I watched Dorian for hours, never truly believing what my eyes were showing me. He seemed more open, more eccentric more…human.
Tonight I saw the side of him that gave birth to Hristea. Saw a humour in him that I'd never expected to find. Especially the few times I actually saw him with Hristea, I did not just see the indistinguishable faces, but I saw the brothers that they were. Hristea wasn't trying to rip out Dorian's throat and, Dorian wasn't on the verge of roasting him to a cinder. After that, however, Hristea seemed to vanish for the remnants of the evening. But I did not need to ask where he'd gone, it wasn't difficult to put two and two together once I noticed that Sabina and Sorina had also gone astray.
It was beautiful to watch everyone, all the Undying, as they danced; they were more graceful than angels. I couldn't take my eyes away from the sea for long, watching as the millions of waves clashed together to create a smooth current of aptness. It was hypnotic. I had been so deep in the tempo that the sudden change startled me. The soloist's voice lowered, her voice softening, her opera captivating. She danced atop the piano, adorned in a glistening black dress, her cropped red hair hidden under a transparent, diamond studded veil. The tune changed and immediately the tempo shifted, the dance became slow and seductive; I swayed with it unable to resist. I watched from a balcony, not far from the floor, merely an eight stair journey.
Gradually, as if they were both questioning the other, I watched as Dorian and Emilia drew together, like two reluctant magnets. I'd been curious all night, pondering quietly to myself weather or not this would occur. Secretly, I'd been preparing myself for it, but seeing them I couldn't help but gawk. It was disgusting, it was completely and totally revolting of them, and I was disturbed.
Even still, as the two converged I could see it, as if looking through a mirror at myself, I saw it in her. The terrible fascination and adoration that coloured her eyes. Her undeniable, unbearable attraction to him was as clear on her face, as it is been on mine. She wanted to hate him so badly, and I knew that by the way Emilia glared at him. She couldn't, there was no resisting Dorian, I was sure there wasn't anyone on the planet that could deny him. What caused her such pain, such sorrow was that Dorian did not want her. I could see it though. In the way they moved, in the way they spoke to each other. They had been lovers, and they still were.
It was horrible for me to watch, for me to witness my Dorian-my forever, look at her the same way he looked at me. And know that I would never be as pretty, or as confident, or as flawless as Emilia. It made me sick to my stomach. She was perfect for him, in every twisted way. "It's terrible to watch." Someone said, a warm fingertip erasing a drifting tear from my face. Jerkily, I turned my head a fraction to look up at Viola, his strangely gorgeous eyes shattered, as if I was looking into to eyes of death.
"It will do you nothing but bring sorrow to observe this." He mumbled, never once daring to look at me. I sniffled, "Then stop looking." Viola smiled through his hidden sadness. "You are a smart child Analeigh." He said glancing down at me through a sweeping bang of black. "No, actually, I'm human." I answered nonchalantly, my voice empty as I scrubbed my eyes.
I felt the banister tremble as I placed my hands back on the soft wood, Viola's knuckles coming white as he clutched the rail. "It is unfair to be imperfect, to be lacking in every possible way. I know how it is you feel Analeigh, more than you can ever imagine. I know because I feel pain more than any other creature because of what I am. I feel it beyond your own comprehension. And I've endured 400 years of it." He chuckled humourlessly at the end, his eyes narrowing on me as he peered out on the ballroom floor again.
"And I know, that Dorian would rather suffer my 400 years than be without you." He smiled wistfully, "You do not deserve any of this agony Emilia has condemned you to. Do not hate Dorian for being what he is though; he hasn't the strength to renounce his love for her. And I cannot renounce mine." Surprised, I ogled at Viola, whose eyes had gone to a misty white in colour, so much so he no longer had a pupil. He was acting out on Dorian, speaking his most horrible thoughts to me. "Emilia will get hers." I growled, astonishing us both, Viola laughing at my abrupt hostility before he shook his head and winked at me. "Be careful what you wish for." He whispered, nudging the air with his chin.
I hurried my eyes back to Dorian and Emilia who were now spinning together, in what appeared to be the center of the collection. Dorian's back came to me and seconds later someone screamed, I jumped, my heart accelerating as my hand threw itself over my lips. "Dorian!" Emilia snarled shoving him away; Dorian slid back a step hunched over as a loud echoing cackle erupted in the room. My eyes searched the vastness for Hristea when I realized, that devilishly pleased chortle belonged to Dorian.
