Pandora's Box

There was a scream but I wasn’t focused on anything as the blood dripped over my face, some if dripping into my eyes, my eye watering. The ground beneath me felt as though it was tilting or maybe it was me. My breath shuddered through me as I stared at my trembling fingers-stained crimson. Such a stark colour against my pale skin. I could barely take my eyes from it, almost hypnotic, stunned, confused, my lungs rattled in my chest as it grew heady. My eyes trailed upwards, hand still holding up before my eyes shaking, as my eyes met Warren’s gaze which bore a flicker of horror and shock before it was suddenly gone in a vibrant burst of red.

I wasn’t sure I was moving but as I watched Warren fall apart before my very eyes, I felt as though I was falling as I watched him fall like puppet with no strings into the knee-deep water with a heavy splash that was the only sound that resonated in my mind. Like an echo that imploded in the chamber. I was underwater and I heard the splash from far below the surface and I could everything around me, slow, muted, a buzzing hum that was moving faster and growing louder as milliseconds passed. The water was turning red... There was so much red.

Oh...No... No... So much red... No, no, no! Not him! NO! NOT HIM!

The humming grew louder as I approached the surface, a non-stop echo that made my throat burn and my lungs and heart rattle frantically from its sudden stillness, the desolation falling around me.

A scream.

I was screaming. Other voices were screaming.

“PANDORA! GET BACK!” My body moved as though I was being controlled by another force.

“PANDORA!”

WARREN! A broken scream rasped through my mouth as the world seemed to tilt in confusion and I could barely step back from the edge to avoid the view of Warren’s...

“PANDORA! STRAIGHTEN UP ALREADY!”

Stumbling back in horror, my eyes drew up to the figure standing behind where Warren had just been standing. With a smooth flick of their curved bronze sword, splatters of blood flickered off as they smoothly drew off their black jacket and Father Marios gasped, pulling me back, arm broached around me.

“No... not her...” He breathed as though in a prayer, the blood draining from his already sickly pallor.

“Wh-who is she...” Father Marios turned terror-stricken eyes on me before turning to the figure standing before us.

“Empousa!”

The woman threw off the black jacket which I realized vaguely was the one worn from my kidnapper, revealing a strange but terrifyingly stunning woman. Her hair fell down her back like a bright waterfall of blood, irises burned a fresh coating of blood much like her lips, which all stood out starkly against her snow-white skin. She smoothly, rolled her sword in hand as she stepped closer, her legs looked completely different from the other beneath her pants. Her eyes glimmered a volatile glimmer as she stared at me coolly.

“She is one of the children of Hecate! A lamiai of sorts!” Father Marios rasped, shaking badly. “You have no chance now! You must get out of here!” I stared at the lamiai, stunned and still feeling the enveloping shock residing in me like claws.

Empousa, watching me with unblinking eyes, tilted her head slightly and the corner of her lip twitched.

Red.

I saw red. Red dripping into my eye but I saw a flicker more of it.

Like ice burned away by a flaming torch, the shock disappeared and having a mere second moment of memory, with a cry of fury, I bent down grabbing a couple of rocks the size of my hand and hurling them at Empousa, aiming for her head as I cried in fury. The demon deftly moved, her sword swinging out, easily swiping away my rocks thrown at her head. The nuns were screaming, begging to be freed but there was a fury all around me as I reached for anything but Marios wrapped his arms around me, pulling me away as Empousa sauntered forward, legs bending slightly. “GET BACK!” He roared as Empousa suddenly launched herself up to where we all stood, sword raised, coming straight for our heads. Marios pulled me away as Empousa’s sword grated down through rock and steel chains, the nuns screaming bloody fury and panic. Empousa swung her sword swiftly at us, cutting sideways but barely missed my throat as I was shoved back and Father Marios smoothly stepped in, deflecting the sword away and slamming an elbow against her collar. Obviously caught but barely fazed, she struck back, throwing a sharp right hook against his face, throwing him back. I jumped off the stones, landing in the water as Marios rolled to his feet beside me, pushing me back as Empousa jumped off the steps towards us. Marios swung upwards, using one of Warren’s knives he had quickly scampered through the water for.

“Pandora! You need to get the others-” He was cut off as Empousa twisted forcefully, her sword cutting for his neck but he barely evaded, stumbling back against the wall. She swung around to me, eyes blazing with a cool delight. I stumbled back, preparing myself to jump or start running in any direction I had to. She swung, cutting right and I barely jumped, stumbling through the thick high-rise water.

