Change of a Sentence

[mtdew4kiri]

She sat at the back of her cell; curled up and shaking slightly. It wasn't even midday yet and the sun was shining brightly upon Treset. As ordered, the boards had been removed from all the vampire cell roofs. The shine didn't feel warm, but it was beating down strongly. Gently, she let her head roll to the side and she used the wall as a prop to hold her head up. She stared at the four-thick metal bars in the door window with exhausted dark brown eyes. Her abnormally dry and chapped lips were parted just slightly as she seemed to breath heavily through her mouth, rather than her nose. Very slowly, and with a small wheezing sound, her chest rose and fell.... and the worst was still to come.

She ignored the guards pacing outside in the hall, laughing at all the vampires that were being held. As usual, a few of the vampires would die today. She shook a little more violently in the corner and she tightened herself in a ball. Her long nails dug into her sides. She clenched her eyes and jaw shut as a wave of pain washed over her body. Whimpering softly to herself, she tightened her arms around her; her nails dug into her side and soon, she felt the sticky blood escaping the wounds. That had always been the plan: cause the vampires pain, get them cut up and full of wounds, then stick them in the sun. The bleeding would eventually stop, but the wounds would stay open, and most of the time open wider into gashes. With that thought in mind, she pulled her nails out of her side- she cried out in doing so- and gripped her arms and shoulders. A guard outside, in hearing her cry out, peeked in at her to see her bleeding. He called others over; one had grabbed a torch and lit a smaller stick on fire. He easily threw the stick and it hit her arm, bounced off and landed next to her. It quickly burnt out, but the stench of burning flesh filled the air. she could only clench her jaw more and deal with the pain... The burn wound only spread a little on her arm. Clearly not the reaction they wanted, one of the guards opened the door and stepped inside. She weakly looked over at them and tightened herself up more.

[mtdew4kiri]

The prisoners across the hall simply looked in from the cells. A guards walked up to her, gripped her hair and pulled her out of the corner and tossed her to the middle of the cell. The one with the torch stood with the group and walked forward. She had landed hard and scrapped along her arm as she tried to break the fall. Once down, she curled up tightly against. "Hold her." The one with the torch snapped. The guards moved in and pried her out of her ball. easily, four held her, then pulled her up into a standing position. She tried to get free, but a hard slap to her face was her only reward. Another guard came over and held her in a headlock; forcing her to look at the guard with the torch. "It would seem she doesn't hurt with fire... but I think that's just a front..." He chuckled and walked forward, looking at one of the guards holding her arms. the guard held her arm out; the one that was burnt slightly. "Think she's a screamer?" He asked and gripped the torch tightly. the guards all chuckled and looked at him. He stopped in front of her, smirked and held the torch under her arm at her elbow. The top of the flame licked at her arm. Burnt flesh filled their noses again. After a few moments, she began to struggled to pull her arm free as she screamed in pain. She managed to pull her arm just slightly; however, she bent her elbow and touched her skin to the burning wood. He quickly pulled the torch back as he laughed louder at her pain. She grit her teeth as tears came to her eyes and she cried out more. She had stopped struggling, the sun taking more of her energy. Her elbow was black, red, and bleeding a little; her bone was exposed in a small part. She fell limp in their grasp and they all chuckled.

