Re: Hell of a pair

[Admin]

Lucius’ eyes shifted from the glass to the man sitting left from him before he leaned back in his chair, his hand never leaving the female’s head as he did,” And where did you exactly see me fit in?”

The man in the middle, member of a party of three, glanced at his two companions and then said,” Mister Eberhardt, you would be our personal agent, a retailer. We offer you control over the goods once they are delivered and count on it that you… ‘distribute’ them.”

Lucius’ forefinger brushed over his lips as he listened,” Go on…”
The man in front of him relaxed, almost unnoticed… but Lucius saw it.

“Well, our customers aren’t easy to… locate, but a man with your name and success will easily be found by them.”


Lucius’s eyes shifted to the others and within a blink he knew all he needed to know about them. Either these men were stupid, or thought he was stupid… or they knew exactly what they were doing. For a moment he considered the latter option, but wondered if that was even possible. This was near to illegal business and they were discussing it rather publicly. Not… a good thing for his name, this name : Lucius Eberhardt, merchant of exotic goods.
So he decided to put them to the test.

“Lets say, what if your customers don’t find me, for some reason?” he shrugged,” You know, just in case something happens.”

The man who had spoken glanced at the others,” Well, we understand something might happen that causes you to… take some time off, family matters or whatever. In that case we trust that you will soon show up again and we’ll assume the goods are in the right hands. You have a good name.”

“Ah,” Lucius only said with a smile, but if they could have observed him closer in this twilight, they would have seen that smile didn’t reach his icy blue eyes. The hand caressing the woman’s hair sitting next to him, ceased doing so. A sign for her something was up.

[Admin]

Yaassima read the currents in the air quickly, her face betraying nothing of her thoughts. Her eyes fastened on the three men here to do business. The spokesperson was slightly overweight, the clothing he wore not able to disguise a belly that had gone soft. The one to his left was muscular, her eyes moved over him slowly. The knuckles of his hands were scarred, marking him as a brawler, muscle. The third male to the right was younger, a cocky grin on his face as his eyes roamed over her as if she were a dessert he wished to sample. He had a whipcord look to him, his build slim, but strong, agile. And his fingers moved to his side often and she could just make out the lines of a hilt of likely a thin blade.

Of the three, the younger one would be the threat. The Brawler would not have the space to move well and she had a trip wire in place should he rush Lucius. The one in the middle would likely be cowed if the two others were taken out. She moved slowly, her head moving, placing her cheek against Lucius' thigh and rubbing against him like a cat.

The three men all followed her movements, knowing smiles appearing on her face. The spokesperson gave a nasty little smirk as he noted. "Your little kitty there is something else, very exotic."

Her silvery eyes fastened on him and he felt a strange shiver move down his spine, the smile faltering a moment. And...as he recovered and the others stared at her face, her fingers deftly withdrew a perfectly balanced throwing knife from her thigh sheath.

[Admin]

Lucius only glanced at ‘kitty’ as if it was absolutely the most natural thing in the entire world a knife was drawn during a business conversation. None of his feelings were at a display, except for the hand which resumed stroking Yaassima’s hair.
The assumptions and theory he had about this girl and her skills proved to be true. Juggling with knives was just the same as juggling with cones, balancing on a roof top was just the same as performing a choral dance.

The only difference was… the motivation,... since ‘working’ for people who treated you as a slave and perhaps even as a sex toy was entirely different than working for someone who openly appreciated your abilities and… his eyes lingered a moment longer… looks.
She still had no idea how beautiful she was to him, she still had no idea about his true physical attraction for her. He wanted her, yes sir,... and for a moment he wondered how much longer he could suppress these feelings, feelings which just begged him to move into ‘action’ with her.
He could only suppress it because he knew exactly what he was doing, and if he would have had sex with her on day one, he wondered if she would have appreciated him so much this present day. They knew each other only for a few weeks… yet it became harder every night not to make love to that slim and soft body next to him.
Cut it out Lucius, first handle this… then ‘do’ her…


“She is mine,” he said coolly, and with that he resumed business, or whatever was left of it. “And I think we are done for today, Armand of Gulashir.”

