The air chilled every bone in your body, as it penetrated your skin. A cold breeze did nothing to aid you in the matter. Snowflakes blew past your form, some getting caught in your (h/c) hair before melting slowly. You hugged the dark blue jacket that rested on your shoulders while your bare feet began to freeze in the snow that lay at your feet. Up ahead you could see a metal door. It was opened slightly, permitting you to see the darkness that waited behind the door. However, despite the ominous presence that surrounded the door, it led to a place warmer than the one you were in. Your freezing body needed that warmth and so you walked towards it, your feet leaving footprints in the snow below.

Leaving the wasteland of winter behind, you ventured into the darkness behind the door, hearing the door slam shut behind you. Though, once you stood in the darkness an ominous red light filled the space. Before you was a long hallway, its walls covered in long sheets of glass. Each wall mirrored the other, causing infinite reflections to occur. You couldn't see too far down the hallway, which worried you slightly. However, there was no turning back; you had crossed the point of no return.

Your thawing feet, walked on down the stone path, but as you walked on your feet sank into a strange substance. It felt sticky and smelled of iron. Hesitantly you looked down and recognized the liquid that flowed around your ankles. Blood in abundance hugged your ankles, threatening to consume more of your legs. A sickness washed over you, as the urge to run forward took over you. Thus you darted down the hallway, trying to not fall into the blood now resting on the floor. To your utter horror, blood started to run down the mirrored walls, sending cascades of the life giving substance down into the already large pool.

Turning your attention away from the bloody walls, you continued on your pursuit forwards, seeing something in the distance. A form stood still up ahead while the darkness made their characteristics indistinguishable. Something told you to turn back, but where would you go? You had no choice, but to go towards them. Upon reaching their position, the silhouette turned around slowly, facing you in the process. Large brown eyes gazed down at you while a knife glinted in the eerie red light. Fear took over you, causing you to step back in panic.

Wanting to run back the way you came, you slipped on the bloody floor, falling into the pool of blood. Becoming drenched in the liquid, you stared up wide eyed at the figure. Their face remained emotionless, as they neared you. Your eyes searched for a way to escape, but instead your attention landed on the reflecting walls. Shadowy figures stared at you, their faceless heads staring at you with no pity or remorse. Looking back in front of you, you saw the figure now standing over you. With no hesitation, they brought the blade down. You closed your eyes, waiting for the impact...

Bolting upright, your (e/c) eyes shot open, as fear seized your form. You found yourself back in your room at Lucian's mansion. The greyish-teal sheets rested on your form loosely, as you rested your forehead against the palm of your right hand. That dream had terrified you and you could feel the sweat on your brow. Trying to compose yourself, you glanced around your room, figuring that Lucian had brought you here after he had caused you to fall asleep. Seeing no one in the room around you, you got out of the bed and headed to the bathroom. A warm shower would do you good. Though, first you went into the closet and grabbed a simple v-neck crème colored dress, which had long lace sleeves and stopped right above your knees. After attaining some new undergarments as well and pair of creme colored slippers, you headed into the bathroom.

Finishing your relaxing shower and getting dressed, you went back into your room only to find the brown-haired doll standing there. Her grey eyes locked their gaze on you, as she approached you. She signaled you to follow her and you did so with no protest. The last thing you wanted was to be dragged again. You knew that the dolls would follow Lucian's orders and found it best not to resist them.

"My master ordered me to take you to dinner around eleven in the evening unless you were still sleeping. He won't be back for sometime."

Nodding in reply, you trailed behind the doll until you reached the dining room. She opened the door for you and followed you into the room. Heading to your usual seat, the doll told you that your meal will be out in a few moments. Thanking her, she walked off into the kitchen. Waiting in your chair, you stared out one of the large paned windows. Due to it being the evening, you couldn't see much outside of the windows. You could only make out the dark clouds due to the moon shining behind them, illuminating their grey hues. Your ears picked up the sound of a light rain. The sound relaxed you somewhat.

