-AN: Sorry for the long wait, to those who were waiting, medical problems and stress from my classload were enough to keep me away from any creative ventures that wouldn't get a college career defining grade. I'm back now and hope you enjoy. And as per usual, I don't own any Trinity Blood characters.
Dawn was breaking as Esther woke from the ordeal of the night before, her head aching something fierce. A loud groan escaped from her lips, pale from the stress, as she reached up to place a reassuring hand on her forehead. Her arm felt heavier than usual, weighed down by the thick metal cuff that was sealed around her wrist and she sighed.
"So it did happen," she muttered, frustrated. It was far easier to be happy if she could have just dismissed the whole ordeal. The nurses were leaving her be, perhaps to let her have time to think but she wanted company more than anything. Her old stained dress was missing but a crisp new uniform was folded and ready for her on the chair next to her bed.S she threw her legs over the edge of the bed and let them dangle for a second, staring at the floor tiles and her own shadow that was cast out directly below her in a small circle.
Nothing ever comes from sitting around, she reminded herself before sliding off the bed to stand and walking over to her dress. Snatching it off the arms of the chair she strode confidently out of her small curtained room and to the full bathroom attached to the medical wing, where at least she expected the solitude. Locking the door behind her she began to unbutton the front of her gown as she filled the small bath with water. The room was just as sterile as the medical ward, filled only with a sink, a toilet and a bath. It was there to give patients a chance to clean up before leaving.
Letting the gown drop to the floor she cast a glance to herself in the mirror. Her face was unusually pale but it could be attributed to the blood loss from earlier. She didn't remember much, the pain was so intense, but she did remember seeing her blood. In fact, all she could think about was the crimson that had filled her vision during that time. Running a hand over her face she let his fingers travel down her neck, to her collarbones and then she stopped as they reached her chest. Over her heart was an unfamiliar mark and she felt her blood grow cold as she ran a hand over it over and over. Emblazoned on her pale skin a mark that could have been considered an ink stain it was so pitch black but it was not simply a mass of darkness but a delicate sigil.
Frustration grew in her as she stared the mark down in the mirror before she quickly turned on her heel and stalking to the bathtub. She wasn't going to let something as silly as a mark ruin her mood. After all, if she did that she might as well give into the smug bastard from earlier. Easing into the water she scrubbed off the small bits of blood and grime that the medical attendants had missed and tried in vain to remove the manacle. Just pushing at the thing caused a small shiver of pain as she felt the spikes that rimmed the inside tug a little at her skin. It was easy to fall into the thinking that the nightmare was over, or just that. A nightmare. A product of an overactive imagination from working with Methuselah everyday. No matter how much she toyed with that idea in her mind she was brought back to hope shattering reality whenever she felt the heavy weight on her wrist.
It was an inelegant cuff and looked as though it was made of silver, long scuffed and tarnishing to a dirty, metallic black. There was no key to unlock it and no way to remove it; it seemingly was a never ending circle of metal. She thought back to how it was applied and remembered the rush of shadows around her body as she spoke the man's name.
"Never again," she vowed to herself. She'd never say his real name again, just in case somebody else was dumb enough to try and make a contract. Or whatever she had been pulled into. Closing her eyes she leaned back against the warmed porcelain of the bathtub and slipped a little lower under the water until it lapped against her chin. She lost count of the time in which she spent there, water warming her down to her soul but when she opened her eyes again the water had chilled and goose bumps were spreading up her neck and across her shoulders.
Pushing herself out of the bathtub she let the water leave cold trails down her skin as she stepped lightly across the tile to reach her towel, wrapping it around her body after toweling off the worst of the wetness before taking another to envelop her short hair up in it to dry in a makeshift turban. Gazing at herself once more in the mirror she was pleased to note that the mark was not visible while all wrapped up. Humming a small song to herself she began the process of dressing herself in the spare uniform provided by the medical wing and by the time she affixed her habit to her head her hair was already dry. One couldn't even tell she was contracted.
Pausing to glance around, she checked to see if Delacroix was indeed simply waiting in the shadows but saw nothing. Shrugging she stepped towards the door, opening it at the exact same moment a gloved white hand went to knock on it. It stopped just before the tip of her nose and she blinked before looking up the arm to see Abel standing there, somewhat nervous as usual.
"Oh! You're done!" he was taken aback by her sudden appearance and swiftly placed his hand back at his side. "Are you feeling alright??"
"Yes. I'm fine. What is it?" she asked, brushing aside his thoughts on her wellbeing easily. She didn't look ill or sickly, so why should he worry? Adjusting the hem of her skirt she waited for him to talk. It took only a second before he began to try and speak.