[Admin]

His fingers in her hair was a reassuring touch even before the coolly spoken words registered in her mind. She is mine. There was a flutter in her stomach. Where the stares of other men made her feel dirty and cold, his voice saying those words were a near physical caress of her body. She was his, but he did not know it. And she did not know how to tell him...or if the claim meant the same to him as it did to her.

Each night for the past few weeks she had rested in his arms, feeling his body against her own, listening to the cadence of his breathing. He did not seek to claim her. Perhaps the possessive words did not mean what she truly wished. But, even so, it was more than she had ever hoped for. He made her feel safe and she would insure he stayed safe.

[Admin]

The spokesperson raised a brow,” But we didn’t even start to negotiate?”

Lucius looked straight at the man and said,” Perhaps you understand this… : out.”
The other two shifted in their chairs and looked at Armand, who looked a bit uncomfortable. And again Lucius saw it. Oh yes,... he had taken the right decision.


Armand’s hands clasped on the armrests of his chair and he raised himself from it, but not as fast or with the same litheness as the man right from him, a man who had introduced himself as Rupert Finnigan.
The muscular man left from Armand reacted a few counts later, the speed of his reaction was probably consistent with the level of his intelligence. Still… Lucius would never underestimate a man, especially when he had only one goal in his mind… like beating up people for instance.


Lucius just remained in his chair, unmoved and still stroking Yaassima’s hair.

“You will be hearing from us soon,... mister Eberhardt,” Armand said.

Finnigan’s eyes were locked on Yaassima and even though he didn’t say anything, the ‘gesture’ was sufficient.

“Come,” Armand said to the others with a glance between Lucius and Yaassima,” seems we’re done for today, -indeed-”.

[Admin]

aassima had felt the sudden tension, her body was coiled, ready to strike. Her eyes gleamed in the candle light, waiting for the slightest aggressive movement. She felt him... his instincts honed. He was ready for anything and she would back his play. The younger one stared, his eyes crawling over her in a way that made her skin crawl. No one but Lucius would ever touch her again...no one.

And with that the three men left the little alcove, but not before Finnigan had winked at Yaassima with a playful smile on his face.

The wink is what tipped the scales, the hatred coming from her in a cold wave. Too many years she had been reduced to a toy, too many years her feelings had meant nothing. This male presumed to think she would be his for the taking. The men had turned their backs to her and the hand holding the knife came up, poised, her wrist flicked back in the movement that would embed the blade into the offending male's back. Only a soft whisper staying her hand.

Lucius whispered the moment they had turned their backs on them,” Easy now, sweety…”

Her hand lowered, her head tilting up, the furious silver gaze fastening on his handsome face.

[Admin]

Marvin witnessed how the men left and overheard how one of them whispered in the passing," So foolish..."
The owner of the inn raised a brow while he continued to dry a glass, holding it against the light as if it were a matter of the utmost importance that the transparent object was as crystal clear like a mountain river. The moment the inn's door fell back in its lock, he dared a glance at Lucius and... her.
Another shiver ran down over his back. How could Lucius trust someone like that at his side? Those eyes, those hidden weapons. Oh yes, he had seen them, well, probably not all of them but Marvin had a keen eye for such things. In his past he had worked at inns of all sorts and he knew exactly how to recognise and identify a dangerous person. She was one.

He didn’t know about Lucius, he was probably dangerous too if one considered he was able to deal with a woman like that. But the man was kind to him, paid in advance and except for some… exceptions like today for instance, Lucius was a gentleman. In the past year a pleasant interaction had grown between them and Marvin actually just caught himself liking the man, for a reason that even transcends business. Lucius had become an important part in his life.


When the men had left the inn, Lucius turned to her, his ice blue eyes meeting the silver he was so fond of. His voice was soft, maybe kind,” Now, put that away and come with me.”

And without looking back he lifted himself from his chair and moved towards the stairs. There was no need to look back, he just knew she would follow, about two steps behind him and slightly to the right.

