Her Quest : Blood in the Shadows

It was a sunny morning. A rare but beautiful thing considering the way Ireland changed her nature.

Emm took in a deep breath, smiling as he tasted the freshness of the new day in his tongue. His loose faded t-shirt ruffled over his body as the chilly morning air caressed him like a mother waking up her child. Usually Emm's mornings started in the stable, working out, but lately he had taken to running.

A round through the woods, covering the area all around the castle helped him ease his mind. It also gave him assurance that there was no one lingering. After that night, he made sure no one was hiding around.

If only I had been alert that evening,

he sighed. The blame was on him.

His shoulders drooped as the images flashed again before his eyes. Shutting his eyes, Emm pressed the heel of his hand over the eyelids.

"Enough," he whispered. But that whisper held more noise than any scream.

"It won't happen again. I will protect her at all cost," he vowed silently, his words being carried away on the gentle chariot of the wind.

Turning around, he walked the path to the stables. This was his favourite place whenever he visited his grandparents. Once inside, he flicked the power button and the entire area ws flooded in the warm lights of the bulb.

A smile on the face, Emm got down to work. He needed to take his mind off things and repairing something let him be at peace.

It was nearly two hours later, when he rose up. Emm gave a nod, patting the seat of the black Mutt Mongrel.

Uncle Ray will be satisfied

, he mused.

Grabbing the greasy rag from the floor, Emm wiped his forehead then cursed as he felt the stickiness on his skin. Eyes still on the bike, he walked to the sink in the far corner of the old stable. Turning on the tap, he scrubbed his hands and face, not paying any mind to the icy-cold water.

He set aside the dirty cloth and opted to dry his hands elsewhere. Finding nothing, Emm picked up his t-shirt he had taken off sometime while working and wiping his hands, straddled the bike. He turned on the ignition and gave the accelerator a quick rev.

Emm leaned back, his hand still on the handle, the other laying on the tank, as he listened for any strange engine noises.

The shutter of a camera made him quickly look up. An instant later, his hard eyes softened and his hand loosened it's hold over the accelerator, the bike going back to an idle grumble.

"Sonia!" He spoke, his rough voice filled with compassion.

The phone moved away and Sonia's face came into view. Her lips curled up in a beaming smile. Emm watched, his heart blooming like always, as her honey coloured eyes lightened up.

"I forgot to turn on the silent mode," her voice twinkled with laughter, head shaking down at the phone, "But boy! What a pose!" Turning the phone around, she handed it over to him.

Emm took it and looked at the photo she had clicked.

It's good

, he smiled and looked up to see her wandering away.

Unlike others, who waited when their mobile was in someone else's hand, Sonia gave her trust away just like handing over candies. It was still one of the things Emm worried about for her. Her innocence was another.

Shaking off the thoughts, he rose up and got off the bike.

"What are you up to?" He asked as he shook the wrinkled shirt, then gave up the idea of putting it back and threw it in the direction of the sink.

"I was up-" Sonia turned around just then, answering his question and was startled as the cloth went whizzing over her head. Her eyes going wide and her arms automatically came up, fists covering her face in defense.

Emm cursed inwardly and hurried towards her, holding out his hands.

"Hey hey hey! I am sorry," he whispered, taking hold of her wrists and trying to calm her racing heart, "I didn't mean to startle you. It was just that I didn't think before throwing the shirt," he continued, gathering her in his arms.

Emm felt her muscles relax as she let out a quiet breath.

"It's okay," Emm's brow furrowed. Her voice was still shaky.

Pulling back, he leaned down a bit to be eye-level with her.

"You sure flower?"

She nodded again and gave a weak smile before looking away. Emm knew where her eyes landed. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he marveled as the gold specks in her eyes sparkled like sunshine.

"Can I ride?" She asked, looking at the bike.

A small chuckle left Emm's lips before he shook his head, "No. Not yet," he straightened up.

