Stolen Soul

 

      The house was silent as Alexiana walked through the hallway. A thunderstorm raged outside, illuminating the dark house as she aimlessly wandered. As she ascended the stairs, creaking filled her ears. She paused, looking around, and then continued. Once in her room, she walked to the window and watched the sky. The lightning flashed against her brilliant blue eyes, making them sparkle.

      “Alexiana...” a voice whispered.

      She quickly turned to find a man standing in the doorway. The lightning flashed, giving light for her to see him. He had shaggy silver hair, dripping from the rain, and his eyes were a familiar yellow. His skin was the same ivory color as her own and his smile matched her own. He reached out a hand for her and she ran into his arms.

      “Dad...!” she cried out.

      Her father laughed and held her as she took in his sent. Fire. He smelt like a match that had just been lit, and Alexiana loved it. She looked up into his yellow eyes and paused. Something about them seemed recent but she didn't know what.

      “Lexia,” he placed his hand under her chin, “There's no time fore delay.”

      She looked at him, confused, “Delay...? Dad, are you okay? You sound...scared...”

He looked out the window as more lightning struck, then back to his daughter. He knelt before her and held her close to him.

      “Listen carefully, darling,” he whispered in her ear, “When the man with the hat returns...run. Do you know what I'm talking about?”

      Images of that man of her past flashed before her. She remember him standing in the cemetery with her, and how the yellow canary seemed frantic while it chirped. His smile sent a chill down her spine as she recalled that day. She nodded to her father, fear taking over her heart.

      “He's dangerous. Please be careful, Lexia,” her father stood and headed for the door.

      She jumped up, her arm reaching out, “Wait!”

      With a flash of lightning he was gone and she was left alone again. A million questions swam around in her head and she lost her balance, hitting the floor. Run, her father's voice pleaded in her mind. Run...

 

* * *

 

      Alexiana woke with a start. Lightning from outside illuminated her dark room as she sat there, breathless. A figure laid beside her under the blue blankets, still sleeping. Nikolae... Rising to her feet, Alexiana went downstairs. The clock in her kitchen said it was almost noon, but the darkness outside could have fooled her. The rain echoed around the house as she walked aimlessly.

      “Alexiana...” a voice whispered out.

      She turned, hope in her eyes, “Dad...?”

      Nikolae stood before her, confusion written on his face. The hope left her eyes as he walked over to her. The storm roared outside, and Alexiana sighed.

      “Are you okay? I woke up and you weren't there...” he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, “You had me worried.”

      She leaned into his warmth, forgetting all the questions in her head. Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to cry in front of him. Cry when you're alone, she thought to herself.

      “Sorry, I...was restless...” she whispered, taking in the scent of cinnamon and vanilla.

      Nikolae stroked her blond hair gently and began humming. The tune reached her ears and she closed her eyes. The rhythm came to her, and she hummed with him. My lullaby... She had taught this song to him before he left. Saphire would always hum it and Alexiana found herself missing her cousin now. Nikolae held her for what seemed to be forever. Everything was so peaceful...

 

      “Well isn't this touching,” a voice cooed from the darkness.

      Nikolae stiffened, his eyes searching frantically. Alexiana turned in his arms, her eyes searching as well.

      “You never learn to leave things alone, do you?” a man sighed.

      Five figure emerged before them from the shadows. The small crowd stood before them, smiles on their faces. Sinners... The tallest man stared right at her and smirked, his white eyes freezing her. Cypris, she thought. Nikolae removed his arms from around her and stood in front of her, ready for an attack. One woman advanced, her shifting hair catching Alexiana's attention.

      “Look at her,” she smiled, “No wonder Vlad has taken a liking to her.”

      Nikolae growled, “Get away from her, Linix.”

      Alexiana stared into the woman's blind eyes, knowing they could see more than they made people believe. Linix stared at Nikolae with a frown on her perfect face.

      “You ruin all my fun,” she pouted.

      Cypris walked over to her and snorted, “The girl isn't anything special. She's weak; frail. I could crush her in a second if I wanted to.”

      “But you won't,” a figure stood behind him, his yellow eyes glaring.

      Aurellius, Alexiana stepped back. His silver hair fell slightly over his eyes as he looked her way and smiled. Nikolae grabbed her hand and raced for the door, dragging her along. A tall man with purple eyes stepped in their way and smiled.

      “Severen...” Nikolae whispered as he silently cursed to himself.

      A woman advanced to his side, her beady eyes glaring at Alexiana. The woman's sleek, black hair swayed at her hips as she walked to Alexiana and Nikolae. She licked her blood red lips, flashing her fangs in the girl's direction.

      “Where do you think you're taking her?” she asked, running a nail along his face.

      Alexiana jumped in front of him and pushed the woman, “Don't touch him!”

      Her body froze as the woman glared. Severen placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her from lunging. The other sinners surrounded them, and Alexiana ran to Nikolae's side.

      “Someraella, don't mess with them,” Aurellius scolded the woman.

      “Yeah,” Linix snickered, “Our mission is to snatch the girl and harm no one.”

 

      Nikolae growled, anger running through his whole body. The Sinners stood around them, talking of taking the one person who over the countless years of being in the dark had brought him back to the light. Because of Alexiana, Nikolae wasn't alone, and he refused to lose that. He picked her up and dashed through the demons, running for the back door, but Aurellius stopped him.

      “Say goodbye,” he said, taking Alexiana's frail body from him.

      Nikolae tried to swing a punch at the demon, but Cypris caught his fist. The front door opened and rain swept into the house. A figure stood in the doorway, her golden eyes in shock. Saphire. Before Alexiana could warn her cousin, Someraella and Severen lunged at her. She dodged them and swung her foot for the woman's face, connecting instead with her arm as it blocked her face. As they were fighting, Nikolae struggled against Cypris's grasp.

      “Why are you doing this?” Alexiana's voice chimed in Aurellius's ear.

       He looked to her blue eyes. The world seem to stop spinning as he stared into the portal of her soul. Those eyes showed him all the pain she holds, yet also showed him her hope; it was as warm as a thousand suns, making him wince.

      “It's time,” he whispered and took off into the night.

      Nikolae broke free of the Sinner and ran to the door, “Lexia!”