[Admin]

Arctic blue met silver, his voice almost feeling like a subtle caress down her spine. Her hand was putting the blade away almost before she thought as she watched him walk away. He moved with an elegance, a confidence that she only wished she possessed.

She wondered if she was to be scolded… or punished. And if she was, would she be able to take it? She bit her lower lip. She wanted to please him, wanted him to value her, but after tasting freedom, would she be able to take abuse again...even if she had done wrong?

On the next floor Lucius took a right, going in the direction of their room but as the door came in sight, Lucius suddenly stopped and grasped a key from under his shirt. Instead of continuing to their room a bit further down the long narrow hall, bathing in the dim light of two candles, Lucius turned to the door on his left and unlocked it with a glance on her. Another room and a room she hadn’t seen thus far.

When they entered, Yaassima could see how dark and miserable this room was compared to his suite. A single mattress, just directly on the floor, an old worn cabinet, a chair which didn’t look very inviting, and curtains near the window that looked more like spiderwebs. There was a dusty smell in the air. Still, for some reason this room seemed important to Lucius. He glanced in the hallway before he locked the door behind them and motioned her further into the room towards the grimy window, the only one in the poor apartment.

When he turned to the left and opened a new door, she had been confused. Entering the mean and miserable room, she felt that crushing disappointment. Her eyes darted, taking in everything in a glance, even as she heard the click in the lock as he locked her in. She turned slowly, almost surprised to see him still there.

Her head tilted, even as her eyes marked possible escape routes, her body once more tensed. Yet, she made no aggressive move. She stood there, waiting for him, placing a trust in him that she would give no other.

[Admin]

As he approached the window Lucius peered through the dirty glass, and with a single finger he moved the ragged curtain very slow and carefully to the side. And that went surprisingly smooth, without a single sound, as if the curtain rings had been oiled deliberately. He stood there for a few moments, his attention focused on something outside and down below on the street.Then his arm raised and without looking at her, Lucius beckoned her over with his fingers.

Still peering outside, he sensed how she took place next to him and then he pointed at something on the other side of the street. If she had a keen eyesight she would be able to perceive a figure, probably male, standing in a gap between two old terraced houses. The alley where he was standing just looked like a cavernous mouth, waiting to gobble up anyone who dared to enter it. Yet the man seemed at ease standing there, almost careless.


Yaassima walked to his side, peering out of the dirty glass. Stormy eyes scanned the area, following the direction of his finger. She took in the stance, the way the male was in a place that he should not be so casual and followed his one line of sight.


Lucius saw how the man’s eyes went up with moments, but not to the position from where they were looking. No, the man was clearly keeping an almost unnoticed eye on Lucius’s room, two windows further. After a short observation, Lucius’s eyes shifted to Yaassima and he whispered,” Are you ready?” He glanced at her hidden weapons without explaining any further. It was clear he was expecting trouble.

Lucius walked over to the mattress and moved it aside. After he knelt he pressed on the corner of a plank which caused an audible click and made that piece of the floor jump up a bit. A bit, but enough for Lucius to fully remove it and revealing a secret storage compartment.

[Admin]

It was rather dark in the room, yet the sound Yaassima heard when Lucius’ hand reached in the gap was unmistakable of metal kissing metal. When he got up, she could see he was holding a long narrow two-edged blade with a guarded hilt in his right hand, clearly designed for slashing as well as thrusting. In his other hand he held a medium sized knife with an inwardly curved edge. Using only his foot while he sheathed the knife, Lucius pushed the plank back in place and covered it with the mattress.

The silver gaze never left him. She had known he was smart, she had assumed he was street wise. But this level of efficiency was unknown. She recognized the blade for what it was, a weapon for close fights. She patted her own throwing knives and made sure that her reach would be clear.

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He motioned her to follow him towards the door and quietly he opened it a bit, before peeking in the hall. A few moments later Lucius reached for her hand and they left the room in silence, stepping into the dim light of the inn’s hall. They heard absolutely nothing.

When he leaned over, he whispered next to her ear ,” We are going to perform a little show now.” And before she knew it, his lips were on hers. He embraced her with one arm and while the kiss lingered he motioned her to step backwards towards the door of his suite.


