Authors note: I put the main character in italics for those of you that were getting confused. Don't worry she does get a name later on. I also devided the chapters so it's not as long to read through it.

Starlit Tears - By Raine Tomoe

The fire blazed in the fireplace of the large library. He sat in his high-backed chair watching as the orange and yellow flames danced with the burning wood, a goblet of blood red wine in his alabaster coloured hand.
The young girl cowered in a dark corner of the room. Tears streaked her dirt covered face as she shook in fear. She did not know why she was taken from her home and her family. Was her family dead? Was she going to die next? The questions piled up in her head and sobs escaped her ruby coloured lips.
The man stood and gracefully stepped towards the girl, her eyes large with fear as the looming ghostly shadow moved closer to her. Her crouched before her and brushed her raven coloured hair from her face.
It was dirty and matted like it had never seen a brush or shampoo.
"Do not be afraid my young beauty." He breathed. "I will not harm you" His voice was deep and seductive. It made you feel safe and want to be gathered in those strong arms as he whispered comforting words in your ear. A sigh escaped the girl’s mouth as she closed her eyes and was scooped up into those cold strong arms. She heard the rhythmic beat of the man’s heart as her exhaustion caught up with her and the comforting darkness of sleep overtook her.

The girl woke to the silence of the night. She was tucked in a warm bed located in a cozy looking bedroom. There was a dim light coming from the bedside lamp and a black dresser in the corner. The girl knew this was not her room and in a flood of images she remembered the occurrences that took place the night before. She remembered the strange man that came to her home and took her away from her family. She remembered his voice like silk on her skin. She hoped that this stranger would be good to his word and not harm her. She missed her mother and sister. Were they really dead? Tears sprang from her eyes and she quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand, wiping away dirt and grime in the process.

The far door in the room lead to the bathroom, the door beside it to a vast hallway of doors and many other halls. The girl flicked the light switch and the bathroom was engulfed in white light. The walls were all white and matched the black and white tiled floor and the black marble sink and counter. There were many soaps and shampoos for her to choose from and a black bath robe was set out for her.

She did not understand the royal treatment but she was dirty and needed to clean up. She ran the water until it was deliciously warm and peeled off her clothes and stepped into the shower. The water felt wonderful as it ran hot over her skin. She could not remember the last time she could enjoy a hot shower, the experience of being clean and refreshed. Her family was not rich but they survived and made do with what they had. Her parents both lost their jobs due to downsizing and the introduction of new technology. They like many others had to learn how to survive with very little money. When the family lost their house they were forced to live on the streets and in shelters but at least they had each other. Tears streamed down the girls face a second time that night as more memories came flooding back to her mind. Names and faces of those she knew and loved and the tragedies that befell them. The man had taken her not long after her parent’s death. The world that she grew up in sneered and looked down their noses at the poor and homeless. They looked down their noses and complained about the overrun of filthy humans cluttering and stinking up the streets. The girl and her family were treated like stray dogs and soon the dog-catcher caught up to them. Those that ruled the city declared that all homeless be arrested and “disposed of”. Out of her family she was the only one that survived. She ran for what seemed like days until the man found her and took her. The girl thought it was the end and that she would be taken away too. Away where? She did not know. Was her family really dead? Did her eyes see what really happened? Her memories blurred again until she could no longer see the smiling face of her mother or hear the low chuckles of her father. All this time she was reliving the horrible events that happened but she could not remember her own name. As she got out of the shower and dried herself she did not recognize the slim body in the bathroom mirror nor the round pale face with the large sapphire eyes that looked like dark pools. She did not know the raven coloured hair she was patting with the fluffy white towel. Her mind was blank. What do you do when you don’t know who you are? Do you panic, do you cry, go into a depression? She did nothing but stare at her naked form in the mirror, stare at the strange girl staring back.

She gasped with a start when there was a knock at her door. What was she going to do? Pretend she wasn’t there; open the door to the stranger on the other side? The door knocked again, louder this time. Her heart was thudding in her chest though she took a deep breath and answered.

“Hold on a moment.” The voice like silver bells that escaped her lips was strange to her. She did not remember the voice she had either.

She wrapped the soft black robe around herself and tied it securely around her body. Taking a deep breath she opened the bathroom door, took the few steps to the door leading to the hallway and slowly opened it.

It was him. The man that brought her here. in all his stunning glory. His marble skin glowed in the dimness of the hall. His eyes pale as the moon itself which made his shoulder length black hair even more shocking to behold. He was beautiful and the girl’s breath caught in her throat as the sight of him.