Emilia's eyes shone an incredible blue as she bared her fangs at him. The assembly around them had turned into a wide circle, gaping in at the two like the rest of us were. From where I was, I thought I saw the finest gash on the side of Emilia's throat, thin as it was it bled furiously. Emilia had gone to slap him, when Dorian caught her wrist. "Oh come now Emilia, play with me." He snickered as she jerked free of his grasp.
"Go to hell Dorian!" She hissed, spinning on the balls of her feet to storm gracefully through the throng of Undying, the entire circle it seemed parted for her exit. Dorian turned slightly, to gaze back at me through strands of dark brown; he retracted his fangs and swung his foot around to give a theatrical bow. I'd been about to ask Viola what was going on when I saw that he was also departing, vanishing through the same door Emilia had just used.
"Dorian, your ego could use some deflating." Remarked a female voice. Great, what now? I thought angrily, Dorian straightened a look of outrage crossing his face though he did not turn to see who had approached him. "Go to hell Lucinda." He growled, his voice echoing throughout the massive hall. Dorian's reddening eyes locked with mine as he began pacing in my direction.
Eagerly, unable to contain myself, I scampered in the most subtle and elegant way I could to meet him. My slippers grazed the floor nosily, Dorian grinning at my impatience. "I am sorry if I've hurt you, you know I would never dream of doing such a thing." He apologized, Dorian's gentle fingers leaving searing trails across my jaw as I returned his soothing smile. "You did that for him didn't you? For Viola?" I asked, incapable of taming the jumbled surge my words had grown to be. Dorian smiled evocatively at me, nodding lightly.
"Emilia desires what she knows she cannot have. Consolation is what she craves now; she'll not be back for a while." As we spoke the music picked itself up once again, carrying on as if nothing had ever transpired. "And Lucinda? What of her?" I questioned, lowering my voice for the surrounding listeners. Dorian growled, his brow creasing at the mention of her name. "She can shrivel up and expire for all I care." He snapped I caught the sudden flicker of his fangs as he spoke.
"Don't be so impolite Dorian." It was a male voice that opposed him, Dorian pivoting in the slightest to rake his eyes viciously over the three people standing opposite us. Standing closest to us was a woman, tall and thin like a toothpick.
She had short, chin length brown hair framing her long face. Matching her tan skin, the first thing I noticed about her were here gorgeous eyes. They were a toffee brown, speckles of red slashing through each of her light irises. The red in her eyes also matched the silken scarlet cocktail dress she wore-without a bra at that-which came to her thighs. From that point tall, slender black boots took hold of her, leading down her long legs to her toes and highly elevated heels. She smirked at us with full lips that spoke of nothing but a taunting danger; it made my skin crawl just to look at her.
Her eyes narrowed, her thick lashes casting lengthy shadows down her round cheeks. "Especially when we haven't seen each other in so long." She murmured in a temptingly enigmatic bass, a strong Brittan accent jacketing her enticing words. Dorian grunted in disgust, "Forgive me if I fail to see how that applies at all to how I choose to address you." He hissed, the girl raising a brow at him as her tongue ran over her teeth. "
You always were a patronizing bastard weren't you?" Growled the taller of the two men, who stood on either side of the woman. His faced was marred with terrible scars, one slashed down his eye, forever holding it closed. His blonde hair was shoulder length, tied back in a thick brown ribbon, to match his coat and black slacks. A snarl rumbled through Dorian's chest, thundering through his teeth as his lips curled back. "Arrogance comes with the territory." Dorian barked back, the three Undying rocking in laughter.
"Funny that you should mention territory." Breathed the smaller man, his eyes centered on me with a malicious longing. I knew that look. Perhaps a little too well. My gut clenched, my breath falling short as my hands clamped on to Dorian's arm. "Dorian." His name came as a panicked gasp, my fear speaking for me. He reacted to me instantly, Dorian's arm stiffly jostling me around behind him. I felt an icy chill cascade down my spine as Dorian hissed, a terrible burning breaking out across my chest and back.
