Sentinal's Tear (Book #1 in Requiem Series) [formally titled Lacrimosa]

Chapter 50

Aydan

The day starts as every other, except somehow I am less afraid. Hopeful, even. I walk into class and sit at my no-longer-empty table. Books and notebooks spill over the desk. A notebook is open to pages of careless doodles. Pictures of wings. Angels and demons. I can't help but look at the drawings. Can't help but remember that life.

A girl slides into the seat and cleans up the mess. She's tall and lean. Shoulder-length hair arranges itself into sharp angles around her face. Her pale skin looks almost translucent. Dark glasses cover her eyes. She ignores me completely and continues to shove her things into the bag.

"Hey," I say, curious.

She nods and goes back to her books. The teacher begins a familiar lecture. Central Germany. 1500's.

Why do teachers always want to discuss these legends?

A chuckle escapes as I remember the countless times I've heard this lecture. And how different the legends are from the truth.

The girl removes her sunglasses and furrows her brow. "Something funny?"

Her voice sounds like music. My heart stops as I look into her now visible eyes. Blue. Deep blue. Her gaze penetrates my soul and for a moment I can't breathe.

She smiles. "Well? What's so funny?"

I force myself to breathe in and out. In and out. You died. I felt you die.

She looks at me, expecting an answer.

I breathe in and out. In and out. It can't be you.

"Um," I manage to choke out. "Nothing."

She smiles again, awakening something deep inside. I lean in and catch her scent—vanilla, lavender and sunshine.

"So, what's your name?" she whispers.

My mouth refuses to work.

"I said, what's your name?"

Her eyes are so blue. So familiar.

"Aydan."

"Nice. It suits you," she says. "I'm Vanessa. Most people just call me—"

"Nesy," I finish.

"Actually, I was going to say Nessa. But Nesy works. I like it."

I smile, lost in the endless blue ocean of her eyes. Maybe I will be okay in this life now.

With her.