"I was told to inform you of a new mission but I told Caterina it was cruel to send you on a mission while you are still recoveri-" He wasn't able to say much more before Esther poked him firmly in the chest and gave him what should have been a trademarked stare full of serious intent or the like but was ruined by her usual cheerful smile.
"Did you think I'd LET you go running off by yourself? I followed you on missions I didn't even have, no luck on getting me to decline one thanks to a small issue," she said lightly, even though the heavy burden of the manacle weighed down on her chest. Still she smiled just as energetically as ever she hooked her arm around his and started to lead him away. "So what are we doing?"
"…" Stunned by her willingness to go back into work Abel dismisses it as a coping mechanism and sighs, adjusting his glasses, "Simple, we just need to check the streets. Nothing too hard." Silently he vowed to himself that he wouldn't let anything heavy happen. As Esther jovially walked in front of him he found himself analyzing her movements to see if she was truly hiding sorrow or pain from the recent events in those bouncy steps and light smile. Try as he might he could not tell the difference between this Esther and the one from before, the one who wasn't chained to a monster.
He then gave a short laugh to himself, wondering if there was really a difference between the two. After all, she worked with him on a daily basis. As usual his thoughts seemed to drift unbidden down a darker path but were abruptly shaken from their holdings in the shadows when he realized he had been walking out of the Vatican with Esther without so much as saying a word to her. As he opened his mouth to comment on something mundane (and would later curse himself for, of all things, noting how nice the weather was) he caught something odd. For a second Esther's shadow seemed to be the spindly form of man. A quick blink later and it was back to the dark cut-out of the Vatican dress and Esther's own delicate frame.
Despite himself he sped up a little to catch up with the eager Esther, his long legs aiding the movement drastically as he caught up to her quickly. He tapped a foot against the shadow trailing behind her but his foot met nothing but pavement. Satisfied that it was just his imagination he noted the dim twilight sky and sighed.
"It is stunning, isn't it?" Esther noted in reply his sigh, thinking it was not out of exasperation but out of awestruck beauty. Catching up on the sudden conversation Abel managed to nod his head before she spoke up again. "I really do count myself lucky for being here and getting to meet such amazing people." She gave a small glance over to Abel when she said this but he didn't notice.
"And we are all lucky to have you," he replied earnestly as they moved from the large walls surrounding the Vatican into the city that surrounded it. There was a heavy silence between the two as both tried to find conversation that veered away from the obvious problem. As they turned down another street corner Esther cleared her throat but Abel was the one to speak.
"How can you be so calm?" he asked her, addressing the elephant in the room that had been following after them with all the weight of it substantial kin.
"…" she did not reply immediately but instead clasped her hands behind her and glanced up, the scarlet sky reflected in her glassy eyes before she glanced away from the sunset and shrugged. "Because there is nothing I can do about it. To be honest… I just don't think about it because if I do… I become terrified." She placed a hand above her heart, glancing down to stare at it. She knew the dark mark was under the pristine white bodice, just under her fingertips. "… A cold lump settles here and refuses to move. And I can't even breathe it gets so heavy."
As she spoke Abel couldn't bring himself to interrupt, even as she paused and bit her lip. For a second her normally radiant face was shadowed in harsh sadness before she shook her head and her tender hand clenched into a fist. Loudly exhaling, she then gave a smile and turned to Abel, the lasting remnants of possible tears still shimmering in her eyes.
"But then I remember that everybody deserves a second chance. After all I can never judge somebody until I at least see to it that they try to change. That is what the bible teaches us after all. Everybody deserves a chance for redemption and I would be a terrible nun if I judged even the dirtiest soul without trying to save it," she spoke defiantly and Abel's mood changed from dour to pleased.
"If anybody can do it, it would be you," he admitted, patting a hand down on her head before he started down their path again, unable to see how his words of support added to the hope in Esther's eyes.
"Really?" she asked, hurrying to catch up with him and regretting her choice in heels that were strangely standard with the female AX uniform. Nodding his head Abel did not elaborate but secretly enjoyed the idea of even demons getting second chances. Silence passed between the two of them as they walked through the city and the twilight gave way to lamplight and starlight. Words were passed between them to be sure but simple conversation about the state of the AX, rumors about the members and normal business talk.
To be truthful neither of them entirely enjoyed performing rounds but it was a welcome amount of normalcy and Abel found himself guiltily remembering how he almost wanted to deprive Esther of it. It seemed so obvious now that what Esther really needed was not bed-rest but something, anything, to keep her busy. If that meant walking through the twilight soaked city every night he would never speak a word of complaint no matter the weather or his own state of exhaustion.
