:Part Eleven: Fragments of Existence

Our lives changed drastically from that moment on. The doors no longer locked, our lives suddenly much closer than before. Raziel returned to the mansion much more often now, during our spare time teaching me the ways of a vampire's life. So many things I still had not grasped even though I'd been just like him for almost a year now. Our relationship was not the only thing to change, it had become apparent that Raziel too had begun to change physically. I became extremely concerned when he would suddenly stop everything he was doing and crouch to the ground. My heart ached knowing that the man was in pain, yet he would always return to normal in a few moments. I had become frightened that something was really wrong with him, had I not had such fear towards Kain and his fellow vampires which resided in the north, I would have gone there for help. However, I dealt with the ever changing Raziel.
One evening, I had been lounging in the parlor when a sudden cry of pain erupted from the back of the mansion. Quickly I jumped from my seat and rushed towards the room in which the sound had emitted. In the middle of the library I saw Raziel lying across the floor. I called out his name, however he wouldn't answer me, and only groans came from his lips. I approached him slowly, and that is when I witnessed a site very frightening. The skin on his back began to rip open, something was pushing its way out of his body. My eyes widened in fear as right before my very eyes something began to sprout from his back, it grew larger and larger. Suddenly, there were two. Two large masses of skin growing from his back, I backed up falling into a bookshelf. "Raziel…" What was happening to him? His cries of pain were horrid and loud, I wanted to rush to him, help him in someway. I stood up and began towards him however by this time it had become apparent what it was that came from his back. As Raziel too began to stand, two large leathery wings unfolded from his back and spread out across the room. Again I stepped back and Raziel's eyes met mine. I rushed into his arms, crying. I had feared that he was still in pain, but was ensured that he was fine. These changes in our lives were far from over. I had not been the only one who noticed the changes within the man, soon Kain had called upon Raziel to meet him to discuss what was happening. My stomach churned when Raziel came to me with the information. I insisted on going with him, however Raziel refused. I had a feeling, and the last time I'd felt this way was the day when I met Raziel. There was no way I would let him go alone. Finally, after a great deal of arguing I was allowed to accompany him to see Kain. Upon our arrival, Raziel was instantly called into the main chambers while I was forced to wait outside, being able to only hear the proceedings in the next room. An eruption of loud and angry voices came from the closed doors and suddenly a roaring cry equal to that I heard back in the mansion. What were they doing to Raziel? My heart pounded and I neared the door hearing the voice of Kain above all others. He was scolding Raziel for having wings, why is this a crime? My head filled with confusion. And then it came, words that will ring within my ears for all eternity, Kain's voice roaring across the room as he instructed that Raziel be banished into the Lake of the Dead.
The doors to the chamber flew open as two men, men of whom I'd come to know as Raziel's own friends carried him out the door. My eyes locked upon Raziel's as he was pulled from the room, the large leathery wings now only stubs on his back. A flood of tears falling from my face as I screamed out his name and chasing after the men who were ordered to execute their own friend. The group of people was led to a small secluded area, where a pool of water seemed to boil beneath our feet. Hisses and growls could be heard rising from the evil waters known as the Lake of the Dead. My eyes stayed upon Raziel as the men neared the edge of the lake ready to release him into death. I cried out again, I could not stand by and watch them murder the man whom I'd fallen so deeply in love with. But my attempts to get to them were thwarted, a group of male vampires held me back as I watched Raziel's body being pushed over the edge falling into the lake below. I screamed out and fell to my knees, tears flowing freely from my eyes. His name over and over I called out. Suddenly from across the way I could hear the deep demonic voice of Kain instructing that I was to be dealt with. My mind rushed, my eyes gazing at the waters there. I could jump, leave this wicked world and die along side Raziel, but is that what he would have wanted? I turned quickly, breaking free from the men which held tightly to my small body and ran. As I took off into the night, a voice rang out above the others. "Let her go, she'll be dead by morn."