Stalking Shadows

Aurelia could feel her heart hammering against her ribcage, as though a powerful thunderstorm had taken shape inside her, making her feel both exhilarated and terrified as she struggled to contain its force. His words were like drops of water in the desert, startling in their tantalizing insistence. The way he paused when uttering Sephiran's name, it was as though he was both taunting and challenging her at the same time. As his face inched closer, she could feel the warmth radiating off him — an intoxicating mixture of moss, earth and some other exotic scent she couldn’t place. His voice, a deep rumble that sent tingles down her spine and made every hair on her body stand on end.

His description of her was both flattering and unnerving; words delivered intimately, yet detached as if observing an exquisite piece of art. She could feel the delicate tremors along her skin--his words brushing against them like silk—detached, yet intimate. His fixation on Sephiran was maddening; it felt like an intricate puzzle she was being forced to solve against her will. Sephiran was a sadist, but Rhazien's words painted him as more of a connoisseur, discerning and admiring in his own twisted way. The notion sent shivers down Aurelia's spine, turning the blush on her cheeks into a flush of fear. And as Rhazien leaned in towards her, it felt like her world shrunk down to just them. His hot breath brushed against her lips, sending waves of trepidation coursing through her veins. But just as their lips were about to touch, he pulled away abruptly, his retreating figure swallowed up by the darkness. His parting words resounded in the air, foreign and mysterious. Aurelia was left breathless, her body leaning against the cold stone wall for support. The tension in the room had dissipated so suddenly, she felt as though she had been dropped from a great height. The room was cold again, and cruelly silent without his presence.

She shut her eyes tightly, trying to calm her erratic heartbeat. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and fears, twisting together into an indistinguishable mess. What did he mean by those last words? And why did he retreat so abruptly? Was it a part of his mind games or was there something more? Most importantly, what trick had he played to leave her wanting so desperately?

-end thread-
"Aurelia Veratti"