Don't Skip Without Sharing This Please Even If You Cannot Donate.

James delaney imagine #2

This imagine is inspired by the movie 'MERMAID DOWN'

James snapped his eyes open. His mother appeared to him in his vision. She seemed frantic, anxious. Not at all how she usually was. She kept pointing through the trees as if directing him. He stood and pulled on his poncho leaving the manor and climbing onto his horse, pushing it to move as fast as it could through the london streets and eventually into the forrest. Moving through the trees at lightening speed he stopped abruptly when he heard the high pitched inhuman sound that radiated agony and fear. He jumped from the horse and silently and quickly made his way through the trees. He stopped short at what he saw. A man had a woman...no. she was a siren. Hung upside down to a tree as he swung the axe he was holding back and let it go making contact with the sirens tail as if to cut it off at the base. She let out another high pitched sound. And another as he swung again. James was frozen. This is what his mother wanted from him. To save this creature. Though he didnt know why. He wouldn't question it. He stepped out of the trees just as the man made the final strike, severing the siren from hair tail. She let out one last scream before going silent. Though now severed in half he could see she was still alive. The man grabbed her arm and made to drag her off towards a cliff but was stopped but the click of james gun. "And just what do you think you're doing?" He asked sternly. The man turned toward him, axe raised. "Who are you?!" The man demanded. "Im james K delaney and I won't repeat myself." The man glared. "None of your business." He spat. James leveled the gun against the man's head. "Oh it very much is. You see, these are my forests. Therefore you have no business here in the first place. Let alone trying to slaughter the creatures that dwell in them." He said. The man spit at james feet and he pulled the trigger, blasting the man back in a bloody death. He then holstered the gun and moved towards the now tailess siren. He eyed the tail still strung up and dripping blood. And then the woman severed in half at the waist but still alive and breathing heavy in shock. He moved to the tail first and cut it down from the tree. He eyed her severed body. It was useless now. He picked it up and tossed it into the river before turning to her. He approached her slowly and she growled at him showing him her teeth in a defensive manor. He raised his hands in surrender. "Its alright. I am not going to hurt you." He said slowly taking off his poncho. He spread it wide and bent down towards her gently wrapping it around her and picking what was left of her up. It was like he already knew what to do. As he walked back towards his horse he slightly wondered what the hell his mother had gotten him into.

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He had left her in the bathtub. It was the only place he could think of. She hadnt said a word to him since the weeks he'd kept her here. But she had grown legs. Which was something he hadn't been expecting. But he didnt say a word to her either. But as he went on caring for her he started to notice that she would use her hands to tell him things. Sign language he figured is what it was. She just didn't spell things. More like pointed to things and make gestures. He caught on and soon it was easy to communicate. And soon he had a bought a wheelchair so he could take her out of the house when he went. He didn't know what this siren was doing to him but he was attached. And he knew that. And james delaney never got attached to anyone.

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He pushed the wheelchair down the london street. He got a lot of looks. James delaney. The one they called the devil pushing a wheelchair with a young attractive woman in it like it was the most normal thing he'd ever done in his life. They whispered and gawked as they passed. He ignored it and continued to push her along towards the docks where his business was. She was looking around in curiosity as they went. The dress he had taken from Lorna and dressed her in, too big on her frame but it would have to work for now. He approached the docks and leaned down to speak in her ear. "I have business to attend to. But once its done we can visit the lake in the forrest." He said quietly. She moved her head to look at him. He gave a small almost not there smile. She pointed to herself and then to the water surrounding the docks. And looked back at him. He nodded. "Yes." He confirmed. She turned her head back straight and looked at the water as they continued to get closer.

