Match Met

Gaelan? I’m sensing a…..no….NO! Gaelan, get out. Get out now!

Before Gaelan could answer the room went dark. Jumping from his chair he raced around to where Devlin had been just moments before. Reaching out to grab him by the collar, Gaelan instead felt his hands go numb. It was only because of his quick reflexes that he was able to prevent them from shattering into irreparable shards.

“Damn you Katil. I needed him.”

“Ah my friend, but I needed him more.”

Several seconds passed before the emergency lights finally turned on. It was then that Gaelan got a full view of what was left of his former employer.

“Didn’t they feed you over at MercCo?”

“Not even a morsel. And let me tell you, the V.P. of Procurements looked pretty tasty.”

Katil shot quick glance around the room.

“She’s not here. She sensed you coming.”

“I guessed as much. Oh, she’s a clever one. And quite the looker I hear. I had hoped she wouldn’t make this easy. Hmm, all the better, as I really do enjoy the hunt as much as the capture.”

“Then why…”

Gaelan’s peripheral vision began narrowing. The room grew dark again, but this time more slowly. Looking at the emergency lights, Gaelan realized that they were not dimming as much as they were being absorbed. As the shadows began to encompass his mind, Gaelan felt a coldness sweep over him causing him to shiver involuntarily. He couldn’t think. Slumping into a nearby chair he struggled to maintain consciousness.

Gaelan? Gaelan. Answer me!

“Answer her Gaelan. Call her to you. Trust me when I say that you two are worth more alive than dead. Call her Gaelan. Don’t make me hunt her down. If you do, I promise, I will terminate you both.”

“Not so fast Katil. I’m sure whatever they’ve offered you is not enough. Especially for a man of your unique talents.”

Esmi, no!

“How would you know little one, and what makes you think there is anything you have that I could possibly value more than my own life.”

So. They know his weakness. That explains it.

Explains what exactly?

Why they couldn’t turn him. He’d already done that himself. But they have something else – something worth more to him than his oath.

Stepping out into the light, Esmirée revealed herself and what she had to offer. Even Gaelan’s breath was taken away by her presence. Looking into Katil’s eyes he saw a glimmer of hope, as well as a few other emotions he’d rather be left unaware of, considering it was his own sister causing them.

Warmth slowly crept back into Gaelan’s body. But his mind was still numb. He found it difficult to maintain contact with Esmirée as well as read the Shade assassin standing before her.

“Release him Katil. I… we ...need his abilities, especially if we are to succeed.”

“I haven’t yet agreed to this ‘plan’ of yours. Besides, what stops me from taking what I want, and still collecting payment?”

The hunger in Katil’s eyes was overwhelming. It was all Esmirée could do to control her own emotions and keep her mind still long enough to reason with a Shadow wraith on the brink of frenzy. Looking over to Gaelan, she noticed color returning to his cheeks.

Now’s our chance. Whatever happens, follow along. Our lives depend upon Katil believing every word I say.

“I know about Kupani.”

Hunger instantly turned to pain as Katil looked away trying to hide his eyes, but it was too late, Esmirée saw her arrow had hit its mark.

“What…what do you know? What can you know?”

“I know you are like ones and that she was taken less than a week before you were. It’s obvious why you decided to accept the contract, as well as your enslavement. Since both of you are forged from the same shard, her termination means your own.”

Gaelan starred at his sister, struggling not to register his shock at this revelation; it was all he could do to control his emotions. Usually he was able to block his mind at will, but Katil had not fully released him, so it remained weak, making it impossible to keep him from maintaining a wall between him and a very unstable Shade assassin.

“Release Gaelan and join with us. Together we can free her – and you – from bondage.”

Sensing the time was right; Esmirée attempted something she had never been able to do before. Somehow, without understanding why, she knew it would work.

Katil, we are the superior beings, remember? Are we not meant to be more than these human’s puppets? We were once a proud and united race. But now, we are no more than slaves for men to abuse at will; to be tossed aside like rotting garbage when our services are no longer needed. And for what? Money? Profit? Whose? Not mine. Not yours. They say we work for the greater good, but all we are to them is some kind of weapon: only used to destroy, never to protect. I’m tired of having my strings yanked and pulled in every direction. I want my life back. And I swear to the gods that made me, I will never be anyone’s plaything ever again!

There was no way of knowing if her message had been received – or how well. It was a dangerous gamble, as it had taken most of her concentration and strength in order to reach his mind. Katil was silent in more ways than one. Neither Esmirée nor Gaelan could read him. Not until he met her gaze could she see he had made his decision. Lowering her head, she did something Gaelan thought he would never live to see. Slowly, and without ever looking up, Esmirée knelt before the Shadow wraith her hands raised, palms up, offering.

Esmi, you can’t.

It’s our only hope.

No! There has to be another way!

Trust me. I know what I’m doing.

“You know what you are offering is permanent. There is no turning back once I begin.”

Esmirée could only nod. The trembling in her hands was barely perceptible as Katil grasped them in his own. Pulling her up into his arms, He looked down upon the Soul wraith with a mixture of emotions. Never before had anyone offered themselves so willingly; not like this.

“Look at me little one, and accept your fate.”

Raising her head, she met his eyes and knew at that point, there was no turning back. Lowering his face, he hesitated briefly before touching his lips to hers. Gently, he parted them with his tongue, and waited for her submission.

They remained there, in that position, lips barely touching, their breaths becoming longer and deeper. Darkness enveloped Esmirée’s every sense. Soon, nothing existed but the power of his mind in hers. Thoughts raced, entwined, and brought about a hunger she had never experienced before. Observing from his chair, Gaelan’s face betrayed a horror he could never have imagined. Unable to look away, he watched his beloved Esmi disappear into Katil’s embrace.

The merging had begun.
.

© 2008 J.C. Montgomery

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Tags:

fiction, wraith, shards_of_hope and journals_of_the_realm