The missing piece of my soul
That piece you took with you
Nicholas didn’t want to move. He knew everything was about to crumble around him, and he wanted that stolen moment to last forever. His time with Martyna, grabbed away from death’s hands. She wasn’t angry with him. She loved him still, even after death. The realisation made him cry tears of relief and regret.
He had no idea it was going to happen. He hadn’t planned any of this. He didn’t know that Martyna’s spirit was there, trapped inside the house they used to share; that his spells, designed to keep every living being out, had trapped her inside. He didn’t know she’d come to him one last time.
If only he could stay there. Forget about the world outside, shed his body, live with Martyna’s spirit in eternal twilight. How could this have happened? Her spirit was here all along, and he never knew. He’d never been back in the home they shared, and she couldn’t leave. He’d always longed for life, real, human life – but now that he’d discovered that Martyna’s spirit had survived, that she didn’t hate him, that she longed for him, everything had changed.
But at the same time, nothing had changed. There was still no tomorrow for him. His father would not leave him alone, whether he was a warm body or a wandering spirit.
He folded Elodie’s body against his. Was it still hosting Martyna’s spirit? “Martyna,” he whispered. She was soft and warm, and he placed a kiss on her forehead and stroked her face, her hair. A wave of guilt overcame him. They’d used Elodie, him and Martyna. And still, it was Elodie’s body he’d held.
Nicholas.
A sudden bout of pain made him double over, and Elodie sighed softly in his arms. Nicholas, his father insisted. You’ll speak to me now.
Sick with the pain throbbing in his mind, Nicholas released Elodie. She stirred, then turned over and took another deep sigh. He got up slowly. It took a moment for him to steady himself. He felt for his clothes and slipped them on, and then he stepped out of the room. He knew the house like the back of his hand, and had no problems walking down the corridor, one hand against the wall, and down the stony steps.
Nicholas. It is nearly time.
“I know. I know.”
There will be blood now.
Nicholas felt his legs give way.
“There is no need . . .”
Do you want to spare them? Do you want me to find a place for them in the new order, when we take over the human world?
Nicholas forced himself to steady his voice. He knew it was a trap. His father had never showed mercy. He was testing him.
“No. I want them all dead.”
Good. You are making me proud once more, Nicholas.
“That’s all I want, Father . . .”
Right at that moment, something pierced his mind, a silent scream resounding in his head only. A call for help.
“Elodie,” he breathed.
His father was a man of his word.