AMNESIA'S TYRANNY (UNDERGOING EDITING)

Chapter 13 | Her Savior

Heavy boots stepped into the room.

She glanced up, still struggling under the grasp of Vor, hope swirling in her eyes at the stranger. 

Lily had only seen the man twice, but the sound of his heavy steps and breathing was engrained into her memory. While you'd think it was out of fear- it was out of comfort and familiarity.

"Leave this instant." The woman gripping her spat.

The stranger ignored her, stepping in further. "Unhand her," he growled, his bass voice rumbling angrily.

Vor immediately let go of Lily. Her lungs puffed up as she gasped for air, her heart thundering in her chest. The fog lifted from her mind, and her vision quickly returned to normal. 

She held a hand to her chest as she rolled onto her side. It was hard to get her bearings.

That was terrifying.

The Ek stepped ahead until she was inches away from the cloaked man. Despite having to look up at him, her expression was tightened in irritation. She tightened her fists by her side. "How'd you know something was going on here?" she hissed. "Huh?"

He kept his composure, though Lily couldn't see his face properly to know. He didn't answer the woman.

"An Ek assaulting a guest?" He rumbled, "Wonder how Baldur will feel."

Lily's eyes widened as she watched Vor begin to convulse. Her skin got tighter- hair was growing under her, and she was now straining clothing. The Ek's legs wobbled beneath her. Her chest heaved, and she breathed roughly. She was losing her cool.
Her hand flew up, but he grabbed it in the span of a second. Through ragged breathing, she muttered something in Liúkan. Lily couldn't hear it, but the man would scoff in response. "If you shift, Baldur will hear you."

Vor held her breath. The man rumbled, "You'll be punished for shifting in front of a guest."

She yanked her wrist out of his grasp, stepping back as her body stopped convulsing—her stretched clothing lax.

"Háge ngeú." Vor snapped, attempting to shove the man as she walked past. He didn't move an inch.
[Fuck you.]

It seemed the man knew exactly how to control her.

Finally, she stomped out of the room in a huff. The woman slammed the door shut once she was gone. Lily silently adjusted her cowl, body aching from the prior assault.

She felt the ground shift as his heavy steps sounded. The man approached her and crouched down.

"Thank you," she muttered, but he quietly shushed her. "No need." His heavy voice was soft, almost delicate, but it was nothing compared to what she had heard earlier.

His large hand reached into the depths of his cloak- pulling out a small cloth. 

She tensed as he leaned forward, using his hand to wipe away her tears. Lily couldn't help but lean into his touch—the warmth and comfort he admitted made her swoon. "Someone like you shouldn't have to shed tears..." he whispered delicately.

Lily was in awe of his gentleness. He was like a gentle giant, treating her like a glass sculpture that could shatter in a simple graze.

Wiping her face until it was clean, he sighed and studied her expression.

"Her behaviour is staggering," The man commented.

Lily frowned and shifted to sit up- her chest and neck continuing to ache from Vor's assault. Feeling her neck with her delicate fingertips- Lily noticed the finger indents.

"Tsk," The cloaked man huffed, leaning a hand toward her but pausing midair.

She stared at him, pondering what he would do, but he sheathed his hand and rested it against his knee.

It was impossible to decipher what he was thinking. 

The man was a walking enigma- his origin, real name, appearance, and personality were utterly mysterious. She couldn't get a read on him.

Suddenly, he reached into his cloak and ruffled around.

Before she could ask- he pulled something out.