Author's note: so I haven't written one of these in a while. Quick update: I'm not entirely sure how many more chapters there are but we're getting to the end of Lily Flowers & Eternity. (Yay!) While I want to spoil the ending like a terrible person I won't. There's no fun in that. If you can guess it that could be fun though. I'm a little hyped. It's 3:30 am so my slight rambling should be excused.
Enjoy :)
"Isn't this better? I don't have to hurt you Anala."
A hand stroked her hair gently and the low voice in her ear was meant to be soothing yet it merely made her nauseous. Warm fingers brushed her bruised and tender jawline. She was shaking and cold sweat dampened her brow. Anala could barely hold her body up, she was used to the pain but there was something wrong in her. She sat with her legs tucked beneath her and arms loosely wrapped around her cold body. She was littered in cuts and bruises and scratches and burns but the pain inside her body was tearing her apart not the pain outside. An infection? Fever? Anala could only guess though she suspected it wasn't an illness, at least not a physical one. Since the day she had heard the voices Anala felt herself weakening considerably.
"Just don't struggle."
Anala never really wanted to kill before, had never had the urge to physically attack and end a life. She imagined Carus dead but never of the act itself. Anala wanted to kill whatever it was Mike Newton had become. Her hate for him burned like gasoline to flame. Mike had cut away her ragged clothing, bathed her in a metal tub of cool water, and now Anala was wrapped in nothing but chilling air. Her skin was littered in scars, unseen from beneath layers of dirt and grime and blood. The raised markings twisted and intersected, layered on top of each other. The manacles clinked as she shifted and the heavy collar around her neck was loose yet felt unbelievably constricting. Carus had become sparse, long periods going between when Anala had to lay her eyes on him again but Mike was there nearly every day. Anala had become an outlet for his sick curiosities. He was now less than human, unrecognizable. The white of his sunken eyes were now an odd yellow color and his teeth had become sharp, pointed, and shark-like. Everything about him was appalling. She looked to the dagger at his waist.
"You're so beautiful."
A shaft of bright light stretched from the cracked entrance of the cell-like room and across the floor. Mike's hand grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. He leaned in and pressed his lips against her own and Anala dug her nails into her arm until Mike pulled back, unhappy with her lack of response. "Why won't you say anything?!" he pushed her away with a repulsed sound and stood, pacing angrily. "Not a word in fucking months."
Anala watched the light on the floor, how it illuminated the tiny grooves and lines on the packed ground. She lay her body down on the ground, leaning to the side until she lay curled on the solid floor. Mike's feet continued to pace back and forth and Anala shivered. Her bones hurt. Her ears were constantly ringing. Anala counted his footsteps. Hands roughly grabbed her, pulling her up. Carus stood in the doorway, a disconcerting smile on his lips.
"Time to go dear."
Mike pulled a worn, threadbare tunic onto her body. The material was coarse and itchy but it covered her nudity and gave her some protection from the cool air. Her body hesitated, her heels digging into the floor. She didn't want to go with them, she had a bad feeling in her gut. Mike pulled her towards the door and Carus looked her over.
"You've had your fun with her I see."
"I didn't get to do everything I wanted, sir."
"Not yet Michael."
Mike nodded. Carus turned and brushed nonexistent dust from the heavy black cloak wrapped around his wide shoulders. He reached for her and Anala stepped away, bumping into Mike. She backed up more and Mike's hand grabbed her upper arm.
"No," she whispered hoarsely, beginning to struggle. Her voice was raw and broken from disuse.
Carus sighed, impatient. "Come now, don't be difficult." Anala fought against the hands holding her as she was dragged out into the passage way. Anala knew it wasn't as bright as she thought it was but the torches that lined the wall seemed unbearably bright. She'd grown accustomed to the dark.
"No, no!" With each foot they moved the more distressed she became. She shouldn't go with them. It was bad. Wrong. Carus smiled.
"Come Anala, do you not wish to see your brother?" The words stopped her struggling. Her brother? Carus looked to Mike. "Do you remember how to get there? Just like I taught you." Carus then disappeared.
Anala tugged her arms, trying ineffectively to escape Mike's hold. Everything around her dimmed then she was weightless. She felt stiff grass beneath her feet and cold air passing over her. The smell of moss and rain lingered in the air. She saw a pale glowing orb and Anala realized it was the moon. She was outside, in a clearing surrounded by trees. She could see patches of earth in the grass and Anala suddenly knew where she was. Mike tugged her harshly and she lost her footing, falling. He bent to lift her and Anala snatched the dagger holstered at his waist and drove it into his chest, pushing it in as deeply as she could force it. Anala felt his body sway and she moved quickly. She was weak and tired and injured but she summoned all her strength as adrenaline pumped through her body. Anala didn't look back, she ran.