“I hope everything is well and you are enjoying my hospitality. I’m sorry I gave you a fright but you will be much safer here with me tonight.” His voice was deep and rich and played along the girl’s skin.

“Come, you must be hungry after the last few nights that you have had. Please dine with me and let me get to know you.”

The girl was still frightened and confused but gave a small nod in agreement.

“Very well, I will leave you to get ready and have one of my servants fetch you later.” He smiled and gave a small bow before turning and leaving the girl in the dim hallway clutching her robe to her body. She went back into the room and closed the door behind her until it made an audible click. The girl then looked around the room, really looked for the first time since she woke up and walked over to the dark wood dresser. There were clothes in it that were her size. She felt odd dressing in clothes that did not belong to her but it was either that or not wear anything at all. She settled for a pair of new blue jeans and a v-neck t-shirt. She looked very nice in the outfit; it brought out the colour of her eyes and made her skin look like it was glowing a pearly white. She had just finished putting on black socks and slipping into black loafers when again there was a light tap on the door. She opened the door to a small woman. She was slender and had large brown eyes. She looked more like a child than a woman but the look in her eyes was that of an adult who has seen many years of pain and suffering.

“My master is awaiting you presence young miss.” She said meekly with a bow. The girl nodded and followed as the woman turned around and lead her down the long hallway. The floor was carpeted with a plush red carpet. Paintings of places and people from long ago lined the walls that were painted a pale tan. They passed many doors that were polished and stained a dark brown with gold brass knobs that were polished to a gleaming shine.

They stopped before a set of great brown doors carved with dragons and accented with gold. The servant girl opened the doors and held them for the girl to enter. She shuffled forward a few paces into the room and looked around. The floor was the same soft red carpet. There was a great black marble fireplace with a roaring fire in to at the other end of the room. In the center there was a great banquet table with golden candelabra on it and trays and platters of silver. There was more food than the girl had ever seen. Standing before the fire was the tall dark figure of the stranger that brought the girl here. He looked lost in thought and startled the girl as he turned to face her with pale skin and deep, penetrating eyes.

“I am glad you came to join me on this fine evening.” He gave her a warm smile as he took a step towards her. The girl almost took a step back to keep her distance but reluctantly stood her ground. She took a deep breath and replied.

“I did not have a choice in the matter.” She said coolly though the voice she did not recognize. Why could she not remember herself?

“But of course you had a choice. You are no prisoner here…merely my guest.”

“Then please let me go back to my family.”

“That is not possible.”

“But you just said….”

“Listen to me! I brought you here out of the goodness of my heart, to save you from the outside world. You must know that your family is dead.” Those worlds shattered the girl’s world. Tears slid down her face as she sank to her knees. She knew from the beginning that there was no hope for her family but she did not want to believe it.

“No that can’t be….” She whispered before the world started spinning and going dark. The mysterious man that had brought her here moved lightning fast to catch her before she fell to the floor. Again feeling the strength and warmth of his arms she sank into the blackness that quieted her mind and made her at peace again.

When the girl awoke again for the second night she was again in a bed but it was not the same one as before. This bed was large with four posters and a canopy that draped it. The crimson curtains that surrounded the bed were drawn back with black satin pieces of cloth. The room was also very big with fine rugs on the floor and dark antique furniture against all the walls. Panic rose up again in the girl’s mind as she struggled to free herself from the sheets and run from the room.

“It’s ok, you are safe. Please do not struggle, you are still not well.”

“Why are you tormenting me?” She said with a sob. “I did nothing to you.”

“I am not tormenting you my beauty. I am keeping you safe.” He replied with a purr as he smoothed the girl’s hair back from her face. “What is your name young one?”

“My name? My name….I…I don’t remember.” Her sobs quieted as she really thought about the question that was asked of her.

“My name is Philip…now we must give you a proper name and a real life.”

“But I want my old life…”

“That I cannot give you young one. Though I do vow from this night forward that I will protect you from the cruelties of the outside world. I will take care of you and will never let anyone harm you ever again.”

“You should never make promises you cannot keep.” She spat as she looked into his dark cold eyes. As she met his eyes her world began to swim. She felt the pull of his gaze and was washed in protective warmth that she had never felt before. For the first time she felt safe and at home. When she came back to herself she was wrapped in Philip’s arms in a tight embrace. She pulled back and he let her.

“What are you?” She gasped as she fell back onto the bed.

