"Me?" I snap in disbelief. "Explain." She turns on her heel without a single word. I watch her natural sway as she strides away from me. I sigh. My veins bubbled beneath my skin at her proximity, and as she leaves the feeling of distress creeps back in. What is wrong with me? Her disappointment, her distance, it bothers me on a subconscious level that even I don't comprehend.
"Sera, why?" I try again. She gives in and rewards me with a response.
"Because you are a giant lie. You are a black hole in my already imploding universe. I was doing the best I could with the life I was dealt, it was rough but I managed. Then you came along, and showered me with phony affection and like a fool I would grovel for it. Then I find out it was all fabricated, just so you could use me. The only 'love' I had ever felt, and it was
We studied late into the night. Axar yawning loudly and thumbing pages furiously as his young mind worked to retain every word he could. We passed the books back and fourth between us two, sharing the knowledge they held between us and arguing points out loud. We sit sprawled on the couches, books shroud the floor. I sift through my journal of notes and contacts until I find the name of a banshee. Barima! About time! I had nearly forgotten about the woman's existence until I read her name. In notes are her coordinates. We will set out for her in the morning to see of she can mentor or help Axar decipher what he is sensing. Most banshees or hees will have visions later on in life, though I'm not sure what age this typically starts. "I found a banshee. In the morning, I will take you to her to see if we can barter for her help. In the meanwhile, it
I roam through her mind, going through the moments she spent away from me. Morbid curiosity on my behalf, I just want to see what she did while away from me. How she felt. It was depressing, uneventful, so I snort the mission to focus on my task at hand. If her mind were a file cabinet, imagine focusing and thumbing through thousands and thousands of files. Trying to go back to find the perfect bits and pieces of memory. I'm quite efficient though, having had decades of practice, and in no time I am weaving moments together. Creating the perfect tapestry to present to her. Instead of erasing the memory of my fuck up, I simply plan to lie about it's meaning. To explain later. If I erase the memory, Axar's presence here will go unexplained. She'll ask questions. I'll lose credibility with him that I need
She swung the door open with vigor, her eyes growing rounder as she looked down at my gifts. I couldn't help but stand taller and puff out a bit. I've never seen her look so happy. I smirk and lean on the wall behind her. I bet she'll have no problem sleeping next to me shirtless now. Her grin spreads and she cackles out loud, wiping her eyes. I actually flush, I flush, in embarrassment once more tonight. What is wrong with my gifts? If Axar told me wrong, I'll leave that kid on the curb in the morning like a stray pup."Do you not like my gifts? Read the card." I urge, a little angry now."Did you...you did...Oh God! I-I can't breathe!" She doubles over now, heaving. "You stuck that poor guy in a soup bowl!" She loses it again. I still don't get the big deal. Fish bowl. Fish. Bowl. I put the fish in a bowl. Fish bowl."He's a fish. It
I protectively stalked my food source through the house as Barima pulled her along to a sitting area. The entire time she looked to me smugly as she pulled the awkward and humble Seraphine along. I narrowed my eyes to her in warning. She'll be sensing her own death if she tries what I think she thinking. Sera sat down beside her own the sofa, Axar flying to them to sit on the other side of his new mom. Sera introduced them both and smiled, but I could feel the suspicion flare in her as she observed this woman. "Nox, please join us." She grins mischievously as she motions me to sit on the sofa across from them. "So, might I ask what brings you all here?" "Yes. We have a little banhee here who is having some issues trying to hone his skills. I was hoping to ask for your help." "Ahh. I se
I could tell by the energy in the air that this was going to end badly. It was a combustible situation from the very start. Now she is livid, and I have a very unpredictable Seraphine in the living room standing guard over her giant adopted baby. She was suspicious of Barima from the very beginning and I am curious to see how she reacts to a furious Barima. I trail Barima while being invisible so she cannot see or hear me. Barima snatches a knife from the kitchen and hides it up her sleeve. I grin to myself. What are you planning to do with that, Barima? Barima enters the living area casually now, trying to mask her rage. Sera sensed her though before her shadow ever hit the doorway and watches her every move. Sera is already wondering where I am. Barima looks anxiously over her shoulder, then nears the couch on Axar's side.She lunges for Axar's arm and Sera slams her away. I smell blood as I se
