Sarah heard his breath catch. And there was a moment of silence until he said in a demanding voice:
“What?”
“I already said it,” she admitted without looking at his expression.
“And...” he breathed out sharply, “you were doing... what for the past two centuries?”
“I... I don’t know...” she admitted. “I think I was sleeping....” Her eyes widened in horror. “Just one... long... horrible nightmare that I couldn’t wake from....”
“‘Mors maledictio,’” Malaki realized. “You were cursed to sleep until the spell wore off. That is what happens when an immortal is cursed with it.”
“But...” she whispered, “it didn’t wear off... Didn’t you heal me?”
“It depends on how tattered the spell can be depending on race.” He glanced up at her again. “What race are you, Sarah?”
Her breath caught. “Umm... I don’t know,” she lied.
“So you’re unknown of your race, but you know the Gifted Realm?” he questioned suspiciously.
She nodded, feeling the same bead of sweat slide down the length of her cheek. It always happened when she lied. That was one of her tells that no one ever noticed.
He eyed her for a moment, clearly looking for signs of a lie. But it seemed as if he found none. There was something in his dark grey eyes, though. Something light... like recognition... It was too hard to read... And he looked away too fast.
“Alright, my eighteenth century Gem.” He looked over at Sarah and smiled, the same glimmer of light in his eye. “Let’s get you a meal, shall we?”
He got off the bed and walked over to the medicine cabnit.
While Malaki poured her a cup of pain killers, Sarah took this time to think.
Malaki seemed as if he lived in her time. The way he spoke... the way his gestures were... they seemed too ancient now that they were two hundred years in the future.
Sarah knew this time a little. She studied it with her mother before her father passed.
Women were more appreciated in this century. Though, not as much as she hoped. The government was developed much better than in her time, but she remained clueless of how it could be better for the people of the United States in the 2000s.
Race was less of an issue, but it still was an issue. And now gun vilonce in schools were heightened, which was terrible.
Sarah couldn’t believe the things she learned from her mother. The magic spells she could cast to see the future. Watching the news in a light fog, seeing all the wars everyone went through. Things were getting better, but not fast enough.
It was her mother that showed her these things, though. Her mother that went mad after her father’s death. Isabella blamed all the witches’ deaths on humans. That they just couldn’t accept that witches existed.
Because witches were formed from the demon realm... but demons weren’t all bad... Not all... Just one... Damean Hound... And Sarah knew he would be dealt with in the future.
Humans couldn’t accept this, though. Religion said otherwise. Multiple religions.
If only everyone could know the truth... then it would make sense...
But no... they couldn’t... it would put every single one in danger... drive them mad... Make more wars...
And that wouldn’t solve anything.
Sarah’s thoughts broke off the moment Malaki stood in front of her. Kneeling down to her level, she stared into his gaze that was now level with hers.
A dark, misty grey. Like fog in a pitch black world.
He smiled softly, but the darkness in his eyes didn’t disapate.
“My Gem,” he said, his voice pleading, “can you take this, please?” She looked down to see him holding out a small paper cup filled halfway with a white liquid.
“Is that a... ‘pain killer’?” Sarah hoped she said it right this time.
Malaki’s smile tilted. “Yes. Can you take it?”
She stared down at the cup for a moment, studying it. “Will it make me sleepy...? Or... will it give me a stomach ache...?”
“No.” Malaki shook his head gently. “No, it will not. I promise you.”
After hovering her hand over the cup for a moment, heasitating, she realized her hands were shaking. Very noticable tremors.
“Please, take it,” Malaki begged, “it’ll stop the pain from coming.”
Sarah’s gaze shot up. “Wha— what...?” Instinctivly pulling her hand away, she argued, “But I thought you said the sickness was gone!”
“It is gone.” His tone was neutral, no emotion.
“Then why...? Why are you giving me this...?”
She knew he was watching her panic as the tremors spread across her body, and that only made her feel worse.
Could she trust him? Could she trust Malaki?
“Gem,” he spoke gently, but purposly getting her attention.
Lightly, he placed his hand on hers, the warmth sinking into her skin... and it calmed her for some ungodly reason.
“Take it,” he pleaded.
“I...” she shook her head quickly, “I don’t trust it....”
Why was she being so honest? His response would probably be anger.
But she was surprised by his reaction.
He dipped his index finger in the clear liquid, coating the tan skin in a shining goo, and he held her gaze as he put his finger in his mouth. Clearly, he was trying to show her that it was safe. That he just consumed the medicine and he remained unharmed.
But...
Something about how he did it made something inside her burn... A bright fire that consumed all anxiety.
“See? I’m okay.” He rubbed his finger on his black pants. “You can trust me.”
Sarah didn’t respond.
And he stared at her for a moment, examining her eyes for something, and she just stared back, falling into the mist of his gaze. She hoped she would get lost. It felt warm in there. In his eyes.
She felt a pain grow inside her. Like her bones were melting into goo, and she fell forward like she were a rag doll.
Malaki caught her, letting her lean on his arm.
Sarah felt so... weak... like all her muscles vanished and her bones were jelly.
Not just jelly... they burned... like they baked in an oven and now were melting into a puddle.
What’s happening to me? Sarah thought. Am I finally dying?
ns 15.158.61.23da2