Her screams and cries ripped though the cells once again. Her nails dug and chipped away slightly as she clawed at the wall. They pinned her against the wall and pressed the side of her face against the confinement. The guards had lifted her legs up enough and burned the bottom of her feet, then pressed them down and had ground her feet into the gravel of that section of the cell. By now, they had rid her of her clothes; spots of red, and even some black, had formed on her bare back; along with a few burn marks. They pressed her hard against the heated wall from the sun. Her elbow had long stopped bleeding, but the blackened skin had long spread out. Roughly, they flipped her around and made sure to hit a new patch of sun on the wall to dig her sore back into. She cried out softly and looked at them. So much energy had been drained from her from the sun; she could barely hold her head up. "Let me see your dagger." came a guards voice. To weak to try to look up, she simply listened. through her bangs, she watched as the guard with the torch held the flame out to another guard. He held the blade in the flame. Slowly, the metal began to turn to a light red. She clamped her eyes shut and tensed up. He held the dagger back in the fire and stepped closer to her. "It really is a shame she's not human, isn't it, fellas?" The one with the dagger smirked. The guards mumbled and agreement and chuckled. He stepped closer and forced her legs open with his hands. The guards held her legs like that and smirked. He took the dagger, now a bright red, and press the metal to her inner thigh, then forced her legs closed. Her eyes shot open as she watched the events unfold; a cry was let out. "That's it, sweetie?" He chuckled and pulled the dagger out and held it in the fire. Once more, he forced her legs open. "Hold her still... for every sound she makes," He handed the dagger to the one holding the torch, "cut her." He ordered. The guard still held the dagger in the fire, and smirked. The guard gripped her cheeks and forced her to look at him as he dropped his pants. "I wonder what he sees in you..." He dug his nails into her flesh. "Vampires are such useless and vile creatures... yet... he always visits you..." He wondered out loud and forced himself into her. Her eyes went wide and were immediately filled with hate and tears. She whimpered softly; then cried out when the hot dagger cut across her arm. "You're nothing... just a useless shell of a being that should've died centuries ago!" He snapped and slammed into her. He ripped the dagger out of the guards hand and pressed the heated metal to her nipple. She screamed out; and once more was cut; this time on the underside of her breast. He dug his nails deeper into her cheeks, bruises started to form.

[mtdew4kiri]

Blood was everywhere in the cell. Drawn out hand smears on the wall, smears on the cell floor, drops and puddles were everywhere... and yet, she still was able to draw breath. The stench of burnt flesh and blood mixed together and made the cell reek.

"Why isn't that wench dead!?" A guard asked as they stood above her body. She was collapsed on her side, breathing few, slow and light. Dirt surrounded the wounds and gashes stretched on her body. With a final kick, the guards left her cell; the sun finally low enough in the sky that it didn't reach a corner of her cell. After she heard the door slam shut and the guards walk off, she slowly and weakly dragged herself to the corner. With each attempt to pull, and every success in moving, she cried out- the cuts on her legs, arms and torso gained more dirt and bits of rock and opened a little wider. Finally, she made it to the corner and laid there. She was too weak to even try to get her dress back on. She managed to prop herself against the wall and looked to the door once more. Slowly, her eyes shut and her breathing slowed even more. Her hand slowly fell off her body and landed hard next to her. Anyone that would look in could only assume she had died...

[Kiri]

"Oy! I think we have another dead one!" One of the guards voices called out as they rounded to her cell. Her body, all beaten and mangled, laid what looked to be lifeless to the untrained eye, and an untrained eye the guard had. Sometime during the night, perhaps when she had still been passed out, she had a roof over her head, unlike the day before. Still laying naked in the corner, the vampire slowly moved an arm and gasped very softly in pain as she did so. She could hear the door opening to her cell, but she just didn't have the energy to even open her eyes.

"You idiot, she's still alive!" Another guard called out, and the shuffle of one being pushed, as well as the breeze of movement brushed over her chilled, blacked skin.
"The Prince won't be happy about this one..." Prince? He's back?
"What's so special about this one?"
"Rumor says he's drawn to this one.... captivated by her stories." Idiots.... that isn't it...
"Stories?"
"Yeah. No one but him knows her real age. She tends to change it with every person she speaks to, just so people wouldn't know her real age. She's at least a few centuries old, though. She use to be one of those free, 'proper' vampires back before everything went to hell."
"Oh wow, really?" Just by the sounds of it, the first guard, the inexperienced one, was clearly young and new to the court.
"Really. I for one support Prince Nexus on his claims that vampires aren't bad..."
"But, sir, that's...."
"I know, against the Queen's likings... but when you've gotten to actually speak with some of the non-crazy ones, like her, you'll learn."
"How do you know she isn't faking it?"
"Because... I just do. Why else would Prince Nexus speak about her?" He speaks about me...?
"Cause he's twisted and demented?"
"And you say I'm bad. That's not way to call our Prince, kid. Come on, help me get her dressed."
"What are we going to do?"
"We're going to get her fixed up..."
"But--!!"
"Shut up, dammit and help me!"

Emma could feel warm arms around her torso and with a harsh and loud gasp of pain, she was laid onto her back. Slowly, she could feel the fabric of her dress pull and tug on the wounds she had received. She could feel their hands working- it was nothing compared to the feeling of the other guards from the day before. Next thing she knew, her head was tilted back, her mouth opened and she could feel the warm, sweet nectar of an animal running down her throat.