Sera wobbled out, Axar hanging across her shoulder, into the bright mid day sun. The sun's rays creating dimension in her jewel colored maneuver as it captures the light with her movement. After I had disposed of the unbearable Barima, I ransacked her room for a blouse I wanted for Sera. I discarded Seraphine's bloody sweater afterwards. It took quite a bit of coercion to get Sera into the now dead woman's clothes. The idea of it making her more remorseful.As she donned her cloak of shame, and her new pouty demeanor, I worked on Axar in his dream world. Twisting thoughts and snipping things to fit just right. I need his outburst and tantrum to be perfect when he wakes. I want Sera helpless, isolated and weak. I need to break her down just enough to relent to me. I want her to want me again, to depend on me. I have to regain her trust.She lays Axar softly onto the backseat, teetering a little as his body messes with the balance of hers. I
*Sera's POV* I don't know why I did that, or how I lived. I have no real fear of death in honesty, I never have known why. I guess living your whole life in survival mode just readies you for it. You become comfortable, dare I say, with the idea that you will eventually die. Depressing yes, but I've come to terms with it. I expected it years ago. Cars honk and strangers yell at me as my boots practically burn their rubber as I flee from the car of people who currently cause me nothing but suffering. I gave them both my heart. I gave them everything to try to get just a smidge of their love, and just like everyone else they betray me and use me. I was just a pet, a food source. I was just a temporary home and guardian. I gave Nox my virginity, my energy, my blood and tears. I gave him memories and raw bits of
Axar has remained silent and brooding since I got back in the car and we drove off. He keeps looking out the window, almost longing. Watching no doubt for Sera. I feel foolish now, knowing that I had orchestrated and created all this chaos. I have cost myself Sera for the moment. I have cost Axar his mother figure. Now I will have to take care of this damn child and scrounge for food again unless I feed from this sulking heap in the passenger's seat. I pushed too hard. Narius was right. I should have just lied the whole time, told her what she wanted to hear. I couldn't bring myself to say it though. I couldn't tell her I cared for her, or that we were together, and now I realize it was because it was true. We technically were together. In a round about way. I had taken her in and was willing to provide for her, and I have never done that bef
It is summer again, the months have flown by since Seraphine so valiantly pushed our son into the world. The sun beams overhead and a gentle breeze whistles through the branches of lush trees. Noxodion is shaded at his mother's breasts, having pulled up to nurse. I watch our boy as he feeds on wobbly legs, like a little fawn. His hands clutching Sera's blouse and his favorite lock of hair. A grey checked blanket is spread beneath us, and a basket of foods Seraphine I repaired sits opened from our lunch. I had suggested a picnic to lighten her mood. She has been down hearted all morning since Axar went to stay the week Ezekiel. He's becoming quite smitten with females, and he begged me in private for a week away from mama Sera's watchful eye. Seraphine is still not completely trusting of Ezekiel alone with the kids, and her nerves have been frayed every since. She believes he is pulling away, and worries he feels left out
The past couple months have flown by. After leaving Ezekiel's home, we came back to mine with the agreement we would visit him weekly. I wasn't sure he was going to miss most, Seraphine or Axar. Or even me. He has gotten noticeably closer to me the past few weeks, even coming to visit us instead and helping with the nursery. Often he would mess with Axar and swat a nail straight through the wall with his hand. Seraphine continues struggling to adjust to her limitations. She often becomes aggressive after being denied the ability to mop for the third time in a day or being told not to raise the furniture up to check beneath it. She has removed every speck of dirt or lint that could have existed here. She's also removed half the food, constantly starving and never quite full enough. Her stomach has doubled now and she's quite uncomfortable.Several times we have taken her into the city to
Behind Ezekiel's massive palace, lies a huge and intricate garden. We had followed him outside and through the labyrinth of pebble and stone paths. The flowers, having died this season, were replaced with greenery and shrubs that are winter hardy. Beside me, Seraphine pulls Axar into her body and rubs his arms to keep him warm. "You're a great mother, Seraphine." I lean to the side to whisper, careful not to drop Samael. She stops to look up at me, nearly yanking Axar over. I use my free hand to raise her chin and I lean down to give her a chaste kiss. "Never again will I ever doubt you. I'll spend the rest of my life to make this up to you." Her eyes are swollen and her face pale from grief and exhaustion, still the smile she gives me might be the most beautiful sight I've ever bore witness too.  
