A/N: Well, a new year, new start and a new story…finally 'Cities Apart' has a sequel! This one should be better than the first, as I can describe it as something with a plot, rather than an afterthought. I'm also writing ahead of myself, instead of chapter by chapter, so the updates should be more regular! However, due to how insanely time-consuming the 3rd year of university is, I'm going to update only once every 2 weeks, as that way there will be an update. Thank you to everyone for being so patient, and if there is anyone still out there who cares…I hope you enjoy it.
Warning:Well, if you read 'Cities Apart' you know what this is about. If you haven't, you won't understand what the hell is going on anyway!
Disclaimer:Nope, I still own absolutely nothing, only my ideas.
Beyond Borders
Prologue
Christine simpered over the rutted track, hugging close on the arm of her mysterious stranger.
'This is all so exciting!' she thought, 'And daring! And he is so handsome!'
The moonlight washed over them, giving their surroundings a romantic air. Obviously, this sort of thing doesn't come naturally to cabbages, but they were trying their best and were quite pleased with the result.
"Is there much further to go!?" asked Christine, with an affected breathlessness that almost disguised the exclamation mark. "Such late-night walks may leave me in delicate health for tomorrow's performance! I would hate to damage the voice that so won your heart!"
The man looked down at her, his eyes almost glowing in the shadows cast by his hat's broad brim. The side of his mouth lifted in a lopsided grin, and he bent low so the breath of his response ghosted over her neck.
"Not long now my little song-bird," he replied, his voice a deep but pleasant growl. "I simply wish to remove you from the city so it cannot hear or disturb us. But if your legs grow weary…"
He bent and effortlessly swung her into his arms, nestling her head against his shoulder. She giggled artfully and snuggled closer, her mind afire with dreams and stories.
First had come roses. Not the strange dead stems the Ghost had left her, but lush living ones that flooded her room with a scent which almost overpowered that of the street outside. Then, the whispers of the chorus girls that the best box had been reserved for a month by an anonymous gentleman, but that he only used it to watch her perform.
No-one seemed to know any more. Even when Christine wrote to Lady Ramkin, the woman she had met during the brief phase when her destiny had been to save abandoned dragons at the Sanctuary, all she found was that the man was no-one in Ankh-Morpork society. Finally… a small card, tucked into a bouquet of blood-red blossoms;
'If the songbird will fly alone to the stage door after tonight's performance, she will find someone waiting to spread her wings.'
Obviously news of her voice had captured the heart of some far-off prince, leaving him unable to rest until he had won her hand. It was perfect. Ever since she was little, Christine had know she only needed to dream her dream and follow her star, then everything would finally turn out right.
Christine didn't notice the shift from day-dreams to true sleep, but awakened instantly as her feet touched the ground. The soft inquiry froze on her lips as she turned, and saw the man she had fancied to love become a monster before her eyes. Her scream became a choked gurgle as sharp teeth found her throat, then all around them the soil bloomed crimson.
They really were very clever.