Broken Wings - Chapter Twenty Two
When the man dared to look past the gun, he saw Aralyn in the grip of a tall, dark haired and crimson-eyed man. The hand that protectively shielded her was gauntleted, the long, golden claws resting harmlessly on her shoulder. She quivered uncontrollably, clinging to the man like he was her final hope. The man's tattered cape had been draped over her, hiding most of her body from his view.
"What are you doing?" The man's voice was dark and level, but he could feel the fury nonetheless.
"I j-just wanted to talk to…"
"Talk?" the man asked, scoffing. "That's not what Aralyn told me." He cocked his gun and placed it against the center of his forehead. "Care to revise your answer?"
"Gloria has to come with me!" he ventured, slightly more cautiously.
"Your time would be better spent harassing this Gloria of which you speak," the dark man countered.
"That's Gloria!" Verian insisted, pointing a finger at the shaking girl. "Gloria, it's me, Verian! Don't you remember?"
Crimson eyes narrowed as he pulled Aralyn in closer, sensing the boy's rage. "You are gravely mistaken."
"No! She is my Gloria!"
"I don't know or care what that means," Vincent retorted. "But I strongly suggest you leave."
"Gloria, please listen to me…!"
"How dare you speak to her?" Vincent roared, striking Verian viciously with the barrel of his gun. As he fell back, Vincent readjusted his aim. "This is your last chance. Choose quickly, or I will choose for you!"
The boy sent one last imploring look at Aralyn, who was turned away. He stepped back cautiously, then pivoted and ran away, disappearing from view, still holding his bleeding cheek.
A/N: So we have Verian! His name means variable, so remember that. We have Vinnie acting a bit rash for his character, I did that on purpose. So...don't flame me too bad. Enjoy!