I watch from a distance as Ezekiel and Axar ease her onto the floor from her feet. Her sides heave and she seems injured and tired. She will live though, unlike my brother. I can't understand how this all happened, and I find it even more ludicrous that she would have me believe that Samael came to her aid. I want to go to her even still, but the look of grief across my parent's faces snuffs the idea. Still, I need to address her. I have to call her on her misdeeds.I excuse myself from my family, and I make my way over to her. Axar and Ezekiel have been healed by her hands save for Ezekiel's deeper wounds. The two work in tandem on Seraphine's now. I notice with her hiked top that her sides and stomach are bruised and welted. She appears to have a gash on her throat. Her arm is bruised and swollen. Her face is swollen."Seraphine." She looks up to me with vulnerability in her eyes. I'm certain to mask mine. I look blankly down on
*Seraphine's POV * I can hardly believe my eyes as Samael steps before me, blocking me from view and harm. Grief practically emanates from his pores. That's when it clicks. Mom. Despite all of his sins against her, he still loved my mother. But he has never loved me, has he? Why start now? He could never stand to be near me, and over the years I had stopped trying to make him bond with me. I don't quite know what to say to him, how to thank him or if I should, so I just hug him from behind. His arms shoot up in defense, and he stiffens for a moment to glance back at me. He reaches across his opposite shoulder to tap my head. "Ivara loved you. She always did, even before she knew you." He stalls for a second, knowing that we are safe with Narius charging. He will have their attention for a moment. "You are an alright kid." I squeeze
*Seraphine's POV* I scream, startled. The flesh across my shoulders searing as it tears away. I was so close, so close to this giant man who had set his sights on Axar. I fight to fling whoever us on my back away, desperate to reach Axar in time. He's just a child, not even old enough to drive! He shouldn't be here. This man has an ominous, sinister vibe about him that he commanded the room just by entering it. I don't have to guess what his intentions towards Axar are. Free of the pest on my back I leap onto this man's shoulders and I hit him with everything in me, as quickly as I can. I can feel myself being pried away from him as I let lose with as much force as I can muster, fluttering the man to turn to me. It's a horrible situation I find myself in, but in that moment I see Axar run for Alexavier. He was pale as a ghost as he made his d
In no time at all, Nomias enters the room, taking a seat near Yeomorah and lazily crosses his legs. He looks quite pleased with himself, especially as he gazes over at Seraphine who still is acting her part perfectly. She even evades his eye contact in faux shame. Fast behind him enter Narius and Livienne. She raises her chin to snub Seraphine as she goes to the traitors' side of the large room. "Nomias, please, can you elaborate on this strange situation? I was under the impression you'd all arrive together or have the decency to contact me at the very least." "I had intended to arrive tonight, with everyone together, but this little mutt decided to attack my grandson's mate. After her despicable actions, she ran like she always does to avoid confrontation. I thought after all my hospitality and training her, she'd both be more courageous and respectful." Livienne
Dawn settles above us now, casting an angelic glow across Seraphine's features. Soft amber light catches her emerald hair and creatures littke golden streaks. Perfection. Absolutely otherworldly. Even in her pajama pants and hoodie she looks ravishing. I can't help sigh in content as we walk together, bellies full of human food and bodies full of energy. Mine coming alive since feeding from Sera. I'm also admittedly a little full of myself. Now that the initial panic of Sera leaving me has been resolved, I let myself feel smug at her blatant display of jealousy earlier. We are both nervous for what will soon transpire. Now though, I understand how much my words had stung her. If I were on my own right now, I'd be a mad man. Having her at my side and knowing that she believes in me is what keeps me motivated. I only hope that my jabs earlier didn't take the wind from her
*Seraphine's POV*I stare down at him in disbelief. Why was it so damn hard for him to believe me? After his little speeches lately I thought we were past this. Still, he cannot seem to trust me or see my value. Still, I had predicted this. Livienne never thought to block her mind from me during our hallway encounter where we were partially alone. So I decided to go with it, but to give her more fight than she bargained for."You are always worthy. Always have been. Always will be." He holds my foot around my ankle and caresses my leg. I look up and blow a tendril of hair out of my face. It's hard to stomp him like I had planned on doing. My emotions and hormones are all over, conflicting one another as I stare down at him."All that talk earlier. All that praise, and it was all fabricated. That hurts. I really thought that you meant it.""I mean everything I say.""You're actions and word