"What is that?" The younger guard asked.
"Horse blood. Poor beast died this morning from old age. I know they prefer human blood... but animal blood is a great substitute.... Especially since we are forbidden to give out human blood, unless it is a prisoner."
"How do you know all this?"
"They told me. You can't believe everything they say about all the beasts and beings of Cyllaron..." He dismissed and stood up. "Come now, we leave until tonight."

The heavy cell door closed behind them. Finally, after a long morning, Emma had opened her eyes. He was back, and that meant Nexus would return.

[Kiri]

After Ares had left the Prison, he made sure to keep the younger guard in front of her cell. Teal leaned against the wall and let his head fall back and bump against the cold stone walls. He still couldn’t grasp the idea why he was ordered to watch her cell, or why they cared so much about the vampires… when he jumped and nearly screamed as a long, thin hand gripped his shoulder. Emma dug her nails into his armor; her thin, cut-up arm through the bars of the door. “Where…..” She began softly; her voice rough, her throat parched; “Where… is Ares….” She asked softly and ran her parched tongue over her equally parched lips.

Teal tensed up and looked at her. If possible, she was even paler with even darker looking circles around her eyes. “He isn’t here.” He stated, then jerked his shoulder away; only to be pulled back against the door. Despite being weak, and looking ready to collapse, her grip was as strong as ever and the look in her eyes said so. “Where?” She repeated herself. “Went to go get Prince Nexus from the docks.” Teal explained to her. Emma continued to give a hard look, but released him and in turn gripped the steel bars of the door’s window. “Are you assigned to watch my room, like the others were that did this to me?” She stated harshly. The young man clenched his jaw, “Do not compare me to them, they are—“ “You tell me not to compare you to other humans and beings that have been told to guard me, yet you compare me to all those rogue vampires?” She interrupted and pressed her face against the bars. “How can you judge me like I am one of them, then ask me not to judge you like one of those guards?” She asked and backed away from the door. He frowned and looked down at the ground. “I’m sorry…But I am not like them…” “And I am not like the ones you compare me and many of the other vampires here to.” Emma stated and leaned against the wall, then fell back into the corner. “I just… want to see him again…” She stated softly.

“Then count your wish as granted….” Teal stated softly and opened the cell.

[Lovely]

"What are you doing?"
Nexus's footsteps could be heard down the hallway as he stood just a couple feet away from Teal and Emma. Nexus saw Emma and his heart nearly leaped out of the cavity of his chest. He swallowed hard, he couldn't let his feelings take the best of him, he knew that his mother would never approve of this. He neared the two as Teal began to open the cell door, "why are you opening that cell door? Without even the approval of her highness the queen? What say you?" Nexus's face was cold, and though his heart race he would not allow it to express it from the hardness of his face.

[Kiri]

Teal tensed up immediately at the sound of his voice. "Prince Nexus!" He exclaimed and pressed back against the wall. Slowly, he glanced at the prince and shivered at the cold express. "I wasn't doing anything! I was going to give her more medicine for her wounds, and try assessing what she needs." He quickly spat out and licked his lips, then gestured to the small bag near the door that Ares had left.

Emma lightly lifted her head up and looked back at Nexus through the doorway. A small smile tugged on her lips as she felt her chilled heart flutter a little. "Prince Nexus..." She mumbled very softly; although it sounded harsh and hoarse. The smile on her lips couldn't, or perhaps wouldn't, hide her relief that he was back.

[Lovely]

Nexus approached the two as he grabbed the bag as he threw himself in front of Emma, he didn't even take a second thought if it was wise. He began to dress her wounds, he shook his head almost angered at the thought that during the 6 months of his departure she had undergone through so much torment. He caressed her cheek as he raised her head to face his, his dark hair fell in heavy clumps over his dark blue eyes as he connected them with Emma's. "...I'm sorry" He whispered to her, he knew that his gestures were obvious but Teal had seen him react in such a way countless times. He tried his best to make it not so evident he liked her. He sighed as he felt slightly angry with himself. How could he allow this to unfold...to her out of all of them. "...I really am sorry" He repeated, his voice cracking a little as he could feel his eyes sting with the tears that begged to escape, but they never did.

[Kiri]

As soon as the Prince threw himself into the cell, Teal quickly backed away and let the door close behind them. He tensed up once more and stood guard in front of the entrance; blocking anyone's view into the cell; not even he could see into it.

