The man in black

Jack: 9 Months Earlier

I'm used to the constant dull ache in my chest that comes along with not being by her side, but this was different. I was woken up abruptly, without any signal as to why, and look around the room for some noise or indication for my labored breathing. 

Then i heard the song, it was our song. It always sounds in my head when she's in pain or in trouble. The music is unique to just our species. When you are looking for your mate, and once of age, the song will always be there - playing until you find your twin spirit. When i heard our song years ago, she had no idea - and she still has no clue to this day. 

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She was already in the human world and under a cloak of protection. Ellie had already been stripped of her powers and I was charged with watching over her, deemed as her protector while she was forced to live half of her true self. I always felt for her, i watched her in awe when she was part of our world. It was like her subconscious called to me.

Her father cast her out when the attacks had started and her memories were immediately removed. She was seven years old when she was relocated and placed with a family who was looking for a child to call their own. At that time it was considered too dangerous to have the heir to the kingdom live in such a vulnerable location - open to attack and nearly killed at least two or three times. The last time she was nearly poisoned, King Thomas had been in a fit of rage for days and finally decided to send her away, under constant eye from the protection of The Sword. 

By the time i had been placed on her charge, i had just turned 18, the age when your song can play. My birthday landed on the first day of my new posting and she was at her high school graduation. Ellie was sitting among her class and i could see her blonde hair blowing in the wind. Something must have caught her attention because she turned in her seat and we immediately locked eyes. That's when i heard it. 

The melody was so sweet and enchanting. I had to do everything in my power to not go to her. I was fighting everything in my body to keep my post, act natural or else she would know something wasn't right. I signed my life away, after all, to protect her and never reveal the truth. I had no idea that she was my twin spirit. 

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I'm pulled from my memory as the music gets louder in my head - indicating something is really wrong. 

A sharp pain rips through my body - cutting straight through my chest. I put my face in my heads, trying to cope with the pain, and felt tears that must have fallen from my eyes. The pain has never been this bad, the song has never played so fervently in my head. I need to get to her now, screw the council and what they think. 

The other half of my soul is in trouble and damned if they keep my from her any longer. I tear my body from my bed, despite the pain, and know a fight is ahead of me. I look to my room's mirror and see a tortured face staring back at me. The thought of her in pain mixed with the potential to see her again - a war wages on in my head: excitement at seeing her face paired with dread on what i may find when i do finally get to her. When i tell the leadership council of my plan, they won't be happy... but i will need their support to survive. 

I look at my watch, 3:15 a.m. reads on my wrist. I have a few hours to prep then i'm going in. If i do this the right way, they won't be able to stop me. I leave my room and head towards the dungeon - in search of the one person i know will be on my side.