Chapter 15: Next Day
Annia sat up and stretched as she woke up. Her neck and back was stiff, which was obvious since she had spent the night on a cement floor. She lowered her arms and looked around. She saw Danny in a corner lost in his thoughts and Daemon was opposite him, cleaning his sword. Annia stood and was overcome by the pain in her stomach. As she winced, both Danny and Daemon snapped their heads toward her. Both were still bonded to her.
"Mistress?" Daemon asked, standing. He held his sword in his hand, which hung at his side. He seemed to be in fine shape.
"I'm fine Daemon, just hungry." Annia said.
"Do you want me to get you something?" Danny asked, as he now stood. Annia waved the remark away.
"That won't be necessary." She replied as she fished her medallion from her pocket.
"Mistress no!" Daemon said and reached out. Annia ignored him as she slipped it on. She had been lucky to find it in the first place, after Takune had ripped it off during the fight.
"Annia?" Danny inquired. Annia didn't answer as she felt her body tingle all over. She suddenly felt hallow. But she could also feel the air move around her. She had become a ghost. Annia looked down and found the red stone glowing brightly.
"I picked this up in the nineteenth century after a raid of a castle in Romania." She stated with a smile. She looked up at Danny and found anger in his eyes.
"Anything wrong?" She asked. Annia really didn't want this to be some form of teenage angst, they only had eight more hours till Takune returned.
"You're three hundred twenty-five years old?" Danny asked, his voice accusing.
"So?" Annia shot back, appalled that she felt she had to defend herself.
"You lied to me!" Danny exclaimed. "And, if you haven't noticed, I'm dealing with the fact that I'm dead!"
"I never had to tell you the truth." Annia replied matter-of-factly.
"I deserve it now." Danny retorted. Annia threw her arms up in mock surrender.
"Fine. I've been keeping tabs on people with abnormal supernatural abilities. Plus places that has a large amount of supernatural activity. All in case they lead Takune. After my grandmother had banished him, we were always scared that he would fulfill his threat of coming back.
"One day, I found a large surge that looked like a black hole. It connected Death to Life. I went to investigate. I got a surprise when I went to investigate this portal and found you. I got some research on you and found out where you lived, where you went to school, and every record since the day of your birth. I moved here to close that portal but also to watch you. Now," Annia stopped there.
"Now what?" Danny questioned. Annia turned away and lowered her head.
"Now I just want to save you."
They waited the rest of the eight hours in an awkward silence. Jazz came down a few times to check on Danny but left with her parents around seven. When the last hour was coming to an end, they stood in front of the portal. Annia nervously took Danny's hand. Surprisingly, he squeezed it reassuringly. But as he did, the all too familiar light spilled in from the portal.
"Hello again." The Demon greeted them. When the light dimmed, Annia suddenly choked out a small sob. In Takune's arms dangled Danny's Human soul. Annia felt her heart try and rip itself out of her chest. She felt her tears build up in her throat. She wanted Danny.
"Domine..." She whispered. Annia's vision went blank but she recalled three hundred years ago when she last saw Domine. His heart being ripped out and presented to her.
"A gift from Takune." The harsh voice of her past whispered. Annia's eyes flared open, tears streaming down her face. In Takune's arms lay her beloved. He was younger, a mere child. But the child resembled him so. And his personality made her wonder of reincarnation.
"Danny." She murmured. She found herself suddenly on her knees. Annia looked up into Takune's lidless eyes. His reptilian body shifted and glided toward her. Everything else moved slowly. Takune held Danny in his clawed hands but lifted his tail. Swiftly, he removed the medallion from around Annia's neck. He flung it to the side and she heard it shatter. But Takune kept moving. He lowered his snake-like head toward her face, his tongue flicked from his mouth. Suddenly, Annia reached up and grabbed his face. Takune tried to pull back but Annia dug her fingers between the scales. She was drawing blood and it stung her skin but still she held on. Takune's tail whipped about and slashed her clothing. She was bleeding. Still Annia held on.
"Still." She forced through clenched teeth. Takune's tail flicked above her head and landed on her shoulder.
"Have you ever experienced a Necromancer's Kiss?" Annia asked. In the dark reflection of Takune's eyes, Annia saw herself but it rippled as fear briefly caught him.
"It'll poison you." He whispered. Annia didn't answer but leaned upward.
"I've outwitted Death for too long." She replied. Plunging forward, Annia kissed Takune. The demon writhed as if in pain, but Annia just dug her fingers in deeper. She held his face, which was changing between human and beast, to hers. She felt his soul, his life energy, pour into her. Then, Takune's body went limp. Annia released his head and he thumped to the floor. Time resumed and Annia fell to the floor. She was in agony trying not to cough. If she did, bits of Takune would escape or all of him. And she would still be poisoned.
"Mistress!" Daemon cried as he came to her.
"The medallion..." Annia muttered.
"It's shattered Kris." Daemon replied.
"Bring it to me!" She demanded. Daemon nodded and stood. When he returned, he had the medallion in his hands. The stone was cracked and missing a few pieces.
"Good enough." Annia moaned as she grabbed it. Sat up and shifted her breath. A necromancer's trick, shifting the breath. She now pulled on Takune's soul that was trying so desperately to cling to her. Her lungs had a hold on him and Annia pressed the medallion to her lips and released her breath. She felt Takune rip through her and melt the top of her tongue. His energy crashed against her teeth but into the Medallion. When he had been released, Annia mouthed the word "Seal" into the medallion. She then dropped it into her lap and was overcome by the poison. IT held onto her heart and squeezed.
"Annia?" Danny asked.
"Time to return." Annia whispered, staring at Danny's soul.