Reading the reviews I have to address something. Belladonna does not like William! *shudders*o.e. Their relationship is more mentor and student. Remember Undertaker asked William personally to take Belladonna into the institution, he's just looking out for her. She kissed him to test a theory, not out of emotion.
Chapter Eleven: Hidden Agenda's
He placed the candle holder onto his small desk although he didn't need the light in order to see what he was doing. He set his white glove between his teeth and slipped it off his fingers, then quickly did the same to his other hand. He discarded his tail coat and heard a heavy object hit the floor beside his feet. He bent over and picked up her white mask she had worn no longer than a few hours ago. He held the ceramic mask carefully envisioning her green eyes through the carved holes. He closed his eyes picturing the ball; how much he would have loved to dance with her. How much he would have loved for her to confess her troubles and he, her dark knight would seek to end anyone who caused her distress. He did favor however, her lips pressed against his, her warm body underneath his palms, her light perfume and heavy breathing. Despite, against his better wishes, her reluctance to allow him to permit any further then a well anticipated kisses. He enjoyed his short time spent with her. Although in her silence, he could feel that she is destined for great trouble. She has attracted attention from the wrong people, from a person he knows all too well and will make sure Belladonna is never well acquainted with. He opened the desk drawer and placed the mask inside shutting it tightly. He picked up the candles and turned toward the door of his room.
"I must prepare for my master's day"
I woke from my slumber on a familiar bed with all too familiar covers thrown over me. My body felt like I was hit by a motor car. My muscles ached and body pleaded for me to stay lying down as I sat up slowly. I pulled my blanket away to see that I was only in my undergarments. A trail of my clothes I wore to the gala leading up to my bed along with my training scythe. I must have been too exhausted to change into my night gown. A knock sounded at my door and I hurried from my bed to answer it.
"Good Afternoon Sunshine!" Albin exclaimed. My eyes widened as I heard the news.
"Afternoon!? Oh God! Did I wake up late? William is going to kill me!" I yelled turning back to my room looking for my books and uniform.
"No not at all! William let us sleep in! He said we did an excellent job last night!" Albin replied stepping inside my room.
"Oh good, I feel so exhausted. I have to get use to the time difference. Do we have classes today?" I asked as I began throwing my discarded clothes into my closet.
"Yeah he said when ever we wake up to meet him in the work shop. Were making scythes today!" He yelled.
"Yes! lets go!" I yelled slamming my closet doors and bolting towards my front door.
"Hey! You do realize your half dressed right!" He called after me before I ran out into the open hallway.
"Oh!" I looked down at myself and quickly walked back to my closet. "Sorry!"
"Hey I'm not complaining" He shrugged with a wide grin across his lips.
"Get out" I spat as I entered my bathroom.
We walked into the work shop to see all of the reapers moving about the room anxiously. We stopped at the front desk and was directed towards the back where William sat with a few of our class mates.
"This is the first stage in creating a death scythe. You will sketch a design, a reasonable idea for example" He held up his scythe as an example then set it on the table in front of him.
"Compact, extendable and sharp blades that are equally damaging as a longer blade"
"Or you can design a scythe as deadly efficient as mine!" Grell exclaimed lifting his rotating weapon above his head and revving up the machine. The reapers and I covered our ears at the intrusive sound. Grell shut off his device and laid it on the table beside Williams almost arrogantly comparing the two.
William rolled his eyes as the students began sketching on their note pads eagerly after Grell's enthusiastic display. Albin and I sat down and began to draw out our design as well.
"Hmm" I thought.
"What?" he whispered continuing to look at his scribbling hand.
"I want my scythe to be similar to my father's,"
"His is classic!" he beamed in wonderment.
Within thirty minutes the majority of us had our designs done and where heading towards the next station in our process. I held my scythe design in front of my face proudly and tilted my head to the side as I finalized every detail. It was of a regular scythe, long metal pole and long acute blade at the top but I also added a second blade branching out from the bottom. The blade at the top pointing to the right while the bottom to the left. The middle of the weapon is equipped with a detachment in order for me to use the weapon in both hands at the same time. We stood from our tables and turned to leave and as I did so a voice called me from behind. Turning it was revealed to be William and I cringed inwardly as he called me over.
"Yes?" I commented.
"I know what had happened back in the council meeting had scared you but-"
"William" I pleaded involuntarily running my hand over my neck at the distant memory. "I'm fine, I just needed some space."
"Are you sure?" he questioned with a small raise of his brow.
"Yes, I'm going to finish my training" I reassured with a small smile. "My father is very persuasive when he needs to be."
"It is almost at an end" he finished.
I turned to leave then stopped and retraced my steps. "Umm Will?" I began, as I remembered all I had told my father.
"Hmm? Miss Eden?"
"I'm sorry for kissing you. It wasn't my place, and I hadn't known you and Grell were-"
"Sutcliff!?-Wha-Where did you hear something like that!" He scrambled with a flustered face he tried so desperately to hide.
"My father" I laughed.
"That's preposterous!- we, he... Lets move this along" he grumbled grabbing my sketch and pushing past me with blood red cheeks. I walked after him continuing to laugh.
