Forever
"You're telling me," Brintha Sanjeev rested a hand on her cocked hip while ignoring the half eaten muffin in her other hand. "That I am a prisoner in my own home until you catch this idiot?"
"That’s not what we're - yes that’s what we're saying."
Brintha growled and stormed from the room and made sure they knew of her irritation by slamming the bedroom door as hard as she could. Instead of sitting down on her bed like she had intended, she walked out the double doors to the balcony, four floors up in the large mansion.
"Jerks!" she muttered and flung the muffin at old gargoyle that was perched on the ledge.
Instantly a low rumble could be heard and the balcony began shaking violently. Brintha staggered backwards, tripped over her own feet and slumped to the ground. Her heart felt as though it wanted to jump out her throat. Her scream died in her throat.
She watched through widened eyes as the concrete began chipping and falling away down from the ledge. It reminded her of cracked soap or when someone, who was buried in sand, got up again. Then the figure pushed upward, large black wings immerged and flapped causing dust to swirl around Brintha’s head. Her nose crinkled and she began coughing while shielding her eyes but peering out periodically. The beast’s head was flung backwards, his large hands were folded into fists and his long hair fell down his back.
A growl left his throat that echoed through the dark. Birds went dashing from their nests in trees surrounding the large house in all directions. Brintha reached up to protect her ears and pressed her eyes closed.
When the movement stopped, she slowly opened her eyes to see dark eyes watching her. She began trying to crawl away.
"Ouch," the beast spoke without emotion. It was hollow sound that was filled with something like hatred but Brintha couldn't quite put her finger on it.
"Wha...?" was all she could get out. Her arms were paralyzed at her side she looked up into his face.
"Anastasia," he whispered and even though his Russian accent was evident, the sound was now softer, sadder.
Brintha was frozen in place now watching the eyes that pleaded with her soul. She stood to her feet slowly and as though she had no control over actions she stepped forward. The beast did nothing; he didn't step towards her or reach for her. He simply tilted his head to one side and watched her intently as she moved up close to him. When she was close enough to feel his breath against her face, lifted a hand to gently caress one of his wings where it attached to his back.
"Anastasia...Five hundred years have past," his eyes drifted shut.
"Gornor..." Brintha whispered.
...She recognized him.
