“I figure you’d call me back with blood and bodies until I answered.”
“A likely reaction of mine, yes. You know me too well. As I know that the way your heart bleeds for those you do not know makes controlling you easy.”
“Innocent people don’t deserve to die for no reason.”
“All mortals carry unrepented sins. Why should I need to hear them?”
“Because petty crimes don’t deserve the same punishment as those of pure evil,” I said, exasperated.
Nightsdeath hummed as if he gave it some thought.
“Your soft mortal values are quite entertaining. They also sound exhausting. No wonder you sleep so long. Can that be improved?”
That answered my question: he would never comprehend judgment and reasoning.
“You must need to sleep,” I said, hooking a brow at him. Though as I said it, I realized I hadn’t actually considered whether he was a being that needed rest.
“No, I don’t,” he said, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d think he sounded disappointed or confused by that. “You’re fascinating when you sleep.”
I spluttered. “You’ve been watching me?”
“Almost every night so far. Speaking of which, this eternal red night is glorious, don’t you think?”
He walked so seamlessly with his hands in his pockets, now closing his eyes briefly, soaking in the blood moon as one would summer rays.
It was so…normal.I couldn’t prevent the smile that broke out on my face nor the quick pooling in my eyes. I looked away before he could see it and didn’t let a single tear fall. Whatever he did to me, whatever he unleashed on the world, he was still a piece of Nyte, and I chose to take dangerous comfort in that truth.
I said, “Honestly, I’m missing the sunshine. It’s been like eternal winter for too long.”
His brow pulled together as he internally processed my feelings, like he was trying to comprehend them.
“You miss the warmth of it or the brightness?”
“Both, I suppose. I love the night more than the day, but we all need balance. And the warmth… well it sounds very appealing right now.”
“Are you sure you’re adequately dressed for your weak mortal body?”
“Any more layers and I’d be a lot slower. Though I do wish to change into something less horrifying.”
“Amusing. You say the layers make you slower, so that means more time in the cold. Forgo the layers; the punishment of the cold might be sharper but shorter.”
I was beginning to enjoy the way Nightsdeath thought; the questions he posed I never would have considered.
“Another mortal weakness is catching ill; it’s sometimes fatal, even in a short time when exposed to such temperatures without adequate protection. Are you sure you still want the burden of a mortal body?”
“I’ll admit I’m reconsidering it as I observe your struggles. Until…” Nightsdeath trailed off, abandoning his next words.
“Until what?” I prompted.
He inhaled a long breath. “Rainyte’s ability to bend minds would be most advantageous.”
I didn’t think that was what he was going to say, but I shivered stiffly at the notion.
“Would you read my thoughts?”
“Of course. I’m very curious.”
“About what?”