With a shout, Marios jumped off the stone steps, arm cutting downwards as Empousa barely caught his attack, steel clanging loudly together as they fought, weapons matching evenly. As they shuffled closer, I stumbled back, preparing to run back up the other side for the nuns but my legs caught something heavy and I fell over, partially landing on something with a thump. With a gasp, spitting out water and sitting up I found my legs hooked over-

My stomach convulsed and a strangled cry escaped me as I twisted away only to see Warren’s head-

Clapping a hand over my mouth as I crawl back frantically, pushing myself up from the water unable to look at him right now. Not like this. I hopped through the water, as I listened to the sounds of battling behind me and the heavy wheezy gasps from the exhausted Priest as he struggled to keep up with Empousa. I was halfway up when I glanced back and faltered. Empousa had Marios kneeling, her arm wrapped tightly around his neck as she squeezed. Without thinking, heart thundering wildly in my chest and the anger burning through me like fuel, I turned back, leaping straight off the step and straight onto Empousa from behind. It was a regrettable decision; I might regret if I make it out of here as I could already feel the throb and ache but Empousa’s grip released as the three of us crashed into the water. I wrapped both my arms tightly around her neck, hooking my leg around her as I tried to apply the same weight she did before.

“How do you like it, skýla!?” I hissed. She stumbles to her feet, snarling quietly as she reached for me but I used my body to make her lose balance so she could only keep her hands against my arms strangling around her neck. She threw her elbow back, catching my side but through gritted teeth, a throbbing side and eyes watering, I barely managed to hold on. She stumbles back, writhing and snarling at me and suddenly backs up fast, leaning forward suddenly. Losing my balance and tilted upwards, I feel her grab my shirt and hair and wrench me straight over her shoulder and onto the floor. Spewing out water, body aching and heart stuttering painfully like my breathing was becoming, I sat up slowly, staring at my upcoming death with eyes of blood.

She stares at me without expression, weapon less but uncaring and unfazed from my attack. Father Marios was breathing heavily from where he sat against the rocks, bloodied and wrecked further. Eying him coolly, dismissing me as no threat anymore, she smoothly kneels down, reaching for something in the water and without hesitating, I lash out with my foot catching her wrist, knocking her back. Rolling to my feet, I run straight for her, throwing myself against her, crashing us both backwards onto the shallow water. I felt her head slam back on the floor with a crack but she barely fazed out of it. Snarling in fury and disgust, she slams her head upwards, knocking against my chin. I jump off her quickly as she rolls to her feet. I try to kick out for her while she was getting to her feet but she catches my foot in her palm and shoves me back. I stumble back, trying to catch my footing and she lunges forward, fast and feline. She slams against my stomach. I hit the wall hard against my back, gasping in pain but twist out of the way as her foot strikes out, slamming against the wall, leaving a crack in the wall.

My stomach rolls.

I sway heavily on my aching feet and legs while she stands there calmly, very slight cool amusement gracing her passive face. She swings out for with her fingers curled in sharp claws and I try to catch her arm, pulling her forward so she slams into the wall as I did. I barely had time to react as soon as she hit the wall, her lips split into a smirk and her foot raised up, hitting against my abdomen and shoved me right back. I felt myself stumble or fly back briefly until something wound thick and heavy around my neck under my chin.

No! No, not these-They should be-

I gasp for air as it was growing fainter and fainter and my feet couldn’t touch the floor or water anymore.

“A feisty, puny little pest.” The head ogre sneered down at me, jaws widening as he sneered down at me. His eye was swollen and bloodied and the murky yellow was reddening grotesquely. His stump was still dripping blood but it didn’t seem to faze him right now. “I’m going to enjoy tearing your arm off.” He licked his lips as I struggled against his arm. I clawed his forearm, gasping for air as my legs kicked out and backwards trying to hit anything. I heard Father Marios yelling my name and felt the ogre turn around as the other two ogres stumbled into place, looking just as wrecked as Marios did. Empousa stood with a chilling expression at all of us, rolling her neck as she cracked it before throwing me a chilling smirk. Glaring at her, I spat in her direction, cursing her loudly.

“Such fire.” The ogre sneers at me, leaning down in closer, his hot rancid breath making me gag.

“Gamó ólous! O Máin Chants tha se ríxei sto Tártaro!” I gasp, wrestling against his arm in vain, panting heavily. “I wouldn’t tell you shit even if I knew it!”

