'It was a simple word, but those usually caused the most damage...'

Zaffre Dagger

It was a beautiful morning.

The sky was clear, the sun was hot and the lake looked inviting. Perhaps Thanatos and I could go swim later, and he could show me around his territory. The thought of spending the entire day with him filled my heart with delight- I couldn't wait to have his arms around my waist and his nose nuzzled in my hair.

What a strange and yet fulfilling feeling it was just thinking about being near him.

The scent of mint and ocean wafted through the air as I stepped into his chamber.

I peered around for any sign of Silas, but the young man was nowhere to be found. He was probably in the study- cleaning the endless shelves. I took the chance to sneak into Thanatos' room.

Trimorphe was still happily sleeping in my room when I'd left. I made sure to leave her some food and had refilled the bathtub with hot water. She had a strange fascination with water, for some reason. Last night, when I'd decided to bathe her, it took me at least an hour to convince her to get out of the soapy water. She was all too happy purring and ogling up at me from the shallow water in the tub.

I couldn't help but find her utterly adorable! Who wouldn't? Her tail was bushier than a duster and her bright blue eyes shone like sapphires. For a rather large feline, her meow was but a mere squeak, but her growl was something entirely different. The windows shook when she was temperamental.

In a way, she reminded me a little of myself...

I opened the large door softly- careful not to make a noise in case Thanatos was still sleeping.

The chamber was dark, the curtains closed and the balcony's door locked. I gently closed the door behind me and walked over to the bed, my eyes trained on the double doors to check if it clicked right and wouldn't blow open from the breeze coming in through the foyer.

"My, my..." The soft voice froze my body with rigid efficiency.

My head turned slightly, and in my chest I could feel my heart try to claw out from its place. It throbbed, the sensation felt like a knife was being dragged through my chest and down to my stomach. Cutting slowly...

Delilah's brown eyes were filled with pleasure.

My mouth ran dry as I noticed the thin black sheet that covered her naked body as she lay on her side, her head propped up and her dark curls hanging down her back. She had many freckles on her shoulders and all along her collar bone, but those eyes...

Those eyes wanted to see me fall to my knees and weep.

I nearly did.

"What are you doing here?" My voice was unrecognisable- hard, controlled and menacing.

Delilah smirked and lazily looked around the dark room; "Well, I was going to enjoy some breakfast in bed before you so rudely inter-"

"Shut up!" I shouted at her causing her eyes to widen slightly. I breathed in softly and tried to keep my fists at my sides instead of where I wanted them- all over her nauseating face; "Shut up."

"Something the matter?"

I tried to keep my feet still, but my body shook with rage. "Get out of his bed, right now."

"Oh, honey- last night it was just as much my bed as it was his. Actually, at one stage he wasn't even on the b-" I didn't bother to let her finish before my fist swung through the air and connected firmly with her nose- a loud crack echoed through the room.

"AH!" Delilah screamed as she clenched her nose with both hands; "What the fuck is wrong with you!" I laughed as blood began to drip down onto the black sheet- the sharp smell of iron filling my nose. I savoured it.

"Get up, you whore." My patience was non-existent.

I couldn't hold back as the anger filled my mind and formed my words for me- shaping me into a cold, emotionless ruin.

Delilah struggled with the sheet as she tried to remove the blanket from her body with her blood messing all over the stone floor.

"Where is he?"

She scoffed and glared at me with hatred; "Like I would tell you!" It was muffled, but I heard her loud and clear.

I wonder if I had to hit her again how many teeth she'd lose?

"You're lying! You two didn't sleep together! He wouldn't have! He- he wouldn't!" I stammered through my words and Delilah saw straight through my hard core and down into the depths of my insecurity. I was a solid wreck waiting to fall apart into shards at the first chance.

He wouldn't.

No, he wouldn't!

Delilah laughed loudly; momentarily dropping her hands to wrap her discarded dress on the floor over her body. Blood dripped down her nose and tainted her lips red- some blood seeped through her teeth and I felt my stomach churn as she grinned at me with sick satisfaction; "Oh, someone's doubting her dark maniac! How could he? He said he loved me! Oh, poor Aurora!"

"I swear Delilah, one more word-"

"Do you really think you're the only one he's lied to to get into his bed? Your good friend Alexus can tell you exactly how talented he is at faking sincerity!"

The knife inside my chest plunged deeper until I felt it rip through my back. "What do you mean?" I grabbed her by the arm.

