Ā Ā Lashes fluttered, subtly dancing shadows rimmed her eyes, and petite fingers clutched the shaft of her staff tightly. White knuckles strained, and she breathed heavily, through her parted lips.
Ā Ā Her breathing was so loud, her heart and blood thrumming loudly, distracting her from her thoughts.
Ā Ā B e t r a y i n g thoughts. Thoughts that sent her into emotional panic.
Ā Ā Because she knew it couldnāt be who she wanted it to be.
  But - - - - then ⦠a voice came from that throat, and it was as though she was a pillar of steel, and it a strike of lightening.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā And she a c h e dĀ to scrutinize itĀ ::: To pick it apart like terra, get her hands in it like clay. It was a voice that she couldnāt deny recollecting though she didnāt want to believe it.
Ā Ā Hearing it was like reliving a trauma suddenly, and it sent her chest into tight, painful compression and spasms. Her free hand lifted to lay over top of her heart a if she could squeeze it into submission through her skin.
Ā āā-Whatā¦ā She exhaled. Her tone was stringent, striking and raw. āDid you just say to me?āĀ
Ā Ā She asked the question to hear him speak againĀ Ā» Because it couldnāt be him. Her fingers flexed over her breast, and her staff trembled in the air as against her will she shook.Ā
Ā Ā Perhaps it is a demonā- a trial of her will.Ā
The pain in her chest was so intense that she could feel it all the way down in her stomach, like a cold, acidic swamp; infecting her, until her face reflected utter pain and shock:: more expression that she had put forth in years.