Page 84 of Saving the Angel of Death: Vol 2

I should have known something was off about her when I first watched her having these fits in her sleep, watched her kill men left and right as if it were something she needed to do inorder to breathe, as if she were addicted to it. It’s no mystery to me now why so many were attracted to her… including myself if I’m honest. All the signs were there but I ignored them. She was the perfect temple for this demon to possess, beautiful, frail, vulnerable, and with a broken mind and moral compass like myself. The perfect temple to use to seduce me and ensure my destiny straight into hell.

***

Concealing the beauty that is her body with her nightgown is like hiking through a continent-sized forest. It drains me. I don’t want to stop admiring it, but it’s the right thing to do, especially now that I know she was never in control of her senses. Even though I didn’t know the state she was in, even though I didn’t know I was taking advantage of her, the guilt stabs me.

Even in the dingy bed, against the wall with her hands chained to the metal railing, she looks spectacular, like a love poem.

It’s so difficult for me to fathom that after I rid her of this demon, I will probably never touch, feel or even see her again, the only creature besides Magdalena I would have given everything up for. It kills me to know that I’m working so hard to lose my second chance at love.

I sit on a chair next to the bed. “Elizabeth?” It’s the name her passport indicates, not the one she told me in the beginning, Alma.

I try to wake her several times but it seems the iron maiden took a toll on her body after all. She’s lost so much weight. Her bones are too visible. I’d rather not leave her without drinking some water and eating the holy bread but my colleagues and students will rise for breakfast soon. I’d give anything for a deep sleep.

“Alma, please wake up.”

“Mmm…”

Her eyes open. She never speaks unless spoken to. “How are you feeling?”

“F-father?”

My eyes widen in disbelief. God, please let it be. “What’s my real name?”

“I-I don’t know.”

Is she lying? My heart swells with hope that she's not. “Oh… my sweet girl … I’m so happy to hear the real you.” I kneel next to her, our faces so close, and she dips her face to mine. Her breathing clashes against my lips which crave to feel hers.

“Father, please, release me.”

“I can’t Alma, not until I’m sure you’re in fact free of that demon.”

“What are you talking about? H-how can I show you that? What will confirm it?”

My gaze catches hers, so much pain and innocence. “W-was it you? I didn't know you were the man I had been falling in love with, the one who spied on me, calmed my nightmares. I didn't know, Father. If you have to keep hurting me, then just kill me."

“My intention is not to hurt you. I want to save you."

Save her. Save her Save her.

We can't fail again.

Save her. Save her Save her.