"Why do you think she hates him so much? She probably hates herself more for falling for his tricks!"

"No..." I refused to believe it, but it all made so much sense. Wetness formed around my eyes, but I pushed it back and focused all my rage on the auburn girl in front of me.

I pushed her roughly to the door. Delilah was weak as she tried to pry my hands off; "Don't touch me, you prig!"

I ignored her protests and ripped the door open to find a wide-eyed Silas. "Milady Aurora!" His eyes landed on a half-covered Delilah and blushed, but not from the blatant display of her breasts, but from guilt. I noticed it immediately.

"How the hell did this get in here?" I screamed at him which caused the young servant to back off slightly. Delilah was struggling in my grip.

"Milady, I- She asked me-"

"Shut you, Buffoon!" Delilah slapped him with her hand. Silas stumbled back a bit and clutched his cheek in shock.

"Let go of me!"

With the last shred of restraint I had left in my cold, stiff body, I pulled Delilah towards me with a hard tug and clenched onto her arm until I could feel her bone rub against my palm through her skin. Her dark eyes were filled with apprehension at my sudden close proximity as I leaned in and glared my blank eyes into hers; "Do you know how easy it would be for me to burn you alive?"

My soft tone shook her more than my dead eyes.

"S-Silas... Call you master-"

"Don't. Move." I lifted my hand up and shot the double doors to the chamber closed with a loud bang. Silas sprang back with a yelp.

"If you hurt me-"

"What?" I asked, my tone deadpan and amused; "Don't you keep going on about how Thanatos doesn't care?" I moved closer, my eyes fixated on her face; "Tell me... How many of your 'friends' here would actually miss you?"

Delilah stopped breathing.

I couldn't tell if it was from the boiling rage in my body or the fact that it felt so good letting my magic run wild that I was slowly slipping down a murderous tunnel; and enjoying every second of it.

From the pulse in her arm I could feel her heart pick up its pace and sweat started to form on her forehead. I glanced down at some dried blood that had stained her lips and nose. She looked like a mess...

Delilah screamed out before I felt the heat in my palm rise.

"Get her off me! NOW!"

Silas tried to step between us, but with a wave of my hand I shot him back with a gust of strong wind. His head hit the mantle of the fireplace with a smack. The smell of iron in the air grew.

Delilah screamed again, but I clamped a hand over her mouth to stop the irritating noise. She watched in fear as I leaned into her and whispered; my other hand still softly burning her flesh- the smell of burnt hair travelling through the room; "NEVER come in here again."

She nodded hastily, her eyes wide and terrified.

"Now go find your dignity..."

I let go and in an instant she was gone, leaving only the churning reek of burning flesh and blood splotches on the floor. I took a few minutes to compose myself- my anger deep, but not nearly as overwhelming as my pain.

Was what she said true?

"Milady..." Silas' weak voice spoke up from the floor. He lay sprawled out over the carpet with his cheek red and his eyes drooping. I shook my head and, as if automatically, backed away with a hand over my mouth; "Gods, I'm so sorry, Silas! I-I don't know how... Fuck."

I'd let my anger cloud my magic.

This was bad, so bad. I need to breathe.

I need to go.

My lungs felt closed. The room collapsed into me and I felt the walls cling onto my dress as I stepped back, until my heel hit the table. My body unfroze with a single whimper.

I need to breathe.

Before I my mind could function, I found my feet moving down the stairs to the lower levels with a frightening speed. I nearly tripped and fell as I rounded the corner. I accidently ran over a girl who was walking with her friend; she toppled to the floor onto all fours and shouted at me, but I couldn't stop.

I slammed through the door of the observatory, where Alexus usually spent her time with her herbs and flowers. My eyes caught her blonde head and without permission, my feet moved towards her with determination.

"Alexus!"

She turned her head; her eyes wide upon hearing my distressed voice. "Are you okay? What happened?"

"Get me out. Open a portal and get me out."

"What?" She quickly put down her potted cactus; "Calm down, Aurora and just breathe! You're hyperventilating."

"Get me the hell out of here!"

Her hands found my shoulders but I shook them off with a growl. Alexus' hazel eyes bore into mine with fear and deep concern; "What happened? I can't let you go like this..."

"Can't let me go...?" My voice was rigid and unhinged.

Can't let me go...

