My mother and I were very close and I knew I could share anything with her. I was afraid to mention Illidan to her though... I didn't know why. Maybe it was because I didn't believe it. That he could even have an interest in me. Someone as powerful and frightening as the demon hunter caring for me, so much so that he followed me home to make sure I was safe. A few days had passed since then; I hadn't been to the roof in a few nights. One night I was too tired, and the other I was afraid I wouldn't find him there. I knew I couldn't hide forever, but whether he thought I was hiding was another question. He could have found me if he wanted, but he didn't. I was okay with it though. It gave me time to slow myself down and process what happened. I wasn't used to someone showing interest in me like that. Sure, people cared about me. My family and friends, the few people I had dated in the past. But none were Illidan. He had his own motives and agenda which I had to remind myself of.
That night I went up to the roof earlier than usual. It was around nine, and the sun had just finished setting. Of course, Illidan wasn't there. I lay down across the roof and stare up at the sky. I wished to see him tonight.
I closed my eyes and enjoyed the cool night air. It was less chilly than most this winter. I was wearing at long sleeve pink dress today, and pulled it down to make sure I wasn't flashing anyone were they to look up at me. There were still plenty of people on the streets at this hour. I gazed over the edge and watched the streets below me. Since Illidan came, I'd forgotten what it was like to be alone up here. It was calming. Time passed me by as I lay there, thinking about nothing and everything all at once.
Eventually it was beginning to get too cold. As the night drew deeper into darkness, I resolved to return to the warmth of my bed. I had no clue what time it was, but I assumed a few hours had passed. Hopefully I could go to sleep before midnight. Before I could sit up, I heard what I could only assume was Illidan. The sound of his wings and the thud from his hooves told me I was graced with his presence once more. He landed at my feet and I sat up to see him properly.
I smile, unable to contain my happiness. "Hello," I say to him. Instead of keeping my legs straight out, I do a sort of split and hang them on either side of the roof. There was really no other way to sit without flashing him- Wait a second. Illidan couldn't see me anyway. That's right. I cross my legs instead. If he could see, he would've seen my underwear. I was glad he couldn't.
"A chance meeting," he replies in return. As usual he crouches, but this time facing me instead of the city.
It wasn't really a chance meeting, though I did enjoy his attempt at humor. "You know where to find me."
"Indeed. Were you ever to have a bounty you would be the easiest target." He smirks.
I kind of did wish I could be his prey though. I stop myself before the thoughts continue, I didn't want him to see the attraction I was trying to hide. It wasn't right, I knew. But the sight of a creature so well-built, handsome, and powerful, it made me swoon. "Hmph," I sigh at him and chuckle. He was right though. "Why have I only just met you? Did you recently come to this town?"
"I have been searching for a town worthy of my services for a long time," he says, looking over into the city. "This one is almost certainly on the edge of collapse."
I look forlornly down at our town. It was true, crime rates were exceedingly high here. The police unit was largely ineffective and even contributed to crime themselves. Suddenly Illidan interrupted my thoughts.
"Look at them," he points down to a couple on the street. I glance at his hand, realizing it was actually quite large. The long sharp nails didn't even dissuade me from my interest in them. Finally, I look to who he's pointing at. It was simply a women and a man, nothing more. There was no violence of any kind going on. I look to Illidan for explanation.
"They may look ordinary, but behind the surface that woman was forced into prostitution, and that man is her customer. There is quite an extensive underground operation going on here. Now do you see why I followed you that night?" he looks to me.
I make a noise in agreement; It didn't surprise me to hear of what was going on in our city. I always assumed I would be safe if I stayed out of trouble, but I was probably wrong. The town square may be the least dangerous area around, but it was still extremely unsafe. Though, Illidan did sound a bit pretentious finding 'a place worthy of him'. I laugh to myself, he certainly did seem to think of himself highly. After all, he was probably better than us, 'mortals', as he said. It made me curious, because that would mean he was immortal.
"So how long were you looking for a town? It sounds like you've been alive for a while."
He gives a smug smile in return. I didn't expect him to fully answer the question, but I hoped he would. "I have been alive longer than you could imagine." Illidan looks down as if reflecting on his life. It made me even more curious about his past.
"Really?" I ask in almost disbelief. "So what's the secret to immortality? I wanna live forever."
In the past I'd researched much about the legends of immortality: from the holy grail in Arthurian legend, that if drank from would grant you eternal life, to the fountain of youth that if bathed in would return you to adolescence, to the philosophers stone, a potion that if consumed granted everlasting life. Were I truly adventurous at all, I would go on a quest to find one of them. I wished for them to exist, but knew they were most likely just legends. Though none of the legends I heard mentioned an immortal demon, or how to become one. The only adventure I got these days was viewing the town from a two story building. At least I had that freedom, though.
Illidan looks at me glumly, and for the first time I saw a true frown on his face. "Immortality is no gift."
