Demonika: Preface

Whitchurch, England


There wasn't much time left.

 
If he wanted to get out he needed to escape. And fast.　
 

       From a nearby distance he could hear the echoes of rushed footsteps and loud angry voices coming from the south corridor hall; a handmade tunnel made out of mud and stone that he knew all too well.
　
       In just a few minutes the soldiers would break through the barrier and catch up to him. If he didn't hurry he would be put to death for treason; an act that would last for days, ensuring he receive the proper punishment for his crime.
 
       The painful truth of it was, he was scheduled to set sail back to his homeland tonight. His orders were straightforward and simple enough, which left no room for error. He was to return with or without evidence within a fortnight.
 
His time was up and he had nothing.
　
       Staying was dangerous. He knew that, too, of course. Receiving word of the Annual Winter Ball gave him the chance to see what the red blooded serpentine Royals were up to.
 
He even wore his finest suite just for the special occasion. Now it all seemed silly.

He risked everything just for the chance to catch the glimpse of the one thing that momentarily blinded him.
 
He was a dutiful soldier. One of the best, in fact. He was considered loyal, even.
 
And yet here he stood on enemy territory, searching for a lifeline. One that, much to his dismay, was no where in sight.
 
An unfamiliar sensation crept upon him, a dreadful revelation. It seemed almost too easy. He hated to admit that it was the perfect capture.
 
       The eagerly awaited celebration was a masked formal ball, which gave the chance of an easy out, just in case he needed it. But along the way something went horribly wrong. He didn't understand it but somehow, they knew it was him behind the black mask. 
 
For a moment they had the element of surprise.
 
Luckily he was trained for espionage which made him cunningly deceiving.
 
       It took some time but he managed to make it through the service kitchen; he barely escaped prying hands and was able to skilfully dodge concerned glances of the loyal help who would die to protect their king. It was by pure dumb luck and a few wrong turns that he made it all the way up to the balcony without being stopped.
 
The night was harsh. Winter had reached England early.
 

He looked around, searching for a way out.
 

       The balcony stretched to the other end of the castle. It overlooked the cold icy River Test and just beyond that were mountainous hills that he was sure were filled with handwoven traps that were meant to subdue him.
 

He placed his hands on top of the cool stone railing and leaned forward. 


       From what he could tell the murky water held a thin layer of ice on top of it. There were a few large boulders to the side of the outer wall but he doubt that he could free fall without making much noise. To the side of the river were a few dead trees with icicles hanging from the branches. The high pitched wind shook the trees violently in mother natures outrage.     
 
       His wool petticoat flapped against the wind in protest. It was his favorite coat that molded perfectly against his broadened shoulders. The gold and silver fashioned brass buttons were unbuttoned to the hem line and exposed his chest to the vengeful attack of the piercing wind.

The prickling in his neck informed him that he was not alone on the balcony as he first thought.
 
No. He couldn't deny it any longer. He felt a presence behind him.
 

He stood completely still, with his feet planted firmly in place.
 

He took one last glance back and felt a horrible pain of recognition.
 
       There she was, standing before him. For the whole night he tried his best to stay away from her. He wanted to shield her from the danger that he himself created. And yet it seems that she knew more about their bond than she was willing to first admit. 

       Otherwise, she would not have found herself outside, in the blistering cold, with him, an outlaw. Suddenly every encounter that they ever had over the lifespan of centuries bombarded him with an equal amount of sadness and unbridled joy. He kept the memories hidden deep within him and now they were demanding to be let out. 
 
       It was true that she was stunningly beautiful. After all, it was her beauty that entranced men from all over the world. For some unknown reason this lifetime kept her bound to the Royals. Kept her away from him.
 
In spite of everything she dared to take a step closer to him.
 
       The light from the moon cascaded down on her face and illuminated the soft traces of her fresh porcelain skin, plump rosy lips, and her delicate feminine body.
 
He shamelessly drank in every detail of her that he could.
 
       There she stood before him in her elegant white ball gown. There was a cloud of uncertainty that masked in her eyes. It was as if she were having an inner conflict within herself, one where her logic and intuition were at war with each other. 

"Do I know you?" she asked. Her melodic voice was soft and sweet. sensual even.

       He could fall asleep peacefully just to the sound of her voice alone. The hint of doubt in her question pained him to no end. She didn't remember. She couldn't. That was their fate. To find each other and be forced apart again and again. It was a vicious and unfair cycle.  One that he was getting rather sick of.
 
       For the first time in this century he felt pain stricken. He didn't think he would find her again. For all he knew, she completed her soul cycle without him. And yet, here she was, of all places. Telling her the truth was not an option. There wasn't enough time to try and explain what they meant to each other.

"Will you come with me?" he asked. And again he knew the answer.
 
Every lifetime they had together was different. But it always ended in the same way. No, of course she wouldn't go with him. She was bound to the land.
 
Her father made sure of that.

"Will I see you again?" she asked hopefully.
 
       He smiled faintly at the longing in her voice. Even if she didn't understand what was happening she must have felt the powerful pull just as he did. She had too. He was sure of it.
 
He looked into her captivating grey eyes. "I will find you again. I promise."
 
       And with that he jumped off the balcony and dove straight into the depths of the frozen river. Her screams were the last thing that he heard before he plunged underwater. 

soon, my love. soon. he thought before he succumbed to unconsciousness.