I took a step back and extended my hands. I wasn't going to let this stop me now- I needed to leave. I'd had enough of this- doing what everyone else wanted. I wanted out, right now! Even if just for a day...

I need to breathe!

Enough was enough!

Alexus eyed my stained hands; "What did you do?" I didn't bother to rub the blood from my knuckles or glance at her. There was no point.

I created a circle in the air and watched as it grew in size- then, an odd colour of dark blue shifted through the air. I didn't drop my hands as I went, shaping it larger and wider. I felt the magic drain leave my body as I moved my hands with pure purpose. Alexus watched in fear and awe; "You're making a... portal?"

The hole in space was shaky- it wobbled in the air and sent small shots of current out from around its edges, like little lighting storms. The blue was dark and ominous, but at the centre it faded into a more striking shade with flecks of white and silver stars, and splashed with streaks of what looked like scattered waves of light.

Alexus hand grabbed mine before I could step through; "You can't! Thanatos will kill me if you leave!"

I ignored her pleas, but she tried again; "What about the killer? It's not safe, Aurora! Don't be-"

"Did you sleep with him?" I shouted at her with my rage coming to life again- her eyes popped open and her hands dropped limply.

"I-"

"Did you or didn't you, Alexus?"

She could clearly see that my tolerance was gone; the expression of hatred still evident on my cold face. I felt betrayed and broken, but strong in my conviction to get the hell out of there.

"Yes..."

It was a simple word, but those usually cause the most damage.

"I need to go." It wasn't a discussion, and Alexus could see the conviction clearly in my sombre eyes. Why she still thought her words could stop me was beyond my understanding.

"You have to understand! It was decades ago and he never even liked me- it was just another conquest for him, but I-"

I didn't hear the rest as I shot her back with a bolt of lightning from my open palm and dove into the forbidding void.

The man's dark green soul floated over the short distance and into my mouth. I savoured the spike from the rich and flavourful soul shooting through my body. My fist opened and the old man dropped back onto his bed.

A well-known business man- dead at the age of 68, no children, a disastrous second marriage and four billion dollars in the bank.

How tedious.

For a second I couldn't quite remember why I'd chosen to finish this job personally instead of just leaving it to one of my reapers, but then I looked up and out the window from the large mansion.

Caneyville.

Why a multi-billionaire would have a vacation home here is far beyond me, but it provided me with a good excuse to check in on Aurora's parents again.

Once every week, since she'd arrived in the Underworld, I'd secretly been checking up on her parents to ensure their safety. Today they'd seemed generally normal and happy enough. Aurora's mother, Denise, was slightly more morose today from the longing for her only daughter, but her husband had decided to treat her for dinner at their favourite seafood restaurant. It was getting dark here, which meant it was nearly afternoon in the Underworld back home.

Aurora had promised me that I could spend the whole day with her, but I'd decided to check up on her parents before I would see her just to ensure her that they were safe and happy.

I wasn't entirely sure as to why I'd taken up this strange new task- it wasn't like me to care much for others, but I did care for Aurora; and if that meant looking out for her family, then that's what I'd do.

Care... The word tasted strange in my mouth.

Time to head back then.

I opened my portal and inclined my head to the old man's body to indicate to my Shadow that it could feed. After it was well-satisfied it would torch the place and the news of a missing billionaire and his burnt down mansion would make headlines. At least I kept this dreary town interesting for the populace...

I stepped through the portal, my Shadow chirping and moving like a phantom towards the limb, ashen body. The silver specs flew past me with colossal speed as I raced through the abyss.

My feet landed gracefully on the wooden floor of my chamber's foyer. I lifted my hood from my head with a black gloved-hand. Silas' stammering voice spoke up from behind me; "M-master..."

I turned my head lazily to peer over my shoulder, but my eyes widened at the sight. He had a large gash on his forehead and in his arms he carried a bundle of my black sheets. Today wasn't a wash day, so why on earth did he have- Blood.

The prickly smell of rust filled my nose immediately and I stormed towards him with cold eyes. The boy, who was clearly frightened, jumped back slightly as I ripped the sheet from his hand and examined it with keen eyes; "Where did this blood come from?"

It wasn't Aurora's, I knew her every scent. I sighed in relieve, but my anger was still high. Silas looked like he was about to faint.

"Where is Lady Aurora and where did this blood come from?" I grabbed him by his collar; "What happened to your head?"

