Snippet #1956245

[[I'm cool with that ^.^ ]]

He felt her deliberate silently behind him, and Ephraim listened as the girl answered him, "Just one."

Emmaline stepped toward him and extended her small hand, leaving it to rest lightly on his shoulder. "Why do you keep turning away from me?"

He sighed quietly under his breath and turned back to face her. Her gaze was kept earnestly on his dark figure, eyes shining in the moonlight. Her countenance was set, and she had an air of incredible strength about her – so much so, that Ephraim knew he had no need to worry if she would be scared away.

His features softened and when he spoke, his voice was calm. "I was frightened that I would upset you with stories of my past life – but I see now that you would need to hear much worse than this to spook you, if only a little." He met her eyes. "You are very brave, my dear Emmaline."

Stepping forward, Ephraim carefully reached out and took her hand. He brought it slowly to his lips and bowed his head in respect for the young girl who seemed to know much more than he had ever dreamt of. "I promise to never let anything come near you – while you are under my protection, you shall not be hurt." His words were grave, his voice solemn, and he straightened, freeing her hand from his light grasp. "So please, do not fear me – I have no wish to harm you." He looked sadly at her. "I am a killer, it is true, but it is in my nature, and no matter how far I try to run from it, I cannot hide forever."

He desperately hoped that the girl would understand, that she would see how tight his hands were tied – it wasn't something he could control. No, it was beyond his control.