Xander's Cross, Oregon: a small town ringed with forbidding mountains and misty forest. The sky may be gray, but the townspeople are welcoming to people of all kinds...and things that are not quite human as well. Here the native shifters, aliens, werewolves, and witches live in peace. They have yet to find out the new business owners encroaching on the land are also vampires.
The peace has been broken by murder, however, and things in Xander's Cross are about to become quite a bit darker.
Welcome to your new home.
is it better to out-monster the monster or to be quietly devoured?
August 20, 2020
The mayor, Rowan Starkwood, was found dead less than a mile from his home. Rumors say his body was mutilated, but the state of the body has not yet been released to the public.
Post by Isolde Thornton on Aug 18, 2020 18:40:07 GMT -5
The trees towered far above her, higher than any she'd seen at home, so far that their tips blurred into the moonless night. A cold wind whispered through their branches and her thin sweater, chilling her skin. Somehow, despite the absent moon, she could see a few feet in front of her--trees and underbrush were lit by a dim grey glow that came from nowhere. Mist swirled at her feet, as damp and cold as the dread that pressed heavy on her consciousness. Isolde clutched the celestite cluster harder, purposefully digging its points into her palm to remind herself that this was not her dream. She couldn't lose her way now, not when she'd come so far.
Back in Maine, Isolde Thornton sat cross legged in the center of an intricate web of crystals and herbs--celestite for psychic power, amethyst for clarity, lavender for sleep and peace. Her eyelids flickered and twitched as her eyes moved beneath them, seeing the world of her sister's dream. She could still smell the incense burning, helping to tie her to reality.
In the dream she walked forward, slowly, making her way through the woods. She had to stay focused intently on her goal--the home where she knew she would find her sister. She didn't know what it would look like, but she knew the people and energy it would contain. The necklace that rested near her heart pulsed with warmth in time to her heartbeat, assuring her that she was close. Just a little farther.
A house emerged through the mist, complete with white picket fence. Sweet Kit and a faceless toddler ran through a sprinkler in the yard as the sun grew into existence above them like a blooming flower. Isolde's shoulders relaxed as she neared the little bubble of comfort and home. She smiled at the flickering images of children playing. The dream-children paid her no mind; she was as much a part of the dream as they. Only Andie would affect the world around them, push it one way or another.
She pushed open the gate and closed it carefully behind her, then approached the front door with trepidation. The handle passed through her hand like mist, and she grimaced. But this was the farthest she'd ever gotten. No time to lose her nerve. She took a deep breath and stepped through the 'solid' surface of the bright red door.
She stood in a living room, decorated with quaint country style furniture her sister would have hated. The room smelled of cookies, just for a moment, before her sage and lavender incense overwhelmed it. It wrung a wistful sigh from her. When was the last time Mom had made Andie's favorite cookies?
"Andie...?" she called out softly as she approached the kitchen, where warm light shown through the archway. "Are you home...?"
Post by Andie Grey on Aug 18, 2020 21:26:13 GMT -5
The dream was always the same, albeit the season was different, or the era, or the theme, but always the same. With slight differences, and it always gave Andie a sense of familiarity whenever she woke up. That deja vu feeling like it'd already happened. She was waiting for it to get old. To finally look into why she was having the same occurring dream, but that would have to wait until she was awake. Right now, there was cookies to pull out the oven.
Andie could hear Sol's voice, as she pulled the chocolate chip cookies out of the oven. "You're late!" She called to her sister, in teasing anger. She turned from the oven, kicking the door closed as she set the cookies on the kitchen island. The kitchen matching the same country style of the living room. Andie wore a red and white checkered dress with spaghetti straps. The bodice was from fitted and flared out in a poodle skirt at her waist. She wore a white apron over the dress. Her dark brown hair was curled expertly as it rested just on her shoulders and her lips were painted a cherry red. Her grin was all but beaming as Sol walked into the kitchen. "You're here." She said bit a breathless as she lifted her spatula, and started putting cookies on the plate.
