Truth Within Lies, A Dark Romance (completed)

Ch. 15 Damien

Aurora gasped for breath sitting up in the dark-chill of Destroyer's room. She clenched the silk sheets to her chest, the chill biting at her arms, alone again. Part of her had grown used to it, or as used to it as one could be. If she had any hope of accepting this role, this life she had to accept the emptiness along with it. She sighed softly, her eyes fluttering in the dim light, her hands floating over the soft furs that had been brought in just for her. The cold of the unheated-central room was never a problem for Destroyer, it simply wasn't a consideration. He didn't need comfort, he did it for her alone. There was far more to the darkness than anyone would ever know.

Aurora moaned softly, her hands reaching up to her aching head. She pressed her thumbs into her temples rubbing them backwards through her hair trying to bring on some relief. It was never easy astral projecting. It takes a serious toll on anyone. For Aurora her mind and body would be left exhausted and in a fog. Depending on what happened or how long she was gone, she could be quite vulnerable, unable to fully separate one reality from another quickly. The toll was twice as high for anyone that entered into the darkness, she was no exception. She rolled her neck, flexing her feet all in an attempt to stretch out aching muscles. Her eyes fixated on the glow from the armory, a puzzled look written across her face. Only Destroyer used his personal armory, she hadn't even seen it.

Dropping her legs over the edge of the bed the cold metal stung her feet. She couldn't sense the darkness, couldn't feel him in the room, but there was no mistaking the presence of someone. She quickly wrapped herself in Destroyer's cloak, the excessive amount of fabric wrapping her in its warmth with enough to trail behind her as she walked. Cautiously she looked inside the armory, catching a whiff of the one thing that filled her with dread. Damien sat In a plain wood and canvas chair, his chin resting on one hand just staring at a suit of armor at the far end. Aurora paused looking at him, truly looking at him for the first time. He was strangely human to her, humbled in the presence of this object. He had the appearance of a man that knew his entire life could be summed up by a single moment. His whole being hinged on what this thing meant to him. Yet he seemed to ponder something far more complex than himself.

"It was hers. Yours if you believe the stories." Damien spoke knowing she was behind him. "I killed her... you. Drove a sword through armour forged at the dawn of time." His voice hinted at regret, seeming to show remorse allowing her to feel at ease with him. "She lay in the arms of an archangel while he begged for her life and they let her die." His voice cracked. "You seem to think I'm the monster. Truth is what the council did, what they still do, they are the monsters." His point of view seemed to intangle itself with Destroyer's, the cracks of being a vessel beginning to show. "I could have told you the truth that day. You hinted that you knew. The way you act around me. Your apprehension." Damien sarcastically commented noticing Aurora fixate on the armor. Seizing the opportunity he grabs her by the back of the neck, squeezing hard on a pressure point. "He thinks he can change you." She grits her teeth attempting to fight back the pain shooting through her neck and down her back. "He thinks you will be the key to his conquest or some bull." She drops to her knees unable to pull away. "I know better. I can see it in your eyes. No matter how hard he tries, no matter how far you fall there will always be light in you." Aurora screamed out in pain, his armored nails digging deep into the nerves that rest just below the base of her skull. Secluded in the one place no one could hear her, there would be no help coming. "Scream all you want. He isn't omnipresent in his physical form." She inhaled deeply trying to control the pain. "Why does he place so much faith in you?" He demanded frothing at the mouth as he viciously tried to force the answer.

"I don't know!" A reply wretched from her lips as she squealed in pain. Damien looked down at her, narrowing his eyes at the response. He grunted with displeasure finally releasing some of the pressure.