"Oh I'm quite sure," he nodded his head as he pressed forward. Their conversation seemed to lull but it was far more pleasant this time around, a mutual consent to enjoy each other's silence. Lamplight bathed the bricks around them in a warm light and Esther found herself not looking around in paranoia. Good company tended to ease a person's spirit.
Of course good company only goes so far. As the duo turned down another alley a sound shattered the peace like a rock chucked into placid lake. Gunshots rang out amidst the cobblestones and Abel spun around in time to see Esther's body falling backwards. Worst fears confirmed he caught her first but was surprised to find no blood staining her white bodice, only small holes marking where the bullet's wounds should have been.
Disregarding the lack of injury he looked up to find a rather cheesy looking Methuselah standing at the entry to the alleyway holding a standard issue gun. In fact one would assume he's a bit part character and Abel felt mostly offended that Esther would get shot by such a lame creature. Apparently he wasn't the only one who thought so. Before Abel could move a familiar voice rang through the air, though it failed to wake Esther who remained limp but unharmed in Abel's arms.
"SONOFABITCH!" a voice roared into the night and filled the brick alley with raucous echoes. From beneath the sprawling form of Esther her shadows began to writhe and twist, detaching from her and twisting upwards like wet silk. Just barely the familiar pale face could be seen amidst the mass of darkness.
"I was sleeping very well mind you and LOOK!!" a hand slipped out from the darkness and a thick inky substance dripped from the thin fingers like watered down tar and oozed along the stones below him. "I can't leave that blasted woman alone for 5 seconds before somebody decides to shoot her!?" Sharp teeth flashed in the lamplight as his face contorted in frustration and the shadows shifted subtly into the basic outline of a dark suit. It only took him two impossibly long steps before he reached the Methuselah who turned to ran but found his hair grasped in the claws of Delacroix who forced the man down to his knees in seconds.
Turning away from what promised to be a gruesome scene Abel instead turned his attention to Esther whose face was untroubled in unconciousness. Running a hand across her stomach he settled on the holes in her bodice in a mixed state of confusion and horror. To the background soundtrack of unearthly screams and various sounds that can only be described as "wet" Abel checked the young woman over for any injury but couldn't find a single one. Not even a drop of blood.
Just as suddenly as the commotion started the noise stopped and Abel froze, wondering if he even wanted to look towards the demon. Deciding he was never the coward when protecting others, and seeing as how Esther was down for the count she certainly needed protecting, he slowly looked over to the end of the alley. Standing calmly on the cobblestones was the dark figure of Delacroix calmly licking the last vestiges of blood daintily from the tips of his fingers with a thin, catlike tongue. There was no body, no blood, just the man standing there against the light of the street lamps looking tidy as a pin as he cleaned himself off. Abel sat there watching him, it, carefully before his eyes darted over to him and he gave a close approximation to a sheepish smile, ruined by the sharp teeth.
"Ah… forgive my temper. Is the lady alright?" he simpered, taking a few steps forward but immediately Abel slid Esther gently to the floor and was standing, blocking the demon's path to Esther effectively with his own impressive frame. He took pleasure in the fact that he was far taller the monster approaching. It didn't seem to daunt the creature who paused and gave a curious tilt of his head. A subtle something passed over his vivid eyes, almost as though he was offended but it passed just as quickly. "I am just worried, padre."
"And you've done damn well enough harm!" Abel shot back, standing his ground firmly, boots pressed against the stones. Surprisingly it stopped the demon from moving and he held a hand to his stomach as he paused. Then slowly a noise began to claw its way up his throat, a strangled sort of sound that bubbled forth like a nasty witches brew and exploded into a peal of laughter that seemed somehow… off. There wasn't any joy or emotion in the laugh, just empty noise.
"Harm? Is my master in any way injured?? Perhaps you'd rather she get shot? I can returned the bullets to her if you wish," he sneered and when he smiled small balls of metal could be seen clenched between his teeth before he spat them to the side as though they were sunflower seed shells. "She'll wake up fine, it was just the shock that stunned her."
"And you won't be around when she wakes," Abel stated, his voice grave enough to lightly hint at a threat but this only made the demon smile wider. Sliding up to Abel in a liquid motion too smooth to belong to any human Delacroix seemed hardly miffed that Abel towered over him and simply craned his neck to get a better look at where Esther was resting on the cobblestones.
"I don't take orders from you, kid, I want to hear my master speak it," he purred richly and his thin tongue darted across his lips eagerly but his view was immediately blocked by Abel who took another step to stand directly in front of the demon.