"You know better." The taller man grunted a smile lashing across his mouth. I watched in horror, as that cutting smile contorted to one of long dripping fangs and a forked tongue. Veins wound wildly beneath his pink gums as he snarled back at us, taking on the persona of a frightening snake.
The ache in my body strengthened, knocking me back a step as Dorian inclined himself toward the other three Undying, his arms extended, his fingers twisting to warped claws. I heard the whispering of flickering flames, yelping as the room became black. When I reached out for Dorian again I was forced to yank my hands back, my palms searing with the agony of a fresh burn. Wincing as I tried to see the sticky flesh that now covered my throbbing palms.
A gasp rose in the back of my throat, but I was too stunned to bring it forward. My eyes glued to the dark figure that was Dorian, his jacket ablaze as he hunched himself defensively before me. In an instant his entire torso had been engulfed in flames, thrashing orange and blue dancing in their violent dance around him. I watched in a state of shock as he straightened, the only light in the room and enough to awaken the entire ballroom.
Thousands of glowing eyes landed on us, some growls and hisses echoing through the room. Dorian's skin was not burned, was not even touched by the flames though I could see how they emitted from his pores to encase his body. Lustrous red veins coursed beneath his skin, over and around his gleaming scarlet eyes, streaking his face in brutishly beautiful oranges. "No, you know better." He growled his voice resonant as it cracked throughout the room.
I jumped, feeling my eyes water as the tile beneath me shattered, a ring of whipping fire forming around me. It startled me, but I could not feel a thing, not the incredible heat of the flames that protected me, nothing. There was no fear, only amazement in my surprised stupor. That's when I saw it, on my palm, the rose. The shining ruby that it had become, the vines twisted about my hand glowing like Dorian. They all glimmered, even beneath my dress; I could feel them all illuminating across my skin.
I was hypnotized by them, and if it hadn't been for my devastation I wouldn't have noticed anything else at all. But through my trance, I remembered what was happening, and my eyes immediately found Dorian once more. "She is my human. You'll not touch her." Dorian grumbled in thick Transylvanian, his voice so horribly discomposed I could barely understand him.
The three Undying hissed, Dorian baring his teeth, a shudder ruining his tensely straightened posture. Then, as if something had stricken him Dorian froze, panic shot through me as the chandeliers shone brightly once again. Octavianus stood between the four of them, his hand on Dorian's chest though he remained unscathed by the wicked flames. "Calm yourself son, they will not harm Analeigh. Because if they so much as look at her in such a way that displeases me, I will do away with them myself." In a blink of an eye, Octavianus' distinguished and quiet voice had gone completely volatile and sadistic, Dorian chuckling as the opposing Undying retreated.
I felt the spotlight cast it's evil eyes on me as the three vampires glowered in outrage. The shorter man stared with an unsatisfied desire, while I shuddered my arms wrapping around my torso in reassurance. Dorian's thick arms overlapped mine, though his expression never shifted from the furious face of a gargoyle. Octavianus exhaled heavily, looking down at me with sorrowing, apologetic eyes.
"Forgive me Analeigh, if I have spoiled your evening, it t'is their nature. Lucinda saw you as a threat." Octavianus stroked my cheek. "Dorian, do not let your guard down, she will seek every weakness until she finds one."
"I know." Dorian nodded jerkily, his voice edgy and frustrated as his eyes swept the crowd. Octavianus' eyes narrowed before he was lifting a hand, the instant his palm had lifted music had begun to play, the congregation returning to their dance. "I'm sending for your brother, you should be prepared to depart." Octavianus murmured as his parting words, Dorian allowing a sharp laugh. "Finding him shouldn't be difficult." Octavianus gave a disapproving sigh, "Hristea." I couldn't help but crack a smile at that, despite the fear churning in my gut I couldn't ignore how cute that was.
That Octavianus was just like a regular dad, with insane and gorgeous children, that were all to wild to be tamed. Dorian snorted, "You're nearly eaten and you believe my disgrace of a brother is cute." Dorian placed his hand on my forehead checking for a fever, smiling faintly when I smacked it away. I frowned at the abrupt realization, "Sh-she wanted to eat me?" I asked feeling the bulge in my throat as my voice squeaked.