"It's about time too, I was getting worried." She said with a pointed look. Once the cookies were on the plate she shoved it towards Sol, and then wiped her hands on the front of the apron, before walking around the island. Her low heels clicking across the paisley yellow design of the kitchen tile, and she was pulling her sister in for a hug. Hugging her tightly. "How are you? Safe? I hope?" Andie asked, pulling away to look at her. To see how she was doing. She missed her little sister something fierce. Feeling the guilt of having to runaway and leaving her at the hands of her father. That guilt and worry constantly hate away at her. To the point she was surprised Conor hadn't noticed it yet, or maybe it truly only ate away at her in her dreams. Because in her dreams...Isolde was there.
Post by Isolde Thornton on Aug 18, 2020 21:40:06 GMT -5
Thank the goddess. She followed her sister's voice into the kitchen and watched her bend to take out the cookies before she turned with a grin. It was like something out of a movie, seeing her sister as the perfect picture of a housewife. She looked lovely, despite how stereotypical the outfit was. Tears sprung to Isolde's eyes as soon as she saw her sister's smiling face. It was so good to see her, even if it was only a dream. She sincerely wished her sister as much happiness as this dreamscape tried to imitate. Her heart ached, wishing she could truly hug her sister. She made herself smile, and a small laugh escaped her lips. "Sorry it took me so long. Your protection charms are awfully strong," she answered with a sniffle, wiping hurriedly at her eyes.
The hug was too much, though, she was really crying now. She could feel it, faintly, but it wasn't real. It wasn't enough. Tears ran down both her faces. She clutched the celestite so hard it hurt.
She'd had a plan for how to gently make her sister realize she was dreaming without shocking her too much. Too big of a jolt and her sister would wake before they had time to talk. She'd have to be careful. Witches plan and the goddess laughs, however--her tears might ruin the whole thing. She took a shuddering breath as her sister pulled back and asked how she was. "I miss you, Andie. So much." She confessed, knowing she couldn't hide it. She took a tissue from the box on the counter and dabbed her eyes. At least one of her faces could be cleaned up. She wondered if Andie was imagining her makeup running.
She deliberately avoided the question about how she was, not wanting to give more answers than missing her, not yet. She could feel the longing, but she couldn't let it derail her. One baby step at a time. One little nudge closer to clarity. "How are the children? I haven't met the littlest yet. A boy? Or a girl?"
Post by Andie Grey on Aug 18, 2020 21:58:01 GMT -5
Andie's heart seized at seeing her sister's tears. "Don't cry Sol," Andie said growing in concern smiling at her while she rubbed her shoulder. "We're together. Again. We'll always be together." She told her gently, reaching up to wipe her tears with a thumb. She gave her a quick squeeze. "Remember?" She said tapping at the necklace she wore. The same one Sol had given her before she'd left. Sol had the twin to it. So long as they had their necklaces, they could be together. "I missed you dearest." Andie gave her a quick kiss to her cheek before taking her hand and leading her to the table grabbing the cookies as she walked.
At the mention of the children, Andie's smile spread. The joy her children brought her clear in her eyes, and she reached to place a hand over her flat stomach. "They haven't happened yet. But, I have the feeling the goddess will be blessing us soon with the news within a year." She spoke. Almost in a haze. Her dark eyes looking off into the distance, entering a brief trance into something she couldn't see yet. The hand fell, the trance faded away. "Kit is upset with us, though she's subtle about it. We've finally settled Sol, and I fear she doesn't trust Conor when he says we're staying this time. I have high hopes we can keep this promise." She sighed. Sitting down at the table she kept a hold of her sisters hand. "Elijah now..." Her grin only widened. "He's so much like Conor, I think it scares him." She laughed with a slight shake of her head. "He's darling really. A sweet child though he can be a handful. He's nearly talking in full sentences now, he's arguing with Conor..." She laughed. She sighed wistfully. The love she had for her son clearly showing in her eyes. "Oh Sol, he'd adore you." She whispered. "Kit misses you too." She said softly, squeezing her hand.
last edited Aug 18, 2020 21:59:20 GMT -5 by Andie Grey
Post by Isolde Thornton on Aug 18, 2020 22:15:27 GMT -5
Ah, that had almost been her chance, when she tapped the necklace, but Andie was already turning away, grabbing the cookies. Isolde chased after her, following her to the table and obediently taking a seat.