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He watched her shove herself out of the wheelchair and into the dirt, pulling herself with her arms down the embankment into the lake with a splash. She leaned back into the water with a sigh of relief and closed her eyes. He watched her curiously as she became entranced in the water. And within a minute she was under the water and out of his sight. He straightened up and watched the water intently. He was just about to follow her when a black tail came out of the water and then dipped back in. He let out a small smirk. She had done it. She had healed. He had done as his mother had asked him. But he was also disappointed. She wouldn't be coming back with him that much was clear. She didn't need him anymore. But as her head peeked out of the water to look at him he understood that this wasnt the end. It was only the beginning

James delaney imagine #1

Getting even better

Lilith messed about with the candles and the salt circle inside them. She had found out who used to live in this house. She had been curious about this place since she moved in. With the Big Ds on the gates. Rumor had it a man who everyone used to call the devil used to live here. She couldn't find much concrete evidence on him. Just word of mouth spread from generations. So she figured she would do a seance to try bring him forth. To find out more. She closed her eyes and began to chant the words she had found on the internet. Some sort of African language. She hoped she was pronouncing the words right. The room immediately felt colder and she snapped her eyes open to find rhe candles blown out. Except for one. Which a man was holding leaning against the wall. He studied her a moment with wary eyes before blowing out the flame. Plunging the room into complete darkness. She hesitated for a moment before rushing up and out of the protective circle to flip on the lights. Looking around she saw no one. Was it a trick? She screamed when someone grabbed her and yanked her around. It was the man. He was inches away from her face as he squeezed her arms. "Who are you and why did you call me back?" He demanded roughly with a glare. She stuttered out a response. "I-I just wanted to know.." she said. He shook her once. "Know what girl?!" He said angry. "Why they called you the devil!" She said back in fear. He searched her eyes to find her being truthful. He let her go and stepped back still watching her like a hawk. She pushed herself as far away from him as possible in fear. It worked? She hadnt taken this seriously at all. She was just doing it to have a bit of fun. She never expected this to be real. And now that it was, she didnt know what to do next. This man, this spirit, he was angry. And she knew from his vibes that this wasnt just a one off because he'd been summoned. No this was him. All the time. She looked at him from where he looked out the circular window to the thames.  His back to her. "You're messing with things you cannot even begin to comprehend girl. Do you understand that?" He turned to her with steely eyes. She didn't respond. He continued. "What you just did was very foolish. You opened a very dangerous door. And you are lucky that it was I who answered your call. Not something else." He said sternly. She lowered her eyes to the floor. "And now you have managed to attach me to yourself. And I do not know to undo it." He said annoyed. When he said this her eyes snapped up immediately. "What? You can't just..disappear back to where you came from?" She asked. He glared at her like that was the stupidest thing he'd ever heard. "No. The chant. You messed it up. Said something you shouldn't have. And now I'm stuck here. With you." He said walking towards her. She gulped. "Im sorry.." she offered. He snorted not amused. "Yes. You will be." He said.

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S

he sat at her vanity staring intently into the mirror as she applied the brow pomade. She pulled away the brush and made a face into the mirror. "Sisters not twins. But these bitches look like 3rd cousins." She said with a huff, opening the drawer and pulling out her makeup wipes and removing the pomade from one of the brows. James raised a brow from his place on her couch, looking up from his book. He didn't understand this generation's women and their need to use so many beauty products at once. Most of the stuff he had watched lilith put on his generation hadnt even had. And the way she put them on was just bizarre to him. He compared it to the way he piled on the ash on his body during his sacred rituals. He shook his head as he watched her. It was like she was painting a precise picture. He turned his attention back to the book. She set the brush down and leaned back in her chair blowing air out of her mouth. "This takes too long." She muttered. "Then why do you bother?" He asked. "You look fine without it. I doubt any man or women cares." He flipped the page. She lazily turned her gaze to him. "Its not for anyone else. Its for me. I feel nicer with it on. I don't wear it all the time." She said. He raised another brow. "Alright then. Don't complain." He said looking at her briefly over the book before returning back to it. She shook her head. "I can't believe I'm stuck with you." She muttered and went back to work. "Yes. Well. Its your fault you are." He said gruffly. She rolled her eyes and started on her face. "Dick." He snorted. "Yes. I have one. What of it?" She sighed. "How childish of you. Whered you learn that one?" She asked sarcastically. He was amused. "Is that a rhetorical question?" He asked. She groaned. "Shut up I can't concentrate!" She said. He chuckled darkly but said nothing else.

