Anachronistic: Endless Masquerade

41.a | Her Final Hunt Part 3

- 41 -

Stifled tears sounded from beyond the cabin door. Pandora could tell from the cadence that Lilith was trying to fight back her emotions, but the emotions were winning. She gripped the doorknob and let out a deep breath. She didn't know what to say to Lilith, what she could say, only that she needed to try.

        The creak of the door pulled Lilith's attention. Her crying halted, but the emotions behind it would be boiling beneath the surface. Judging by the look in her eyes, Pandora guessed they had been added to. Fear. Lilith's unease reflected back in her eyes.

        The look turned her stomach.

        Pandora took a step forward, then Lilith flinched. Even though she knew it would end up this way, it still hurt. To Pandora, the idea that she would ever hurt this woman was absurd, yet Lilith believed it. She had failed. All the time spent together, every conversation, had been meant to avoid this situation.

        I just wanted Lily to realize she was safe in my arms, but she hasn't. And if I keep trying to be subtle, maybe she never will.

        Pandora lowered herself onto the edge of the bed. Lilith shook. Careful not to startle her, Pandora crept her hand forward. Her thumb caressed Lilith's cheek, and her fingers nestled below her chin, gently guiding it up until their eyes met.

        "Lily... I know you're scared, and that's all right, but I'm here now. I promise, as long as I'm around, I won't let anyone, or anything hurt you."

        "But what if—"

        Pandora leaned in and rested her forehead against Lilith's. "No matter what."

        Silence lingered between them a moment, then it was replaced with the return of Lilith's tears. "Stay with me... Don't leave."

        "I won't leave."

        "Promise. Promise you won't leave me."

        "I'm not going anywhere, Lily."

        Desperate hands gripped around her biceps. "Then promise."

        "I promise."

        Pandora had said it with conviction, but she was worried Lilith still wouldn't accept it. The fidgeting of her fingers still gripped around Pandora's arms made her seem restless. Sure enough, after pulling herself closer to Pandora, Lilith said, "You didn't finish your story, right? The one with Renna."

        "There's a little more."

        "Tell me the rest. Please." Lilith's arms slipped around her and squeezed. "You can't leave until I know the end."

        Pandora sighed. No use arguing; this was what she had wanted after all. Lilith not only felt safe with her, she was asking her not to leave. begging for the story because it meant she wouldn't be alone. It was cute in a way.

        Still, Pandora wondered if it was a good idea. A story where a woman is killed for being a youkai? It didn't seem the best choice. But if it will convince Lily I'm on her side, I'll tell it. 

        Pandora pulled Lilith up into her lap, gave her a kiss on the top of the head, and started.

╔═══━━━─── 🌸 ───━━━═══╗

        I don't know if it was the pain alone, or the tears it caused, but despite the throbbing coming from the left the vision in my right eye was failing. The small waiting room burred in and out, fading to full black at the crest of each heartbeat. I attempted to ignore the pain. Gritting my teeth, I tried to focus on the indistinct smudges lining the opposite wall, chairs I think, but before long I was doubled over, grasping at my eye socket.