Sol watched her sister curiously as she looked into the distance, seeming as if she were seeing something that Isolde could not. And maybe she did. She didn't think anything of it, though, at first. Dreams were strange, so of course, her sister would be strange, too. Perhaps she had changed the time in her mind so that she had only just left. It wasn't until her sister was talking about Elijah, apparently a toddler, that it seemed different. She wanted to think about it more, but she could already feel herself slipping. She needed to focus. She couldn't think too hard about her nephew, or how much she wanted to meet him, even if it tied new knots in her throat.
"Kit is a teenager, sister dear. She's going to be upset as much as she can," she teased, biting into a cookie that tasted like nothing, although a pleasant sensation of comfort rolled through her nonetheless. "I'd love to see the children, sometime soon. And they could play with Eddie," she suggested. "Father is ruining him the same way he did to us. I want to protect him like you are protecting your children." She broached the topic slowly, watching her sister's face for any sign that she might be pressing too far too fast.
"What would you say if I wanted to leave father too? For good?"
Post by Andie Grey on Aug 18, 2020 22:43:50 GMT -5
Andie couldn't help but laugh and agree with Isolde. "You're right, how upset were we?" She said amused. Andie wouldn't say she had been an angry teenager. She'd been more of the type to do what was necessary to make sure her mother and sister staid safe. To say she didn't hate her father even at that age would be a lie. At the mention of Eddie, Andie's eyes alighted. "How is he?" She whispered. Remembering that sweet baby that David had surprisingly took in for whatever reason. "I'm sure your doing an amazing job at it." Andie said, reaching over to squeeze her hand. Despite how timid Sol always looked, Andie always believed that if pushed enough she'd ignite the fire in her. That little boy would do just that.
She tensed suddenly. Staring at Sol for a moment, wondering if she'd heard her correctly. Leave father? Why would she- Dread filled her suddenly, and it was like the light suddenly went out in the kitchen as night suddenly fell upon them. The only light now was the one hanging over the kitchen, and Andie found herself pulling her hand away. Her attire had changed as she wore a dark grey long dress now. Her hair hanging in loose strands. Isolde sat next to her dressed similarily, expect she was in black. The children's laughter could be heard as they came in, a flash of white, as Kit raced up the stairs with Elijah on her back. Andie stared at Sol, her brows furrowing in confusion.
Her face hardened and she let a deep breath out. "Be prepared to run, and run far." She whispered. There was a seriousness in her eyes, and she leaned forward to stare at her sister, searching her face. She wouldn't leave unless there was a reason. She wouldn't leave Eddie unless there was a reason. That reason could only be one things surely. "What's he done Sol? What's father done now?" She whispered. Afraid if she spoke too loudly he'd appear and finally find her. Daddy was going to be so very angry when he wrapped his cold fingers around her throat. She just knew it. She could practically already feel his steel grip on her jaw. The way he'd held her against the stair banister when she'd told him she was pregnant. He'd threatened to help her out with an abortion by throwing her down over the stairs. Making it look like an accident. If Mother hadn't of appeared at that moment Andie was afraid of what might have happened.
"If you or Eddie are in danger..." She said slowly, her eyes transfixed on Sol's face. Searching for answers.
Post by Isolde Thornton on Aug 18, 2020 22:59:27 GMT -5
Shit. She should have known just the mention of their father would send her sister spiraling. The whole mood of the dream had changed, not just its appearance, and she could practically feel her father breathing down her neck. She wished their childhood home had been less like a gothic novel; this setting felt all too familiar with its creeping shadows and grief. She moved to her sister's side, crouching beside her chair as she took her hand once more.
"It's not what he has done, it's what he's planning to do. Lives are in danger, Andie, and I won't be his weapon anymore." She spoke adamantly, every syllable firm with her conviction. She didn't know she was whispering them in the real world. She was too caught up in the dream. This was her chance. Her one chance. She couldn't waste it. Time was running out.
She didn't know the details, not all of it. Father had been hiding things from her ever since she'd "betrayed" him three years ago by helping Andie. But she knew enough; he was always making use of her skills. She knew more than she had ever wanted to learn, now, about Vampires and how they came to be. She had met them, invited them into her home, let them see and smile at her brother. It made her skin crawl, knowing what they were, what they did, and still acting as if she were glad to see them. But was she any better? She, too, had blood on her hands. But she needed to leave. She had to get Eddie out before he was lost too.
