A wave of relief washed over me as the creature left,and I gasped for air. That's when I noticed it,a strange scent, unlike anything I had ever smelled. It was an unusual sensation,a gnawing hunger and a desperate thirst combined compelling me to find its source. It promise satisfaction a quenching of some deep, unknown need.
I stepped forward,drawn against my will. With each step, the influence grew stronger. My body no longer felt like my own, something primal had awoken within me,its instincts overriding my own thoughts.
As I turned corner,I stumbled upon something that froze me in place . My eyes widened in horror as I gazed down at Grandmother's motionless body, covered in blood and bruises.
The strange sensation vanished, instantly replaced by a suffocating wave of grief.
"Grandmother" I murmured, dropping to my knees beside her.
" Grandmother" I called tapping her shoulder when she didn't respond.
What was I thinking?. I had nearly forgotten her while that strange sensation had taken over me.
"Grandmother"Cold fer seized my heart. I cried, shaking her furiously. This couldn't be real. It had to be a nightmare.
This has to be some kind of joke. It can't be what I'm thinking...can it.
I can feel my heart hammering against my ribs. Sweats dripped from my forehead as I placed my ear against her chest, desperate for a sign of life. But my worst fear was confirmed. Her heart was silent,as still as a ghost town, devoid of life and warmth.
"No.No.No. This can't be, Grandmother!." I sobbed, clutching her arms. " You promised you would never leave me!" A lump formed in my throat. I tried to fight the tears, but they spilled over, tracing hot path down my cheeks.
"Please don't leave me! I need you. You have to stay!"I collapsed on her still body, my tears soaking her clothe. I had failed to protect her when she needed me the most.
I sat up and stared at her lifeless face, burying mine in my hands.
Blood streaked her face, but the faint curve of her lips and the gentle line around her eyes still held the echo of who she had been. Her beauty still shone even in death. I would never again wake to her soft voice, never again see the gentle, greenish-brown eyes that greeted me each day.
My vision drowned in tears. My hands trembled uselessly over her chest, searching for a way to bring her back that doesn't exist.
I collapsed on her again, weeping freely, knowing no amount of tears could bring her back.
"She doesn't deserve your love"My head snapped up. A voice soft and unfamiliar, seemed to coil through the air. The voice came from the shadow.
And there it stood,the creature. The sound of its voice clawed down my spine. I had never imagined it could speak. But what froze me wasn't the words,it was the two men standing behind it.
'Did it abduct them' I thought.
My grief curdled into rage " You!"I screamed. " You killed her!"
" I didn't kill her, she only got what she deserved" it said looking down his nose at me.
I glared at it, appalled by the calm cruelty in it's voice. Its voice was smooth, casual as if my Grandmother's death were nothing more than spilled milk. There wasn't even a flicker of guilt. Heat surged up my neck, and my hands clenched so tight my nails bit into my palms.
This thing deserve nothing but death. My eyes darted around for my sword. The spot where it should've been lay empty. The memory hit me like a blow. I'd left it behind in the fight. I groaned knowing I might be at a terrible disadvantage.
I glanced at the creature, trying to puzzle out my next move. I stood,but a strange force wrapped around me. I forced my legs, but they wouldn't obey.
" This must be your doing"I spat, looking straight at it. It cocked it's head as if savouring my helplessness, like a predator studying its trapped prey. And I knew it was enjoying this.
" Let me go!"I shouted in frustration, fixing my stare on it. If eyes could kill this thing would already be dead.
"And why should I?" It said, as if the question were obvious I stared in disbelief, my patience was fraying.
" What do you mean why? You're binding me against my will. Release me this instant!"
It looked at me as though I was a child throwing a tantrum.
" I'd expected you to asked why I've returned"it said, completely ignoring my demand.
But it was right. The announcement settled over me. The words pricked. Why had it returned?. My heart hammered,but I forced myself to answer. "Perhaps you want my life too. Nothing else would surprise me".
A low chuckle vibrated in its throat. "Are you sure?"
I tried not to flinch, keeping my eyes fixed on the ground between us. Whatever it wanted, it couldn't be worse than this. Could it?
"I would like you to do me the honor of taking your grandmother's body." I stared at it, shocked. Terror spreading through me.
The world tilted. Air caught in my throat, then burst out as a sob. My knees buckled, but the unseen grip held me upright. Tears stung, spilling hot down my cheeks.
"Surprising, isn't it? And I'm sparing you the trouble of burying her," it added with a mocking tilt.
My lips moved, but no sound came. Not satisfied with killing her,now it wanted her body.
"I'll take your silence as a yes. Thane"It motioned to one of the men behind it. The man had black hair and cold brown eyes.
"Yes, my lord." The man bowed and walked toward Grandmother's still form.
"Why?" My voice cracked like splintering glass. "Why do you have to be so cruel?!" I cried,More tears ran down my cheeks.
"Cruel?" The creature arched a brow, almost amused. "I'm helping you." it said as if that justified everything.
"Don't you dare touch her " The words rasped, barely above a whisper. My throat burned. He wouldn't hear me.
Even if he did, he won't heed me without their master's command,so it was pointless. I couldn't save her from death, and now they wanted her body too. Would she ever forgive me.
The servant bent and lifted Grandmother with surprising gentleness. My stomach turned. I should have been the one cradling her. Not them. Never them.
"My lord," the servant said softly, holding her limp body.
"Please!" I begged. My chest heaved with ragged sobs. "Don't take her. I'll never forgive myself" I fought against the invisible hold, but it only pressed tighter.
" Whatever she owes you, I'll pay! Just leave her!" I blurted, desperate.
The creature's eyes narrowed. "Debts are not inherited. Only she can pay them."
What debt? What had Grandmother hidden from me?
"Caspian," The second man stepped forward, his hair as dark as his eyes.
"My lord" Caspian answered.
"Take her to the basement. I will decide what to do with her when I return." The creature ordered, ignoring my pleas.
"Yes, my lord." In the blink of an eye, both men vanished with her, leaving only the cold air where they had stood. I guessed they were not human either.
I stood, number, staring at the empty courtyard. Basement? The word hit me like like cold iron. My chest tightened as realization dawned.
"Don't you know how to treat the dead?" My voice broke into sobs. "She shouldn't be treated that way"
The force holding me vanished,and I collapsed to the ground,my legs unable to hold me. I wanted to kill it, to tear it apart,but I couldn't even stand. I could only kneel there weeping.
"Why?" I whispered to the empty air."What did she owe you?"
"I will leave you to mourn her," the creature said, already turning away. "Soon you'll get over it."
When I lifted my head, it was gone. Only silence remained, and the gaping hole it had carved through my heart.