"You're forgetting we're surrounded by The Undying, it is not just me that craves you." Dorian reminded, running his fingers through my bangs to twist the end of an awkward strand. I shivered, "It was better when it was just you." I mumbled, glancing nervously around me. He was right, I'd been absolutely ignoring the fact I was in a room, totally surrounded by monsters that wanted to drink me to nothing.
That knowledge was more than frightening and, I wasn't too surprised to find myself gazing over my shoulder every five seconds. "But you needn't worry, my love, protecting you is as easily done as shielding your mind." Dorian said warmly, a shimmer in his green eyes compelling me to believe and trust in him. "You've been guarding my mind all this time?" I asked my voice less anxious and more confused by all this.
"Of course, since you haven't the strength yet, you are my responsibility." Dorian said this valiantly, without faltering. A wave of relief flashed over me, how long had I been worried about that? Since we first walked in I suppose, and I've been trying not to think of silly, girlish things all evening when I never had to worry in the first place. "You make it sound so easily done." I said, hearing the nervosa climbing back up my throat as I spoke edgily.
Dorian grinned, "I am a very narcissistic creature Analeigh, I protect what is mine. At my age, shielding the mind is habitual."
"Ugh," I groaned. "Please don't say that, you sound like my Papa." Dorian chuckled in his low golden bass, shaking his head at me. "Analeigh, I am by far older than your grandfather." I caught wind of a serious judder at that, feeling my stomach knot as I grimaced. I could admit that Dorian was old to myself but stating it aloud made me bizarrely nauseous. "Eww, that's so gross." I muttered squeezing my eyes shut.
"Come with me, I wish to dance with you." He decided, taking my hand in his and leading me into the elegance of the un-dead. Dancing. It hadn't been my favourite activity since grade two, with the whole two left feet accident. Gavril never let me live that down. That was, of course, prior to my run in with the devil. Dorian taught me how to dance, and he-unlike Brandon Avery-didn't care if I had two left feet.
Then again, thanks to Dorian I can only do ballroom dance.
Here, however, he made me feel like a princess. And it had nothing to do with silly nicknames or being part of a royal lineage. It was just a feeling, like a thousand butterflies swashing through my stomach. Like my feet never made contact with the floor, Dorian made me feel like the only person in the room. It was the most amazing feeling, to be wanted and loved and cared for. And I never, never wanted it to end.
I wanted to feel this forever, and be his princess eternally. Time stood perfectly still when I was with Dorian, he made my entire world right side up again. Nothing else mattered, not the vicious preps at school, not my mother's shouting, he made everything…better. Like none of it was real. I wanted to stay here, and dance with him until my feet turned to nubs.
"I'm going to have to do something about this." Dorian whispered, his voice breaking through my daze. Shaking my head I looked up at him curiously, Dorian leading fluently though he appeared to be assessing my hand. At this, of course, came the pain. It struck me like a blow to the head and I had to work with all I hand not to scream. My hands, their scalded peeling flesh, the sticky burn marks that were embedded in them.
I squirmed in his arm biting my lip as hard as I could. "Shh." Dorian soothed, kissing away my tears. He released my pulsing hand to raise his palm to his lips, while our dance came to a close. I saw a brief flicker of his fangs as Dorian slashed a line into the thicker part of his thumb. I winced as he licked away a small spill of blood and froze as he offered his palm to me.
"Drink." He prompted, failing to notice my are-you-insane stare when finally he sighed. "It will mend your wound immediately; it is not enough to turn you Analeigh. You know I wouldn't do that to you without your consent." My eyes narrowed on his open and frank expression, I searched for any hint that he was lying. Even if he was lying, I probably wouldn't know regardless. I
I gagged, honestly considering tasting the small opening he'd made. It was tiny but long, crimson exuding from his hand to pile thickly around the gash. "You swear?" I asked, hearing the queasiness in my voice. "I promise." Dorian nodded tersely. "Hurry, I'm healing." Closing my eyes I closed my fingers on his and leaned into his hand. I thought of ice cream and chocolate and candy, anything to get my mind off of the blood.
Uneasily I ran my tongue over his wound, taking little and pushing his hand away. Quivering I swallowed, but by the time I'd tasted my hands had already been healed. Dorian smiling down at me, "That wasn't so terrible was it? And look, good as new." I turned my hands over repeatedly, looking for any bruise or scar and came up completely empty. Licking my lips I returned a meek little grin, "Thank you."