“Start with the priest.” The ogre snarled at the others, cackling darkly. “It’ll be fun to finally make him sing.” Father Marios stumbled back, face falling in horror and despair but he looked at me with desperation and understanding.

“No, no, no!” I rasped, squealing in fury and despair. “No, no more!” Empousa pulled her sword out of the water, rising swiftly and holding her weapon end straight at his throat. My blood ran cold, stomach swirling in despair and agony swept over me. No more, no more death, please! I screamed internally and loudly-

There was a loud crackle in the chamber that echoed loudly. Like thunder it thundered in our ears making my ears cringe from the sudden rolling energy that surged within the room. The grip around my neck neither loosened or tightened but the ogre faltered as the room crackled with invisible energy but there was a rolling wind out of nowhere that was fluttering my hair lightly but growing in strength. And the water...

“What the fuck-”

The wind was picking up, like a sightless tornado, the water was roiling like the ocean, the wind growing stronger and stronger, I could feel the ogre faltering his grip on me as the water pulled at his legs. I stared in disbelief as the circling water, which had pulled Warren’s body in the midst of it, he disappeared beneath the rising cyclone of water as it was pulled up by the fury of wind and water. My hair flew crazily around my face, blocking my view partially and I could hear shouts from others.

“What the fuck is this!?” The ogres grabbed Marios shoving back against the wall as they unsheathed their weapons and Empousa stood coolly on the stones, her hair whipping around her like bloody entrails. The water rose up ceiling high, the wind pulling it viciously as lightning crackled in the air and inside the cyclone of water. The water, a living cacophony of energy and fury, accentuated by the suddenly red crackles of light lighting up within. My heart thundered wildly in my chest, a faint flicker of hope in the thundering, stormy wind. A shadow flickered within the glowering red and blue water, cracks of lightning snapping within ominously. My heart jumps to my throat, the arm around my neck trembles slightly.

Is that...

The roaring wind and water and thunder rumbling around us grew louder and louder and the ogre snarled above me.

“Ready yourselves! This bastard-”

With a thunderous crash, the water exploded outwards in a burst of whipping strands that whipped against my face and body, stinging me. Eyes that beamed a terrifying crimson glower, stood out amongst the wicked murky blue and green and I felt the grip on my neck loosen as I was thrown aside as the ogre roared in fury. I crashed into the water, quickly crawling aside as I turned around as a shadowy figure burst through the explosion of foam and water. There was a clash of steel and fury of snarls as the ogres leaped forward straight for him, weapons raised and striking forwards. My breathing grew heavy as I watched in horror but he shifted easily aside, deftly avoiding each strike with his own strike back. He grabbed one of the smaller ogres by the neck, hauling him, he threw him back into the larger ogre and they went crashing backwards. While momentarily distracted by the third ogre, a crimson fiend casually stalked behind him.

Oh hell no!

I leaped to my feet and finding a piece of broken pipe, I ran at her, swinging the pipe against the side of her head as she raised her sword again. The pipe crashed against her head, knocking her aside with a heavy grunt and I swung the pipe against her again catching her shoulder. She stumbled sideways, but quickly moved aside as I swung against her again, catching the pipe in her hand mid-swing and wrenching it from my grasp and slammed the back of her sword hand against my face. I stumbled back, eyes watering from the throbbing, stinging ache in my jaw. Just as she stepped for me, she was yanked back harshly, her head snapping backwards harshly as she snarled in fury as Warren pulled her hair. She stepped back swinging her sword downwards for his legs. He twisted aside, grabbing her wrist, twisting it up behind her back and still holding the back of her head, threw her against the wall, slamming her face first into the wall. She collapsed to her knees, shaking her head, eyes bleary and her nose bleeding heavily but she smirked coolly. The ogre swung for War who swiftly stepped aside, standing in front of me, catching the ogre’s wrist as he swung again. War held the ogre easily in place as the creature trembled trying to push against Warren, who smirked a wicked smirk, his eyes glowering like red embers.

“You want to fight a war.” Warren spoke softly but his voice was clear enough as the ogre snarled at him and I stared in horror as the ogre pressed in further. “You’re alone in this fight. Your brothers leave you to fight alone. Bring them war.” I watched in stunned horror and fascination as the ogres’ eyes suddenly glazed over hypnotically before turning back to the normal yellow, milky film but his eyes darkened with fury as he slowly pulled away from Warren, stepping back and turning his back to Warren as he stalked towards his brothers.