"Now that your scythes are completed it is time for your final combat exercise. Try not to kill each other" William instructed. He sat on the bench in front of the sparring mats with his right ankle propped on his left knee. He held a metal clip board in his hands which he will use to give us a final grade.
Since we were able to choose our opponents I sat on the benches and watched the boys slice at each other with impeccable accuracy. Each reapers' skill had greatly improved from when we first began which made the duels more entertaining to watch. Caine tumbled to the floor loosing grip on his scythe which meant he had lost his battle to Alexander. The objective of these matches are to relieve your opponent of their weapon or fight to the point where they bow out. Caine respectfully exited the floor and sat down by his companions. Alexander remained, winning his second match and now we all waited for him to choose another competitor. My heart raced with anticipation for I knew who's name he would call.
"I choose Belladonna" he smirked. Oh what a shocker..
I thought you'd never ask.. I smiled as I stood amongst the boys and approached my long awaited adversary.
My eyes traced along his calf to his ankle where a scar wrapped around the newly heeled tendon. He stood with firm bent knees and I mirrored his position. I couldn't refrain from holding an eager smile across my lips and he grunted from my arrogant display of confidence. The way he eyed my scythe let me know just how intimidated by it he was.
"Whenever your ready" William voiced.
I took off in a small sprint swinging my scythe into the air as Alexander charged towards me with fiery determination.
...
He crashed onto the floor rolling over himself then quickly recoiling onto his hands and knees. He looked up at me then gasped as his head turned to the left and found that he had lost his scythe in the fall. He slapped his hand onto the ground in rage as everyone applauded. I walked up to him and extended my hand to his aid. He picked up his scythe then turned to me hesitant at first. In a small moment he gripped my palm and I helped him up although he was a lot taller than I.
"Nice work." he muttered as he checked my shoulder with his and walked back to the class.
"You're not finished. Now you must choose an opponent" William instructed.
Most of the students looked to have accepted defeat before even trying, waving their hands and shaking their heads; waving off my glances their way. I looked back my scythe in my hands as I thought on who to choose. My heart racing, adrenaline pumping threw my veins. The thrill of a fight was almost addicting, I wanted a rival that would push me to my very limit.
"I can call on whoever I choose?" I asked lost in thought.
"Correct" He replied, A deep smile rose on my lips. I pictured myself smiling almost maliciously as my father would. Even if I did loose this fight it'd be worth the humiliation.
I lifted my scythe directed towards my chosen contender. Green eyes followed the line of my scythe till it landed on the person who sat without comprehension.
"I choose...William T. Spears" I announced.
The reaper looked up from his clip board with a short look of surprise which then faded into a clinical smirk. He stood and a student beside him handed him his weapon. He fixed his glasses on the bridge of his nose as he walked onto the mat. The room was deadly quiet as everyone waited anxiously for us to proceed, each reaper silently betting on who would win; and I guessed the odds towards me was not very high.
"A worthy opponent indeed" William commented. "Whenever you're ready Miss Eden"
I took a loose horse stance as I eyed my opponent attentively. I raised my weapon above my head and struck.
...
William knelt on one knee breathing harshly. I stood over him with his scythe in my hands breathing in deeply to calm my beating heart. My scythe had been thrown aside somewhere during the fight and I now held his.
"Much improvement" He commented as he stood dusting off his suit. I handed him his weapon then went to retrieve mine.
"Class is dismissed" William announced whipping sweat from his brow.
I stood on my knees with my arms bound behind my back and clothes disheveled over my body. A man paced in front of me enraged and ready to relieve the rest of his frustrations. He was accompanied by a woman who was no more human as I was reaper. Her large angelic wings sprouted from her back proudly as she stood before me ignoring the man who grunted in aggravation.
"William" she spoke. "My most loyal student, intelligent, trust worthy and now-"
"A vile betrayer!" The man spat. He took three long strides toward me and gripped onto my torn collar shirt. He hoisted me off of the ground with incredible strength leaving my legs dangling above the ground.
"You little shit!" he cursed, his ruby colored eyes piercing my face as he bared his teeth animalistically, showing his sharp fangs proudly.
"What gives you the gall?" He growled.
"Alabaster!" The women shouted. He released his grip on me and I fell upon my knees releasing a pained grunt.
"I don't know what to do with you William, what caused you to do this?" she asked.
"I finally realized this institution is run by power hungry tyrants, my companion was ambushed by the demons I slaughtered" I replied proudly, eliciting a growl from Alabaster. "Obviously I was going to look into the matter. Then, is when I discovered Grell had been set up." I breathed in heavily before continuing catching my loss of breath.
"By the very people that stand before me"
"I won't deny it, Grell is useless. Yes he is excellent at his job but his incompetence to complete his work will undo him. He does not take this society seriously, his carelessness will only get worse as the years go on. We considered it best if we rid him from the equation." Angela replied.
"And now two of my men are dead! I know exactly what to do with him!?" Alabaster exclaimed. "Give me the pleasure of ripping this reaper to shreds, and I will finish with his companion Sutcliff"
"No, William is too valuable to kill" Angela interceded.