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She pulled on her coat and grabbed her keys and purse as he stood leaning against the stairs. "I need more ash. And herbs" He muttered handing her a list with his fancy writing on it. She took it with a look of annoyance. "Why is it you always send me to do these things?" She said shoving the list in her purse. "Well. You're the only one of us that can leave this house now arent you? Therefore the responsibility falls to you." She glared. "Yeah well its also my money you demand me to spend." He raised a brow in amusent. "Sorry. I dont think ghost currency works in this world." He said. She just threw her head back and groaned and left the house, slamming the door behind her. "What a dick."

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She placed the items from the list on the counter with a sigh as the pagan witch who owned the store began to ring it up. The other store she had gone to before had given her a bad vibe so she had sound another one only slightly out of her way.  As she slid the woman her bank card their hands touched briefly and the woman paused, staring at her as if reading her soul. Lilith shifted uncomfortably in the silence. The woman tilted her head and spoke up finally. "It is not a mistake that he is here with you. The fates have made it so. Do not be afraid. Your souls are matched." She smiled at her and handed her the bag, sliding her card back to her. "There is no charge today. It has been a while since I've met someone such as you. I hope to see you again." She smiled confidently at her. Lilith gave a small smile back and quickly left the store. What the hell did that mean? She shook her head to get rid of the thoughts and made her way home with her many bags.

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"Did you get them?" He asked when she came through the door. As he observed her he narrowed his eyes. She seemed to be in a bit of a daze. She pushed the bag into his chest and moved up the stairs slowly, caught in her thoughts. He grabbed the bag and followed her determined to find out what had happened. He found her sitting on the bed absent-mindedly pulling her things out of the bags and sorting them into groups. He moved forward and seized her arm in his grip looking into her eyes, ignoring the sharp gasp she gave. He saw in her mind what had happened. What the witch had said to her. He let go immediately and stepped back. So it was true. The pull he felt to her wasn't a coincidence. She watched him curiously. He took a breath and began moving towards his old ritual room. "I'll be busy. Dont come into that room." He ordered and left, closing her bedroom door after him.

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Lilith sat up with a groan as she was woken up by something. She rubbed her eyes and blinked away the sleep, letting her eyes adjust to the dark bedroom. She could make out a silhouette in the corner and said in a raspy sleep filled voice. "James what are you doing? Its like 3 am." She whined. He moved towards her slowly like a predator. He got close enough and moved onto the bed. She watched him confused. He moved her hair from her face, gently caressing her cheek as he stared into her eyes. She got lost in his eyes and immediately became dazed as he moved towards her and connected their lips.

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She groaned the next morning and rolled over. She couldn't ignore the feeling of something heavy wrapped around her and as she cracked her eyes open she noticed the arm that connected to the naked tattooed body and everything from the night before came rushing back. She closed her eyes in confusion as she became aware of her lack of clothes. A sudden movement of kisses along her neck brought her back to the present. "What was last night?" She asked steadying her voice. He hummed against her neck. "I believe it's called love making." He said. She sighed. "Thats not what I meant and you know it. Please no word games." He sighed and pulled away. "That witch was right. Our souls call to eachother. I dont know why. But they do. And you messing up that spell wasn't a mistake. It was meant to happen. Even now I can hear your soul whispering to me. I havent heard that in a long time." He said. "So what does that mean?" She asked turning in his arms to face him. He met her gaze. "It means that we are two halves of a whole." He said moving her hair from her face. "What? Like soulmates?" He raised a brow. "I suppose you can call it that." He said. She lowered her eyes for a moment before looking back up into his. " does this mean you're no longer looking for a way back from where you came from?" He snorted and burrowed his head into her chest. "Oh love. I'm not going anywhere."

