K'tanya Demonstar

K’tanya appeared in his dreams, trying to shore up the wall that had so recklessly been torn asunder by another of her kind. It wasn’t much, but she did what she could to help him keep his sanity and sense of self.

“I have to help him, K’tanya.”

“You’re not strong enough yet. Just give me a little more time.”

“There isn’t any more time. I have to do this now, or it’ll be too late.”

She sighed, but slowly nodded. “I can’t rebuilt the wall, but I’ll keep the memories at bay for a little while.”

“It’ll be enough.”

It had gone on long enough. K’tanya had known this for a while, but she had turned a blind eye to that fact, not wanting to admit it was over. However she had spent quite a bit of time thinking about it while trying to relax in her tropical paradise.

She still loved him, in her own way. However as much as it hurt she needed to face the fact that he just didn’t feel the same, and nothing she did was going to change that simple truth.

It was time to talk Aidan, and then finally let him go.

Based on this picture

It seemed calm enough. There was barely a ripple to show what was going on underneath the surface. When something did mar the apparent calm it was generally nothing more than a brief glimpse of what lied beneath, before it quickly sank once more into the depths.

Nobody saw the darkness that lurked down there. Nobody knew how much pain and hurt was there, or the fears that were hidden from the light of day. The few who had dared, found only what they wanted to find and little else.

She was perfection incarnate, and that’s all anyone could see.

Inspired by this picture

She woke before the sun.

Slipping into a swimming suit and sarong, she decided to take a walk along the beach. Soon she lost track of time, and early morning turned to mid-afternoon.

Eventually she started back to the bungalow, and she noticed a couple having a picnic near the water. Their horse was resting nearby under some palm trees.

She couldn’t resist wandering over to the animal and lightly scratching its forehead. It whickered softly, and she smiled as she gave it a bit more attention. Then she left the horse and couple to their moment in the sun.

There was no hesitation in her step as she walked out to the edge of the cliff. Glancing down, she watched for a few minutes as the ocean crashed against the base. It was mesmerizing the way the water would flow over the rocks, hiding them briefly, then revealing them again moments later.

One wrong move, one mistake in her timing, and she would end up shattered on them.

She continued to watch the waves for a few more moments, wondering how it would feel if she missed her mark. Not that it mattered.

Then, without another thought, she jumped.

It took some time for K’tanya to find a spot on the beach. It needed to be close enough to the water so they would get a breeze, yet not get wet when the tide started rising. There needed to be a cabana nearby, but no children running around to kick sand onto their towels. In short, it was a place that was practically nonexistent on such a hot day, but somehow she managed to find it just the same.

Still, she frowned. “Something’s missing.”

That’s when he pulled out the beach umbrella.

K’tanya smiled. Now it was truly perfect.

K’tanya sighed heavily as she looked at one of her traveling companions. "Why are we doing this again?"

Archimedes, now in his human form so as not to scare people, cocked his head slightly. "I think a better question is why are you making me do it with you."

"Because if he’s going to make me suffer, then you have to suffer too."

The griffin sighed. "You could have said no."

"Yes, but I’m trying to change, and Adam says this helps build character. What do you think?"

Archimedes snorted softly. "I think flying by plane is for the birds."

It was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. She was supposed to stand beside the man of her dreams and say the words that would join their lives together as one. Then, with their friends and family cheering them on, they would start their happily ever after.

Yet as she looked at her reflection in the mirror, hair done up in a soft cascade of perfect curls, make-up just so, and wearing the perfect white dress, she couldn’t see it happening anymore. He was everything she needed, nothing that she wanted, and it would simply never work.

"Stop right there."

Destiny froze in place, her fingers still in the process of pulling a still warm chocolate chip cookie out of the cookie jar.

"Drop it."

Reluctantly, she did as she was told. As she turned around to face her mother, Destiny stuck her bottom lip out slightly in a pout. "It’s not fair. You have eyes in the back of your head."

K’tanya rolled her eyes slightly. "You are such a drama queen. I don’t have eyes in the back of my head. I have a network of security cameras. Now go to your room, young lady."

The boy had been so innocent and naïve, brokenhearted over a woman he could never hope to keep.

K’tanya had been bored, and he was cute, so she thought to see how much he really knew about himself. Shifting into Bliss, complete with angelic wings, she had taken it upon herself to show him the possibilities.

Eventually she had gotten bored yet again, and so had left him with a kiss and an Immortal puppy to keep him company.

If she had only known what her game would lead to in the future, she might have left well enough alone.