On The Inside

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Opening my eyes, I let out my own sobs trying to get that wicked image out of my head. I pant heavily looking around the new stage that's been set.

Sun rays filter through the freshly painted nursery. It looks different from the last memory, not only is it missing a bloody horrific scene, but the furniture has changed. The walls are painted a light rosy pink and there is a dark wooden crib in place of the white bassinet. Furthermore, the light fixtures seem to be updated, a modern look. I almost believe I have returned back to my time until to my shock, Alexander walks in with a baby. The child looks similar to their son, except this one is much older, at least six months. She has red eyes and dark wavy hair, much like her mother Cordelia.

So they had another child I presume? What year is this anyway?

He sets the child in her sleek crib and hands her a binky,

"Go to sleep Lyra, daddy will be back soon" he whispers to the infant.

So this is Lyra?

Lyra doesn't shut her eyes but simply looks up at the tall intimidating man with curiosity. Clearly satisfied that she won't fuss, Alexander leaves his daughter's room.

Following him around the castle, I think back to his pained expression to the death of his son. He looks stiff, forever disgruntled as if that day took any peace he would ever have. Dark circles under his ruby-red eyes signify this man's lack of sleep. To think yesterday I found him to be the most terrifying being I'd ever seen, yet now I have nothing but pity and a heart full of hurt. Eventually, he descends to a large lounge room, where Cordelia is conversing with a blonde curly-haired woman. Upon closer inspection, I find her to be quite gorgeous, tanned skin and deep brown eyes with a beauty mark adorning her cheekbone. Perhaps she's a vampire too?

"Merci mille fois Gabrielle, we would never be able to achieve our plans without your help" Cordelia's red-lined smile is wide as she holds hands with the beautiful curvy woman. Where Alexander looked worn and enervated, Cordelia is vivacious. She turns to her husband,

"Alexander, Gabrielle has finally agreed to put the trap in place! We will have vengeance for our dear Dorian." Her eyes are lit up, making those red spheres look like Christmas lights. Alexander smiles,

"I knew our favorite witch would come through" he winks in her direction,

to which she only smiles nervously, her eyes briefly looking away.

"I knew I wouldn't be able to change your mind mes amours, despite constantly warning you two against hurting the humans. It won't bring back your son."

Suddenly Cordelia drops her sickly sweet facade. Her posture stiffens and a deep frown settles in her face,

"I will hear nothing more of it! I adore your help, but please for your sake... Never side with those weak creatures, for I will destroy them." By the end of her rant, she is snarling in the witch's face,

Alexander joins in,

"Once Lyra comes of age we won't need your sorcery, as our heir, she'll have both our powers, she'll be the one to take down the human race, in honor of her brother." He stands to the side glaring daggers at poor Gabrielle whose eyes have widened at the mention of Lyra. Returning their anger she widens her stance, her hands sparking small flames,

"Don't be crazy! You can't bring your child into this, think of what you're suggesting! To turn your only child, your last chance at an heir, into a monster? I beg you-"

"YOU BEG NOTHING" Cordelia roars.

"You have a single role to play in this. Lure the hunters to the palace tonight, and never come back, Gabrielle. It is best this friendship ends for you cannot decide your loyalties." She turns away from the witch, snapping her elegant fingers.

A servant drags Gabrielle to a side door

"Do not be late," Alexander says vexed before Gabrielle disappears behind the door.

.............................................................................................................................

That night I watched Gabrielle approach the castle, however, I saw no foolish human men with her. The lone woman opened a window to the kitchen and climbed through it. Luckily, it was empty as the vampires haven't had human cooks since their son died. She was stealthy throughout the castle, tiptoeing through the hallways. She occasionally was forced to hide when she heard approaching footsteps.

I don't understand, if she lied to them about trapping the hunters, why is she here?

Finally, she makes it to her destination.

The nursery.

I'm horrified at the possibilities of her intentions. Regardless, I follow her into the nursery, where Lyra is in a deep sleep. The witch pulls out a flask with a nipple on it, filled with red liquid. quietly and gently she picks up the infant and feeds her the strange substance. At first, I worry that she is poisoning their baby, perhaps she fears Lyra's power. Instead, I notice the baby change. Her alabaster skin becomes warmer in color, tan really. Her midnight black patch of hair lightens into a warm brown. The infant's currently opened eyes shift in color, her rubies become replaced by darkened more human-looking eyes. She wraps the newly human, or at least human-looking, Lyra securely in a quilt and opens the window in front of the crib.

The witch whistles and begins whispering in a strange language.

A large vulture perches itself on her arm.

After Gabrielle stops whispering an indistinguishable incantation, the vulture grabs the wrapped up baby with its talons and flies away.

Tears fall down the lonely witch's face.

A/N: I know this chapter is really short, but I think this is a good place to stop. I'll post another this weekend though. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read this story! Time is precious, and I really appreciate it.

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