Her eyes were on light alert as he led her from the room, her keen ears listening for the slightest sound...breathing, a footstep...any tell that could give someone away. But his whispered words had her head tilted and suddenly she was drawn against his muscled form and his lips were on hers.

Heaven, the taste of him...brandy and male, his lips soft and firm as they massaged her own. So this was a kiss? It was her first and it made her hungry for more. His body, his heat felt so good against her that in that moment, she forgot that they were supposed to be playing a role.


As if he was making sure they produced enough noise to be convincing, Lucius pushed Yaassima with her back against his door with a soft bang. And though his head tilted as if they were making out really hard, he never deepened the kiss. With his free hand he blindly reached for the handle and opened the door, his rapier ready under the fabric of his cloak. Slowly they shuffled in, and while Lucius hand roamed over Yaassima’s back, he moaned a bit,” Mmmh, I want you so badly...”

He even sounded sincere, without effort...

[Admin]

She was pushed with her back against hard wood, his body grinding against her own. She should feel frightened, but all she wanted was more. The hand not holding the blade found his hair, elegant fingers delving within the soft waves as she made a purring sound of pleasure. She was only dimly aware as he opened the door and only the movement of his hand beneath his cloak called her back to her sense. His moaned words...were a slight cut. He sounded like a male full of desire and it was a cold rain of water down her back. This is not for you, it is a role he is playing. Focus, girl, he is relying on you to help him...not to fall at his feet.

But she could not lie that disappointment was coursing through her along with a frustration she did not quite understand. She could not hide the longing that was in her stormy gaze and not skilled enough to disguise the newly awakened desires that his ‘show’ caused. It was with much effort that she ignored her own heated blood to focus on listening for movement, to become aware of the surroundings and not the male body pressed against her own.

[Admin]

Dammit, why did she had to taste so good? It was harder for him to focus on the sounds around them while tasting those young and clearly eager lips. Unless she played it well. Now more than ever he realised how much he wanted her, and not just for kissing.
For a second he wondered, what if someone like him mated with someone like her? How would it feel? How would she react? And if any child was produced… what would it be? That made him wonder about her heritage. He made himself a quick promise. After this he would try to learn more about her, and he would try to make his move. True, he could have just taken her, but that was not who he was and it would have been an extremely bad idea given her background.
And he… he had feelings for her, ...it was time to admit it at least to himself.


Now, why was he assuming they were about to walk into an ambush? What made him stop and enter that other room to check the street and to fetch weapons he had hidden there with premeditation?
The reason was simple, because he always had had an anticipating nature and the other party was clearly convinced he was affected with mental retardation or some intellectual disability.
A mistake, of course…

The dog next door, on the right from his suite didn’t bark as usual. That was what had made him stop in the hallway. His adversaries had made things too quiet. And then there was of course that man he saw on the street after. And the rest of his premonitions got confirmed the moment his door opened, one sniff in the air was enough to tell him that slim man named Finnigan was in his room.

What a bunch of amateurs to walk around with such an distinctive cologne. What a bunch of amateurs to presume him being unarmed. Yes of course, he rarely carried his weapons when he was in the taproom, yet he had hidden several around the place. Not even Marvin was aware of all of them.


“Darling,” Lucius started, his eyes quickly adapting to the darkness of the room, his senses on high alert,” How about we move to the bed?” He kissed her again,” That Finnigan is such a dumbass thinking he can get you. I bet his ancestors were monkeys.”

And -that- ... did it.

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Yaassima had already pushed her desires to the side, her body moving with his own as if dancing as he moved towards the bed. Stormy eyes pierced the gloom, Her nose twitching slightly, a scent that was not Lucius' recognized. She pushed all else aside as she listened for the tell tale sounds. People think they are silent or that they move without sound, but those attuned to silence, those who had made a friend with solitude could hear things others may not, like the soft whisper of cloth against cloth.

Due the route they were taking towards the bed, Lucius knew perfectly from what side ‘he’ would strike. They both heard a blade cleaving through the air, left behind Lucius, but he was faster and swirled around with Yaassima in his arms only to find his rapier buried in the man’s belly.