She bit her lip. This was the moment of truth.
"This house isn't where you live, is it, Andie? Did you notice that it changed...? We're together, Andie, but only in our dreams." She trailed each question gently and reached to tap Andie's necklace the way she'd tapped hers when she said "we're together." "I'm ready, Andie. I have a hidden bank account. Our bags are packed. All that's left is for us to come to you."
Post by Marcus Kanaan on Aug 19, 2020 11:03:32 GMT -5
You know that feeling when you probably shouldn't be somewhere but something compels you forward anyway?
Yeah.
He was finishing his shift, securing the grounds of the Thornton estate with absolutely no reason whatsoever to enter the house again. And yet, there he was, traversing the dark hallways as all were asleep, unable to ignore this strange feeling at the pit of his stomach. Was it fear or dread? Did he think something was wrong or someone was up to no good? That was the very problem- he couldn't figure it out and it was unsettling.
And he didn't like unsettling.
There wasn't a noise inside the house except for the occasional soft ticking of a clock and his quiet footsteps upon the floorboards. Marcus just kept moving, barely thinking as he followed the inherent inner tracking, that instinctual pull towards something. He shouldn't be here right now, but there was nothing truly stopping him from coming this abrupt halt outside a particular door. That feeling was heavier, dangerously mixed in with every other emotion that suddenly assaulted him just from realizing who's door it was.
Something was happening. He could feel it.
There was this charge in the air, almost enough to make the hair at the back of his neck stand on end. Marcus leaned in, his fingers barely brushing against the wood of the door and he sensed it further. There was magic on the other side, a spell at work, and he heard Isolde's faint murmurs as though she were talking to somebody. Only, he didn't hear anyone else answering.
'What would you say if I wanted to leave father too? For good?'
Dark eyes narrowed. Her sister, she was somehow speaking with her sister. She knew where she was, or at the very least knew how to contact her. Marcus was a little surprised Mr. Thornton hadn't tried using his other daughter to find Andrea- then again, a part of him was relieved. He'd seen and known some of the darkness that shrouded the man, what he has made particular people do. What he's made him do. His own blood should be exempt from such cruelty.
'We're together, Andie, but only in our dreams.'
Marcus drew in a long and deep breath as a hand tightened around the handle of her door. He turned it slowly, urging the door to open just a few inches, willing it to remain silent as he glanced in. Sol was unaware, absorbed in her task, yet he refrained from moving in any further. He didn't need to listen to know what was happening, and yet, he wondered if the woman was actually turning against her own sister. Was she doing this to find her, to tell her father of Andrea's whereabouts?
No. No, she was planning to run. And for whatever reason, it made him panic. This put him in a bad situation, somewhere between duty and honor, knowing which one he had to follow and serve. Family loyalty was always the top priority. It had to be. And after his own family, his loyalty always had to remain with David Thornton. It was the pact. It was the coven.
'I have a hidden bank account. Our bags are packed. All that's left is for us to come to you.'
Now, he had a choice. He could walk away immediately and pretend that he hadn't heard any of this. Turn a blind eye and let her try and leave. Let her risk being caught by her father. Let her be punished. Marcus didn't realize that his jaws were clenching so tightly in that moment as he watched her concentrate on her spell work, blissfully unaware of his presence, and it would appear that his body was already making a decision before his warring mind could come to some sort of conclusion.
So carefully, he slipped into the room, shutting the door quietly behind him as he would await for her to be finished. His heart was thundering madly inside his chest, pounding against his rib cage as it was threatening to burst free like a rabid animal despite the firm line of his lips and slight disappointed furrow of his brow. Duty before honor. Loyalty before love. Over and over again these words flooded his head, reminding him of who he was and what he was meant to do.
Post by Andie Grey on Aug 19, 2020 11:49:40 GMT -5
Andie looked looked down at Isolde intently, making sure she was paying attention to everything she said. When were lives not in danger when it came to her father? What was he planning now? He was already doing dark terrible things how much worse could he get? She was afraid to hear the answer. She looked alarmed at her sister when she said she didn't want to be his weapon anymore. That guilt for leaving her came back tenfold, and it felt like Andie had been punched. What had he made her do? David always kept them out of the more....gruesome things. Having Conor or Marcus deal with it instead. Andie and Sol had always done more of the timider acts. Scaring people mostly. Reminding them who they were dealing with and staying in line. Andie looked at Isolde again,seeing the black she wore and her heart nearly stopped. She was tainted. Her sweet sister had been tainted and done a horrible act, all for their father.
