Cressida's POV:
The moment they left for her study, I wrenched back control from the hold on my psyche, the very move taught to me by the caster herself.
I turned myself imperceptible to the senses and went to the study, trying my best not to holler in joy when she clicked the door shut and didn't notice me. That was until I saw the smirk on her face and felt the barrier strike in place. So she knew that someone was trying to spy on her, though I knew it wasn't me. That was when the stench of death clogged my pores and the unearthly dæmons, the Kïvæh Stûçåm were here. So it was not my skills which had become rusty, it was their clumsiness as usual. And they had made it difficult for me to know about the "he" that Ayvah was speaking about.
I sneaked up to the grey skinned dæmons, all the while keeping an eye on Ayvah and Cohen who seemed to be discussing something serious. Don't ask me how, I just knew!
With how easily I sneaked up to them it was apparent that these were the lowest level of the rubble, the others must be lying in wait. Two of them, were speaking in the ancient language while the one in charge looked into the distance with glazed over eyes.
I slipped past his defences while he was busy, creeping into his memories.
" Gufynah, remember the worth of one page of the kamatayan anino is more than all your lives combined. If you fail to retrieve it remember that you dare not step on my realm again"
These words were enough for me to know the identity of the speaker even though her face was hidden in shadows. I couldn't help but laugh at their pathetic attempts for I knew that my guess was correct. These were truly the lowest of rubble, good only for spying and dirty attacks. The true mind behind them sat far away, lying in wait to try and steal the book from her.
Soon enough they left, having heard nothing worthwhile, most probably to report of their loss to Gufynah, the dark eyed dæmon extremely familiar to me.
The moment they left, I penetrated the shield cast by her, for it was only meant to allow her and Cohen access. Giving him access automatically gave me the right to enter if I knew how to use my powers correctly, which according to them I had forgotten. I could only hear the last few bits of their conversation, enough to make out that they were after someone, before they went on their way.
I waited for nearly an hour before following the tug of the bond I shared with Cohen, allowing it to lead me to their destination. It seemed that they were successful for a boy was crouching near Ayvah's feet, his eyes told volumes about the fact that he had accepted his death.
The words were barely perceptible as they left Ayvah's mouth, yet I heard it clear as day light;
" I have worn many faces in my lifetime, I am the face of someone's dreams while for others I am nightmare given flesh but the most famous face I've ever worn is the one that sailed a thousand ships."
And they called me dramatic!
Well, I had to live upto my name after all so I did what I was best at.
A dramatic entrance.
"The book of kamatayan anino. How interesting! The shadow of death. What a unique name, I must read it right? It seems you wouldn't have to take me shopping for books after all!"
I could clearly read the surprise etched on their features, the hope which reared its head and which was quashed brutally. The display of emotions which could only be read by someone very adept at reading their every move, someone who was familiar with each breath they took, someone who had spent years fighting by their side.
"Gather around one and all,
Dark knights and fair maidens all,
Hear this ancient tale reborn,
Of elves, Fae and the fire-born.
Of mighty kingdoms long since blown to ash,
Of ancient queens with swords as their only sash.
Hear the drums and mighty trumpet singing the war beat,
Witness hearts ensconced in such cold and heat,
A tale of hatred,love and emotions galore,
Of nightmares given flesh from folklore.
This is where truths blur and lies shine,
Where love sighs and hatred dines.
Each side of the same scarred coin,
Each breath on the same keel anoin,
Where myths become reality,
Where the only truth is partiality.
A lie older than time,
A truth just as serpentine.
Come, Gather around one and all,
Dark knights and fair maidens all,
Hear this ancient tale reborn,
Of elves, Fae and the fire-born."
I snapped the book shut and let out a content sigh, the words transporting me to another time, when all of this was much simpler.
But first I wanted to have some fun so I willed my voice into a dreamy lull and said,"Such enticing words, pieced together so beautifully, if only reality could be spun on the spindle of fiction, if only it could all come true, if only....."
The look in my eyes beckoned either of them into challenging me, my eyes held a promise of swift deliverance if they dared disagree and I could only watch in delight as Ayvah nodded her agreement, seemingly too drained to get into an argument with me.
Wise choice, after all it was I who had written such a beautiful introduction to the book of horrors, the contents of which were Ayvah's experiences, even though it barely covered any thing of importance, only the barest of details and spells of our lowest levels ensconced in it.
Having enough of their confused looks I let that soft smile on my face turn into the smirk which I often wore when all had not changed, when it was yet the time when we feasted on the blood of our enemies, when a single twitch of my finger was enough to send them running to secure shelter from my wrath. When my smirk was cause enough to send even the best of men cowering. The same smirk which was subject of countless nightmares for those who dared oppose us.
The hope on their faces was enough for me to break my silence and reveal the truth, for however much I like my dramatics, I loved them much more than that and so I said,
"Ayvah, Ayvah, Ayvah, the book reminds me of something, some beautiful fairytale drenched in blood. Who's blood? Yours? Mine? Cohen, you tell me was it yours brother?"
I subtly stressed out on the last word, making sure each word I uttered had the touch of my true accent, an accent lost to time but forgotten no more.