Nolan's mentor was a terrifying man named Azrael. He had taken one look at Nolan and scoffed. "How the hell did you end up this scrawny mess?! By the Gods, if I didn't know better I'd say you wouldn't survive five minutes against Carus. Well, come on! No more sitting on your ass." Azrael had arrived four weeks ago and Nolan had trained non-stop since the minute he'd finished that sentence. He was crude and strict and a perfectionist who hounded him and borderline tormented him but Nolan greatly respected and admired the man, amused by his demeanor. Nolan was comfortable with Azrael. There was a familiarity there that suggested Nolan spent a lot of time in his company. He was a tall man with long brown hair plaited along his scalp and hung down his back in a long braid. His black eyes were sharp, hawk-like, seeing straight through whomever they landed on. He looked no older than thirty yet the agelessness Nolan felt told another story. Azrael commanded respect and he got it. He could see it in the way the Guard and even Elias and Rowan looked at him, spoke to him. Azrael was a great force none would dare anger. It reminded Nolan a bit of how they treated he himself. Only Nolan wasn't used to it quite like the man before him. Nolan dodged a fist only to have a foot collide with his side, nearly breaking his ribs. He swore in frustration. They'd been doing this all day. Rowan was going insane, sensing Anala's pain yet unable to locate her. Emmett seemed caught between anger and losing it all together and Nolan couldn't focus on anything but the fact his little sister was stuck with Carus all alone. He knew what would happen, the pain and the fear. That was supposed to be him, damn it! Not Anala. Why the hell did she jump in front of him?! Nolan knew why, she wanted to spare him of that fate, he just wished she hadn't. There was a blow to his gut that momentarily winded him.
"Pay attention! I could have killed you twice by now."
"Nolan!" He turned.
"What's wrong, Iria?" The blonde woman was pale. Her brown eyes were wide as she ran towards him. Her cheeks reddened a bit as she stopped, a bit breathless. "Carus."
"What?
"Carus—he's here. The Guard has him surrounded a—!"
Nolan's heart began to thud. "Does he have my sister?"
She shook her head. "I . . . I don't know."
Nolan pulled her along as he stalked across the grass. "Where?"
"Stop Nolan."
He kept walking. Iria pointed through the trees. Azrael pulled him back by his collar and Nolan glared at him. Azrael was frowning, dark eyes focused. "Nolan stop. Think. Carus could be attempting to trap you. Do not go rushing in unprepared. I love Anala as well. I watched you two grow, but we must be careful. I also taught Carus."
Nolan met his gaze. None of that mattered now. "It's my sister."
He ran in the direction Iria had pointed in. Azrael ran with him but Nolan wasn't thinking of anyone else. He kept going, moving a few miles out until he could feel the sickness in the air, the putrid power. It was too quiet, even the animals were avoiding the area. His palms began to sweat. Anticipation coursed through his body, making his limbs tense and his mind to sharpen, taking in every possible movement. They weren't ready for a fight just yet, preparations had to be made, and they needed more fighters. The list went on yet Nolan didn't care. He was as ready as he'd ever be at this point. He couldn't think of 'but's' and 'what if's'. Azrael's presence was reassuring at his back and Nolan took a breath. He saw a large pale form darting through the trees, followed by four other blurs.
Emmett.
Nolan reached the clearing. The first thing he saw was Jasper, his striking blonde form posed like the commanding soldier he was. Nolan wanted to beat him over the head and tell him to get the hell out of here but he wasn't going to do it, not in front of Carus. It'd give him another possible advantage over him. Besides, by the look on his face, his mate wouldn't leave if the very heavens fell on their heads. Jasper's eyes met his and Nolan read the silent love and support there. There was a half circle of people spread out along the tree line, all with weapons in their hands and looking straight ahead. He recognized them, trained with them on a daily basis and laughed and joked and bonded with them. These were his friends, comrades. He had never seen them look so fierce. The next thing he saw was Carus, standing alone in the center of the clearing, smirking as their gazes met. Elias stepped towards him.
"What does he want?" Elias was frowning, his amber eyes were piercing and focused. He could see by the man's stance he was prepared for a fight. He refused to speak to anyone but you. There's a barrier up, we can break it but we need some time. Nolan's jaw clenched as his uncle's voice broke through the silence. "There you are, Nolan."
He stepped forward. "Carus."
"Hello again, Azrael."
Azrael said nothing.
"You look troubled, teacher. This must be strange for you, after all these years."
