Tainted Souls

“Look at me,” the man commanded. The cold tones of his voice were now replaced with layers of seduction. Suddenly Coralie wanted nothing more than to look up into the eyes of her sister’s killer. Coralie’s insides melted. His irises were a glowing red and they stared back at her triumphantly. His hair was coal black hanging loosely and reaching the tops of his shoulders. The red cape was trimmed with gold, covering his black pants and high collared black shirt. Lord Lucan was attractive and dangerously so. “She is perfect,” Lucan murmured his eyes looking Coralie up and down appreciatively. “I’m sure that she is the one.” “And me?” Blake asked darkly shooting Lucan a glare. Lucan turned his red eyes upon Blake who was struggling to be free of his chains. “You dare to address me as though I am a meek little human, such as yourself?” Lucan demanded, pulling his hand back and letting it snap across Blake’s face. Blake didn’t cry out but his cheek began to bruise almost instantly. Coralie stared in awe at the mysterious man before her as he checked out Blake from top to bottom. “He too is perfect,” Lucan said with a smirk. “T-that is w-wonderful news my Lord,” the governor stuttered. “Yes, I suppose that, to you, it is.” Lucan said looking at the governor with disgust. Coralie shivered as Lucan turned his attention back to her. “Would you like to know why you are here, Coralie?” Lucan asked her his voice slipping back into the cool seductive tone, causing Coralie’s insides to squirm. Coralie nodded, afraid that her voice would betray her. She didn’t want Lucan to see the effect he had on her. “I guess I shall start from the begging then, my dear,” he murmured. “You see Coralie, in every territory there is a dark Lord. There cannot be a territory without one to rule over it because then we would only have chaos. Believe it or not, even darkness despises chaos. “When a dark Lord is born two human souls are touched by the young dark Lord’s subconscious, one male and one female. The female is special. She alone can wield the amount of power that unlocking the Ring of Stones would offer her. Once the stones pour their power into her, she would descend into hell and take the dark Lord’s side. While his power is the manifestation of darkness, hers is the light. She is the balance. He takes away life, she restores it. They are equals in every way.” “And the male?” Coralie whispered her heart beating faster at the realization that she was the female that he spoke of. “A dark Lord is considerably less powerful on this land and therefore cannot watch over his female. The male is the chosen protector of the female until she descends into hell, taking up her rightful place at the dark Lord’s side. It is his duty to help the female unlock the stones so that she may be free to descend.” Lucan said nodding his head at Blake to indicate that he was the male in question. Coralie laughed in a way that border lined on hysteria. Lucan turned his eyes on her curiously. “You have got to be kidding me,” she said feeling somewhat dazed. If all that Lucan had said was true, then she would one day be living in hell at his side. As what…a slave?...a mate? Surely she was too young to be mated, especially to a man so dangerous looking. “I am not.” Lucan said narrowing his eyes slightly sounding offended. “And what exactly is the Ring of Stones?” Coralie asked looking at Blake who looked back at her and shrugged. “There are five,” Lucan said quickly, seeming annoyed by the questions. “Before you descend to hell and join me, you and Blake must find the five stones. It will be difficult, but as we are connected, you will have my guidance. When you have the five stones, you toss them before you at sunset and they will give you the power to open the gates of hell. Only then can you take up your throne.” “Throne?” Coralie repeated, hanging her head slightly. She looked around the room at all of the serious faces. Was she being pranked? Was this the governor’s idea of some kind of training exercise? “Yes. I am the Lord and therefore you will become my Lady. All will respect you and bow down before you as my equal.” Lucan said stepping forward and reaching a hand towards her as though he were about to caress her cheek. Coralie could feel heat radiating off of his skin but at the last moment he pulled away leaving her cold. He smiled at her obvious disappointment. “I’m sorry,” she whispered not meeting Lucan’s blazing red eyes, “you have the wrong girl…” “No,” Lucan said harshly. “I’ve made the mistake once before but this time I am sure you are the one.” “My sister,” Coralie said sadly. She dropped her head and fought to urge to cry as her sisters beautiful face swam through her memories. “Yes, your sister was a dark, tainted soul and foolishly I thought her to be my future Lady. However when I gave her my powerful gift her body rejected it leaving her broken beyond repair. I killed her out of mercy.” Coralie let a cry escape her lips.