wrong?" I asked. The blend of fury and curiosity that laced my words shocked even me.

I looked at Lace, finding a storm in her eyes. This wasn't the woman I've grown to respect.

Hatred, confusion, anger and resentment were some flakes of emotion that I'd seen swirl around in her internal storm. Which is one of the reasons I was surprised when she'd wrapped her arms around me.

Before I could even register her warmth around me, her rosy scent infused with a bit of campaign hit me first. Having her hands around me made me fell a way that I can't even comprehend. I felt the need to protect her, shield her and shower her with the world. But that wasn't my Lace. She's much like me in a sense. She was unpredictable, uncontrollable, strong and she has worked hard to be where she is now.

Lacey has been through some crap, her father was a loon who'd left his daughter to the streets, and her mother is MIA. I've been through sit myself, but compared to Lace my childhood was a dream.

I didn't know how to react to Lace. I wanted to pull her in and shield her from the world but at the same time she looked so fragile that I was scared to even touch her. Without any reassurance I carefully put a hand on her back, and felt her melting even more into me.

It felt so wholesome... until I felt like we were being observed. I was used to people always having their eyes on me, but this was different.

"Wait here Lace." I told her when I'd looked around and saw everyone minding their own business. I should have just brushed it off as paranoia but in my line of work, I leave no stone unturned. Lace protested, telling me that she'd come with me, but a feeling in my gut warmed me that danger lurked close. But I didn't realise how close it really was because when I'd returned to tell Lace that we are going to go, the only trace of her was a silver ring resting where she once stood.

2020/04/20