Dark Angel: Book of Souls

Sorrow and Secrets

            Samara got out of the hearse and opened the door for me. The baby was asleep in my arms, keeping me from having a free hand. I held her close to me as Samara and I entered the Sanctuary, making our way to the meeting hall.

            I left Samara outside of it to wait and I entered with the baby in my arms. As soon as the door opened Leo, Cicero and Sam cocked their heads in my direction. Their eyes grew round and wide.

            “Ever, why do you have a child?” Sam retorted first, and I could tell they were all wondering the same thing. I sat down in a chair preparing to tell the story.                     

            “As you know, there are Reapers, and…well, I met one. Her name is Samara. She predicts omens I suppose, and while we were talking she did just that. This child is that very omen. A child born dead, but now alive… So I took her…” I murmured quietly, their expressions were of utter disbelief.

            “So you just walked into a house and took someone’s baby…?” Leo snickered from my left.

            “Well, no. Not exactly. I went through the window.” A nervous laugh escaped my lips.

            “Even better!” anger rang clear in the vampire’s voice, and I shied away from the noise.  The door opened and Samara entered. Her face was frozen as was her body with a stoic grace. She walked over to us, sat down in a chair and folded her hands on her lap.

            “Good Evening. As Ever has explained I am Samara, and I am a Reaper.” Her voice was different than usual. It held a hostile undertone that sent shivers up your spine.Cicero’s golden eyes grew wide and lit up in their pale sockets. A twisted smirk grew crookedly on his face.

            “It has been a very long time Samara.” I detected malevolence in his voice and felt my own eyes grow wide.

            “You two know each other?” I spoke with a tremble in my voice.

            “Oh yes Sweet. Samara and I have been well acquainted for many years. Haven’t we Samara?” The tension was wrapping around us like a snake in the aggressive air.

            “That’s enoughCicero.” The Prince stepped forward, his order overpowering the death glareCicerowas sending Samara. “Ever, come with me. We need to talk.” I rolled my eyes.

            “Yes boss.” I snickered.

           

           

            Leo opened the door to his chambers and I followed him inside. The moment I entered the room I was enveloped by his smell. I felt my nerves settle and I sat down in the chair by his bed.

            The vampire articulately moved the pillows on his bed so to accommodate space for the baby without her rolling off of the bed. I smiled as I watched and when he finished I placed her in the center where she could sleep in peace.

            “I figured I would give you a hand with her since you’ve most likely never taken care of a child before.” A smirk played at the corner of his lips.

            “Actually I have. Thank you very much.” I retorted with a huff.

            “Yes, but you have never raised a child, and so I am more…experienced.”  The smirk was full now and my brow furrowed.

            “And what child have you raised, hmm?” I taunted. He turned away from me, walking over to his desk.

            “My own…” He faintly murmured. “My-my son…” I walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

            “What happened?”

            “I was in this condition for 300 years. One day, in autumn, I met a woman while traveling. Her horse had gotten stuck in the mud and she needed help to get him out. I helped her. And then I escorted her back to her home. She was a Noble. She was also one of the most beautiful women I have ever met. Her name was Aveline. She knew I was traveling and invited to stay a short while at her home. I accepted, needing a break, and over a short period of time I found myself to love this woman.

            “I Married her after just a few months, and a year later we had a son. His name was Alexander. Aveline knew what I was. And she knew our son was not completely human. She didn’t care because she loved us all the same. Her brother had a heart colder than ice. He found out. And my son was murdered at the hands of his uncle. Aveline bid me flee, and I waited in a cave not far from there for a week. When I returned I discovered she had taken her own life. I have never been back since, and you are the first person I have told.” He paused and turned to face me. “This child will be hunted, just like my Alexander. I will not see another innocent child die for what they are. You won’t do this alone.”

            I left Leo’s room and went to my usual perch in the courtyard. Once again I dissolved into my thoughts, and I drifted off to sleep.

            My eyes flashed open and I could see nothing. I blinked, adjusting to the dark. I could hear the shallow breathing of the body behind me. And I couldn’t help but curl up next to him, savoring the unique intoxication of his smell. I faded into the black of sleep, just as his arms wrapped around me.

            “Sweet dreams Dark Angel.”