It's dark.
At least, all things commonly associated with darkness are there; the impenetrable cold, the choking fear, the oppressive weight. I can't actually see if it's dark . . .
Nothingness surrounds me. Even if my eyes were to adjust, there would be nothing to see. Nothing.
Then, there's a light. Actually, as my mind picks up the tiny pricks, there's seven.
They're moving. Closer.
Closer.
So fast.
Beside me there's a blinding glow, a warm tingling in my hand. I look over.
A shimmering human form is all I can make out. The light is blinding. The seven dots grow nearer and bigger with every heartbeat.
Something squeezes my hand. I look over again.
Only a hand is visible, entwined in mine. It's the cinnamon black of hot chocolate, too dark next to the pale white of mine. Fading into the blackness, but still squeezing.
I squeeze back.
The lights are only a handful of feet away. I can make out the human figures, like the one standing beside me, grasping my hand, but less brilliant. I can see their faces.
Seven incredible faces.
One stands out; a transcendent girl in the center of the mass. She looks to be about ten or eleven, with porcelain pale skin and soft gold ringlets. She's the leader, the most dangerous.
She's also alone.
The rest stop, pair into couples. She proceeds forwards, until she's right in front of me and my (my . . . isn't it mine?) glowing protector.
Slowly, she speaks, her lips not moving.
Azrael.
The form beside me falters a little.
Azrael. Come back. Come back to me.
More light gives way to darkness.
Azrael, I love you. Stop fooling with the little humans.
Darker . . .
Azrael. I need you.
There's only a little light left. It's still blinding in the darkness. Behind the beautiful girl, the three couples have begun to dance, twirling in intricate circles, leaping, their lips touching with every turn.
Join us, Azrael. You will in the end.
The light beside me blinks out. I can't tear my eyes away from the child.
You always do.
I can hear another voice now, stronger, more masculine.
No! Not this time, Abbadon.
The child smiles and shrugs, then turns toward me. Her eyes are the most miraculous shade of gray; like the swirling skies of a cloudy day.
Rayne, dear one, had he told you yet? What he is?
I don't know what to say.
No? I thought not. He doesn't even tell you what kind of monster he is, Rayne. How can you trust him, love him? How can you even look at him?
Something is wrong.
Or right, I guess. There's finally something to sense, besides the light.
He's killed before, dear Rayne, and he'll do it again. Anything to get back home . . .
Scorched cinnamon. Too sweet. Over powering.
Slowly, I turn.
The girl laughs, cruelly, out loud now, as I struggle to see what the faint glow off her will show me.
My breath catches.
I hurtle back to reality, screaming as I hit my bed.
Azi's beside me in a second, concerned.
"Rayne, what's wrong?"
I can't talk. Fear grips me, making it hard to breathe.
"Rayne?"
A hand works it's way into mine.
"You're freezing, Rayne. What's wrong?" Azi asks again.
I can't speak. Can't speak.
Just a dream, just a dream.
"Should I go get your mom?"
Just a dream.
"No." I whisper. My voice is foreign, strange after the silence. "I'm okay."
I'm not.
"You're not." Azi argues. "You're shaking. What were you dreaming about?"
I can't tell him how stupid I"m being.
His hand in mine is distracting. More so than it should be, especially after a month of his presence.
His face is distracting,too. Deep black eyes, too full lips, classic nose, high cheekbones. Beautiful.
I can see the blood smeared across it, even as the brows draw down in concern.
"Nothing." My voice is closer to normal now.
An eyebrow raises. Usual flare of annoyance at superior genes.
"It's nothing. Just a dream."
A dream that featured you, your gorgeous face covered in thick, red, blood. Blood that ran down my shoulder, my arm, where our hands met.
I shuddered.
"I'm okay. Go back to bed."
Azi nodded. "If you're sure."
"I am." I can feel the liquid, vital heat as it pulsed from my neck. Surreptitiously I reached up, felt around with ice-cold fingers. Nothing there.
Just a dream.
Azi felt his way back to the cot. I listened as he settled in.
Just a dream.
His breathing slowed down, gradually, until I knew he was asleep.
Just a dream.
A dream I enjoyed.
Author's Note: Sorry it hasn't been in lately! Things have been INSANE. I'll try to get it in consistently from now on. Thanks for your patience!