"You will leave if you know what is best for you."
Pausing an odd expression shifted over Delacroix's face and the features themselves seemed to waver like cloth over the top of water before he gave an eerie approximation of a smile. Taking numerous small steps backwards to distance himself from Abel the thin framing of his suit faded until he was just a face and a pair of hands emerging from a black cutout in the shape of human being before he solidified again.
"Should I fear you??" he simpered before pulling his hand away from his stomach, the palm coated in a slick black fluid that dripped onto the bricks below their feet and disappeared into the shadows of the grout. "Would you eliminate me like just another pathetic vampire?? Continue in your silly little quest? I wonder…" Casting Abel a sly sideways glance he ran his tongue along the side of his hand, leaving a trail of pale skin in its wake, "… would I taste as good or better?" Dissolving into a bright cackle he doubled over his knees and stifled it with his hand.
When the noise finally stopped he straightened himself out, his mouth smeared with the inky substance and he paused. Giving Abel a sober stare he didn't bother to clean his face off and small bits of it dribbled down his chin. As he stood there, a sickly juxtaposition of pale flesh and unnatural darkness he looked strangely small. Only the rhythmic sound of liquid dripping from his stomach reached Abel's ears but somehow it was deafening. Without any pomp or circumstance the man seemed to fade like a bad afterimage and then he was gone again, not even leaving a trace of his existence.
Giving an involuntary shiver Abel felt the tightness in his chest lessen with the absence of the demon and he turned back to Esther. Beneath her sprawled form her shadow could be seen once more in its rightful place and with a sigh he gently picked her up from the ground. In the stark silence he carried her back to the Vatican. He'd get somebody to finish their rounds, if nothing to get Esther a chance to recover.
He couldn't bring himself to leave her in the medical ward and thought it best to lay her down in her own bed. Placing her head gently on her pillow he sighed, feeling utterly powerless. His fingertips trailed softly down the side of her face, tracing the delicate jaw line tenderly before he finally managed to pull away. Pausing he pulled his hand away and bowed his head.
"I'll find a way to fix this," he muttered to himself before chastely patting her forehead before leaving the room. Closing the door behind himself he hurried off to report the incomplete rounds, leaving Esther once more in the shadows.
Esther stirred seconds after the door was closed to hear a soft voice whispering in her ear. Unable to figure out what it was saying at first she shivered as she felt the hot breath wash down her jaw line leaving a soft scent of spices. All around the voice wasn't unpleasant but instead tender mellow tone softly calling her.
"Esther…"
She didn't stir until she felt cool tips of fingers pressing gentle tracks down her cheeks. Eyes snapping open she spun around on the mattress to see glassy blue eyes staring at her. Immediately she was across the side of the room, taking a portion of the sheets with her, clutched to her heaving chest. Sprawled out over the partially covered mattress was the thin figure of Delacroix, sprawled out like a content cat.
"I know you didn't want to see me but I feel you owe me some thanks," he purred, sitting up in a liquid motion that sent shivers down her spine. There was a sort of grace in him that belied his inhuman nature, as no creature of god could move so… perfectly.
"I don't owe you anything," she spat, heart pounding in her chest in the blink of an eye he had crossed the threshold of the bed and directly in front of her.
Breath catching in her chest, Esther felt the steady force of his hand pressed against her stomach over the tattered bodice of her dress. Through the holes in the fabric she could feel his skin, as smooth as glass on a winter's night. Hi face slid softly next to hers and as he spoke she could feel his lips gently tickling against her earlobe.
"I bled for you," he hissed, fingers wiggling through the gaps in her dress. Against the chill of his flesh her muscles tightened and pushed back against him, willing him to leave her alone.
"I thought I told you to leave."
"Oh… you did but would you rather I let you die??"
For a second there was a pause, the air between the pair electric. He longed to advance further, tearing her dress asunder easily with his fingers but her own force of will kept his hand steadily at her stomach. Grinning to himself he relished in her own control over his movements, even though she was unaware.
"I'd rather you leave me alone," she stated, her voice clipped and formal as she tried to keep any of her emotion from leaking into the words but it only made his grin spread wider. In a blink his face was millimeters away from her own, filling her nose with a fiery odour. Wondering to herself how such a cold body could give of such a warm scent she almost hysterically laughed aloud but the atmosphere stifled any noise from her throat again.
Up close she noticed the most unnerving thing about him. It was the eyes. Their colour lacked all striations of a conventional eye and instead was the same glacial hue throughout the vivid iris, the pupil a bare pinprick of a slit. Worst of all, she noticed he didn't blink. When he finally did it was a forced motion, lacking all natural ease. It was the conscious attempt to appear human that made him all the more eerie.