Vick: I wanna get to know Sarah's daughter.

Felix: No! Get out, Vick!

Vick: Why nooot?

Felix: Well, for starters, you're a drug dealer...

Vick: I could support her financially.

Vikings Masterlist

Tall tale: Ivar x Reader One-Shot

Endless Love: Modern Ivar x Reader One-Shot

The Olive Branch: Modern Ivar x Reader One-Shot

Falling Together (Complete): Ivar x Reader In which Ivar and reader are wed for an alliance. Part 1/ Part 2/ Part 3/ Part 4

Contending the Flame (In Progress): Ivar x Nun!Reader Part 1/ Part 2/ Part 3/ Part 4/ Part 5/ Part 6/ Part 7/ Part 8/ Part 9/ Part 10/ Part 11/ Part 12

Chase the Sun: Modern Floki x Reader

Saturated: (One-shot) Ivar x Reader Ivar thinks he’s found a daughter of the goddess Ràn

Will continue to update frequently!

CLIPPED WINGS MASTERLIST

LASZLO KREIZLER X READER SERIES

Laszlo needs to walk the dark path of the sick person murdering all the young boys. In order to catch their killer he must enlist the help of one.

Please be sure to read the trigger warning at the beginning of each chapter. This is 'The Alienist' so there will be dark, mature themes throughout!

STARS' MAIN MASTERLIST

CHPT 1 | CAGED BIRD

CHPT 2 | WOLF IN DOVE'S CLOTHING

CHPT 3 | FLEE THE NEST

CHPT 4 | TAKE FLIGHT

CHPT 5 | DANCE OF THE SWANS

CHPT 6 |

CHPT 7 |

CHPT 8 |

more to be added...

NOTE: IF YOU’D LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE TAG LIST, PLEASE SEND ME AN ASK, MESSAGE OR DROP A COMMENT AND I’LL ADD YOU 💜

The Heartbreak •Ivar The Boneless Modern AU•

Warning: ANGST!

She had met him through Sigurd. Sigurd was her producer for her music and was a good friend. She wished she had never agreed to attend a family party with Sigurd. She wished she never met HIM. Then her heart wouldn't be so broken and she wouldn't be so angry and hateful all the time. It truly wouldn't have been so bad an end to their relationship had he not have fucked HER behind her back whilst they were still together. If there was one thing she loathed it was cheaters. But she had been in love with him. And he swore he'd always felt the same until SHE came along. Freydis. Even thinking the name sent a surge of hatred and rage through her that she didn't know how to control. She hadn't thought anything of it when she moved in next to Ivar and Ivar became friendly. Super friendly. And Freydis was only too happy to flirt along with him. But she wasn't insecure and she had faith in her boyfriend not to cross a line he knew he couldn't come back from. What a mistake that was. No. But he started pulling away from her. Cancelling plans, not calling or texting, and she should've seen it as the giant red flag that it was. But she gave him his space. She knew Ivar wasn't good about showing affection or being consistent. It was something he said he was working on. But when Hvitserk posted those Instagram pictures and videos of Ivar and Freydis in the club after Ivar had canceled their date night because 'his legs hurt too bad.' Was when she withdrew. The truth had hit her in the face and she spent that night a sobbing mess in her bathroom with her new best friend smirnoff. She drank until she couldn't even think a coherent thought, and then she kept going. She was a mess the next morning. But she shut down completely when Sigurd showed up that morning with that stone faced look on his face and proceeded to Embrace her and hold her as if she was gonna disappear. That's when she knew something was truly wrong. She asked him what was going on and he simply showed her the screenshot of a text Ivar had sent to Hvitserk who then had sent it to Sigurd. "Freydis is pregnant. I'm gonna be a father." She had pushed Sigurd away from her and suddenly lashed out, throwing anything she could get her hands on and screaming in rage. Sigurd had stood silently and watched her let it all out until she had dissolved into heart wrenching sobs and then he has embraced her again and spent the rest of the night holding her as she silently withdrew into herself. And all the while, Ivar was radio silent.