As Lucius looked up to witness Finnigan’s expression, one of disbelief, he grinned.

She had moved with him, as soon as they heard the blade slicing air. For a moment, she had to marvel how in tune they were, how in step, how well they complimented the other's moves. But she did not have time to ponder it long. For though Lucius has handled one, her senses told her to be on guard.

Because it wasn’t over… behind Lucius came another man. He was also slim but shrouded in black clothes and wore a mask. It was as if he emerged from the shadows and he moved quickly and silently. It was almost as if he was shadow.This wasn’t an amateur, this was an eliminator, a man with the reflexes of cat, trained to kill cold-bloodedly.

Two blades flickered, and Yaassima saw them...

She muttered a few words, a long forgotten skill returning like an old friend and suddenly every candle and lamp in the room flared to light. There would be no shadows to hide in for this hunter. They heard a hiss of surprise as the male was blinded so unexpectedly. A quick dancestep and she was between the blades and Lucius, unknowingly revealing another card as she shielded him with her own body.

The blade left her fingers before she could think, embedding itself in the man's upper thigh instead of his torso. Her fingers went up to her hair as the masked man chuckled . "You missed, sweetheart."

"Did I?" He felt himself growing cold as the knife in his thigh began to bleed too copiously. "One" Her voice was mocking as he took one step towards her. The hair ornament that held her tresses up was suddenly slicing through the air...and then the male's throat . "Two" He swayed as he took the second, his hand rising to his neck, a look of disbelief on his face. "Three" He fell to his knees as the blood soaked his clothing, staring at the young girl.

She watched as he bled out, stormy silver eyes staring at the masked visage as the hair tumbled over her shoulders and down her back. "You lose."

[Admin]

Lucius had watched her when she performed at the carnivale of the gypsies. He had assumed she was a girl with hidden skills, and despite the fact she had been a former slave, it were talents that surfaced now, talents that were simply embedded in the blood of her kin, their kin.
And here she was now, as if he back then had known he would need her someday. The girl had just saved his life, and probably proven herself to gain access to a more deeper part of his life.

He had found her, a trusty companion and now more than ever he wanted more than that. He wanted to kiss her, to pick her up and toss her on the bed and give way to his basic primary needs. Who could tell if it were his human or his … ‘other’ side driving him to these thoughts? It didn’t matter, he knew what he wanted… -her-.


But first things first, Lucius oversaw the mess. Really amateurs, they even hadn’t granted him a chance to a respectable clean up.
Two bodies here, and if he took the none-barking dog next door into account, he could assume there would be two more bodies waiting to be found. A bit difficult to make them all disappear and avoid his name was connected with all this bloodshed.

He looked back at the girl, studying her a moment and wondering if this was the first time she killed a person. Well, it sure was not his first time, but he recalled well how that had been.
Enough Lucius, you can talk and have sex with her as much as you want later, but first this.

[Admin]

Yaassima stared at the male she had so coldly taken out, her mind whirling. She had acted on sheer instinct, doing what needed to be done and only now realized that she had taken a life. In just a few heartbeats, she made the choice of who lived and who died. It was power, but a strange one. Was she as bad as she had been told? Did this make her evil?

He was going to kill Lucius...he deserved what he got and more.

“Master Lucius?” A voice sounded behind them.

Well dammit, too late for even considering a silent cover up. Marvin, armed with a bat, stood in the doorway.

[Admin]

When Marvin Cook eyed the scene, he wasn’t too upset. It wasn’t the first time he had seen bloodshed, nor was it the first time it had happened at his inn.
But never had he seen blood around Lucius, let alone the man standing in his room with two defeated opponents around him. It must have been that girl, probably. Marvin had seen those eyes, the readiness to draw those hidden weapons. But if Lucius had killed one or both men, he too was dangerous, just as Marvin had assumed by the way. The fact he could defend himself like that, and in what looked like an ambush, well… that asked for at least some respect. Lucius never caused him any trouble, on the contrary. And he had seen how those other customers earlier acted.
Marvin had no idea what was going on between Lucius and Armand, but when he recognized Finnigan among the dead he decided to help out. Its clear they were after his best customer who he actually also considered as some kind of a friend.


