laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

The searing pain in the right side of her face awoke Aaliyah to the worst headache and soreness that she had ever felt. Her neck, jawline and cheek felt as if they were collectively as large as a barrel. As she tried to open her eyes she found only her left would partially open but still only saw darkness. A pungent, dirty odor of dust, rotted wood and sour, sweat covered wool permeated the room she was in. Wincing, she pushed herself up to sit and try to blink out the tears as she gingerly reached up to touch the swollen side of her face. Fear of her lost beauty made her even more upset. Where was she?

Suddenly, the fear of being reserved for a worse fate filled her mind. Was she laying in their crypt, saved until they became hungry? Aaliyah had no way of knowing. The taste of blood in her mouth made her sick to her stomach as she soon heard the sound of approaching footsteps. As she looked upward towards the sound, she noticed torchlight brighten the small square window of her cell which soon walked through the door without opening it. She backed as the aura of this person filled the room and she realized the torchlight was actually their hair and eyes.

"What do you want with me," she tried to push out with unmoving jaw and swollen cheek.

"I heard you were down here and thought we could talk," the calm, female voice stated as she neared and sat on the foot of the bed.

"Who are you?" Frustrated, Aaliyah wiped her left eye to clear it of tears and grit to finally view the bronze skinned angel before her whose long hair was actually roiling flame and matched the burning, golden eyes. A simple, white woolen blouse and brown leather pants graced the demon and threw off the perception of her identity immediately until she noticed the glaring, white haired dark elf leaning against the far wall, arms crossed. At last, she was in the presence of her enemy.

"You know who we are. You came to us, remember," Kailee replied quietly. "I'm sorry for what had to happen..."

"Spare me," Aaliyah spat. "You and your friends have taken everything from me, so don't sit here and patronize me."

"Even after being beaten, she's still got some fire in her," Tess commented coldly.

"She's lost a lot," Kailee added. "Haven't you?"

Fire burned in her hotter than a furnace as Aaliyah imagined Enestius's dying breath. Instantly, she leapt towards Kailee, screaming and found empty air as she fell forward and rolled off the wood framed cot, slamming hard onto the stone floor which prompted the pain her head and neck to flare. Laying there on her back, Aaliyah couldn't help but begin crying out of anger and frustration. She had failed to carry out her lover's last wish and she could imagine him turning away from her disappointed as he walked away. Nothing had worked out the way they had planned.

"Aaliyah, let me help you," Kailee offered as she knelt closer.

"Kailee, she came here to kill you," Tess reminded.

"So did you once."

Aaliyah felt an overwhelming guilt fill her mind, concentrating her fears a hundredfold as she lay there and cried uncontrollably. Soon, comforting arms lifted her and held her as she tried to apologize to him for her failure. Was he listening? Reaching out to hold him once more, she couldn't find him in the mist, not even his scent. She was alone.

"We can help you," Kailee's voice assured from afar. "You can have a home here with us, if you choose." As Aaliyah calmed, she felt a cooling touch slowly overcome the pain and wash it away. She soon wiped her eyes and found she could see again as her hands went to her face as Kailee's gloved hand retreated. Blue eyes soon looked up to the smooth bronze face that looked down at her and smiled.

"Why did you do that?"

"Because, I know what it's like to have lost those you love. I'm not going to preach to you of the evils of the world, you already know all that firsthand."

Aaliyah sat up and sighed. "What are you going to do with me?"

"That's up to you. I can gate you somewhere or you're welcome to stay with us. We have plenty of room."

The elf glanced to the nightblade waiting for her answer, then her eyes drifted towards the cold, grey stone of the back wall. "Did they eat my horse?"

Kailee chuckled. "No. It's in the stables here in the castle."

Aaliyah nodded. "I don't think it would be good for me to stay here right now. I need some time."

"Okay. When you're ready just let me know where."

She wasn't sure this was all happening. How had all the walls she had built up been torn down so easily? Kailee rose and led Tess out through the door which they opened and allowed to remain so as the groaning metal interrupted the silence and echoed down a long hallway beyond.

"If you're hungry, there's plenty in the kitchen," Kailee mentioned as they left her to her musings. None of this made sense, she thought to herself.