Andie's hands clenched in her lap, her dark eyes large as she stared at her. Waiting for more. Her head tilted to the head slightly at what Sol was saying, her eyes looking around the kitchen, at their clothes. The cookies were gone. Had Kit come and take them? Her eyes darted to Sol again, watching her tap the necklace she wore. The same one she had around her neck. The works pierced through her, and she looked around again. All that's left is for us to come to you... To Xander's Cross. Sol wanted to come to her. To leave. She wanted that fresh start, now if only she'd be able to remember when she woke up... "Sol, are you sure about this?" She whispered. "You'll be tracked, possibly followed. He won't let his children run away. Not a second time, it won't be easy." She tried to reason with her as the edges of the room began to fade, and turn into mist. Slowly creeping towards them. Dream. She was dreaming, and it was the worst time to wake up. Andie looked around frantically, before grabbing for Sol. "Get out of Maine. Get out, and I'll find you. I'll help cover your trail." She told her quickly. There was no time to think, or to give more instructions. "I think I'm waking up, I haven't much time." She told her. This time, she hoped she would remember. Because her little sister would need her.
Andie took Isoldes face in her hands, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead. "We'll be together soon. Safe. We'll all be safe." She promised. The room was quickly fading now, and Andie wrapped Sol in for a quick hug. "I love you sister dear." She whispered as they were surrounded by the mist and Andie was fading away, when Isolde would feel an abrupt shove. Throwing her back into reality as Andie disappeared.
Post by Isolde Thornton on Aug 19, 2020 21:25:16 GMT -5
"I know, but I can't kill any more innocent people. I won't," Isolde answered desperately. There would be no scaring her out of it, not when she knew what they were trying to do. Sacrificing people, innocent lives, to gain power...it was too much.
Her sister's nails dug into her skin in a way that should have hurt, but all she felt was the panic that clutched at her heart instead. Get out of Maine. Out of the state. She could do that. She would do that. She just needed Andie to remember...
"I love you, Andie." She answered, just before a firm push startled her from the dream with a gasp.
Her head, which had lolled forward during the dream, jolted up, and it took her a moment to realize where she was. The house. Her room. Reality. She sighed and put out the candle in front of her before she rolled onto her knees and started to rise--then spotted a dark figure standing near the door. She took a deep breath as if she were preparing to scream, but swallowed the sound. Her hands flew to her chest where panic pushed her heart and breath to dangerous speeds. In the darkened room she could only see an outline, but she already knew it wasn't her father.
"M-Marcus... What are you--I--" She stammered, excuses flying from her mind just when they would have been most useful. But she didn't need an excuse to do spellwork in her own room, and only another crystal witch would know exactly what she'd been doing...right? She didn't need to give the details. He'd startled her, that was all. There was nothing to hide. Stay calm. She exhaled slowly through her nose and forced herself to drop her hands to her knees. "You gave me a fright. Did you need something?"
Post by Marcus Kanaan on Aug 20, 2020 10:14:39 GMT -5
Yes, what was he doing here?
The moment she turned around and spotted him, Marcus stopped breathing. For the first time in a long while, he felt himself beginning to panic, even if she wouldn't have been able to tell. His tongue pressed against the back of his teeth, forcing himself to focus, to figure out what exactly he planned to do next. He thought he had made up his mind, but the moment she acknowledged him, he sensed the fog that often plagued him when she was near.
Duty before honor. Loyalty before love. Don't forget yourself.
'...but I can't kill any more innocent people.' That was what truly made him freeze, her murmured words still echoing over and over again in his head while dark eyes stared at her. Marcus knew of what David had made his youngest daughter do when the fucking fox didn't have the guts to. He'd offered to do it himself, but no, it had been Isolde's punishment. Now, the guard was wondering what else Thornton had made her do against her will.
While Sol sought for excuses, he was desperately trying to figure out what he was going to do. To any witch, it would have been clear that she was simply doing spellwork in the safety of her room. There was nothing wrong or illegal about it, except for the words that had been slipping passed her lips. He hadn't heard all of it, but he had heard enough to know what she planned. There was no hiding that.
