“Wha-?!?!� Damien whirled around wildly, eyes wide in fear and confusion. What in the name of Ra had just happened?
Faraday had too looked as if her soul had been on fire for merely a split second- it made him wonder- and then…she’d grabbed his arm before…he blinked in disbelief. People just didn’t get…the only word he could describe it was dragged…yes, people didn’t just get dragged away, kicking and screaming, by an invisible force. It didn’t happen. What kind of supernatural force was behind all this? He didn’t doubt for a second that it was Arashel.
“Faraday!� He cried, whipping out to grab her hand, but he clutched at thin air. She was gone, wide eyed and horrified.
Damien threw the others a look of utter despair, torn in two. Why were there so many choices to make? What mattered more to him? His eyes flicked from the soup and bread to the two huddled figures blinking at him, to the now empty hallway, a whirlwind of what it had been.
“What is this?!� Vivian’s fierce demand.
“I-I don’t know.� Damien hung his head, speaking softly. Golden locks fell across his eyes; he shook his head to get them out of the way. For now Vivian and the winged man were safe, though it seemed he was bleeding again, having been dropped by Vivian.
“Sh-should one of us go after her?� The man was obviously in pain.
Mind set into a fierce determination, Damien nodded. “Vivian, look after him. I…I will go.�
He brushed the ruffles and folds in his clothing, and made sure the laces in his black boots were done. It wouldn’t do to have him trip up. He nodded again, eyes burning with fire, and raised a hand in the universal gesture before he tore down the hallway after Faraday, with just a light breeze to indicate he’d left.
It wasn’t hard to see which way Faraday had gone- heavy furniture had been knocked astray, a knight in shining armour had toppled over, candle sconces were askew…the path of destruction would light his way.
He hadn’t had time to change his white shirt- which was ripped, dirty, and stained with blood, nor his leather pants- which had a tear through one of the knees, so he made quite a figure as he literally flew down the corridors. Curtains whipped as he sped past, tapestries fluttered in his wake.
Stopping abruptly, Damien backtracked a few steps. Peering into an archway, he could dimly make out shelves upon shelves of leather bound books. The tomes glistened in the candlelight, and through the little windows he could see that the sun was now setting. Blood reds bled into rich oranges, giving the effect of a brilliant splash of watercolour on canvas. One day, I will paint again.
For now, the soul sphere here was safe, but he wasn’t going to take chances. Closing his eyes, he took a breath, and hummed slightly. A small glowing sphere drifted towards him, literally disappearing as it went through his body into his heart. He patted his chest, and nodded, before taking off again.
A few floors further, Damien saw a spot up ahead where the red carpet had piled up. Slowing down to a brisk stride, he eyed the scuff marks with growing apprehension. What the hell…? He didn’t want to go any further, but…
Light material appeared, followed by a pale arm, followed by long brown hair. Damien let out a sigh of relief, which swiftly became a look of distress as he took in her bruised features. Kneeling down, he stroked her hair gently, biting his lip as he noted the bruises, the rips in the material of her dress, the cuts…
Her eyes were closed, which made her look peaceful. An angel at rest. Light from a diamond-grilled window filtered through nearby, throwing her angelic face into sharp profile.
“Faraday…wha-what…happened to you?� He murmured softly, but his words fell on deaf ears.
Her chest rose and fell, indicating that she was still alive. He blinked back tears, and smiled to himself. Should he move her? It looked as if nothing was broken. And if he moved her quickly, then, it would be OK, right?
Scooping her up, Damien cradled her once again, against his chest and took off in flight, whooshing down the corridors until he came to the bedroom that she had been in previously. He laid her tenderly onto the bed, and quickly ran her another bath.
Before today, it had been ages since he’d last flown, and now old habits had taken root again. At least he could still fly. Damien promised to himself that when…not if, but when she woke up, he would take her flying under the night sky, before…his heart hurt to say this…before he would interrogate her. He didn’t know how harsh he would have to be, but whatever it was, whatever deal she had made with the devil, it looked as if she was on the worse side of the bargain, and Damien swore that he would set her free.
Curse you, Arashel! He couldn’t find the elf on his own; he’d need help. Damien massaged his temples wearily, catching his tired reflection in the misty mirror. Too much responsibility, too many decisions. Were Vivian and the man OK? And what of any other vampires?
He’d lain hidden for centuries, shutting out any contact with other vampires. If he sent out a call to the other vampires, would they hear him? More importantly, would they heed his call?
((Sorry fo the long post, but hoped you enjoyed reading it anyway! Though please let me know if you want me to cut down or anything. It’d be kinda cool for Arashel to have a string of souls or something, like on a necklace…ha, that’s a cool idea. Might give one of my charries one of those…XD Oh, and don’t forget to keep track of the other OOC board!))