However, you couldn't prevent your mind from thinking about that dream you had. Despite its horrifying nature, you were curious as to who the figure was. You could only see their brown eyes. Also who were the people in the mirrored walls? Why did they look so hollow? Yet, you recalled the varying shadowy clothes that covered their forms. Some looked ancient, others appeared more modern. Who were they? Something told you that your dream held some significance to it. It was more than a dream, yet you didn't know why that was.

Soon the brown-haired doll walked out with a bowl in her hands. She set the baked potato soup down in front of you while also placing a fruit salad on the table as well. Grabbing an empty silver goblet, she filled your glass with iced water.

"Thank you ..."

You had realized that you never asked the dolls' names; since you were too busy wrapping your head around your situation.

"I'm sorry, but I never asked your name."

"I don't have a name nor do I need one. I'm merely here to help my master until he no longer needs my services. Why would something so replaceable need a name?"

Shocked at the doll's statement, you glanced once more up at her. Her blank grey eyes stared back at you before she went to leave the room.

"Wait; if you don't have a name then I'll give you one."

She looked back at you. For the first time, she showed some sign of emotion; confusion. Remaining glued to the spot, she waited for you to continue.

"How about Nafera?"

"Strange, I don't know how to respond to this. Should I accept or should I not?".

"How about it's just something between us? If you're uncomfortable with it, then that's fine too."

"No, I li ... li ... like it. Thank you."

Giving you a quick nod, she walked off out of the dining room. With her gone, you began to eat your food. Your dinner was quite peaceful with the rain hitting the windows softly. Moreover, you didn't have to worry about Lucian acting strange. You never knew what was going on his mind; he was completely unreadable. Sighing, you ate the last bite of your soup. About to dig into your fruit salad with your fork, you heard the entrance doors open before being slammed shut. The sudden noise startled you and caused you to drop your fork onto the carpeted floor.

Right as you were going to pick it up, the dining room doors opened up. Lucian walked in while a black coat with silver embroidery flowed around his shoulders. Quickly, you grabbed the fork and set it back on the table. His purple gaze fell on you and you could see the anger in his eyes. You tensed, as he approached you. However, he walked past you and sat in his usual seat. Closing his eyes, he rubbed his temple, obviously irritated by something. Nafera entered the room once more and waited for orders from her master.

"Please get my pet a new fork."

She nodded and went into the kitchen. Glancing over at Lucian, you mumbled a thank you. Opening his eyes, he focused his gaze on you.

"Are you okay?" you questioned hesitantly.

"Thank you for your concern my pet. To answer your question, I've been better. The council grows on my nerves with each meeting."

Nafera came into the dining room and handed you the new fork, which you thanked her for. She exited the dining room again, leaving you alone with Lucian. With your new fork, you waited for Lucian to continue.

"The corrupted fools had the nerve to insult my family. Instead of discussing issues, they only praised the new system, which they created. How I want to kill them," he uttered, his gaze darkening with each passing moment.

"I'm sorry," you muttered, not knowing what else to say.

Lucian didn't answer you, he just remained quiet. His silence worried you, but you tried to push that feeling away, as you ate your fruit salad. About to stab the last piece of pineapple in your bowl, Lucian's right hand grabbed your right wrist, stopping you from eating the piece of fruit. He removed your fork from your hand and took it into his own hand, piercing the piece of fruit himself. Not a moment later he placed it into his mouth, chewing and swallowing the food. You eyed him suspiciously while he had a far off look in his eyes.

"My pet, I think I know how to end my current anger."

Still with a distant look in his purple orbs, he grabbed your wrist once more and pulled you over to him. Placing you on his lap, he wrapped his arms around your waist and rested his chin on your left shoulder. A blush appeared on your cheeks, tinting them in a light shade of pink. You could feel his warm breath on your neck, as he glided his lips over your skin. Removing his right hand from your waist, he pulled back some of your hair, playing with it lovingly.

"Lucian, please let me go," you said in a slight harsh and worried tone.

"Shh, my pet. This time, I'm not letting you leave my hold," he whispered in a dark possessive tone.