And he really wished he hadn't overheard. He really wished he hadn't drifted to her door. He shouldn't be here. He shouldn't care.
"Your sister is well, I take it..." Marcus finally spoke; his voice deep and quiet and devoid of emotion. She would be hard pressed to tell whether that was a threat or not, if only because he wasn't quite sure if it was yet. He was aware that he had to tell Thornton, he knew what he had to do, but he was struggling to do it. Marcus was struggling with a lot of things now.
Post by Isolde Thornton on Aug 20, 2020 13:31:00 GMT -5
Isolde's throat clenched as if there were a fist around it, though Marcus hadn't so much as raised his voice above a murmur. His presence in the room wasn't even aggressive, just out of place. Wrong. She'd started all this by trying to break free. She'd upset the balance. She was going to bring the whole coven down on her head. She was as good as dead.
She wasn't sure if her spell was what had drawn him here, but his words made it clear why he'd waited for her to finish He'd heard something, perhaps everything. She must have been talking in her sleep.
She was silent for a long moment as she struggled to find an answer. Arguing was useless. He wasn't stupid. There was no excuse she could make, if he already knew who she'd been speaking to. She'd made her choice, all she could do now was press forward.
"Yes," she answered, sitting up a bit straighter as she tried to find some strength within herself. She found no courage, only desperate loneliness. It would have to be enough. "She's finally happy, I think. Happier than anyone can be in this Gods forsaken house." Her voice was bitter. "Even if I'm trapped here, at least I know that much."
She sighed and rose to her feet, beginning to pick up the crystals scattered across the floor and return them to their dark velvet bag. She didn't know why she did it. It was pointless, especially if she was about to be led to her own execution, or worse, interrogation, at her father's hand. Perhaps she just needed to do something.
She felt as if she should be more afraid. More upset that her plan had been foiled before it had even begun. But she just felt tired. Heaviness sat deep in her heart and bones, weighing her thoughts and movements.
She turned to look at Marcus again, melancholy clear on her face. She didn't hate him for finding her, she found. She was almost sad it had to be him. He was the only guard she didn't mind having around. She never felt like he was judging her, scoring her progress like the others. He seemed kind, beneath it all. Good, somehow.
"I won't blame you for turning me in. You're just doing your job."
Post by Marcus Kanaan on Aug 20, 2020 18:46:01 GMT -5
It felt as though his heart was in his throat and he was barely able to concentrate. Why couldn't he have just ignored this, all of it? Was that need to protect, to prove his worth that important? Yet, he knew he wouldn't be so conflicted if this had been anyone else he caught betraying Thornton. No, he would have been quickly handling it, with force if it was necessary. Instead, he stood there in front of the door, unsure of what to say or how to further react. Sol had silenced him with her immediate submission.
Isolde knew she was caught because she wasn't trying to hide it. She was expecting him to be a good little soldier and go running to her father. Why did that bother him so? He should be doing it, he should be turning right around to do just that, and yet his feet felt like they were firmly planted to the floor. His heart was still pounding and he couldn't stop it, he could barely contain the insane amount of thoughts that were suddenly flooding his mind.
Then she was looking at him again, with such an expression that anyone in her situation shouldn't have. He worked for her father, he was devoted to her father, if only because he had to be. She knew what had to be done. Marcus needed her to hate him, to get angry, because it was the only way he would be able to do this. But the bitterness in her voice, the sadness in her eyes, he had to look away; running a hand down his face as if it would help clear his head. He was beginning to get angry, the tension just building up around him, and it was all at himself. This childish attraction, whatever you wanted to call it, blinded him and foolishly brought him here...and now there was no way out of this mess.
'I won't blame you for turning me in. You're just doing your job.'
Sol's words made those dark brown eyes regard her once more, his chest rising and falling rapidly with how much he was just seething inside. His job. It was what he was good at. It was what he lived for. There was a flicker of pain that broke the stoic expression on his face before it was gone and he was biting his tongue. He wanted to yell and curse, but instead, he took just a single step forward. His attention never leaving her face. "I won't," he told her quietly. "Because I'm going to help you get out of here."
It's all lies, darling. He was a good, little soldier. He was a puppet.