Sonia's lower lip jutted out as she gave a defeated look, "But I am completely fine now."

Emm's jaw hardened. The scenes, the images began flashing in front of his eyes. Try as he might, he couldn't seem to get rid of that night.

The blood.

The agonizing pain in his chest.

The dead look in Ian's eyes.

The helplessness he felt.

Sonia's lifeless body being lifted.

He was wrenched out of his memories as Sonia patted his cheek. He let out a shaky breath and took a step back, running a hand over his face. It was damp.

Damn

.

Now

I'm

perspiring

like

a

virgin

on

her

wedding

night

, he grimaced.

Mustering up a smile, he slinged his arm over Sonia's shoulders and urged her to walk alongside him.

"We will decide that later," he said, shutting off the lights and walking out, "Right now I am starving." He smiled at her as they started towards the castle.

"God! When will I get used to the view," Sonia whispered, looking at the beautiful structure.

"It still leaves me stunned," Emm spoked, both stopping in their tracks to marvel at the 200 year old architectural wonder, which was the Richard's heritage home.

The castle, though built in the medieval era still stood in all it's glory. The grey stone walls looked dull but the dozens of glass windows made it look like a piece of jewellery.

"I like it more in the evening with the warm lights shining through each window," Sonia commented.

Emm heard her but all he could see was that night. He was in the car. It was the last trip to the market and Emm was eager to enjoy the party Sonia and the boys had arranged.

A smile had graced his lips then. He was totally unaware of what the night would bring.

If only he had been more attuned to his senses.

If only he had acted on his instincts telling him to check around one last time.

If only-

Emm jerked back to the present, as Sonia's phone rang in his pocket. Pulling it out, he impulsively checked the id.

"Hey! Jiya's calling," he passed the phone and Sonia answered excitedly.

Emm listened with half ear as Sonia exchanged greetings then switched over to Hindi. Although, he couldn't understand the word, he thought it was a beautiful language.

It

is

her

voice

that

makes

it

melodic

, his inner voice spoke and he agreed.

Her expressions, the quick role of her eyes, her hand moving in rythmn with the words as if the person was right before her.

Sonia laughed and Emm looked at her again.

She was so engrossed in her talks that she kept walking - rather dancing in a circle around him.

Shaking his head, Emm took hold of her arm and steered her in the direction of the castle.

As he entered the main door, a maid looked up at him, gasped and then hurried away. Emm ignored it and walked over to the library. Once inside, he urged her with him and then pushed Sonia down on the seat by the window. He knew it was her favourite corner.

And she would be safe here, the voice spoke again.

Emm simply walked back and dashed up the stairs to his room on second floor, noticing similar reactions from several maids.

"What's going on?' he muttered, confused.

"Geez Emm! Why are you parading around hald naked?" Gage called out making Emm jump a bit.

Glancing down, he finally noticed the missing shirt. His tanned torso, shining from a sheet coat of sweat.

"So this is why the maids are blushing," he smirked at Gage who snorted in return.

"Yeah yeah. Your abs are more defined than mine. That's no reason to bloat," he muttered and walked past Emm, "Eww. You're stinking like the hounds. Get a shower! Yuck!"

Emm's smile widened. It was so like Gage to not praise anyone except himself. He looked at Gage walking down the stairs - rather strolling down. His grait was much like a predator than any of them.

Shaking his head at Gage's retreating form, Emm made his way to his room. Stripping off the clothes and dumping them in the laundry basket by the bathroom door, Emm got into the shower.

As the water ran down his body, the images came flashing back. Emm tried to get rid of them but instead was greeted by a dull throb in his side. Automatically, his hand went over to the faint scar over there.

"This pain was better," he grimaced as Sonia's bruised face appeared again. His eyes flashed open and he caught his sight in the mirror on the opposite wall and connected with the red eyes staring back from the mirror. The black orbs urging to be let loose.

Revenge was final. There was no way this would end without blood. He swore.