"You are not the Cathari I mentored. Pity, you had such potential too. How you became this I will never understand. But of course, you are not Salem."
Fury flashed in Carus's eyes before he shrugged. "No matter. Do not compare me Azrael, my brother is dead after all."
"Where is my sister?" Enough pleasantries. Nolan was ready to drive a blade though his skull. Carus leaned his weight to one side.
"She will be here shortly, you know how defiant she can become." Emmett growled lowly, beginning to pace edgily. Nolan pushed down the simmering hate. Glowing eyes in varying shades of red and orange and yellow appeared through the trees behind Carus and Nolan stepped forward.
"Why are you here?"
Carus raised his arms in a gesture of innocence. "Can I not visit my dear nephew?"
"Fuck you! You can take your bullshit pleasantries and shove them right up your fuc—" Carus was suddenly standing five feet from him. The whites of his eyes went a sickly yellow as they became sunken, the skin around his eyes blackening and his pristine white teeth growing long and sharp. The monster was beginning to reveal its true face, but Nolan already knew this monster. "Watch your tongue boy! I'm tempted to kill you where you stand. Do not think you are safe here."
Nolan shoved away the fear Carus evoked in him since childhood. "You're a cowardly piece of shit! You talk from behind a barrier. Those threats are empty."
Carus's features returned to the beautiful mask and he tilted is head. His voice was low and smooth. "You know above most that I do not make empty promises," he gestured around him. "I am no coward either. This barrier is for your protection Nolan, not mine."
His protection? That didn't make any sense. Nolan's attention was drawn to sound from the trees behind Carus, across the clearing. At first what he saw didn't register at first. Then his heart leapt. Mike Newton stepped out of the trees, pale with black eyes, blood staining the front of his shirt and the handle of a blade imbedded in his chest. He carried a squirming, kicking form over his shoulder, looking angrier and angrier as he tried both to restrain and keep them on his shoulder.
Anala.
Mike looked irate and frustrated and desperate. He lowered Anala to the ground, holding her upper arms. She tried to pull away and suddenly struck out, the cuff around her wrist hitting his head and knocking it to the side. Mike howled in anger and straightened, his hand reached out abruptly and snatched Anala by the throat tightly, lifting her off the ground as his head bled. Emmett was suddenly roaring and rushing into the barrier. He growled as the transparent energy encircled his body but he didn't move away from his place. Nolan felt the blackout inducing fury churning in the depths of his soul. They needed to get this barrier down. Carus looked unperturbed as his sister dangled in the grip of a boy who was once normal human. Her struggling was becoming weaker and Nolan growled in frustration.
"Remember Michael," Carus drawled an amused reprimand. "You love her."
Mike's features softened and he smiled at Nolan's suffocating sister. What had Carus done to the boy? More importantly why did Carus take him? Mike newton was human, or was anyway. Nothing but an ordinary human teenager. What reason would Carus take someone he would've otherwise killed and turn him into the sadistic creature Nolan now watched?
"You're right, I do love her." He released her and Anala fell to the ground, gasping and coughing. She couldn't see him, from where they all stood outside the barrier and Nolan scanned his eyes over the clearing. Think, think! There had to be a way to weaken the barrier, to assist in taking it down faster. Mike knelt down to look at Anala directly as he pulled the blade from his chest and waved it at her, wiping his bloody brow.
"This wasn't very nice. But I forgive you okay?" Nolan couldn't help but be a bit proud. She'd gotten the upper hand, even if for a moment. Carus laughed. "Enthusiastic, isn't he?" his face turned exasperated. "Vampire, you will die if you continue that."
Emmett hissed in response as his skin smoldered and sizzled softly.
Anala looked up, shifting away from Mike. Nolan's heart ached. Anala was scarred and burned around her neck and wrists where the metal restraints lay. The evidence of her suffering littered her flesh, overlapping in a strange and twisted abstract work. For a split moment the world became still. Anala's eyes met his. Nolan expected to see anger, fear, even relief. But he saw none of those. Anala's eyes bore into his with an intensity he'd never before seen. Even from across the clearing he could feel the energy of it brushing along his skin and making the hairs on his arms and neck rise. Nolan was suddenly afraid. Why was she looking at him like that? Nolan knew she was telling him something. There was no way to doubt it. He could see it, sense it. What was it? There was a sadness there that Nolan couldn't understand, or maybe couldn't accept. Her eyes released his and everything sped up once again. Carus, Mike, Emmett fighting through an impossible obstacle. Anala's eyes watered as she watched her mate and Mike's hand stopped her as she began to move. Nolan swallowed, forcing his gaze from his sister who was now staring upwards at the sky. This was Carus's game. Nolan needed to stay calm. He wouldn't give that man the satisfaction of showing his fear. He had taken enough away from him, Anala could never be allowed become one of those things. "what do you want Carus?"