Dorian's hand swept over my hair, "You needn't thank me love, you know I would do anything for you." Dorian's voice was honest and warm as he smiled at me, his green eyes glistening and wide. When suddenly, his face went blank. Dorian's twitching green eyes plummeted into a furious scarlet, his lips wrenched back as he shoved me away, spinning on the balls of his feet.
Gasping, I flew back to fall loudly on the tiles, the surrounding Undying didn't seem to notice as the room exploded in vicious growls. Through the terrible haze of tears that had formed over my eyes, I fought to see what had happened. Scrubbing my eyes I thought I saw water splaying through the air, and then a screeching snarl ripped through the room. "Dorian!" I cried, my lips moved before I'd fully understood what I'd seen.
He turned his back on the assailant to clutch his arm, my stomach heaved when I saw him. Dorian's fangs protruded over his bottom lip, orange veins flaying across his face, his red eyes bulging as he trembled. Dorian's entire sleeve had been burnt away, to unveil bare bone and bloodied flesh. Blood spilt down his entire arm, pooling on the floor beneath him, Dorian's arm shook in his hand where he held his wrist. His right hand was nightmarishly disfigured, scarlet dripping from the tips if his shaking fingers.
I could see the white of his bone from where I lay, mingled in a crimson mess. Skin and muscle fell in chunks from where he held himself shuddering. That same horrible hissing and grey smoke curled like demonic claws around his shredded arm. Dorian's hair fell in his face as he lurched over, growling as laughter echoed throughout the vast room. I wanted to run to him, I wanted to help him in any way I could. But something, my conscience maybe, held me sprawled on the floor.
My hands and hips ached from the hard fall, but it didn't matter to me any more, biting my lip I gawked in a haggard shock. A breeze whipped through the crowd, then a second, and the third however, came with a shriek. Moments later, Dorian was being jostled back behind three other bodies. Emilia stood in front, her hands spread widely, long claws extending from her fingers as she bore her teeth. Her hair whisked about her face, her gleaming eyes taking on that of an immortal blue sky.
While Hristea stood at her side, with his glazed white eyes and thick bristled black fur, a low growl snaking through his huge wolfish smile. Hristea's ears pinned back against his bulky neck, shaking violently in outrage, glaring wrathfully at his brother's assailant.
Closest to Dorian was Viola, his hands stiffly at his sides, his back painfully straight. Viola's head was tilted awkwardly while his eyes took on that same eerie white mist. His long fangs overshadowing his lip as he bore his teeth. A strangely viscous white fog seemed to hold to his ankles, I'd almost begun to search for a smog machine. A chill layered my body, I shivered, wincing against the scent of death that seemed to be overflowing from him. As if all light had been drawn from the world at his command.
Now I saw the shorter man I'd met with Lucy before. Holding in his hand a large goblet, that had doubtlessly been filled with holy water. I shuddered at the abruptness of all this, at how quickly our happy moment had been turned into something hostile. Fear rendered me still, confusion left me dizzy and the agony within my stomach made me unsettled and disgusted. My skin seemed to ice over as I looked upon this scene. At the horrific burns that coated the remains of Dorian's flaking flesh.
My body was petrified to the point of shock, while my brain struggled to understand what had happened. I'd begun to lift myself from this traumatized trance when suddenly, a voice cried out from the back of my mind. Don't move! Dorian shouted, I've hidden your scent-you must stay down! His voice was pained and hoarse even in my mind. And when I looked back at him, I could see the vulnerable torment that he hated so much to publicize.
"Dorian, I am a little disappointed in you. To see such weakness in one truly so great, such a disgrace you've become." Said someone over the hissing of the congregation, it was a thick British accent, much stronger than Dorian's. At that comment, I saw Dorian's face turn to one of surprise. And then shame slashed his beautiful features, his eyes flickering amongst the crowd. "You're one to talk Cestus." Snapped Emilia, "Attacking one from behind, how pathetic!" Her voice was so sickened and infuriated that it made me recoil made me feel dejected just at her tone.