“I am as ageless as time…I have seen many worlds and different times. And I tell you now that I can and will uphold my promises. Though my time grows short. I must sleep as the dawn is coming. My servant will take care of you for the day. Aniya please come out.” There was a ruffle of curtains as a figure emerged from the shadows.

“How may I serve you my lord?”

“The dawn comes and I must take my rest. Please watch over this young lady as you would watch over me. Treat her with respect or you will have me to deal with tonight.”

“As you wish my lord.” The young girl replied with a bow.

The girl quickly rolled of the bed and backed up a few steps as Philip crawled to the pillows and made himself comfortable. As the first rays of dawn poked through the heavy curtains Philip fell into a sleep like the dead, unmoving and no longer breathing. Aniya quickly moved to the window and shut the blinds and two sets of heavy curtains to cover the room in darkness again.

“Come my lady, I shall get you some breakfast and draw you a bath.” The girl hesitantly followed Aniya out of the room and down the halls to the kitchens. She sat the girl down at the kitchen table and started busying herself. She got items from the cupboards and started boiling water on the stove. After about twenty minutes the smells of cooking wafted through the kitchen and got a growl from the girl’s stomach.

“I’m sorry I haven’t eaten for a couple of days.” The girl said with a blush. Aniya just smiled back as she whipped some eggs in a bowl. She then got another small bowl from the cupboards and scooped stuff into it from the pot. She put sugars, syrups, and juices on the table along with spoons, forks and a pitcher of milk.

“This looks like so much just for two people.” The girl exclaimed. She had never in her life seen so much food in one place before.

“Oh we will be having guests join us today.” Aniya explained as she set more dishes.

“There are more people that live here with Philip?”

“Yes, we have all been together for a long time. Philip has taken care of us and we have taken care of him.” The girl just sat in her chair and looked at Aniya. She could not believe that such a dark being could love so many people. The girl had come from a world where it was survival of the fittest and all fend for themselves. So many bodies littered the streets, so many dead, so many sick and hungry. The girl clutched her head as a scream escaped her lips and fresh tears rode down her face.

“Hush child. Nothing can hurt you here.” Aniya whispered as she hugged the girl and comforted her. “Let Philip take care of you. There is nothing for you back there but suffering and pain.” The girl just nodded and relaxed her body. Why was she still holding on to those painful memories when she couldn’t even remember her own name?

“Aniya I need to start over. I need a new life, a new name. I don’t want to remember the horrors I have seen. I don’t want to relive the pain.” The girl said through ragged breaths as she wiped the tears from her face.

“I don’t think I’m the one who can give you those lass. I think Philip is the one that can help you, but remember you have to help yourself too.” Aniya stood and set the rest of the table then ran over and gave the pot another stir before filing another bowl and setting it in front of the girl. The bowl was steaming and the contents smelled good. The girl added some brown sugar to the creamy white substance in her bowl then took a big spoonful of it. The food was delicious and warmed her insides. The food made her feel better and helped her think much clearer. Did she really want to forget her dead family and the place where she grew up? No she thought, she would not forget her family but she would never go back to that awful place again. As she scraped her bowl clean two young men and another young woman entered the room, all smiles, all looking happy. The men were both really tall, one was 6’1 the other close behind at 5’9. Both of them had wavy brown hair but the shorter man wore his long to his shoulders. Both of them also had the same soft chocolate eyes. They must have been related because the similarities were startling. The girl on the other hand was short at about 5’2 with shoulder length straight black hair and eyes just as dark. Her skin was a bit darker which made the girl think that this young lady was from farther east.

“Young miss I would like to introduce you to Matt, Ryan, and Ino. They are also in the service of Master Philip. Everyone this is the latest addition to our family….our master’s shining star.” Aniya introduced them all and they all replied with a greeting and a smile.

“Does this young star have a name?” Matt asked in is smooth tenor voice.

“The young miss is suffering from a bit of memory loss at the moment. She has asked that the master give her a new name. But enough of this idol chat the breakfast is getting cold.” Aniya finished making the breakfast and dishing out the food. Everyone ate and chatted with many smiles and laughter ringing through the kitchen. The girl could not remember the last time she felt so safe and happy. There was no laughter and smiles where she grew up, no family gatherings, no social time. Only survival.

Aniya took the empty dishes and started cleaning up.

“When I am done here I shall get your bath ready miss.” Aniya said as she took more dishes from the table.

“There is no need for that Aniya. I’ll take her and get her all cleaned up.” Ino replied as she stood from the table and took the girl’s hand. Before Aniya could protest Ino had lead the girl out the door and down the hall to the bathroom.