Lucius looked from Yaassima to Marvin while he seemingly calm started to clean his rapier. Meanwhile his thoughts were racing through his mind, his brain assessing all the options he had, going from tempting to gruesome, only to be interrupted and cut off by Marvin.

“I heard them talk before, Master Lucius,” Marvin said while looking at the pale turning face of Finnigan,” I’ll help ya out.”

“Hm?” Lucius was clearly, but also happily surprised,” You sure about this, there’s probably two more in the next room.”

Marvin glanced at open door behind him and raised a brow,” Ol’ Bert? Ya think they took’im out?”

“I’m betting you a thousand gold that the old man has met his final destiny. So, if you insist, this is what I propose. Not that Bert was visited often... but, clean up the mess, buy a new likewise dog, and I’ll pay for the room and…” Lucius glanced around,” … and any other expenses.”


Lucius nodded to himself. This was probably the best way to deal with it and meanwhile as far as Lucius was concerned, Armand was out for the count. Let him try now to figure out what had happened with his left hand and accompanying assassin.

One thing was for certain… tonight they wouldn’t sleep here and he would have to show Yaassima that deeper part of his life.

Without asking he reached for the girl’s hand and said to Marvin,” I’ll be back later, and we’ll use the other room for now.”

[Admin]

To outside eyes, the girl appeared calm, cold even. But dark spots were dancing over her vision, her skin was icy cold and clammy to touch. Her hand trembled in his own and she had not spoken one word since she taunted the male that she killed for him. For her, the conversation between the innkeeper and Lucius was a muted mumble, the buzzing in her ears drowning all else. The silver eyes were dilated with shock, her head turning back to the body of the life she had claimed.

Marvin was about to react on that, but Lucius already lifted up his hand.

“No need for it, Marvin. We’ll be just fine.”

And with that the duo left innkeeper behind, with the mess…

[Admin]

In the hall, Lucius made Yaassima stop and opened the door of the 'dirty' room again. Silently and without making light, he closed the door behind them after moving in. His hand gently resting on the handle after locking the door from within, he looked over his shoulder at the girl and then slowly turned to her.

“You…”

Well Lucius, what are -you- going to say now? Look at her…

The dark-haired man unnoticeably took a deep breath through his nostrils, then he decided to walk over only to take her in his arms, and holding her close. It was more than a simple hug, it was more than a friendly embrace, it looked impulsive and probably very sudden… for both of them, but he was driven to it.

She did not remember getting to the room. She did not remember moving. But suddenly she was in his arms, his body holding her close, his scent tickling her nose. She shivered and had to bite back a sob as her own hands roamed over his back then held tight to him.

Then he whispered next to her ear,” I know how this feels, I’ve seen it and been through it myself. But I promise you this : We are in this together. Realize though that what we have just done will not be the last time, and it’s too late now to walk away from it. If you want to, I won’t stop you. But if you stay…”

His voice was a siren's call, his breath tickled her ear. And his words, his words set her thoughts whirling. He was telling her that it was alright, that he would not walk away...but that he would allow her to. Did he want her to go? Was he just being nice? She did not want to go, but she wanted him to want her to stay. How could she tell him that? What would she do if she saw pity in his gaze?


Lies, Lucius. Now is the time, tell her. Tell her what you -really- want from her.

“If you stick around you will be doomed to stay at my side… probably forever.” There, that was more than enough for now. He gave her a faint crooked smile with his lips closed.

Lucius, you idiot…

Perhaps… but he didn’t let her go, not yet. His eyes searched for hers…

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Her eyes widened as he said the last. That smile made her stomach flip-flop and his eyes....his eyes were like jewels, sparkling even in the low light. His arms did not shift, she could feel the wiry strength of them as they caged her. She should feel frightened, confined. But all she wished to do was press closer.

"He was going to hurt you...I made it too quick. He should have suffered....and I am not sorry."

