Chapter 7: Meeting
Danny walked up the steps and knocked on Annia's door. He waited for a few minutes, but got no response. Again, Danny knocked, louder this time, and waited. This time, he heard footsteps. The door opened and the man from earlier stood in the doorway.
"What are you doing here?" He asked.
"I've come to see Annia." Danny replied.
"She's not taking any visitors." The man said and slammed the door. Biting his lip, Danny chose to phase through the door. AS he did, he watched the man turn and face him.
"Nice try Ghost Boy." He said. Danny became solid and stood in the hallway.
"Let me see Annia." He demanded. The man smiled and took a step closer.
"You can't get past me Ghost Boy." He retorted. He then threw off his jacket revealing dark wings and a large sword.
"The name," Danny said as he felt himself change. "Is Danny." Danny felt the energy flow through him and then felt empty. He knew he had changed. But the man didn't hesitate as he withdrew his sword and flexed his wings.
"Stop!" A voice commanded and they both froze. Only being able to move his eyes, Danny looked toward the voice and found an older looking Annia clinging to the staircase railing.
"I will have no fighting in this house." She ordered. Immediately, they both relaxed and Danny changed back to normal. He then cursed himself for exposing his secret to this woman.
"Daemon, sheath your sword." The woman said. Daemon's wings quivered but folded into his sides. He then sheathed his sword and turned his back on Danny.
"What are you doing here boy?" The woman asked coldly. Daemon smiled at the apparent annoyance.
"I've come to visit Annia." Danny answered, very nervously.
"Annia is not well enough to see her friends. Come back tomorrow." The woman said.
"I was just worried and wondering if I could just see her." Danny protested. The woman walked down the stairs and towards the entranceway.
"I am her mother and as such, know what's best for Annia. She doesn't have the strength to visit right now." She said.
"Which means," Daemon said as he turned toward Danny. "You leave now." Daemon opened the door and let Danny pass through. As he shut the door, Danny walked down to the sidewalk.
"I guess I should just go home." He muttered and started off.
After Danny had left and the door was closed, Annia fell to the ground. Daemon picked her up and carried her back to her bed. He remembered doing this when Annia was first learning her family's importance. But now she was actually hurt, far beyond the scrapes of a child. This boy causes her pain, he thought. But there was nothing he could do, even now Daemon felt his Mistress' heart grow fonder of the boy.
Only when Annia was tucked into her bed did she open her eyes. She looked up at Daemon and then to the window.
"His life won't be risked if I love him, it'll be mine." She murmured.
"That is true my Lady." Daemon replied.
"Would I die for him?" Annia asked, more of Daemon than herself. Daemon could correctly read her heart and Annia seemed to need to know.
"Not as of late, Mistress." He answered.
"Good." Annia said. She then closed her eyes and fell quickly asleep.
"Your life was not meant to be this way," Daemon said. "If only you had let your granddaughter handle this. But you wouldn't, would you? You never married, never gave birth, always cheated death. Just so your child would never have to experience this. Your stupidity is why I protect you so."