Page 89 of Runes To Rain
I wasn’t the intended target.
I turn around to see the knife bury itself in the middle of Lily’s forehead. She dies so quickly that she doesn’t even cry out, but I do. Even as I hear the scream leave my lips, I feel animpact against my back, and looking down, I see a sword protruding from my abdomen.
I suddenly have no breath.
My body jerks as the sword is pulled free, and I slump to the ground. I feel or hear footsteps leaving and the door closing behind them.
The room spins. I think my instincts are screaming at me, but all I can see is the knife hitting Lily playing on repeat in my mind.
My instincts finally manage to take over, and I drag myself into another room, some sort of living space. Everything is going dark; the speed with which the room is spinning is increasing. Pain continues to explode through me.
A trail of black blood trails out behind me, marking my path.
My body, as though it is listening to some other master, takes a clay sculpture from a short table beside me and throws it through a nearby window with nearly all the remaining strength I possess. Unsure why I even made the effort, I roll over onto my back and close my eyes.
However, as I close my eyes, black wings seem to cross my vision, and I scrape my eyelids back open and tilt my head to see that there is a single, familiar crow perched on a railing outside the window.
“Get Malam,” I choke out, feeling blood on my lips, only just able to make out the crow as it takes flight.
With my strength then fully gone, I close my eyes and let the darkness pull me away.
DIO’S JOURNAL - ENTRY 37
Annum:5615
Entry 37 - diligo
When I woke this morning on the floor of a strange apartment, I slowly remembered what had happened. Then I had a moment of panic when I realized I was alone. As consciousness fully returned to me, I remembered that Chaosta works on a carriage and I was able to relax a little and ready myself before leaving the apartment and returning here. Of course, she needed to go to work. She’s clearly been working hard, too hard for my comfort.
Actually, it was her work on the carriage that helped me figure out where she was staying. After many dead ends, I suddenly saw pink hair and a form I recognized clinging to the back of a carriage as it flew past me. After some additional investigation, I managed to locate where she was staying, which led to me showingup, unannounced, last night.
She answered the door with a sword in her hand. I had already been sure she’d turn me away. For a moment, I worried she might not stop there. Not like it was the first time I wondered what she might do to me when I saw a sword in her hand. At least this time I wasn’t bleeding internally, Ha! Then she surprised me by letting me in. I’m still kind of shocked by the space she was living in. She said it wasn’t hers, but it made me wonder to whom it does belong. It was homey and sweet, completely at odds with Chaosta’s steel and spice.
I was trying to go slow and just talk. I tried to warn her about me. I was trying to be careful, trying to give her the respect she’s always deserved from me. I wanted her to take time to think.
I finally got the words out I wanted to say. I think I did all right and shared how I feel. Things were getting hot, and I was still trying to go slow. I figured it would be only fair to show her my scars. Then she traced the rune on my chest, and I nearly decided, yet again, that she deserves better than me. I almost had myself convinced to leave, but she wouldn’t let me go. She seemed to be alright with me being a monster and said she doesn’t need a hero. She asked if I’d accept her darkness too, and I finally understood.
I couldn’t breathe for a moment. I’ve been so blind to it, but she’s not some innocent soul either. Fuck, she’s killed angels, even killed to protect me, and did so without a second thought. I wish I had put that together beforelast night. I also wish I had realized sooner that my heart belongs to her, has belonged to her for a long time.
I have to confess that this morning, before I left, I saw one of her sketches sticking out of a notebook, and I took it. I just needed something of her as I left that place. Her absence this morning, especially waking up without her, is nearly a physical pain.
When I got home, I couldn’t help myself. I went right to Reem and told him that either he needs to allow Chaosta to return or I’ll be moving out. He wasn’t happy about it, but of course, I got my way. I think he realized he had acted rashly that day after the fight in the street. I get it, emotions were high, and he’d been particularly stressed about things with the band. He’s still upset and stomped out of the room after we talked, so I’m going to have some work to do to mend things.
Lent went with him to try to settle him. Thank the gods for him being the peacekeeper. I have to admit I’m also glad Lent left because with how smitten he seems to be with Chaosta, I’m not sure how I’m going to tell him she’s mine. I already feel so fucking possessive. I need to get a handle on this, or having her living here with three other guys is going to get messy. I just can’t believe I deserve her, and the other guys are certainly better options. It’s going to be difficult to trust that she won’t decide to move on and date one of them instead.
Maybe I should reconsider moving us to our own place. At least maybe if we aren’t living with a bunch ofother attractive, successful guys, it will be easier to convince myself that she’ll stay with me.
Anyway, let me get back on track. Fem stuck around after Reem and Lent left and asked me what had happened. I think for a minute he might have worried I was using again. I’m sure I looked high as fuck, I mean, I was, but not on drugs.
When I told him the brief, appropriate version of what happened, though the smug bastard just grinned and basically said it had taken me long enough. Have I been that transparent?
Now I’m just waiting for time to pass so I can track her down again and tell her she doesn’t need to work anymore. I’m trying to convince myself I’ll respect her decision if she wants to keep working. I’m not sure I will be able to, though. I have nearly unlimited resources at my disposal, and I think it’s going to break me if she’s out working such a dangerous job. I want her here with me now, and I’m not a patient man.
I don’t know how I’m going to get through the rest of the day
EXCERPTS FROM MALAM
Iam in a conclave when a familiar crow shows up. I hold out my hand for him as a perch. I’m curious what he might have to tell me, but when his claws hit my arm, I am consumed by sudden pain.