Her lips formed a sultry pout, her face held a slight defiance, yet her eyes almost pleaded with him to accept and understand. "I will stay with you, Lucius...I will behave...I promise. But no one...no one will ever harm you if I can stop it...I do not care how much blood will be on my hands."

Behave, she talked about behaving? She didn’t want him like he wanted her? He knew exactly what she meant, to what she was referring… and it was not about what he had in mind, well at least not everything.

Would now be a good time? His hands started to move from the top of her back downwards, but suddenly stopped halfway. Then he realized what she actually had said… she promised to stay with him. She would accompany him wherever he’d go. And go they would, since now was not the time to stand still or to linger over other things than the ones that really needed being taken care off.

His hands started their descent and she trembled. Has a simple touch ever felt so good? Her lips parted, her breathing quickened. And then he stopped. Disappointment was crushing, causing her throat to tighten. She wanted to scream at him, to demand that he see her as something more. She wanted to curl up and cry, to lick her wounds. This may end up being harder than she thought, staying with him, being close to him, knowing that this was all she would have from him.

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His hands moved from her back to her waist and he kept Yaassima at arm’s length, his ice blue eyes peering into those silver irises,” Death will come, never say I didn’t warn you. There will be moments of truth and moments of falseness, moments of gambling and moments of chess. To live will become an uncertainty and our life may be build upon the blood of others. Yet we will not be amateurs along the way.”

His eyes delved into her own. Could he see her desire? Could he see her longing? She did not know how to speak the words she wished to say. She did not know how to show him other than following his commands and staying at his side.


Lucius let her go and walked to the middle of the room after taking the broom standing next to the door. He lifted it up and aimed the handle for a hole in the ceiling. After an audible click, a square shaped hatch slowly opened and a sudden cold breeze blew downwards into the room. The hatch was so perfectly designed and with the shadows in this room, that it hadn’t been visible earlier.

An integrated ladder was automatically and slowly ejected, all without making any sound. The moment it reached the floor, Lucius looked back at Yaassima and then glanced up at the hole, revealing an attic shrouded in darkness.
“After you.”


There was a crushing disappointment again as he let her go. Could he have not held her just a little longer? If that was all she was to have from him, could it not have lasted just a few moments more? For a moment, she stood there...alone, lonely. Her shoulders were slumped in dejection. Her hands rubbed over her arms. The sad silver gaze watched as he revealed the hole, a place of darkness, the ladder leading up.

At his command, she walked past him, pausing only to gaze at him for one moment. She wanted this man's touch...his kiss. Only this man's. He is out of your league, be happy he wants you with him.
Why couldn't she be worthy of him? Why couldn't he see her? She sighed softly and slowly climbed into the darkness without a thought. If this is where he wished her, then here she shall be.


The moment she stepped on that ladder and went up, Lucius couldn’t help himself but to look up as she did, and with that sight once more something stirred within him. He wanted to stop her half way up, but before he knew it her body was swallowed by darkness, and with it the lovely sight he had had.
A wishful sigh escaped his lips, and as he climbed the ladder he tried to get his head clear again.

Dammit Lucius, dammit…

[Admin]

Yaassima climbed up the ladder, cursing herself. Why did she wish his arms around her so much when she hated to be touched? He was keeping her with him, so why did she wish to cry? Why was she so aware of him...when she did not effect him the same way? She was cursed, she had to focus and stop thinking of these things before she drove herself mad.

Once up in the attic Lucius found her quickly again, her dress not more than a shade less dark than the surroundings. Carefully he pulled up the ladder again and sealed off the manhole.

His sight rapidly adapted to the darkness and soon he could see things perfectly. This was his terrain. The moonlight found its way through a few small cracks between the rooftiles, but it never was much. Flawlessly and on places where any normal man would have bumped his knee and his head, or tripped over an object a million times, Lucius found his way between boxes and what appeared old furniture. The attic was rather big and seemed to exist as one big loft on top of the inn.

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Here, directly under the roof they both could feel the temperature drop. Not that it would hurt them much as they had a natural resistance to it. Nevertheless, where they were going Lucius couldn’t use body parts flashing in darkness.