I study his face carefully. His truly didn't see it in a positive light. Whatever he's experienced has led him to feel this way. I couldn't discount his experience yet my heart still yearned for it. I was afraid of true death and never being able to see the world. I wanted to live for a hundred years and see what technology and science have done. I dreaded growing older and being less capable of doing things.
"I'll show you," I finally say to him. He looks at me curiously; I say nothing else. Certainly with his help I could find a way, even by doing whatever he did. I knew one day my wish would be granted.
It was only getting colder and while I didn't want to leave, I knew I should. I had to be up early again; same as every day.
"I should probably go," I say sadly to him, and begin standing.
The roof was one narrow sliver, able to be sat on and stood on but were you to fall, you would slide down on either side of it. As I was standing I was getting nervous seeing Illidan watching me, and I wasn't paying attention to where I put my feet. I was quite clumsy in general, and whenever I walked I would look at my feet to make sure I didn't trip over anything. So I was looking at him; somehow my feet slipped on the edge of the flat area and I almost fell over and slid all the way down. Illidan quickly stood and reached out to grab me, accidentally pulling my arm too hard and I slammed into his chest instead. I stayed there frozen in his arms for a moment in disbelief.
"Uh I'm so sorry..." I stutter in embarrassment.
We were facing each other, but his arm was around me and I couldn't see his face, so I didn't know what his reaction was. It was scary and exhilarating feeling his strength. I was surprised that a simple grab of my arm would send me flying at him. It kind of hurt when he did it, but he simply held onto me. I realized his arms were even larger in width to my head. And being at least a foot and a half taller than me... my head reached the middle of his torso. I looked up slightly to examine the runic tattoos across his chest. They seemed to be etched into his skin. They always glowed a faint green... it was entrancing. I never wanted to leave his grip, and yet.
He pulled me back a bit and looked down at me. His arms still around me but looser, I trembled slightly from the shock of earlier. I had never had an accident as dangerous at that. I knew I was clumsy, but falling from a roof is top tier. My eyes met his at the same time, and I had to crane my neck up to even see him. From this position he was quite intimidating, with the huge thick horns coming from his head and the wings behind him. His black hair draped down to the middle of his chest; I didn't realize how attractive I found it until now. Illidan moves one hand to my face, while the other is still around my back. His face showed only pure bewilderment, an expression I had never seen cross his face before. He lifted my head up even further to look at him, which hurt a bit. I grimaced at him. His eyes, though not really there, seemed to be searching mine, Or searching for something; whatever came over him was the look of insanity. He let go of me completely and even took a step back.
"What?" Illidan says more to himself than me. I question him in return but he says nothing. His face says all: something upset him when looking at me or touching me. I stand in disbelief that I was actually in his arms, and missed the comfort of it. Whatever was happening now though I couldn't say I enjoyed as much.
He stares at me for a moment more. Suddenly, he gets closer and grabs me again. His hand goes under my chin and pulls my head up so I'm forced to look him in the eyes. He rips off his blindfold with the other hand and stares down into my soul. The green lights were intoxicating; I could feel the energy radiating out of them. His face inches closer to mine and my lip trembles at the directness of his actions; I was more fearful than I had ever been. I didn't think Illidan could ever hurt me, yet here he was being forceful without any explanation. His hand squeezed my jaw a bit, and my mind flashed back to how easily he had crushed a mans throat before. He could kill me with one movement; but I didn't sense that was what he was after.
I feel his claws start digging into my skin, and I was having enough. "What are you doing?" I ask angrily, trying to escape his grip. I couldn't help when the tears welled in my eyes, threatening to spill over. Illidan didn't seem to care, though. Whether he could see them or not I wasn't sure. The whole time he stared only at my face, but I watched as he pulled back and looked me over completely. His gaze dropped from my face to the rest of my body. Was he sizing me up? Admiring? He looks at me again and makes a growl in shocked dismay; at the same time, he lets go of me firmly, almost throwing me with the amount of strength he had, and I step back to keep from falling. All I could do was stare at him.
"Forgive me," Illidan takes a step back, almost as if he were scared of me. I knew that was nonsense, yet... "I must go," he says.
"What?" At this point I felt a tear drop on to my neck, or perhaps it was blood from where he scratched me. I couldn't tell. I only knew I needed an explanation.
"I can not explain it..." Illidan seemed as distraught as I was. It didn't make sense though. Nothing made sense. I almost tried to stop him but knew it was fruitless. He jumps into the sky and takes off, his wings flapping mightily into the night.
I stood on the roof for too long after that. I was frozen and the cold wasn't a help in stopping my body from trembling. I reached to my neck and felt only a drop of blood, but it was there. A dot as red as a blood moon on my finger. I couldn't look away from it. Illidan had caused this; but why? What had I done? I blamed myself stupidly. I returned to my bed, unable to sleep for over an hour. My thoughts betrayed me and ran wild with theories of Illidans madness, but none of them even made sense. Eventually they became twisted and my mind melted into slumber.