Darkest of Night

Chapter two: Shattered Ring



AN: ^^ Now onto the rest. Tell me what you think!



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A heavy buzzing feeling filled Raenef’s ears as he slowly came back into awareness. He found himself tucked into a lush, soft bed with silk sheets and heavy blankets pillowed on top of him. It felt like his body was made of lead, it was so heavy. His eyes fluttered open weakly. The canopy ceiling of the bed came into view, a painting of doves and ravens flying together in the sky like leaves in the wind.



Where was he? What was going on? Where was Cale?



“Ca-Cale?” he choked out, falling into rough coughs that burned his lungs and made his chest hurt as fire ripped through his throat.



“Easy there, here, drink this, you’ll be alright now.” A soothing voice whispered softly somewhere off to his left.



He managed to open his lips, their cracked and damaged flesh burning faintly as a small vile was placed against them and a soothing cold liquid was gently poured into his mouth. Instantly he gagged, almost spitting out the concoction as the taste made his body convulse faintly. Strong and determined hands pressed against his shoulders to hold him down as he managed to swallow the nasty potion. The pain in his throat receded until it was only a mild soreness.



Raenef shivered, looking over to try and see who it was that was helping him. It wasn’t Cale. He could feel Cale. He knew when Cale was beside him. But then who was this man? His dark violet eyes managed to focus after a moment and a young man no older than he was came into view. His hair was dark, inky black and hung into his golden eyes roguishly. For a moment Raenef almost thought he was a demon but the thought was pushed aside as he realized that a demon would be helping him…well probably not.



“Who?” he managed a weak whisper, his throat scratchy but mostly audible.



The other smiled warmly. Raenef had the faint impression of a demon hiding as an angel.



“Don’t worry. You’re safe here. My name is Cain. My servant Riff found you outside in our woods. We were worried we didn’t manage to get you warm soon enough.” He admitted. “I’m glad to see that you’re alright now. Or at least better than you were, though I must admit I almost believed you to be a girl with such a pretty face.” He said, his voice faintly teasing.



Had it been Cale Raenef might have shoved him or teased him back, but he wasn’t Cale. With that thought he tried to gather himself again to sit up, but the boy, Cain, was ahead of him and easily held him down.



“Now now, that isn’t the best idea at the moment. You need to rest. You almost died after all.” He said seriously.



Raenef almost snorted. He didn’t care what this guy wanted or thought, he had to find Cale. Cale would be worried. He had to find him and make sure that he was okay.



“T-there was a ring…” he whispered. “Where’s…where is my…ring.”



The golden eyes blinked faintly before flickering in understanding.



“Oh, don’t worry your ring and dagger is right here, see. We had to cut the ring from your hand, I’m sorry to say. It was melted to the metal. It will take a while to heal.” He explained slowly, trying not to talk too loud.



The worry slipped from his eyes and he relaxed into the plush pillow below his head. “Thank you…” he whispered softly. “Please…can I have it? I need…I need to hold it.” He begged.



Cain didn’t seem to see a problem with this and nodded, gently uncovering Raenef a little so he could shakily bring his arm up from its confinement. His whole arm ached and it felt like needles were being driven into his joints but he ignored them. He couldn’t even see any of the damage because his whole arm was so heavily bandaged.



The ring was gently placed into his palm and the injured boy instantly closed his wrapped fingers around it securely. He managed to relax again and let the arm rest against his chest while the blankets were brought back up around his shoulders. He closed his eyes for a moment, the small movement exhausting him and making it hard to imagine going so far as to getting out of bed. He had to though…what if Cale was worried and looking for him. He wouldn’t know where he was. Raenef wasn’t stupid though…he knew he wasn’t going anywhere as long as the other was there with him. He needed to get him to trust him enough to leave then sneak out.



“Why did you save me?” he finally asked, glancing up to the other.



Those demonic gold eyes flashed with amusement, as if a hidden secret just for himself as he leaned back faintly into the ornate chair.



“Would you rather I not?” he asked, tilting his head a bit. “No, I saved you because it makes for a bad reputation if I have strangers showing up dead on my property.” He chuckled, a white gloved hand reaching up to faintly support his chin. “Though I am intrigued as to why you were here in the first place. My winter estate is rather out of the way.”



Raenef looked away. He couldn’t tell anyone what had happened, or where he had come from. He was in enough danger as it was.



“I got lost.” He lied, though it was a rather weak excuse.



The other just watched him closely for a moment before brushing it off. Or at least brushing it into the back of his mind to think about later.



“You need to eat something. I will call my servant.” He said before standing and going to pull on a rope. “You’ll have to start out with soup, I’m afraid that anything too solid might make you ill at the moment. I’ve called for a professional doctor but with the storm it will take him a while to get here.”



Raenef glanced up but closed his eyes again. He didn’t know who this man was or why he was there but he didn’t trust him. He couldn’t. But he couldn’t help but admit that if it wasn’t for him and his servant that he would probably have died.



