Everybody Needs a Place to Die
Chapter 3
Disclaimer: I don't own Darksiders. It belongs to Vigil and its creators.
"Open the gates!" Bella shouted to her men and led War inside the walls surrounding the settlement. She met the gaze of her frightened people, letting them see that she was not frightened. Eric approached her and helped her down from the horse. "Peace brother, War is here to talk. He has long sought the return of us humans to restore the balance." Her brother leveled a gaze at War be before speaking, "Ask what you will Red Champion." War returned the steady gaze, "I wish to speak to your leader."
Eric openly laughed, "But Horseman you have already been speaking to her." At his gesture War turned to see Bella blushing deeply. So she is the leader of this group and judging by their size she must be a good one, he thought to himself. She shrugged as nonchalantly as she could before walking away. She gave a gesture over her shoulder, indicating he should follow her. Inside these walls she walked with the confidence of a born leader.
War quickly caught up to the human and fell in step with he. She didn't speak as they walked through the main part of the settlement. He watched in wonder as young children laughed and frolicked through the streets. Along the way he was noting the efficient day to day running of everything from the homes to the farms they had set up to provide easily accessible fresh food. Two delighted squeals pulled his attention back to her. Two young children about the same age streaked towards her, their faces alive with joy. Bella bent down and caught one in each arm, swinging them into the air. Both screamed breathlessly in happiness, "Mommy!"
War was stunned momentarily, his gaze traveling over her. She didn't appear to have the curves a woman who has borne children have. The children caught his attention next and what he saw had him growling low in his chest. The male child had silver hair and golden eyes while the female was black haired and blue eyed, but what had him growling were the fuzzy dog ears twitching atop their heads.
Bella heard his low growl and so did the kids. Their smiles faded and they burrowed closer to her, whimpering. War met her grey eyes which were as hard as steel. Glaring over her shoulder at him as she smoothed a hand over each child's head. Carefully she sat them down and shooed them away. When he moved to go after them he found his way blocked by her small form.
"You allow demons in your settlement?" She walked away, tossing over her shoulder as she did so, "They are only half." He caught up to her and grabbed her arm, turning her to face him. "And you birthed them?" She angrily snatched her arm away, "No, I didn't." He noticed the wetness on her face, tears? "Explain." She rounded on him then, anger blazing to life on her face. "I owe you no explanation but I will tell you. Mine and Eric's sister, Brenda, mated with a dog demon. Not all demons are evil as I'm sure you are aware, because Larkin wasn't. One night four years ago before our walls were finished we were attacked. Larkin lost his life and my sister died that night in child birth. So I took the twins in and have raised them as mine own. They are my children as far as I or any in this settlement are concerned. I would fight to my last breath for my Cian and Moira. For anyone within these walls."
Tears streamed down her face openly like a freshly opened wound and her fists clenched and unclenched at her side. He was shocked for sure and something else twisted sickly inside as he saw the pain swimming in his stormy eyes. Not knowing what to say, he only nodded and motioned for her to continue their walk. She was trying desperately to rein in her emotions as she showed him the rest of the settlement. She answered his questions about security, training, and how they came by their provisions. He sensed her emotions seething just under the surface of her calm.
Later that night after sharing a meal with her little family, including her quirky brother, he listened as she told a story to the children. He watched as she carefully carried the two to their sleeping pallet. The children slept facing each other and after a fitful growl from the girl he watched her pad back to them. Moira had her thumb in her mouth and Cian had his fingers wrapped tightly around his sister's tiny ear, which was twitching madly. Bella gave a soft tired laugh and crawled into bed behind the two seeing as she had given up her own pallet to War despite his protests. Gently she pulled Cian's hand from his sister's ear and her thumb from her mouth. She curled protectively around them and closed her eyes to sleep. War watched over them that night from his spot on the pallet that smelled of her delicate scent. He did this every night for over a month.