Tonight starts as any other night. The moon hangs low in the sky, making it look larger than it actually is. The sky is clear and the stars look like small pinpricks against the black velvet of the night sky. The temperature is mild. Not to hot and not to cold. This is the best time of the year. It’s when the summer finally gives up and yields to autumn. The breeze is crisp and it rustles the leaves in the trees. The sea of colors is absolutely stunning. A lone squirrel works hard at getting a nut into the opening of his tree. He pauses and chatters at the stubborn nut that keeps trying to escape back to the ground. The winter feels like it’s going to be a long one. Good chance of being a hard one as well. Once it hits this time of year the weather changes fast. Life is good.

The bedroom is a rather large one. The king sized mahogany sleigh bed only takes up about a quarter of the room. The bedding is on the neutral side. Jade wanted flowers and Damien wanted something less feminine. They settled on a Navajo inspired pattern in browns, dark greens and dark gold. The sheets are a solid chocolate brown. Across from the bed is matching chest of drawers, also in mahogany.

Across from Damien’s side of the bed, is the walk in closet; the left side for him, the right for her. Damien’s uniforms are hung in bags to keep them nice. There are also several pairs of jeans as well as Damien’s most prized piece of clothing, his black leather, full-length trench coat. Jade’s clothes are hung in matched sets, a bit of a peeve for her. She has jeans, peasant style tops, slacks and even some evening gowns. Everything is in jewel tones and black. She only has a few pair of shoes, makes sense though, she prefers to be barefoot; and then there is her lab coats, crisp white, spotless.

Both sides of the bed have mahogany nightstands fully equipped with rustic looking table lamp and various knick knacks special to the owner of that side of the bed. Damien’s is simple, alarm clock, picture of Jade and a small shallow dish to deposit his change in at the end of the day. There is still enough room for his watch, cell phone, and wallet. Jade’s is a bit more complicated, at least from a male’s stand point. The phone is on her side, along with a picture of a young man who, through assumption, would be a son. He looks about 16 in the picture. He’s a very handsome one. Pale blue eyes set in his face like two aquamarines set in an ornate piece of jewelry. His hair the color of spun gold and kissed by the sun. His smile is warm and child like. She also has hers and Damien’s wedding picture beside the teenager. Nestled in there is a small figurine of an angel with her hand on the top of a small praying child, and a velvet lined jewelry box that looks well cherished.

Damien swings his long legs over the side of the bed. He sighs lightly and rubs his face. The night started the same as any other, but this night is anything but normal. He lifts his arms and stretches, unkinking every muscle in his body, trying to get it ready for a new night. He reaches his hand up and scratches his head, feeling that his coal black hair is standing up in every direction.

Shaking his head, he talks to himself, ‘Must have tossed and turned all night,’ he chuckles. His hair is long, hitting between his shoulder blades, so if he tosses and turns all night, it’s going to stand up on end. He rubs his eyes. They are coal black with flecks of silver, making him look more exotic than what he is. Oh if they only knew. His skin is pale, not quite white, but definitely the type to burn just by thinking of being out in the sun. His lips are thin and usually turned up in a smile. The light from inside him affects everyone he comes into contact with. He has a natural peace about him, but make no mistake, he’s not one to cross.

He turns and looks at Jade still lying in the bed beside him, sleeping peacefully. He smiles and brushes her dark brown hair from her face. He leans down and gently kisses her on the cheek. She smiles and opens one brown eye. The silver and green flecks seem to be brighter this evening. She has skin the color of a perfect cup of coffee and eyes that are cat-like and definitely show off her Romanian decent. Her lips are full and just this side of pouty and a voice that rings like a soft, sultry dream. There’s a husky quality to it like day old whiskey. Her curves are in all the right places, definitely not to thin. She a woman of old times.

“Is it that time already?” the sleep is thick in her voice.

“Yea, it’s that time. I need to get ready. I had that dream again last night,” his English accent still as prominent as the day he was born.

Most people have a hard time understanding him. Not Jade. She finds his accent irresistible. Jade rolls over and looks at him. The wave in her hair seems to be uncontrollable tonight, taking on a life of its own. It’s not as wild as his, but it’s still unruly. This is why he married her so many years ago. She was young, but he saw her as an angel. The way she looks right now always reminds him of watching her through the window from the cover of shadows. She flowed like she was weightless.

Propping herself up on her elbow, she watches him, “The one about the island? What was it you called it?”

“Eldhin. The name echoes in my head and has since I started dreaming about it.”

Jade smiles devilishly, “And you say you’re not psychic.”

Damien rolls his eyes and kisses her lightly, “That’s you’re job.

He chuckles as he stands and makes his way reluctantly to the bathroom. His tall 6’0” frame looks comical shuffling like a 5 year old not wanting to be awake. He leans over and turns the knobs in the shower. The bathroom is like the rest of the house. Nothing fancy, a bland white wash on the walls and linoleum on the floors.....

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