“Thank you.” He whispered.



Cain merely nodded, turning to settle into his seat and wait for Riff to come up. He had told him to have tea and soup ready on hand for when their guest woke up so it would be coming now.



“You are welcome.”



It was only a few moments later when soft tinkling of china and a silver cart was wheeled into the room, a tea set and soup bowl hidden under a large steel dome. The man pushing the cart was still young, but older than the two of them, Raenef determined. His hair was a frosty blue while his eyes were a few shades darker. The man pushed the cart over to the side of the bed gently before bowing faintly to Cain.



“Would you like some tea as well Lord Cain?” he asked as he began pouring a couple of cups.



Cain nodded and took the offered tea before sitting back a little so this ‘Riff’ could help Raenef sit up. The injured boy hissed as jolts of pain rushed up his spine but once he was up a bit straighter he could sink back into the pillows again and it wasn’t so bad. The man gently placed the tray with the soup bowl into his lap.



“Will you need help sir?” he asked gently, his voice smooth and soothing.



Raenef wasn’t about to let anyone feed him though and he shook his head.



“No, I’m fine.” He nodded before shakily taking the spoon to eat.



His fingers felt thick around the delicate silver with all the bandages wrapped around his hands but he went slow and managed to carefully feed himself without spilling. It took a lot of effort though and he finally had to sink back into the covers, glancing over at the dark haired boy who had continued to stare at him while he ate.



“Please stop doing that. It’s rather annoying.” He said softly, a faint prang of irritation making his mouth pull into a faint frown.



The other chuckled, an infuriating chuckle that Raenef wanted to stifle with a sock.



“My apologies, I did not mean to be so rude.” He said, before brushing it off. “Have you had your fill? Was it alright?” he asked.



Of course the soup had been marvelous so Raenef didn’t see any point in going on about it.



“It was good, now I would like to leave. I would hate to bother you any longer.” He said, trying to sit up again but once more was intercepted by Cain and gently pushed down again.



“I’m sorry I cannot allow that while you are in this state…you are in my care and I would please ask that you kindly allow me to take care of you until the doctor arrives.” He smiled, though the smile seemed more like a gentle warning.



For some reason the boy reminded him of someone but he couldn’t quite figure out who it was. It wasn’t important though. Right now he needed to leave.



“Look, I don’t need help, I need to find someone. I’m perfectly fine.” He insisted, trying not to get mad as the tray was taken away and Cain was able to better hold him down.



“No, I’m sorry that is not an option.” He said again, that infuriating smile not slipping from his lips. “I’m sure if you tell us who you are looking for we can help locate them for you.”



Raenef ruffled, his eyes narrowing as he ignored the prangs of pain that tinged his arms and legs. He wasn’t going to tell anyone about Cale or he would be hunted down. Who knew who these two were? They might turn him in to the damn doctor or kill him.



“Let go of me! You have no right to keep me here! I demand that you let me go!” He said angrily, trying to pull away from the other but Cain had a strong grip and his mind was starting to go fuzzy and his body heavy again.



“I’m sorry but that really isn’t possible, please just relax. You’ll be better after you sleep some more.” He said gently.



There was a hint in his voice though and the pulling was unnatural as he sunk deeper into the pillows and his eyes became heavy.



“B-bastards…you…you drugged…soup.” He whispered, his eyes fluttering closed once more until a few moments later he was breathing slowly and had slipped into a medicine induced sleep.



Cain pulled back gently and looked to Riff who nodded.



“I added the powder like you ordered, just enough to make him drift off.” He said, confirming the other’s accusations.



The young earl nodded, pulling on his jacket from the chair.



“Thank you, Riff. I need you to keep an eye on our guest while I do something.” He ordered, heading towards the door.



Riff nodded. “Yes sir. Will you be leaving the estate?”



“Yes, I believe I will need to. There’s something more to this than the boy wants us to believe. Remember the impression on his hip?” he asked, causing the other to nod.

“I do not believe that it is a coincidence that this boy’s brand is the symbol of a tarot card. He may very well be linked to Alexis…and I want to find out how.” He said simply, picking his hat up from the side table and pulling it on.



“Watch him closely Riff, and should he try anything, shoot him. I won’t risk your safety.” He said with a nod.



Riff nodded but sent him a concerned look. “I would prefer to come with you, Lord Cain. I would be able to protect you.”



“I know Riff, but I need you here. I will just have to survive without you beside me this one time.” He smirked faintly.



Riff wanted to argue, but it was an order and so he nodded weakly, settling down into the chair.



“As you wish, Lord Cain. Please be careful.”



"I will. Hopefully this is nothing but a coincidence and we will not be having to deal with my father." he said seriously.



With that he stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him. He could only pray that his father wasn't involved. He didn't want to see anymore people that he cared about be murdered....



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^^ and the end of the second chapter. Tell me what you think! Rate and Review!