“She’s going to be upset.” I pull the blankets over me, leaning against the wooden headboard. “Furious, if I know my little demon.”
“Suppose so…”He pauses, soft twitches occur between his nose and ears before he continues,“She will forgive me, in time.”
No part of me disagrees. Xeraphine loves Mister, just like she does Sydni.
I offer a smile then take a deep breath. “How much more time?” It isn’t like he’s keeping anything from me. His comment about not telling me what is happening in the Beyond was met with argument, but hepromised it wouldn’t help knowing what she was doing.
While a big part of me wanted to disagree, the more dominant part of meknewhe was right. If he told me she was doing anything other than talking with Belial, I’d likely lose control and what I did to Sarah would look like child’s play. Now with Kayn at my side,fuck, we could bring about chaos to Sidence.
That is where I’d go, to find her mother or that other Incubus, to get me to the Beyond. Even if I never came back. As long as I got to her before they hurt her, that would be worth it.
“I don’t believe she’ll be there much longer…”
“Good,” I say while slinking further into the bed. Sleep’s been impossible since she left, and I’m oddly not physically tired, just mentally. I know where she is, which should sedate my feeling of unease, but it doesn’t.
Mister hums, or what I’d equate to one. It’s a thick purr that lingers longer than natural.“Can I ask you a question, Kairhyse?”
I nod.
“A wise man once said that falling in love is madness, capable of bringing down an entire world. This gave rise to the phrase ‘madly in love’. But why is that? Why do mortals flirt with destruction with such a simple phrase?”
A hum vibrates from my throat as I think for a moment.
“I’m no philosopher...” I take a deep breath before releasing it slowly. “But I imagine it’s because a place without love is no place at all. What is this world without the one we can’t imagine living without?”
“Many fear Xeraphine’s kind for their power to control the world with just a flick of their tongue. Yet love wields the same force, though often overlooked in its subtlety.”
“Fear is only love spelled with different letters,” I murmur through a sigh. “It evokes both passion and despair, leaving us tangled in a web of our own making.”
“Yet you fell for its trap.”There is no condemnation in his tone, just understanding.
“I did. I wasn’t lying to Xera when I told her I feared her—not just for the power she holds, but for the hold she has on me.” Confessing this to a cat feels strange, but as long as I don’t look at him, it’s like I’m talking to a person. “I’ll burn down this world until nothing remains but us. I’m possessive, destructive, and everyone should question my morals because they don’t exist outside of her. So, to answer your question: if destruction is the consequence of loving the only person who matters, then so be it.”
There is a moment of pause between us, but soon the silence fills with his chuckle.“Incredible how two souls can fit so perfectly together.”His eyesclose as he begins to get comfortable, sinking deeper into the curl he has formed of himself.“And no wonder she’d do anything for you…”
His words trail off as we hear a twig snap outside. I’d like to chalk it up to an animal, but it’s the distinct heartbeat that betrays that hope.
Mister gets to all fours, his hackles raised as he glares out the wall-to-wall window. I can see through it, but from the outside looking in, nothing could see inside. It’s mirrored, because most Dylox’s vision allows them to see through a one-way window.
There isn’t anything out there but the forest. The impenetrable darkness feels vast, and although I can see the world as though outlined by a glow in the night, it’s eerie. Especially as the rustling of leaves halts, and a shadow shifts between the trees.
A chill runs up my spine just as Mister lets out a low yowl.
I take a long breath in through my nose, but it’s difficult with how thick the walls are to get any scents from the outside.
“Xera?” I whisper so low that it would be impossible to hear beyond this room.
Looking briefly at the cat, he shakes his head.
It’s been a few days since Mister showed up, and I’d relaxed, thinking no one had followed Ismael. Desiray, who is still cooped up in the cellar, was given a mattress and food daily. I don’t need her dying while Xera is gone. She hasn’t left that space, so I know she couldn’t have called anyone for help.
A loud thump pulls me from my stillness, and I shift quickly off the bed. “Stay,” I say as I swing open the bedroom door.
Of course, just as I suspect, Mister doesn’t listen, and the soft patter of his paws echoes behind me. No one is in the darkened hall as I step from the room. As I move past Kayn’s room, I tap on his door once.
I round the corner into the living room, the faint ember of the fire burning at its lowest point casting a small glow across the space. It creates a dim shadow beyond the couch.
I don’t focus on anything other than the back door.