I heard Dorian's quiet snicker at the Undying's inability to trump her. "It must aggravate you that I have all you want." He grunted between his dark chuckles. Cestus snarled, taking a further step toward them. My breath hitched hurtfully in my throat as Dorian turned on his heels to face the vampire. Cestus' fiery auburn eyes locked on Dorian, who seemed to be perfectly ignoring the sodden, exposed bone that was his hand.
I, on the other hand, didn't exactly have the stomach for that. I felt like we were running again, when my stomach started flopping and my head started spinning, I thought I was going to be sick. When really, I was striving to heave myself through a heavy faint. And blacking out wasn't exactly a simple thing to get out of. "Dorian don't start something you cannot finish." Warned Hristea, taking a moment to gaze rigidly back upon his brother.
Dorian growled, "It doesn't matter, hunting Analeigh is treason against the Mantle." Cestus hissed as Dorian aimed his good hand at him. Close your eyes. I jumped at the sudden echo of his voice, shaking myself from my haze to stare into his back. "Wh-what?" I stuttered glancing around me at the flowing colours and trousers. Screaming when an Undying appeared over me, Cestus' long forked tongue lapping my cheek when abruptly he was shrieking-nearly as loud as me!
Curled up in my dress, my hands flew out to push him away, when I realized he was no longer anywhere near me. Gradually my awfully questioning eyes opened to a scene too horrific to describe. Gagging, I watching in terror as Dorian stomped his foot down on Cestus' flailing body. The undying engulfed in flames screeched as he burned, thick black smoke swallowed up them both whole.
Dorian's foot place on the thrashing body's chest, his eyes I could not see through his dark hair, whipping about his face as it was. Cestus' flaming hands clamped on to Dorian's leg, his wailing growing louder. Through the horror in my gut and the morbid fascination in my mind, came the irony. Why was I not surprised to see Dorian so oblivious to the scene he'd created? That he could be so calm in doing something so horrible.
His attention remained on the rebirth of his hand, regenerating itself before his unseen eyes. When he cocked his head to the side to view some concealed object, the black smog enclosing him impeded me from viewing what he was. Cestus' battering seemed to fade, his keening diminishing into the crackling boom of the fire that had devoured his being. Until his smouldering remains were all that was left, Dorian's foot crushing through the carcass's ribcage.
Cestus' head lolled to the side, a fanged and scorched skull gaping at me from where it lay on the floor not two meters away. I feared that if I kept staring back at it like I was, that he would bring himself up from the dead and claw his way back to me. A shrill voice emerged from the crowd, Lucinda and the other man rushing from the throng to collapse at their fallen brother's corpse.
Dorian jerked his foot from the ash in such a way that it caused the rest of the charcoal remnants to fall in on itself. He'd come to me to offer me his hand, which I replied to with a startled yelp. "Come love, we're leaving." Dorian's voice was comforting, and gentle. He seemed so safe to me, that every fibre of me that clung to my fright had released itself entirely. "How could you…how could you do that?" I asked, unable to still the surprise my voice had slithered into.
"Your life was threatened." Dorian said this slowly, as if to convince me of this, to convince me that what he had done was not morally wrong. "But it was not your call to execute him." Octavianus' low voice thundered from behind me, peering over my shoulder to find him, as well as Tiberiu emerging from the swell. Dorian grunted angrily as he raised me to my feet.
"Analeigh was in danger; I've done what is necessary to protect her." He hissed back, Octavianus' brow furrowing as his eye twitched in irritation, I could see the origin of Dorian's habit. "Immobilization is what is necessary, elimination is permissible to myself only. Your actions were reckless and irresponsible; you are dictated by your temper therefore you are weak, and you are stupid. And that is not how you were raised." Octavianus barked harshly, his deep voice rumbling throughout the room.
Dorian stiffened at my side, my eyes moving between the two of them. His expression remained vacant; his eyes empty of all emotion as he pulled me toward the staircase. I watched him the entire time, the world seeming to silence around us as he lead me through the mass. There were so many things I needed to say, so many questions I had to ask. But I feared asking them would only worsen things.
Something was happening, beneath the surface. He was hurt, shattered horribly by what had just been announced to the Undying world. But what frightened me most, was this mask that had moulded to his face. This emptiness that had taken him.
This…hollowness.