It was a week later before her ex boyfriend had even attempted to make contact. She ignored all his attempts. 25 missed calls and a few texts asking to talk. The texts were what set her off. She sent him one last text. "Go fuck yourself. Hope she was worth it." And he had called a further 10 more times before he realized she wasn't going to answer and he just stopped altogether. From that day on he never tried to talk to her again and she proceeded to delete him and his family, save Sigurd who hated his guts just as much as she did, from all social media and blocked their numbers as well. She had trusted Ivar despite her hard time with trusting others and he took that trust and spit on it whilst ripping out her closely guarded heart and stomping on it until it was barely beating. Sigurd stayed by her side through her healing and helped her as best he could. But she went through truly dark times before she could even think about healing. She had developed a drinking problem which had resulted in Sigurd forcing her into rehab. And it had helped her immensely to see that she wasn't the problem. She wasn't the one that should be hurting. And so she took the step to attend therapy all the while Sigurd was cheering her on on the sidelines and she began to let out her rage in her music. Which topped the charts and only fueled her more. Her hurt had turned into her success. And whilst she was better now, still angry and hateful deep inside but no longer volatile, it had changed her. She guarded her heart even more, didn't trust anyone, didn't date, wasn't interested in relationships, she was done with love. It had scarred her too many times and Ivar was the last straw. And the media knew something bad had happened. They didn't know what. But they were great detectives. And it wasn't long after the whole ordeal that gossip sites and fans were talking about how her ex boyfriend had fucked another woman behind her back and gotten her pregnant. And she was right back into that depression when photos of the two backstabbers were posted along with the articles. Her shiny new ring and pregant belly were enough to undo the progress she had made. But Sigurd had quickly diverted their attention by announcing her nomination for a VMA at the upcoming award show a few months away, along with the news of a new album and an early release of one of the songs on that album. And that was enough to end the attention Freydis and Ivar were paid. And then they went to work on her again.

By the time the VMAs rolled around she had a solid grip on herself and her feelings and promised herself she would shed no more tears for the man that didn't deserve it. She had won that award and headed to the after party with Sigurd in high spirits. They had been there for a while before she saw him. Sigurd had tried his best to intercept him and Hvitserk before they both split off into the crowd and Ivar disappeared causing Sigurd to lose him. She turned her back to him after they met eyes and politely ordered a water from the bartender who passed her a glass of ice water with a smile as she tipped him. But Ivar hadn't gotten the hint clearly because he stood beside her and ordered a drink before turning his attention to her. "We need to talk." She scoffed as she took a large gulp of her drink. "No. We dont. You had your time to talk. You chose to fuck another woman instead. You've made your choices quite clear." She said and moved to walk away. He gripped her arm. "Please." She put a bright smile on and turned back around, taking him by surprise. "Ok Ivar. Talk. I'll entertain you this once because quite frankly I'm intrigued by what you could possibly say to me to make me want to even give you a bit of space in my brain for even a fleeting thought of you." He winced and opened his mouth. "Freydis is pregnant yes." "Well no shit. If she wasn't I'd be seeing a doctor asap." She rolled her eyes. "Please. She lied. It's not mine." She let out an amused laugh. "Lose them how you catch them eh?" He rubbed a hand down his face. "Lils-" "don't call me that. You lost that privilege. We are not friends. We are nothing. You made sure of that. Had you come to me and said that you no longer loved me rather than cheating on me, we maybe could've been. You have no one to blame but yourself Ivar. No one." She said sternly. She watched him deflate. "I DO love you." He said quietly. "You have a strange way of showing it. Let me make this clear, I feel NOTHING for you. Even my rage has depleted. You knew how hard it was to even give you a chance. You knew how guarded I was. And you not only begged me to give you a chance against my better judgment, you swore you would NEVER hurt me like others did. You swore you weren't that person. And then you did EXACTLY what you swore to me you wouldn't. You tore my heart from my chest after you mended it and you spit on it and stomped on it until it was dead. And the worst part was you didn't even have the balls to tell me what you did yourself. Sigurd did. You waited a WEEK after what you did to even bother to call me. You are nothing to me Ivar. You brought the worst out in me after that. And I have overcome all the demons and darkness that you left me with. So you don't get to come to me now that I'm finally better and moved on and pretend that what you did wasn't the worst thing anyone could do to someone they claimed to love and try and gain my sympathy that your situation didn't work out for you. You don't deserve it. Do not call me. Do not text me. Do not even look at me. Do you understand me? I want nothing to do with you. Go find someone else to fuck over." She said and slammed her glass on the bar beside him before pulling her arm from his grip and storming off towards Sigurd. She felt a weight come off her shoulders. There it was. The closure she needed. She said all she had been wanting to. All that had been bottled up. And it was time to wash her hands of it. "You ok?" Sigurd asked worried. But a dazzling smile overtook his best friends face and he relaxed, returning a small one. "Better than OK. Let get out of here and go get some greasy food from a sketchy place that will end up being the best thing we've ever tasted." He chuckled and offered his arm which she immediately took. "Sold. Let's go." Back at the bar Hvitserk patted a teary eyed Ivar. "You'll always be my brother but you fucked up big time and there's no coming back from it." He said softly. Ivar quickly wiped the falling tears and gave a stiff nod.

