“Seth.” I uttered his name, testing it from my lips as the name of my new saviour. I had no clue as to whom either of these men were or more importantly what they wanted with me but I knew one thing…now wasn’t going to be the time to find out. So I stuck to my original plan and that was to get the hell out of this freakish masquerade.
I looked around trying to make my way out of this labyrinth of bodies and looked up at the giant tower that stood next to the Cathedral. I remembered it from when I came in so I started to make my way across the square and as far from that wannabe kidnapper as I could get. I didn’t actually know how I hadn’t yet crumpled to the floor in a mess of mixed emotions, I just knew that I couldn’t yet afford to. So instead I did the only thing that I could do and that was to keep running.
It seemed like a small eternity when I finally broke free of the crowd and I felt as though I could finally breathe for the first time. By this time my hair was half tumbling down and my beautiful dress had torn in a few places. I had no idea where I was going but one rarely did when they didn’t even have a destination in mind.
I wanted to scream at the sky in frustration but I think I had caused quite enough of a scene since the chase began. In fact I knew I needed to act quickly before Draven caught up with me, shields or no shields. But this thought quickly had me thinking back to the power that affected me just at the right moment, one that obviously had something to do with Seth. So if this was the case then how could he have broken through when someone as powerful at Draven couldn’t?
I shook my head knowing now was not the time to bombard myself with more questions I wouldn’t be finding the answers to anytime soon. So with this in mind I walked quickly along, still looking over my shoulder but at least finding it easier now I was away from the main event. I looked around and saw a massive building on my left that had an Arabian palace look to it, with its elaborate arches and a long row of columns holding up a pathway you could walk under. Above this were the same miniature arches that made up a balcony that was lit and would have made a great view to see the party from.
I decided it was smarter to walk under the balcony than being out in the open, so I started heading left without really looking where I was going.
“Look out!” I heard being yelled but as I turned I knew it would be too late as I saw what looked like giant mechanical demonic horses charging my way. In the split second before they would have ploughed straight into me, no doubt killing me instantly, I thought about Draven and him finding me this way. It was a morbid thought but one driven solely by guilt for running. But more so for realising that my last act on this earth would in fact be my broken promise to the man I loved.
I closed my eyes tight and waited for the impact but holding on to the image of Draven when we danced together.
“My salvation” I said then felt myself being held tight by what felt like many arms and I started to float away. It seemed like time was slowing down and I wondered if this was what really happened when you died? Was this the other side’s way of giving you that last shred of time before taking everything you have ever known from you. Was it like the last supper for a man on death row before going to Hell or like relishing the last touch from a loved one before reaching Heaven?
“Lille øjesten?” I frowned when I heard this thinking it an odd thing to hear when first making it to the other side. Was my mind playing tricks on me? Well there was only one way to find out for sure and that was to brave opening my eyes.
“Ragnar?” I said looking down and screamed when I saw what looked like a smoky serpent wrapped tight around my body, wound round and round until its face was just in front of my own.
“Uh! And that’s the thanks I get!” I heard that gruff pissed off voice and the sound filled me which pure bliss.
“Sigurd!” I shouted no longer frightened of his manifested powers and I spun round to throw myself at his huge bulk as his serpent evaporated. I then hugged him and gripped onto his hooded jacket as my arms wouldn’t meet in the middle of his back. I felt him hold me back and I took a moment to bask in the knowledge of feeling safe for the first time since I ran from Draven.
I heard him breathe me in as if it was a secret he needed to feed with just the scent of me. I held on and silently let him keep his secret for instead he gave me something else in return.
And this particular something was the meaning to a name that touched my heart and made me family…
“Hello, my little Apple.”
Chapter 34
Running from the Truth.
It was the first time I had heard him call me what Lille øjesten actually meant and it warmed my heart.