Silas whimpered and in an instant, the young, terrified boy broke down into a snivelling heap of cries; "Oh, my Lord! I'm so sorry! It was all Delilah's fault! She threatened to- to... I-"

"Speak!"

Another cry; "She threatened to tell you that I had slept with her if I didn't let her into your chamber early this morning when you left!"

I glared down at the boy with loathing, but said nothing. I picked him up higher until his feet kicked in the air. His voice was strained as he chocked out his words; "Lady Aurora came by to see you, but she found Delilah in your bed. She was... naked, my lord."

I dropped him like a sack of potatoes.

The boy crawled to my feet and cried for mercy, but I kicked him off of me with dead eyes and a cold heart; "Opis!"

In an instant the old man swooped into the chamber- I could hear him scuffle outside. He must've been listening in.

"Get this thing out of my sight before I finish him."

Opis nodded without saying a word. He helped Silas up from the ground and dragged the blubbering servant to the door.

"My lord, I-" I cut into Silas' apology before he had the chance to end his own life with his meaningless words; "I don't care an ounce if you sleep with any of those girls, but how dare you let someone come into my chamber without my permission, you insolent moron!"

He shook his head; "Please! I don't want to go the fields! I won't ever-"

"OPIS."

The older man tugged at the young boy and threw him out; "Wait for me in the servant's quarters and gather your things." The old man grabbed the double doors, but before closing them he turned to me; "I will train a new hand-servant before dawn tomorrow, my lord, and I will personally see to your bedding."

Who on Earth cared about that at a time like this? "Where is Aurora?"

The butler licked his thin lips; "She is not in her room, my lord."

I rushed to the door and past Opis. She had to be in the palace somewhere. I need to find her and tell her it was all a misunderstanding. A giant misunderstanding.

She must be so hurt! Gods! Why did I leave?

I need to reassure her that I would never- I could never betray her like that.

"And Opis..." I turned around; "Remove all the girls from the palace, at once."

Opis' eyes widened with shock; "But my lord-"

"And send Delilah to my room with two guards. Right now."

There was no arguing with me. Opis merely nodded his head.

I stormed for the stairs, but as I got to the second set, Alexus raced up to meet me; her eyes wide and full of fear. My heart stilled. I tried to calm my jumping chest.

"Where is she?"

"I- I don't know!"

"What do you mean you don't know?" I growled at her and ran a hand through my hair; "Did she run off into the forest? Which direction? I need to find her-"

"Thanatos!" Alexus distraught voice froze me cold; "She made a portal! She flew through it! She could be anywhere!"

"What?" I grabbed her neck; "What did you just say?"

"Thanatos! Stop you're hurting her!" Hypnos hard voice reached my ears before he ran down the flight of stairs to rip my hand away from the chocking mage. "Control yourself!"

"Don't you dare speak to me like that! Where is she, you witch?"

"I told you!" Alexus coughed as Hypnos rubbed her back; "She left through her own portal! She could be anywhere. You know new portal's glitch; she could be anywhere in the world!"

"No, it would send her somewhere she's been before, often. That's the way it works the first time." Hypnos controlled and calm tone annoyed me even more.

Aurora is missing and he's calm? Calm!

"There are assassins after her and YOU let her go! Are you suicidal?" My hand ached to snap her neck.

Alexus spat at me; "She was angry at something or other and her hands were covered in blood! She shocked me with a current. I didn't have time to stop her!"

I ripped my hands through my hair and groaned; "Okay, okay! We need a plan! You-" I pointed my finger at the seething mage; "Go to Caneyville and see if she's there. Hypnos, go to Seagull's Valley!"

"Where on Earth is that-"

"For Fuck's sake's, use Google Maps if you have to! Just go!"

They both nodded their heads in earnest and created their portal's with haste. I did the same, my hands moving faster than I could direct my magic. The portal was smaller, but I had no time for perfection- I would fit through, and that's all I needed right now.

"Alexus," The young girl turned to me before she could step through her lilac portal. Hypnos was already gone and his portal closed, leaving flecks of golden dust; "If anything has happened to her, I will make you suffer."

It wasn't a threat- it was a promise.

I stepped through the portal to Italy.

Aurora snapped, Delilah's nose snapped, Alexus' dark secrets come tumbling out, Thanatos might cause WWIII, Silas got 'fired' and Shadow got a nice lunch... 

Eventful day...

Pic- Delilah

NEXT UPDATE- 22nd of May