The fall of Lorit Options

[Jac]

This is an expanson of a short story I posted awhile ago. Comments and critiques are welcomed. Thanks in advance.

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Sunlight streamed through the open shutters over Thadius’s face as he lay on the bed. He grunted and threw an arm over his eyes before turning towards the wall. A delicate finger caressed his ear as a soft voice whispered into it, “Thadius, it’s time to get up dear.”

“Bah. They can’t begrudge me a few more minutes sleep, Lorit.”

“Thadius, you need to get up now, dear. You know how the Legion is. If you’re late again…”

Thadius sighed and rolled over to face her. He opened his eyes and smiled as he looked into her brown eyes. He brushed a finger over darkened skin and through her short red hair. “I know, Lorit, I know. It’s just that-“

Lorit silenced him with a finger on his lips. “Shh. Enough of that, Thadius. It’s time for you to get dressed.”

“Yes dear.”

Groaning, he rose from the bed and slowly changed into his uniform. Lorit rose from the bed, her lithe body glowing in the sunlight as she helped buckle him into his cuirass. He turned around and embraced her, tracing a finger down her bare spine. “How did I get so lucky as to find you, Lorit?”

Lorit smiled at him and tousled his short brown hair. “Because you’re so good to me, Thadius. But if you don’t leave soon, that may change.” She poked his chest playfully before bringing his head down for a kiss. He smiled as he kissed her before reluctantly releasing her and strapping on his broadsword. He strapped his shield to his left arm and donned his helmet before opening the door and stepping outside. Lorit donned a robe and stood in the doorway watching him leave until he turned a corner. She closed the door and leaned against it for a few moments before closing the shutters, plunging the house into darkness. She lit a candle and carried it to the bed. She stepped out of her robe and lay on the bed, waiting. After what seemed like hours, she heard the door open and close softly. A figure stood by the bed, seemingly untouched by the light. A cold voice filled the room. “It is almost time, Lorit. Are you ready?”

Her breath caught as she answered, “Yes, yes I am, Reden. How much longer?”

The figure smiled as pale fingers snuffed out the light of the candle. Lorit tensed briefly as she felt the figure climb into bed, but relaxed as heat flooded through her.

[Jac]

Reden crouched atop the roof of Thadius’s house as he watched the town as it settled down for the night. He smirked as he heard the lovers beneath him. “Enjoy her while you can, Thadius, for she will soon be mine completely.” As the streets cleared and the Watch carted away the drunks too disoriented to make it home to the fort to sleep it off, he silently jumped to the ground. He looked around quickly before slipping into the alleyway between the houses, purposefully striding towards his destination. A dog barked at his passing, but the streets were otherwise quiet. He slowed as he approached a brick house, watching for movement. He circled the house once, looking into the windows for signs of life before coming to the front door. Laying a hand just above the lock, he muttered a string of words and smiled as he felt the dull click of the lock disengaging. He opened the door and stepped inside, careful to make no noise as he closed it behind him. He stood by the door and muttered another series of words, blinking his eyes as the spell took hold and brightened the room for him. He looked around and quickly made his way through the house, stopping at the nearest bedroom. He silently opened the door and stepped inside the room. He smirked as the couple shivered at his approach. He leaned over them and placed a finger on each of their eyes, muttering strange words vanishing as soon as he said them. The couple went lax as a deep sleep over came them. Reden removed his fingers and wiped them on his jacket before sneering and exiting the room, closing the door behind him. He continued down the hall to another door before stopping. He grimaced as he opened the door and stepped inside. He loomed over the child sleeping quietly in its bed for a few moments as he just stared. Finally, he reached down and muttered the same spell to enspell the child in a deep sleep. He gently lifted the child and carried it through the house and away. Once outside, Reden set the child down and pressed his hand to the front door, nodding to himself as he heard the lock click back into place. He picked up his burden and leaped onto the top of the roof. He leapt from rooftop to rooftop until he was away from the city and in the forest.

He ran swiftly through the woods until he reached the cave he and Dilia in habited. He frowned as he saw her waiting at the mouth, her porcelain skin gleaming in the moonlight. She stood with a hand on her hip, her clothing coyly dancing in the breeze. Reden shoved his bundle into her arms without a word and stormed off into the cave without looking back. Dilia took the child and stroked a sleepy cheek with a fingernail. “So precious, so delicate, so full of life. It’s almost a shame, really, but know that you’re to be part of something grand, young one. Your parents should be honored.” She cooed at the child as she entered the cave. She set the child down and tucked it in. “Sleep, my darling, for you have a big day tomorrow.” She smiled as she brushed an errant strand of hair from the child’s face and turned to leave. She stopped as she saw Reden glaring at her. “Still trying to believe you’re more than what you are, Dilia? Give it up; you’ll never be human again.” Dilia cocked her head to the side, her raven locks spilling over her bare shoulder. “And what, pray tell, is so great about being human again when you’re so much more? I relish what I am, don’t you? Oh, wait. I know. It’s her, isn’t it? You’re worried that your precious Lorit will reject you if she knew the real you.” She stepped close to him and touched his cheek, tracing her fingernail across his jaw, down his neck and over his chest. She stopped in the middle of his chest and poked slightly, drawing a bead of blood. She lifted the fingernail to her lips and licked off the blood. “Don’t forget that you are mine, Reden, for now and always. Forget that woman because she is not for you to have.” She held her nail to her chin before continuing, “if you do not, it will be…unpleasant…for the both of you.” She touched his cheek and stared into his eyes. “Now go get ready for me, I have need of you.” She smiled as Reden scowled at her and stormed from the room. She gazed at the child before leaving the room and closing the door behind her. Her eyes flashed as she followed Reden into the bedroom.

Later, after she was satisfied and Reden was fast asleep, she arose from the bed and donned her clothing. She quietly entered the portal room and closed the door firmly behind her. She squared her shoulders before beginning the incantations and stifled a shudder as the cold gaze of her father stared at her. “Report.” She started at his clipped words, but quickly gathered herself and responded, “We have another child, father. Tomorrow I shall give him to you.”

“Is he a strong child?”

“Yes, his spirit burns brightly. He should survive the transformation.”

Torgefin nodded. “Good. You are doing well, my daughter, but your…assistant is not. Deal with him or I shall.”

Dilia ducked her head. “Yes, father. He will not cause any problems.”
“Good. See that he does not. I have come too far to allow anything to prevent my success.”

Dilia gulped. “I understand, father. Thank you.”

Torgefin stared at her without any hint of emotion as the portal grew dark. Dilia stood shakily, her skin sweating in the cold air. She cleaned herself before slipping back into bed. She stared at the ceiling until the sun rose over the horizon before drifting off into a fitful sleep filled with nightmares.