“What-” Warren turned to me with his glowering eyes and I felt my body tense instinctively.

“Go help the others, Pandora. I got this.” He smiled darkly. Nodding shakily, I hurried past him climbing up the rocks to where Marios was freeing the other nuns. There were shouts from below and looking over in the middle of the chamber, the ogre who had walked from Warren was now fighting the other two ogres, its eyes glazed but focused.

It was fighting against them! Warren, did he-

“We need to go now! We’ve been here long enough!” Marios shouted and snapping back to him, I grabbed the keys, freeing the other nuns until they were all released. With several cries of relief, they all started running down the stone steps. Warren distracting Empousa as he fought against her, using only arms and legs to fight as her sword was nowhere in sight anymore. We ran for the end of the chamber, to freedom and looking back as Warren was now facing Empousa and two ogres now the other one was laying face down in the water.

“WARREN! We need to go!” I shout at him but he barely glances back, standing between freedom and the enemy. Empousa lunged from his side, grasping his head as though ready to snap his neck and the other two ogres lunged from all other directions. “WARREN!” Warren suddenly threw himself forward, throwing Empousa off his back and straight into one ogre, leaving the larger ogre an opening to slam into him from the side. Warren was slammed against the wall, nails dug into his neck as Warren slammed his fists into the ogre and I didn’t think. Running back at them, I held the knife still in my possession and stepping off a rock I landed on the ogres back, wrapping my arm around its neck and with my knife slammed it down into the back of his neck where his shoulder met. He snarled, releasing Warren as he reached up for me. I slammed down my knife over and over, as it grabbed my arm around its neck as Warren moved to stop him. I felt my arm being yanked away from its neck and thrown back over its shoulder.

I was sure I would hit the stone floor but I felt something catch me, my vision spinning as Warren pulled me aside, crouched over me as the ogre shadowed over us. Warren got its clenched fist as it streamed down at us with a loud smack. Warren’s arm trembled only faintly as he smirked coolly.

“Give them war.” Warren hissed quietly, and before my eyes the head ogres’ eyes glazed over like the others had before turning back to its usual colour. It stumbled away, shaking its head almost confused but when it saw Empousa and the other ogre its features turned twisted and snarling as it let out a snarling roar and charged for them. It leaped at them, forcing them back, swinging its arm for them, eager to tear them apart.

“How-How did you-”

“We need to go now!” Warren pulled me quickly with him and holding my hand in his, started running for the entrance. We ran down the tunnel, hearing Father Marios shouting at us, we saw him further ahead waving at us.

“Hurry up! We’re almost there!”

Warren pulled me along as we followed the nuns and Marios through the small opening of rocks, collapsing into a heap on the dirtied floor. My heart was sore and tired as was the rest of my body and it was a struggle to just even back up to my feet but I had no choice. Warren gripped my hand in his, eyes still burning a fury of crimson as he started running down the tunnel. A sudden snarl behind us had me faltering and Warren barely pulled me aside as something slammed into me from behind. Warren fell on his side, snarling as Empousa gripped my collar, shoving me aside. My head hit something with a slight crack and the lights went right out in my sight. I could hear the muted voices and sounds around me but the throb in my head made it hard to concentrate on anything other than the throbbing ache.

I’m so tired.

Gasping, a pained moan escaping me as I opened my bleary eyes where a flurry of red moved swiftly. Warren snarled, eyes burning like a beacon in the dark as he slammed his elbow into Empousa’s collar, spinning around to catch the back of his shin against her shoulder, slamming her back on the rocky ground. My eyes hurt watching, too much light. My eyelids felt heavy and tired. My body just wanted to melt into the floor. My eyelids grew heavier and heavier, each image changing. I need to help...I need to get up...and help.

“Pan...Pandora...”

I felt as though I was floating, my body felt more relaxed than it had for what felt like centuries. Twin beams of crimson stared down at me but I felt anything but terror. I felt safe despite the colour of war and bloodshed staring down at me. There were shouts from around again but I could feel the exhaustion and darkness pull me down.

“You’re going to be okay, princess.”

I got you.

I felt both comfortable and very uncomfortable if that was possible. There were some quiet beeps echoing over and over like a distant hum and feeling myself rise out from the slew of dreamlike darkness, my conscious waking, I could hear a hum of voices. My vision was dark but there was an uncomfortably bright light still coming through the dark and making my eyes water.