He opened one of the chests and took some dark clothes out of it. Then he walked over to her and swirled a black hooded cloak over her shoulders. Before she knew it, he was the one making sure it was tied.
“There… you look… good.” Those eyes...

Say it, Lucius! Say it!


The cloak enveloped her, his fingers brushed against her as he tied it. It was almost as good as his arms around her. No, not even close. But the care he took with her, the way he took care of her, it was a start. She could live forever on just one of his smiles.


Instead he looked at the other clothes, ready on one of the boxes. He turned away from her and walked to the side of the attic. With his back at her he started to strip, taking of his delicate but decent clothes. His body partially at a display, Lucius started to put on the other clothes that completely hid his flesh, including is face, except for a small slit around the eyes. First a black shirt, then a likewise jacket, a black pants which looked like it was made from a stretchable and lightweight fabric which further downwards disappeared in black boots.
This footwear had a split in between a big toe and a small toe and if Yaassima recognized it, these were designed for climbing ropes and pipes as well as for scaling walls.
He started to fill his pockets with all kinds of objects, among them a few sharp looking, and a few breakable but wrapped in soft looking fabric.

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Her eyes followed him as he changed his clothing. The gleam of his upper body in the scant light made her wet her lips. His chest was muscular, well defined. He has the build of a swimmer. Again she felt the fluttering in her stomach as she watched him. Then, her eyes really looked at the clothing. Lightweight, dark, thin...this was work wear. The boots were meant for climbing, the clothing for staying hidden. Her head tilted slightly.

Fully geared up in a way like Yaassima hadn’t seen him before, Lucius walked back while he too swirled a cloak over his shoulders.

He didn’t say anything anymore but simply look her hand and let her to the other end of the attic. And before she knew it they were out on the roofs and started a journey under a partially clouded sky, swiftly jumping over gaps between buildings and stepping over low roof walls. It never got difficult, and perhaps on purpose given the fact Yaassima was still wearing a dress.

This...was freedom. The soft shoes and boots they wore made little sound on the slate rooftops that he chose. In the darkness, it was a maze, a hidden forest where the chimney stacks were the trees and gables the undergrowth. Like children, they appeared to play hide and seek in the shadows...using agility and terrain to jump from rooftop to rooftop. A balcony became a mountain to climb. A steeped gable became a cliff to balance upon. Rooftops of flat stone became a game of who could be the most quiet.

Her lips curved in a rare smile as she followed him in the moonlight, this new world much to her liking. Here, she did not have to hide. Here, she could be herself and not care. For this one moment, she was truly free and she was giddy with it.

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Further and further Lucius led her into the night, until they suddenly stopped in front of a slanted roof window. The glass was very dirty and they were unable to see what was in the room on the other side and down below. Yet Lucius seemed to fully trust the situation and opened it.

Then he jumped and landed quietly on his feet. He turned and looked up, stretching his arms up motioning her to jump...

She gazed at the young man who had guided her on this journey. With anyone else she would have hesitated. But for him...she made the leap. She knew not what the room would hold, or why they were there. But she bravely took that jump on fate, trusting that he would be there to catch her.


Lucius was surprised, as if a slender bag of feathers was thrown in his arms. She was young, she was short, she was enchanting to him… and… she was a lightweight. He caught her under her arms, her feet hovering just above the ground a moment longer while he picked up her scent. Then he slowly set her down, letting her go.

Being held by him had her heart fluttering in her chest. He was stronger than she expected, holding her aloft for a few minutes before letting her down. Her eyes fastened on his lips as he whispered, her breathing unsteady.

The dark haired male whispered,” Keep your cloak at all times close around you, alright?” Then his hand reached for her hood which had fallen off in this last leap down, and pulled it back up before tucking away any other visible tresses under it.

Lucius turned to the door and took out that key again… which seemed to fit more than one lock.

He motioned her to follow him.They found themselves in a dark hallway again, comparable in size with the one of the inn where they were staying. But the appearance was completely different. While Lucius closed up the door, Yaassima had the time to examine these new surroundings.

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