Post by Isolde Thornton on Aug 20, 2020 19:39:59 GMT -5
Isolde's calm shattered in an instant, shock evident on her face as she sucked in a quick gasp, and the bag of crystals dropped from her fingers. It hit the rug with a muffled thud, sending crystals skittering every which way as she stared at him. She didn't even blink.
She'd been ready to give in; her life was utterly forfeit. And he'd handed it back to her and more. Confusion overwrote her surprise. Why should he help her? His whole life, his entire family, had always been devoted to the Coven. She was just some woman, one face among them all, practically worthless in the scheme of things, now that her father had made Eddie his heir instead of her. Why on Earth would he risk his life for this?
"I don't..." She began, but it was hardly a sound. She licked her lips and tried again. "I don't understand."
She wanted to believe it. She was greedy; she wanted to accept his help. She could finally make it out of this nightmare house, this ghastly family. She could see Andie and her children. She could go where she pleased without being watched. She might even have a place of her own, a home, somewhere she actually felt safe. Perhaps the nightmares that plagued her, ones where she was burning alive, would finally stop. She could have a life. She could be her own.
Even more, Eddie would be free. He would get to be a child to keep his innocence. She could make sure he, at least, had a happy life. He would play with other children, have friends. He could go to school with the others, play on the playground in the sun. Maybe he could go on field trips, see the world.
But what of Marcus?
If he helped her, he was signing his death warrant. Without the tenuous protection of the Thornton bloodline, he would be dealt with immediately. Torture, perhaps, to get information about her whereabouts, and then he'd be killed. She'd seen it before. She'd done it. The answer filled her chest, and she knew what she had to do. There was only one way that Marcus would survive. Concern furrowed her brow, and she stepped cautiously towards him.
Dark eyes searched his face as she tried to understand his expression, but he was as blank as ever. For the first time, she realized it must be a mask. What was he hiding there?
"If you do that, if you help me..." she reached out tentatively and touched his arm, near the elbow. She felt like she needed a connection, to tether them, to ground herself. Things were spinning out of control. "You have to come with us. Staying here would be suicide. I can't...I won't let that happen."
Post by Marcus Kanaan on Aug 20, 2020 22:49:16 GMT -5
It was as though he was shaken awake when the crystals dropped to scatter all over the carpet. The noise hadn't been loud, but there was something about it that just snapped him from this near trance-like state. Marcus was ready to bend down to pick them all up but he refrained; eyes blinking in that moment of confusion before they rose to find the shock on her face. The words had just come out. Deep down he knew why he said them and what his mind was already planning...but even deeper down, he was aware it was something else.
Don't be an idiot, Marc. Don't.
'I don't understand.' Well, he didn't entirely either. His brain was slowly catching up, but that mask he wore barely faltered. It was indeed a mask, one he never seemed to let fade, one that was always present and shielding him from the world. He needed it in the coven, he needed it even when dealing with his family. Even when he was alone, it always remained because life got to the point where he didn't even know who he truly was anymore. He lived and breathed for the coven- it was all he really ever knew after awhile.
The concern that changed her features was like a vice around his heart, and he nearly stopped breathing. No, he was definitely not breathing as she reached out and he felt that touch to his arm; flinching just slightly as though it seared through his suit jacket. For a moment, he felt just as confused as she was, and he almost let that mask slip.
You have to do this. It's what's best for the coven.
But what about what was best for her?
His breath hitched and he stared at her. Things were certainly spinning out of control, and she seemed to be the only thing grounding him. Marcus almost didn't reply, too afraid to speak because of his lying tongue. He was letting his blind loyalty override everything else, and he should have known better. He should have been relying on instinct, because it would have told him to save her, to flee with her, to get away from this toxic environment. It was all around them, he saw it all...why was he turning away from that fact? Why couldn't he find his way through the fog and forget this fucked up loyalty he seemed to be bred with?
His own brow was furrowing, trying to find himself. All he had to do was agree. He just had to tell her "okay" and move on, it was as easy as that. Instead, he was slipping; his lips moving before he could stop them. "I'm not sure that I can." Dark gaze averted quickly, like he just realized he was a servant standing before royalty and it wasn't allowed. "But...I will try," he softly lied once more. "Although you and the boy are priority."