Dwindling Petals

 

      Nikolae stood upon the shore holding a dozen white roses. Next to the cave was a headstone and he stared at it, his body shaking. I was too late, he thought as a single tear was shed.

      “Alexiana,” his voice was a mere whisper, “I was too late...I'm so sorry.”

      He knelt before her grave, placing the flowers down, as he recalled the events of the day before.

* * *

      Nikolae ran across the shore. Looking over the cave he saw a man standing there, holding a girl to his body. Alexiana, his mind screamed. He began to scale the side of the cave as the wind grew strong. Don't die yet, he pleaded to himself. As he reached the top, he watched as she was thrown over the edge.

      “Lexia!” he screamed, running towards the edge.

      Vladimir watched as Nikolae jumped after her. As his body plunged into the water, he knew he was too late. Alexiana's body was limp as she sunk farther into the sea. Nikolae swam down to her and took her hand. It felt so cold in his own as he broke to the surface, gasping for breath. Carrying her body to the shore, he passed by his uncle who was standing there waiting.

      “Thank you,” Vladimir smiled, “You made retrieving her body that much easier.”

      Nikolae ignored him and placed Alexiana's lifeless body on the sand. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the crushed white roses that Amethyst had dropped. The petals fell from his hand and landed on Alexiana. She looks so peaceful, he thought. A hand clasped on his shoulder, but he never took his hazel eyes off of her.

      “Nephew,” Vladimir whispered, “Are you ready for your immortality?”

      Nikolae nodded, silently crying as the wind swept away Alexiana's roses. Oh Lexia...

      Vladimir hugged onto him and smiled, “From this day on you are no longer Nikolae the weak human; you are Scorpius the Sinner's son.”

      “Scorpius...” Nikolae let the name rest upon his lips.

      Walking away Vladimir called out, “Embrace your inner demon...”

 

* * *

 

      Amethyst sat in Alexiana's room, staring into the cracked mirror. The house had been so empty since the Sinners stole her sister away. She spent her days sleeping in her sister's room. It would be a long wait until she could hold her sister once more, and she refused to move from Alexiana's room until then.

      “Oh, Lexia...” she sighed, staring at her reflection, “I miss you...”

* * *

      Saphire walked down the road leading away from her cousin's village. Se knew Alexiana wouldn't be coming back, or at least not with the same name. Amethyst didn't want Saphire around, she couldn't deal with the pain, and so Saphire left. Walking for her own home village, she looked to the twilight sky. Alexiana...she thought to herself, We will meet again...

* * *

      Aurellius sat upon the roof of the Sinner's hideout, staring into the pinkish sky. He was awaiting Vladimir's return. Footsteps approached him and he was joined by a beautiful woman with rainbow hair and blind eyes.

      “Thinking of that girl?” her musical voice asked.

      He turned to the woman with tan skin and smiled, “Yeah...she's something, isn't she, Linix?”

      Linix smiled back and looked the the sky, “She is...she can make you see things in a whole new way...she's a dangerous one. We best be careful.”

      “Yeah...” Aurellius agreed.