And so I let the seductress in me come out, my eyes turning sultry, sheer amusement visible to anyone who bothered to notice, further reminding them of the times long since past bit now fresh in my memories and theirs.
"Cressida? Is it true? Are you-" That was all that I allowed my idiotic brother to utter before I let my voice echo through their minds, making sure to not penetrate their shields, atleast not now without their permissions,. " Can you please keep your mouth shut! Cohen how I wished you had some intelligence to go along with your brute strength, but as I am stuck with you-" I let my sigh echo through their psyche before continuing," I have to make do with whatever I have. Well Ayvah I think it would be better to leave as the Kïvæh Stûçåm are circling about, waiting for us to slip up. And you guys can fuss over me when we are safe. I mean our level of safe. Oh! And I love you too, I mean I don't want you to feel left out." I aimed the last sentence at Ayvah, making sure to let them know before removing the barrier 'protecting' us from the dæmons, allowing them to feel that they had succeeded in catching us unaware.
Then all hell broke, for them ofcourse!
We allowed them to corner us, let each of them enter into the house, the trap which we had laid for them moments before. I knew that they were not known for their intelligence but this was pathetic at best. Even Gufynah fell into our trap, leaving me wondering if he was the same male that I knew.
That was all the time that we gave these so called predators, as Ayvah snapped the barrier shut once more, effectively trapping each of them in place, the book securely in her hands.
I couldn't help but be in awe of her powers for her glamour held even after so many decades had passed. Not one of them seemed to recognise us.
It was amusing to watch them try to shield themselves from our attacks. I entered into their minds easily, a mere thought sent their way was enough to drive them to the edge of insanity, enough so that they turned upon each other. Finishing with my set of the creatures, I turned to see Cohen had already incinerated his ones. We exchanged a look before turning towards Ayvah who seemed to look bored standing here, the dæmons were nightmare given flesh yet it seemed to her they were no more than mere pests.
She allowed them to advance towards her, and they did, all of them staying well away from us not knowing that they were approaching the worst one of all. They mistook her boredom for compliance and attacked her all at once. A second, it took her a mere second to send twelve of the most ferocious beasts to their deaths. I mean I could do that too if I harnessed even half of my powers, yet I knew the bonds holding my powers in place were much weaker compared to hers.
Even though her aura emanated power, I knew it wasn't even a quarter of her true ones.
Gufynah looked confused, before his confusion morphed into lethal rage and he attacked us. I mean the confusion was valid enough, after all we were practically unknown people who had successfully thwarted an entire array of his best soldiers, an array which was capable of sacking entire cities by themselves. Thirty two dæmons gone just like that. Even I would have been shocked if I wasn't,well if I wasn't me.
Although the rage part was stupid. I watched as Ayvah took control of his mind, making him hallucinate the carnage was due to a turmoil with other clans.
I smirked as she simply handed the book to him and erased his memories of today's occuring, while simultaneously ensuring a clan war. How cute!
With all that being said and done, we zenoed back to the villa. It was apparent that the Elders had no idea about our existence, they were simply after the book. I knew that the book was a mere excuse, the contents would barely be of any help to us yet Ayvah had gone to retrieve it. A ploy which I planned to uncover as soon as possible but before that,
"It's been years since we last came upon it, I wonder how that human got it. It's no wonder that they stooped as low as they did, if mere humans can get their hands on their prized possessions." The situation was hilarious at best yet I couldn't control the contempt that dripped from my tone when I uttered the word human. Though I knew that it wouldn't be possible without an insider's help, yet it was abhorrent to believe that someone had stooped so low so as to consolidate with humans. Yet for all my worth, these thoughts couldn't distract my mind from the fact that it had been thirteen years since I truly met them. Since it was me who spoke to them and not a mere shadow of myself.
And it was in that moment that Ayvah flung herself at me. Every mask she wore, every disguise was lost in that one moment. Tears dripped down her eyes, mingling with the ones that were already running down my face.
Even Cohen had tears leaking down his eyes, which he was sure to deny later, bit this moment was sheer bliss.
When I thought that it couldn't be more perfect, I felt the walls around Ayvah's psyche dropping, and I could only watch in joy as our bond snapped in place.
And so I let the memories of the first time we met each other flood down our mind. Both a reminder and a warning to not trust so easily, yet I couldn't help but be glad that she did trust me, that our bond was still alive. That I could send that memory down the bond, for I wasn't called the Memory Keeper for nothing.
......................
Zenoed- A power to warp space as we know it and to cross miles in a blink.
Kamatayan anino- Shadow of death.
Kïvæh Stûçåm- Dæmons who fought in clans and had various rankings with their leader having complete black eyes.
Anymore words that you guys have any problem understanding please do tell me, and I will try explaining it the best that I can!
Also there is an edit which I would love to share but it's only available on Wattpad (and it's free)
If you want to read the entire story for free just go to Wattpad
My URL is LucyQueenOriginal21
And the book is named Shadows
Also there is another book I'm working on called Manacled and it's exclusively available on Wattpad (for free!!) Please check it out...