I stood in the dank hallway, my nose crinkled in disgust of the stench of old blood and some other unidentifiable scent. I felt my stomach flip as I approached Noir and Azura's great hall. I heard the wails of my son as I shoved the doors open. I walked in confidently, and turned to face my father. Noir smiled confidently, as he held my son.
"Ah, Alexandra, how nice of you to return home." He sneered, and I resisted the urge to take my son and run.
"I didn't have much choice." I retorted, as I crossed my arms, to hide my twitching finger tips. Noir laughed devilishly, and handed my son over to a demon to his left. I stifled a growl at the carelessness of Noir.
"So, other than that snivelling thing I have to call my grandson, what did you come for.?" He asked, as he walked over to me, and laid his hands on my shoulders. The gesture made me feel slimy and unclean.
"I just came for my son, but I have a feeling that you won't let him go without something that would be beneficial for you, so… What do you want?" I asked, trying not to sound as bitter as I felt. Noir laughed, and traced my cheekbone with one, long boney finger. I had supress a shudder, and the urge to gag.
"Clever girl; you have a choice. Either bring me the Malachai or…." He paused, and grinned devilishly. I didn't like the look of that grin, and I resisted the urge to smack his smug face.
"Or..?" I asked, wishing he would finish his sentences and not play these silly little head games. He laughed fiendishly, and stepped a little bit closer.
"Or you can stay down here for the rest of eternity." He smirked, and I ground my teeth, and clenched my jaw. He drove a hard bargain, and it was a difficult choice. Either I end the world, or I never see my husband, or my son… Or any of my family and friends again… I looked into the frightened blue eyes of my son, and steeled myself. I couldn't end the world, and I only had one choice.
"I'll do it…. I'll stay…." I whispered through gritted teeth, my eyes still locked on my terrified infant, who was trapped within Azura's arms. My biological father laughed deeply in triumph. His fight to get the prodigal daughter back into his hands was finally over. I bit down on my cheek, the inside was becoming raw and I could taste blood. I slid my eyes over to my father's glowing face.
"Can I see him? My son, before you return him back home?" I choked out; finally succumbing to the sorrow I was feeling. Noir snorted in annoyance, but allowed me to walk over to Azura and grasp my son. I held him close to my heart, and whispered into his ear. I told him how much I was going to miss him, and that he had to become strong for me; stronger than I could ever have been. I pulled him away, and looked into his ever changing eyes one last time. I felt my stomach twist into unbearable knots, but I had to save my son, and the world.
"Give him to me, and I'll make sure he gets home." The guarded tone of Jaden rang in my ears. I looked at him through my eyelashes and mechanically handed him Marley, who gurgled and made a whine in protest. I waved at my son, before I found myself chained in the room I was in the last time I was here, and stripped down to nothing, with my father standing before me with an evil glint in his eye.