Hmm. Send which Tom Hardy character you'd like an imagine for with one of these. Id like to try this out 🤔

Send a symbol for my muse’s reaction to your muse:

❅ = wanting to build a snowman

✾ = bringing them a dozen roses

✛ = telling them they want kids

✎ = leaving a note

♛ = tucking them in bed

♠ = asking them for a loan

♘ = telling them a secret

✉ = texting them at 4 a.m.

♬ = whistling off-key very loudly

☆ = pointing out a shooting star

Angela Tellier, Willie’s Adventure.

Kick/Ass 2

The Motherfucker: I'm so sorry!

shark: it's too late to apologizeeee, it's too laaate

James delaney Angsty imagine

I'm sorry I gotta do it. This is extremely sad and angsty. Warning you now. I dunno. Sometimes angsty things come to me. If you would like a part two of Andy as James' guardian let me know. Totally could do it. On with the imagine!

Below is a mood board for Andy!

She came when James was 17 and Zilpha was 15. She was to be the new housemaid. She was Brace's daughter. Her name was Andromeda and she was 15 like zilpha. James remembered her like it was yesterday. She had been firey and sweet all at the same time. She had caught him and zilpha many a time and kept her mouth shut. Not because zilpha threatened her. No. She'd made that clear to the both of them the first time she'd caught them and zilpha opened her mouth with harsh and hot words.

She made her way down the hall silently with the wicker laundry basket, avoiding all the squeaky floor boards. She noticed Zilphas door cracked open and raised her fist to give a small knock but stilled in her movements when she heard it. The heavy breathing and small mewls from Zilpha and James' grunting with every thrust. And she knew it was James. Because Zilpha called out quietly. "James! Don't stop!" She felt sick to her stomach but at the same time this was a perfect time to teach the two of them a lesson about sneaking about. "Hey. If you guys are gonna sneak about yeah, do it the right way." She called out. She heard the curses and the thud that indicated someone had fallen off the bed. Within moments the door was wretched open and Zilpha stood in the door way with a red and nervous James behind her. The look on Zilohas face was a cross between shame and anger. "Laundry?" She held up the basket. Zilpha huffed. "If you tell anyone about what you just saw-" she growled but Andromeda had cut her off. "Well if I told then I wouldn't have the joy of watching you attempt and fail to sneak around here would I?" She reached behind James and pulled the door shut. "Next time. Shut the door all the way." She gave a cheeky smirk and made her way down the hall whistling like it was just another day.

The next time she caught them he knew she was growing annoyed at this point that they weren't being as careful as they should. She'd told them as much.