There was a quiet groan as I grimaced in discomfort, straining to open my eyes, flinching as the light grew brighter.

“Too bright?”

That voice...

“Yes...” My voice was barely there just a breath of air but Warren must’ve heard it because the light dimmed to a more comfortable level. I sigh in relief, my eyes slowly cracking open, still bleary but they slowly adjusted to the slightly dimmed room. The shape of someone standing over me grew less blurry, the dark mop of curls becoming clearer, a face cut like marble into perfection, autumn fall eyes staring down at me crinkled softly as they glimmered gently. A soft smirk graced his face.

“There she is.” He chuckled. “Welcome back, princess.” I groan, rolling my eyes but that wasn’t a good idea as a dull throb followed and barely able to raise my hand to rub my bleary eyes. The more I woke, the more my body did, which wasn’t feeling so great.

“Am I dead?” Warren snorts.

“If this was heaven or hell, I wouldn’t be here.” I frown slightly, peeking up at him through my hand.

“I doubt that very much.” I mutter and he lets out a laugh and he sits back in the chair beside me. I realize I’m in a bed, draped over with a white blanket, dressed in a crinkly white gown and there was a slight chill around me. My nose uncomfortable, as though something was placed over it and the room we were in was pale blue with strange blocky machines all around that beeped and had a lot of plastic thin tubes running all around and some stuck on my arms-

In my arms!

Panicked, I reached for the plastic stuck to my arms.

“No. No, you don’t!” Warren grabbed my hands before I could pull them out, standing back over me as my breathing grew heavy. “Hey, hey, it’s okay. You’re in a hospital. You’re safe.”

“But these things-”

“Just fluids and medication. They put it in through your veins, in your arms to help you recover. You can’t eat while you’re unconscious and you’re hurt. You’ll be feeling it soon.” Shifting uncomfortably as I glance around, almost afraid of someone to suddenly appear but Warren tightened his grip on my hands. “I promise Pan. You’re okay. We got out.”

We got out. We. We did? We did!

The beeping that echoed rapidly suddenly quietened down like it was meeting my own relaxing heart and I glanced at up at the machine where a green and blue line bounced rhythmically. “That monitors your heart.” I turned back to Warren confused and he smiled faintly. “It’s attached to your chest, makes sure your heart is beating normally. So, you’re calming down I can tell and that’s good.”

Oh, dear lord.

“We got out?” I rasp, feeling my lungs ache a little.

“Everyone?” Warren smiled softly as he sat back down, pulling his chair closer.

“Everyone did, yes. Everyone’s okay. You’re okay as well, thank god.” He breathed, resting his chin on forearms as he crossed his arms over the metal bars alongside my bed.

“I’m okay. I feel okay...” He raised a brow in disbelief and fluster at his scrutiny. “Okay, I’m feeling a little achy and sore but I’m not in dire straits, right?”

“No, you’re not. But you’re gonna need to take it easy for a bit. You got a cracked rib. A concussion and a handful of bruises that were difficult to explain.” Warren smiled widely. “You’re a fighter. I’d gathered that already but still, you got your battle marks.” My lips split in grin as I laugh softly. “Just, no more battle marks please. Watching you jump in to defend, while I wanted to cry that you would do such a thing for me,” I rolled my eyes as he mockingly wiped his eyes. “Don’t hurt yourself on my account. I can’t be defeated.” His smile softened, almost bitter and a flicker of something else as my smile fell slowly as memories, blurry but strong eclipsed the forefront of my mind. Blood...water...a storm...

“Y-You, how-what, how...” I licked my suddenly dry lips, shaking my head, my hand shaking as I pointed a finger at him accusingly. “You were killed! Sh-she cut...” My stomach rolled and I clapped a hand over my mouth as I felt sick remembering...“You were...”

“Briefly.” Warren murmured, eyes shadowing. “But I can’t be killed, Pan.”

“How?” He stared at me, his expression hesitant and he sighed heavily.

“I’m a product of War, Pan.” He shifted closer, fingers tapping against the metal bars. “And war is a product of violence, anger, amongst other things. As long as though such things exist, so does War. Therefore, I do too. I’m a harbinger of a natural human occurrence. Harbingers are immortal.”

Product of war. Never dying.

“So, you don’t...”

“I can be slain. But I come back.” He shook his head, eyes fading off distantly. “I haven’t had that happen to me for a long time. But all I remember was feeling fear and anger. God forbid, I took too long.” He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. “Again, I’m sorry for taking too long.”