"After tonight, nothing. Ideally, I would have you both right now but I can make do just fine with Anala alone. I've been planning this for a very long time, Nolan and due to a few unforeseen factors I have to start a little ahead of schedule." He pulled off the dark cloak he wore and revealed his pale torso, different symbols freshly carved into his flesh. They littered every inch of available skin and a sinking feeling settled in Nolan's belly. He appeared before Anala and looked down at her. "I had to wait until my seals wore off, which I can see they very nearly are, and now I can finally have what rightfully belongs to me." He grabbed Anala and reappeared back in the center of the field. Anala still stared skywards, seemingly unaware of her surroundings. From the closer distance he could see the damage done to her. There were dark circles under her eyes. She was thin, the worn tunic covering her hung loosely on her body and the scarring ranged from months old to fresh wounds, looking hours old. Nolan recognized the hollow look in her eyes, he had seen it there before, both in her eyes and his own. The sight had him fighting off tears. He prayed she didn't let go, that she'd hold on for just a little longer. Despite the situation, she was unbelievably calm. A dagger appeared in Carus's hand.
"I'm going to create power with power Nolan. But I needed to keep it contained until I could control it so I bound her body to Michael."
Anala looked at Carus, shocked horror written on her face.
A cruel grin covered his lips, truly pleased by her reaction. "That's right dear, your body belongs to him. Your power will be mine and the rest of you? Well, we'll get to that."
Anala murmured something and Carus's hand lashed out striking her across the face. Nolan's hands fisted and Rowan hissed angrily somewhere behind him. Nolan could feel the enmity soaking in the atmosphere. Anala laughed humorlessly, blood dripping down her chin. She looked at him, voice shaking as she spoke. "You don't know what you're doing. This isn't something you can just take—"
"No Anala, this is merely a means to an end. It is not about what I will take or do to accomplish it but what you will give me once I do."
He knelt down behind Anala and grabbed her, pulling her back against his chest. He gripped her chin to keep her facing them and kissed her temple. "Remember this moment, Nolan. Remember her face, know her for these next precious moments as your young, loving sister because she is mine now." Carus dragged the dagger across his palm before clamping his hand over her mouth and nose. Anala began to struggle in his hold. Carus sighed. "Drink or suffocate, girl. Either way you will drink."
Emmett took another step forward, straining as patches of his skin was turning red and blistering. Anala choked and after a long moment Nolan saw the muscles in her throat flex involuntarily. Carus pulled his hand away after forcing a few more mouthfuls down her throat and Anala coughed, looking extremely pale beneath the blood on her lips. Carus stood and circled her, beginning to speak in the ancient tongue of the Layame. Nolan could not understand but others did along with Azrael, for he stepped forward, yelling to Carus.
"STOP THIS!"
Anala's breath was turning shallow, coming out in short gasps. Nolan turned to his mentor, beginning to panic. "What? What is it? What's he doing?!"
"He's binding her spirit to him. He will control Anala, her power. It could kill her if he continues to force it."
Thunder rolled ahead yet there was no sign of rain. Carus was starting to speak louder and louder, the symbols on his body glowing a deep red and leaking dark blood. Nolan gathered his energy, focusing it and pushed as hard as he could into the barrier. Anala gripped her head, pained, distressed sounds escaping her lips. Nolan pushed harder. It hurt like hell, he felt like he were being crushed. Nolan knew it was the seal, restraining him, suppressing. Anala fell forward, head still cradled in her hands. Her body shuddered violently. Carus hunched, the beautiful features of his face giving way to the true visage once again as low rumbling moved through the earth below. Nolan's mind was moving too quickly; forming possible outcomes, trying to judge the strength of the barrier, waiting for the sign the others had taken it down; He needed to get to Carus as he was the source and then the uncontrolled variable: could Anala hang on long enough? Anala had rolled onto her back and a strong wind picked up, blowing her hair upwards. Terror twisted inside of him with the force of a cyclone. He could feel her, her pain. His twin sister, the being he had been with even before birth, suffered and he couldn't help her. Her agony was his own. Nolan had to stop this. The demons were becoming excited, howling and roaring and snarling as they moved twitchily at the tree line.
Anala's scream tore through the roaring of the wind. The sound was devastating, a single howl of pain that cut deep into his mind. Nolan would never forget that scream. Emmett bellowed her name.
