It was if time purposely stopped and chose to painfully prolong this moment.

Her small straight nose, wide full lips, heart shaped face framed by soft long silver white hair were all too familiar to him. Her eyes were what chilled him the most. It was wide set hazel eyes, framed by long full eye lashes. She was a little smaller and seemingly frailer but it was her.

It had to be.

He reached out a hand to touch her face, feeling his heart ache with the sorrow and grief that he thought he had left behind so long ago.

It couldn’t be her. She had died a long time ago. A beautiful and perfect soul like her would never want to return to this world just for wretch like him.

After all, who could ever want to trade bliss and absence of pain and guilt that heaven could offer in exchange for a cold and desolate world like this?

Kian thought, allowing the hand to fall to his side before he could touch her.

Feeling older than he has ever felt in the countless centuries of existence, Kian turned away from her. Before he could take one step away from her, she finally spoke up.

"He is coming for you, mon chéri." She told him.

Her voice was barely above a whisper but he heard the words clearly.

"What did you just say?" He softly asked, stiffening at the familiar endearment.

At her own words, the girl lifted shaky fingers to press against her temple, as if she had been sleepwalking through a horrible nightmare all this time. She took one look at him, an expression of confusion in her eyes. Kian could make out a hint of recognition in her expression before she collapsed.

Instinctively, he held out his arms and caught her around the waist. Kian silently glanced down at the girl, unnerved that she could unsettle someone like him.

"What would you have me do with her?" A tall and serious looking figure calmly asked.

Kian ignored the question posed by Daniel. He was one of the few people Kian could place his trust. While others did as they pleased, Daniel lived similarly to Kian and often helped to settle unrest and bursts of rebellion among their kind.

The others watched with open curiosity and interest from the doorway. There were whisperings amongst themselves about the identity of the girl but those who had their suspicions kept it to themselves.

Daniel briefly glanced at Kian, taking note of the expression on the leader's face.

Kian briefly considered allowing Daniel to return the girl to her home and make sure she was out of harm's way but kept his hold around her waist.

"She will come with me." Kian replied instead, already turning to walk away.

Daniel slightly bowed in response as Kian passed by.

She was causing too many conflicting emotions inside of him, uncovering painful memories he had thought he had buried deep enough inside, and not to mention her startlingly familiar presence.

He would definitely need some time to straighten everything out. She would remain with him for the time being.