Chapter 5:

"Elspeth" someone called softly from somewhere far away.

I stirred, but only slightly, determined to go back to the dreams I was living in my mind. Those lovely dreams.

For the first time in so long I dreamt of nothing but haze and mist. It was circling me like some wonderful cloud of pink dust and sprinkled upon me, making my skin tingle. Slowly the mist parted before my eyes and there was Rushton, standing in front of me. Wordlessly he reached for my hand entwining it with his. His green alluring eyes never left mine as he took my free hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it softly. Then placing my hand on his hip he drew me in and embraced me, carefully as if I were fragile. It seemed we were standing there for an eternity as his kiss revived what energy and strength I had left in me.

"Elspeth," the voice called again, though it's tone was more persistent.

Slowly, reluctantly, I rose up the levels of consciousness to wake. I groaned, hesitantly opening one eye to find who had disturbed me.

For a moment I didn't know where I was. Then I heard Dameon's voice.

"Elspeth, you are awake." He sounded relieved. He must have sensed I was awake, and felt the waves of annoyance I was not bothering to hide from him.

Still half asleep, I blinked rapidly to restore my vision and was annoyed to find I was still in Dameon's room. I was confused though, as the room was turned sideways in my view. Craning my neck I realised I was lying on Dameon's shoulder. Jumping quickly off him, flushing with embarrassment I mumbled a barely audible "Sorry."

Dameon smiled at me but his smile didn't extend to his eyes.

"No, I am. I didn't want to wake you but it was important." He apologized.

I shook my head.

"It is ok Dameon."

"Were u dreaming?" he asked turning his head to where he sensed I was standing.

"Uh no," I said quickly.

"Why am I still here? What time is it?" I asked, desperate to change the subject. The room was dark but I assumed it was so as Dameon had closed the shutters so I could sleep.

Dameon reached over to the table near him and poured himself a cup of cidar. After taking a quick mouthful he replied, "You fell asleep after we read the letter. You were exhausted Elspeth and you needed your sleep, I couldn't wake you."

"And the time?" I asked.

"It is night… Kella came to see you about an hour ago… no you haven't missed anything, Rushton is not awake yet, neither is Rosalind" He added seeing my horrified expression.

I calmed down slightly. My thoughts returned to Matthew however. I frowned sadly.

Dameon sensing my switch of emotions flinched. I had forgotten that strong emotions affected him, being a slight empath myself I should of guarded my emotions more carefully.

"You are still dwelling on the letter." Dameon stated.

I began to pace the room, running my fingers through my hair.

"What am I supposed to do?" I asked hopelessly, knowing in my heart there was little I could do.

Dameon looked slightly perplexed.

"You Elspeth don't need to do anything. You have a great responsibility to Obernewtyn."

I stopped pacing suddenly and stared at him incredulously.

"So that means we leave Matthew to die?" I asked bewildered, anger rising in my throat.

"Elspeth, you can do nothing. You do not even know where he is." His tone was even and blunt, and that shook me. It was not what I expected Dameon to say. He was there to comfort me, to say the right things I needed to hear. Dameon cared about Matthew as much as I did.

"The other piece of the letter! If I find it… his whereabouts are bound to be written in there!" I said, triumphant that there was still hope.

Dameon shook his head slowly.

"Even if you do find it, Matthew would not of written his whereabouts. Not even if he did know where he was. Matthew is determined Elspeth, determined to get Ariel for what he did to Cameo and he would not want you to know where he is because he knows too well that you will try and find him." His voice was so matter-of-fact; it made me feel sick to the stomach. I tried to read Dameon's emotions but he was so well guarded I couldn't even get a glimpse of what he was feeling. Anger was now getting the better of me.

"I don't believe what you are saying. Matthew is going to die and you are sitting there so calm! You know what he will do. He is going to do something stupid, he's going to play the hero and try to kill Ariel but Ariel will kill him! And you… you just sit there letting this happen!" my voice was shaking now and I had began to pace the room faster.

"Elspeth, I do not want Matthew to die. You underestimate him. He is a grown man now. You blame yourself for losing him."

My breathing was becoming shallow now. I laughed harshly and stopped right in front of Dameon.

"You believe he is different? Then you are a fool. He has always wanted to be a hero and he'll never change!" I spat.

Dameon was quiet for a moment. His calmness was making me livid.

"Matthew is going to die." I yelled at no one in particular.

Suddenly I felt calmness wash over me. It was a second before I realised it was Dameon's doing. All the anger and rage evaporated and I was left feeling completely empty and along. Exhausted from screaming at Daemon, I slumped gratefully into a soft armchair opposite Dameon.

"I…" I began, defeated.

"It's ok Elspeth, I'm sorry, please forgive me. I must have sounded terribly cold. The truth is I'm worried about Matthew, but I'm worried about you to. You must promise me you will not do anything too rash."

We sat in silence for a moment before I spoke.

"Why won't he speak to me?" I pouted like some awful selfish child. I didn't need to say Rushton's name. Dameon knew who I was talking about.

Dameon ran a shaky hand through his hair and I stared confused at his reaction.

"Oh Elspeth," is all he could manage.

Tears welled in my eyes, threatening to fall. Unashamed I let them fall silently as Dameon could not see me anyway. I hesitated for a moment but then gave in to everything and wordlessly I got up out of my chair and crossed over to Dameon. Pushing my self into his arms, I let myself go and all of what had happened in the past few days seemed to spill out of me in floods of tears. I cried until I was empty of all emotion and Dameon stroked my hair gently finally speaking the words I needed to hear.

"Go to Rushton."