Emma gave him a weak smile as he caressed her face, and she let her dark brown eyes fill a little with tears. Unlike Nexus, however, she let them flow free. "I missed you..." She whispered softly; ignoring his apologizes. She moved one hand up to rest against his cheek and very gently brushed the pad of her thumb over his lips, and even poked it in some to brush against the bottoms of his fangs. From lack of nutrition, her skin was easily cut across them, yet she didn't bother to pull her hand back. The weakened vampire simply gazed into his eyes. "I was beginning to think... that you had forgotten about me..." She chuckled dryly, then laid her head back to rest against the stone wall.

[Lovely]

"I'd never forget about you" He reassured her as he resumed to treat her wounds. He felt the rage bubble within his veins, how could his mother's men treat her prisoners with so much hate...vampires never asked to be born, and Nexus was aware of this. In most cases they were turned by force, in reality they were better off dead if it meant that they would no longer being treated even less. She was what motivated him to try and help her kind, and seeing her in so much pain caused him to ache inside. "...This isn't right...I have to put a stop to this" his anger now more visible from the tone of his voice.

[Kiri]

Emma frowned and watched him as he continued to clean her wounds. "as noble as that is, Nexus..." She began in a whisper, "you and I both know it wouldn't happen unless you became a king." she finished and looked at him. "But... I also think... if you get a group of supporters... you can change the view without being a king." She hinted and lightly took his hands in hers. "You don't need to do any of this... You being here is rejuvenating enough..." Emma told him softly, then lightly brought one of his hands up to her lips and lightly kissed it. "I've missed this so much..." She cooed gently and brushed his warm hand against her face. "You know... I'm not entirely sure... the Queen knew this was going on for all those months..." She stated softly, then lightly bit her lip. "...Is there any way... I can get some blood?" She asked him softly, while giving him a pleading look.

[Lovely]

"My mother suspects nothing...she knows how compassionate I am about you...about the vampires, I just wish that she could think for herself." He knew that most decisions that his mother had made, inflicted on her logical choices. Nexus was sure of it. He felt her cold hand slide between her slender fingers as he felt her tender lips lightly pepper his hand with kisses. Her voice was like music to his ears. It was then that Nexus heard Emma's question, "Is there any way...I can get some blood?" He opened his hand, exposing his wrist. He looked around, and over his shoulder and neared it to her, urging her to take some of his.

[Kiri]

Emma looked from his wrist to his face. "Nexus... I can't..." She mumbled and lightly bit her lip. "Do you realize how much trouble you could get into?... Or worse... how much I could get into?" She hissed softly, but kept eyeing his wrist. With a small whine, from her deeper instinct, she lightly took his wrist, pulled it to her lips and gently bit down deep. The instant his blood hit her tongue, she let a small moan loose. The vampire slowly closed her eyes and pushed his wrist harder against her fangs as she kept taking his blood. Her nails gently tug into his arm, slowly she began to squeeze his arm to get more blood. After a few minutes, but what probably felt like a painful eternity, she finally pulled away and tenderly licked the bite marks closed. It was like a near instant change: her skin was a little less pale, but definitely all healed. She looked up at his face, and into his eyes; her brown eyes a little brighter; near her true color. As she gazed up at him, she gently kissed over his wrist where she had bitten, and turned his hand over; continuing to kiss his warmed flesh, all the way down to his fingertips of which she kissed each one with a smile. "Thank you, Nexus." She whispered, sounding stronger than she just previously had.

[Lovely]

He felt a small sting escaping his wrist and released a silent gasp. He swallowed and watched her, almost eager for her to end, and when she did he felt his heart race even more. He knew it was a risk to take care if her, but seeing her suffer was something that was even worse for him. He felt the wound close, and formed a proud smile, "its nothing...I have to go however" He brought himself up, bringing her to her feet along with him. "don't think I won't come back" he caressed her cheek, his eyes meeting hers yet again. "...I will come back for you, I promise"

[Kiri]

Emma frowned at the mention of him leaving. As he caressed her face, she turned into his touch and frowned even more. "Then seal your promise with a kiss." She whispered softly and lightly pulled him back to her, just to feel his warmth once more. "Just something small.. so I know you will be back." She begged him softly and lightly ran her thin fingers through his fine hair.