She rounded the corner to see the two of them heavily kissing in the hallway. "Come on you two! Seriously!" They jumped away from eachother. "You both don't have a sneaky bone in your bodies. Its obvious." She muttered annoyed. "W-well father is gone." Zilpha spoke up. Andromeda raised a brow. "Is my father? Did your father say for how long he'd be gone for?" Zilpha turned red immediately. Andromeda didn't look at the two of them as she stocked the hall closet with the bath towels and spoke. "If you really want to keep this whole...thing...a secret. You have to do better. Cause if you get caught and and they ask me if I knew, I'm Singing like a canary. At that point its everyone for themselves." She said and turned to give the two teens a look. Zilpha didn't meet her eyes and James just smiled amused. "Now you both have a room with a lock yes?" James nodded. "Good. Use them. Good day." She waved them off and disappeared back down the stairs. Zilpha had taken a deep breath and looked back up at him with a giggle.

She was one of the best people both siblings knew. And she only proved to be more than that when his father had pissed someone off and they came for Zilpha as revenge. He also remembered that nightmare of a night too clearly.

He had come into the back door, pausing when he'd heard a man shouting, Zilpha sobbing, and Andromeda quietly talking. He silently moved through the kitchen, grabbing a knife and peeking into the foyer. A dirty looking man was standing in the middle of the foyer with a gun pointed at Zilpha who was standing infront of the stairs, Andromeda behind her on the second step. "Please. Shes just a girl. She had nothing to do with any of this." Andromeda was saying in a calm, hushed tone. "Shut up!" The man yelled back clearly irritated. "Look mister. You're angry. I get it. I've been there. But don't take an innocent girls life for something so trivial. The safes are upstairs. I will open them for you. Take whatever you want. Just not her." The man growled. "I dont want money or jewels. He can get those back. He can't get her back." He clicked off the safety and James snuck behind him, rasing the knife. The man must've seen Zilphas expression because before he could plunge the knife into the man's neck he fired. It all happened in slow motion. Andromeda kicked Zilpha to the floor and out of the way. And within a blink of an eye Andromeda was against the stairs. A dazed look in her eyes as blood seeped through her white dress, staining her chest. James plunged the knife into the man's throat repeatedly until he was sure the man was no longer breathing and rushed to the stairs to Andromeda. She wasnt making a sound but her eyes were moving. Like she was seeing something no one else could. Zilpha sobbed and crawled her way up to the maid and held her hand tightly. James pulled her head up, his eyes wet. "Andromeda! Hey! Andy!" He yelled to her through a cracked voice. She didn't answer him but her eyes met his. "Dont you dare. Don't you dare leave us!" She gave a small smile and looked over at Zilpha who couldn't control her heavy sobbing. And she closed her eyes, her chest stopped moving and her body went heavy. The door burst open and Horace Delaney made his appearance. He took in the man's body on the floor and his two children sobbing over his maids body on the stairs and his blood ran cold. "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!"

James was sure that the was the one and only time his father had felt true, unadulterated guilt and sadness. He had paid for the finest funeral for Andromeda and the finest tombstone in the finest cemetery London had to offer. Brace had broken that day. He had never been the same. He'd taken to drinking and putting up a fake front for everyone else. James had pulled back from Zilpha. He'd started taking an interest in the east India company and had eventually gone on that trip to Africa where he'd almost died and disappeared for 10 years. Zilpha was guilt ridden. She had put it into her mind that it was her fault that Andy was dead. That if she had been braver and not such a little girl Andy would still be alive. James called it survivors guilt. And he knew exactly how she felt now after the sinking of the Influence. He had seen Andy many a time in his visions and dreams. Always there lecturing him on his troublesome ways and stupid plans. And when his mother had tried to drown him in the lake for the first time she had gone head to head with the woman. She was his protector even now. He just felt it. So he made it a routine once a week every Friday to buy flowers and leave them on her grave. An offering. A thank you for all her hard work in life and in the afterlife as his guardian