“You have got to stop saying that.” I murmur, glancing at my hands. “I’m alive. The others are alive because you saved us and we both did it. That’s all that matters.” I looked up at War who stared at me with the same even gaze. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I smacked his arm in reach of mine, scowling at him and he breathed a laugh at me.

“Wasn’t sure what to say exactly.” He shrugged but I had a feeling he was citing it as something I would be afraid of. Maybe he was still waiting for me to be fearful of him but if only he realized that the fear was losing him in that moment.

“You stupid man...” I grumble, pinching his forearm. “You shouldn’t do that to me! Do you have any idea how angry...how upset...I mean…?”

“Pandora,” Blinking I look up at Warren and he softly smiles down at me as he takes my hand in his. “I’m here. I promise. And I’m not going anywhere right now, okay?” I nodded slowly, feeling a little frustrated when my eyes started to water and feeling somewhat relieved, I glanced away bashfully. Moments of silence continued until I finally spoke up another question.

“So, um, you can control them?” His lips twitched as he let out a slight chuckle.

“Not quite controlling them, but in a way, yes. I can only incite anger and violence.” His voice was tight, confining, as though weighed with a heavy thought. The realization hit me sharply like the twinge of pain that shot along my side.

“That’s why you think you’re responsible for all war and violence? You think you bring it when you speak.” He shrugged nonchalantly but his eyes were dark and distant.

“Hard to think any other way. Sure, I don’t think I’m wholly responsible but I have some part in it.”

“I don’t believe that, completely.” I grumble, shifting into a better position but another twinge rang through my right and I hissed a quick breath, eyes squeezing shut as the pain twanged even sharper.

“Breathe...that’s it.” Warren was standing over me, eyes filled with concern as he looked over me. “I should probably let someone know you’re awake.”

“Wait!” I gasp and he halted from reaching for something next to my pillow. “What happened after? When we escaped? Did you kill, Empousa?” His eyes narrowed faintly and he smirked bitterly.

“No. I didn’t get the chance. I almost did but she...” His expression darkened, a frown marring his face as I watched him confused.

“What is it?” Feeling apprehensive as I tried to sit up but he was shaking his head, and pushing me back down gently while I tried to argue and pressed a button on the thing next to my pillow.

“I’m not sure.” He murmured; his face marred as though lost in a million running thoughts but his expression smoothed back down. Shaking himself out of it much to my frustration, he turned to me with a too relaxed expression. “But no more talking about it now, Pan. Right now, you need to get better. Also, if anyone asks, we were in a car accident.” I blinked confused before understanding swept over and I groan exasperated.

“’Bout time I was in here for a car accident.” He let out a shocked laugh, relieving the tension in the room. The calm became unsettled when the door opened and a woman entered into the room, a soft smile on her face as she walked over to us.

“Hi there, honey. How we feeling?”

“Sore.” I mumble, glancing at War who kept his eye on the nurse and me.

“That’s okay. You’ll definitely be feeling it for a bit but you’re recovering quite well actually for someone who spun around in a car a few times. Almost a miracle actually.” Narrowing my eyes at Warren who only tightened his lips together, his shoulders casually rising and falling. The nurse started to play around with a bag of clear fluids attached to me through a thin plastic tube and my breathing grew heavy, eyes widening in terror. “This will help take some of the pain away-”

“Pan, it’s okay. I promise.” Warren reached over, taking my hand in his. “You just need to sleep a little and you’ll be out of here soon.”

“I don’t...want...sleep...” My voice grew slurred as I felt a heaviness pull me down but my panic and fear were still digging into me like wolf’s claws. “I don’t want...don’t go...I don’t like the dark...anymore.”

“It’ll be dark but you won’t be alone.” Warren hummed above me and I squint up at him, head rolling upwards, dazed and sleepily. His face softened at whatever he saw on my face or eyes and he leaned in close until his face was mere inches from mine. “There isn’t anything that could take me away, princess.” His eyes warm like his own fireplace, full of fire and stunning. He pressed his lips against my forehead, a flicker of energy running through me, briefly pushing the sleep aside and my heart stuttered inside my chest, echoed by the heart machine that beeped off pattern. Warren’s eyes flickered with amusement, his lips pulling into a crooked smirk as the sleep drew over me.

“Shut up.” I slur as sleep pulls me down under the surface. “...I’ll get that bloody poker again...”