"He killed two of my strongest fledglings and you expect me to let him be!" Alexander was ravenous, he swept his jet black hair out of his face and clicked his teeth, wishing his fangs to seep deep into Williams cream colored skin.
"No, he will be punished. He must know this is something he shall never do again, he must know his place"
Alabaster gripped onto my shoulders, I hissed at his nails digging into my flesh. He pushed my body painfully into the wall and released his hand from my shoulder to have it clasp around my neck. He growled inwardly, leaning into me so that his eyes were staring directly into mine.
"I can't kill you.. you're too valuable she says. But their will come a day and I am willing to wait. Stay away from my demons reaper" he warned shoving my shoulder blades further into the wall before releasing me.
Before I fell to the ground I was caught in Angela's palms. I looked into her lavender eyes instantly, her violet orbs compelling me to do so. Her wings fanned out into a great length shielding us both from the outside world. I was completely concealed as she drew closer; her fare hair falling onto my forehead.
"Everyone deserves a clean slate" she whispered as I fell into a deep slumber.
"Will!" Grell exclaimed as I entered our room. He grasped my arms with shaking hands and searched my eyes frantically. He wrapped his arms around my torso and pressed his head into my chest. "You're in one piece! Did you find those demons?"
I pried his cold hands from my torso and walked to my closet pulling my shoes off one at a time and placing them coherently inside. "What on earth are you talking about?"
He ran over to me in shock and ran his hand threw short red hair. He grabbed my chin and forced me to look at his face. His lips were cut and eye slightly red surrounded by darkened skin.
"What the hell happened to you? You need to be more careful on your reaping missions" I replied, walking past him to my desk. I clicked the light on and sat down to resume my work that surprisingly was left unfinished.
Grell remained in the center of our room dumbstruck for whatever reason. I glanced behind myself to see his wide green eyes watered and lip shaking. I turned back to my reports and began to finalize them. I heard his foot steps from behind as he approached me timidly.
"William" he voiced like a small child.
"Yes?" I replied beginning to become annoyed with him. He looked into my eyes one last time as if assuring himself of something and did not reply. He turned away and I back to my work.
I set the book back into it's rightful place and walked out of the library walk way hearing a voice a few isles down. I pressed my back again the wall cautiously and walked along the shelves running my hands over the cinematic records. If I was going to get caught I won't get in trouble for William gave me permission to return the cinema I stole. I turned down the hall where the voice was heard and creep down it silently. The closer I drew the more clear the voice could be heard.
"Are you sure of this?"
The voice sounded, still too distant to make out who it was.
"I'll always do as you say.."
The person came into view and the first thing I spotted was white perfectly combed hair.
"Albin?" I questioned.
He turned swiftly with his cheeks slightly tinged pink. He quickly recomposed himself and adjusted his clothes rather uncomfortably.
"Who are you talking to?" I asked with a small shrug.
His eyes narrowed. "No one."
"What's with the hostility, it was an innocent question."
"Right, you are anything but innocent.." He whispered passing by me. I grabbed his arm before he walked away.
"What did you say?"
"Don't touch me!" He yelled pulling his arm out of my grip. The look on is face read that he was disgusted with the very sight of me. I looked at the hand that once held hs arm them back at him in deep confusion.
"I thought we were friends? What happened? What did I do?" I asked utterly confused.
"Nothing, can we just drop this please" He continued on and I ran in front of him stopping his last step. He looked down at me annoyingly but I ignored his look.
"No, obviously I did something, what's the problem?"
He grunted in frustration. "The problem here is you. Ever since you've been here you've done nothing but break the rules! Your uniform, in combat training, the list goes on. But yet you think you're so perfect! William lets you off all the time just because of your father's status. He was just as much of a traitor as you are becoming."
"What!" I yelled.
"Are you even going to stay here after you graduate? You hate the society so much why are you even here?.. Back in the library, I know what I saw, I just can't believe you allowed that demon too-" His sentence cut short for he couldn't find the words to finish his furious rant.
"What are you? Where is this coming from?" my voice quivered as my emotions began to build. The atmosphere seemed to grow thicker in the desolate library isle as he stared me down.
"Back at the masquerade.. you and..I saw him" He confessed.
I tried to hide the fact that my heart skipped a beat in my chest and turned my face away from him as I knew it was flustered.
"Saw who?" I asked as innocently as possible.
"Don't act like you don't know who I'm talking about." He declared pointing a cold finger in my direction.
"I saw him run after you, that demon! If only I could have rid him from that mask then I would know exactly who he is. But the worse part of it is, is that you let him.."
I pressed myself against the books inching slowly away from him. He grew angrier by the minute and my body tensed on edge preparing myself for if he ever did anything drastic.
"You reek of his scent. His imprint." His eyes grew hard.
"You are impure! unclean! you're an abomination!" He spat threw clenched teeth. I gasped at his belittling words, spoken towards me only once before by a woman who wanted nothing more but to take my life.
"What did you just say?"