||Ashela||

I turned to leave Castalin, still not entirely sure of why I helped him. I tried to convince myself that it was because I wanted to kill him myself, and not let those dumbass boys beat the hell out of him before I got to.

But I knew that wasn't the truth.

I felt his hand on my shoulder and nearly fell as he pulled me towards him. I was now forced to look up at him, since he much taller than me. I felt a shiver go down my spine at being so close, I hardly even talked to anyone.

I hadn't been free in three millennia, and in that time I'd been chained to a rock in the void, never ate or drank, never spoke.

I stood there for a good five minutes, frozen by his commanding gaze. He wanted me to stay, he could hardly keep his hands off me.

"Let me go, Castalin." I murmured, my voice naturally alluring. It reminded me of mist on a Winter morning, or a lone bird's song as it called to the dawn.

"I don't think I can." He said, his gaze boring into mine as I flinched.

I tried to pull away, but he wrapped his hands around my waist, causing me to growl.

"Castalin, let go." I insisted, feeling insecure and exposed.

His grip loosened slightly, uncertainty clouding his eyes. I seized the moment, pulling out of his grip and taking a few nervous steps back.

I was never usually like this, I was always so fearless and merciless. Now I'd turned soft, all because of a stranger's touch. It unsettled me, to know that he had such an effect on me. I wanted nothing but to run, to vanish into nothing in his touch.

"I-I have to go, Castalin." I hated the way my voice came out shaky, unsure.

"No you don't." He sounded so sure, as though he knew his words were true. "Please, come with me, I want to get to know you better."

I frowned, crossing my arms over my chest. I couldn't help but consider the offer, for some part of me, some part buried in mountains of skeletons and gallons of blood, wanted me to submit.

"I can't stay, I have to go. You don't even know what I am, Castalin. You have to let me leave." I was stubborn, wanting to be free of the insecurity I felt when I was being watched by him.

"It'll just be a walk, down by the river, it'll take no longer than half an hour." He was moving closer to me now, and I flinched as he neared.

"If I go with you, for that walk, will you leave me alone?" I asked quietly, avoiding his piercing gaze.

"Why would I leave you alone?" He'd stopped coming closer, and now stood a few meters away, watching my face for answers.

"Because I need to be free." I whispered, then cautiously continued. "And so many questions, didn't curiosity kill the cat?"

"But satisfaction brought it back." He said, smiling.

I felt my heart shatter when he smiled, and I couldn't help the small smile that played on my lips.

"I'll go.." I said, with a defeated sigh. "But leave me alone afterwards."

||-=-||

Castalin had insisted on us walking to the river, which had surprised me by being a half hour walk from Elvdale High. He hadn't persisted in holding my hand, or anything like that, instead he seemed to have calmed down.

He lead me down a pathway, shaded by a flowing canopy of trees. To our left, the river glided peacefully along the banks, gently lapping at the edge of the small drop into the cool water. My eyes glittered with amazement

Yeah, sorry for the crappy update but I ran out of time. I also won't be updating much for the next few days, I have family coming to stay.

I will, however, be writing the start of a new book of mine.

||~-_-~|| Storm ||~-_-~||