"As long as you bear my mark I'm afraid I'm here to stay. Make this easy on yourself… give me a wish to grant," he murmured, his voice coming from a gravelly part of his throat . Absently his free hand slid down her shoulder to her breast, just above heart. Esther's breath caught in her chest as she felt the sigil flare against his touch through the fabric.
"I wish you would go aw-"
"Ah ah ah.. darling we've played this game already," he tapped a finger against her bottom lip, effectively interrupting her mid word. "Come on, there must be something you want?"
"GO AW-"
"Don't EVER say that again, you WASTE my time," he roared.
In an instant she felt her body slam against the wall again and his delicate face was suddenly a portrait of rage. Fingers shredded the bodice like wet tissue paper while the other hand wove through her short hair tightly, keeping her head back. Unable to look anywhere but his cold eyes she tried her best to muster up her courage but found that even her training was failing in the face of his rage.
As the remains of the top of her habit fell to the floor small bumps raised up upon her exposed skin. Strangely detached as she felt his hands ease the back of the dress away from her skin she heard the soft and steady sound of dripping. In a moment of clarity she cleared her throat.
"Back… Off…" she managed to spit out and much to her surprise she felt his fingers leave her skin, leaving cool trails behind them. Indeed he drew back, letting her feet slide back to the ground startling her. She didn't even know had been off the ground. Shaking she watched as his hands tucked back into the darkness that made up his suit and his expression settled to an impassive, unblinking stare.
He doesn't move, initially, just waits for her inches away. Breathing slowing down as her heart stopped it's frantic pace, Esther let loose a breath she wasn't aware she was holding and covered her exposed self carefully with her hands. Stepping lightly to the bed she ripped off the fitted sheet and used it to return her modesty before Delacriox made a noise. It was just a low chuckle but it was infuriating enough.
"And what's so funny?" she hissed and it only made him laugh a little louder. It was a quiet sort of laugh and every single chuckle sounded identical. Like a looped track repeated itself mirthlessly.
"I've seen you dressed in far less," he drawls, head tilting to the side as a grin spread across his face. In the silence that followed there was the slow rhythmic sound of dripping but Esther can't find the source.
"What are you talking about?" she snaps, a blush creeping up her neck and around her ears.
"Silly girl."
"Answer me!"
There was no pause this time or deliberate stalling this time. Just a quick answer.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm your shadow."
Confused Ether glanced down to see that sure enough, a think black line from below her feet raced across the floor to where his own smartly shined shoes were standing.
"I've been with you the entire time, just waiting until needed, you see," he leaned closer to her, legs on either side of hers and a thin tongue ran across his lips. "You could say I'm your most near and dear companion now…" With one hand he guided her down onto the floor and she felt tears well up in her eyes as all her strength was not enough to stop him. In quick darting movements he removed the last tattered shreds of her bodice and worked his hands down the side of her skirting. Shivering and scared she stared into his face as there was no place to move and he smiled.
"I love a woman with a backbone because it's so much more pleasing when it break. I wouldn't normally force you like this but… it's been so very long dear Esther and you are such the tasty little petit fore," he nodded his head sympathetically though she just found it mocking. It was only when she felt him tear the skirt from her waist that she began to struggle.
One hand freed itself from his grip and she decked him across the face with every bit of scared strength. His head didn't move nor did his face react, it just seemed to skip for a second, like a bad VCR tape. As she hit him again she felt the resounding contact down her arm but it only made him laugh the mercilessly repeating laugh again.
"Oh dear Esther, we are going to have such a fun time together…" he grinned and she got the distinct impression that this wasn't mean to be a sign of happiness. It was more like an animal barring its fangs. Screaming and struggling she tried to push his face away as he ran his lips across her neck and she felt that thin tongue across her jaw line, leaving a trail of icy saliva.
Scared and helpless she closed her eyes to keep herself from looking at the man as she heard only his laugh and the rustle of her petticoats and they fell open on her tender body. Wishing she was anywhere else she slammed her hands against his chest over and over, begging him to stop. Before he could go any father though she mustered up all the air in her lungs and screamed out for the only person she knew who could help her.
"ABEL!!!" she cried out and in that second the demon paused as she repeated the name again, her voice hoarse from crying.
-AN: Well, that marks the end of another chapter, I hope you had fun reading and will come back again for the next chapter. As I always ask, please review this story, I love any criticism/comments/ideas as I feel that a fanfiction writer, nay any writer, should work with their audience. If you do review I will make it a point to respond to as promptly as possible. Be seeing you.