As I lose consciousness, the last thing I’m able to comprehend is the sound of Atlas’s sobbing and my own self-loathing.
Atlas
24
AS SOON AS JULIAN’Shead smacks into the hardwood, I run. With the incubus staring at his limp body, I take my chances and give it a wide berth, unlocking my bedroom door and flying down the stairs.
All the while, Oscar’s words ring in my ear.
“If things become…difficult,please come to me. No matter the time or day,come get me. Do you understand?”
I’m running so fast that I don’t register the sound of my feet slapping against the crisp flooring or my own heavy panting.
All I can see is the deep red blood flowing down the side of Julian’s face or the sound of his body slamming into my dresser.
My mind is full of different angles of the incubus, terrifying and too real. Now it’stoo real.
It was having sex with me. Thatthinghas been slamming into me, night after night, and I am petrified.
And now, I’ve left it up there with Julian, to hurt him, tokillhim. But what could I do? If someone as strong and brave as Julian couldn’t fight it off, then I certainly can’t.
Once I’m in Hall E2, I slam open Oscar’s door without a thought. The man in question startles, falling out of his bed.
It’s my first time seeing him so discombobulated. His hair is a mess, and he’s wearing nothing but a pair of cotton pajama pants and a t-shirt as he wipes his eyes.
“W-what’s happening?” he asks, voice hoarse.
“Julian is dying,” I rush out, walking up to his side to grab his hand. “Help me.Right now.”
Oscar takes one good look at me and goes pale. A moment later, a fuzzy blue robe is being thrown over my shoulders and tied around my waist as I slide my arms through the correct slots.
“Good Lord, Young Master Atlas. Why are you running around naked?” he chastises, his brow pinched.
“Oscar!” I screech. “Julian isdying. It is in there with him right now, and he’s bleeding. Fuckinghelp me!”
The butler is gaping at me, frozen, before he seems to come to his senses. He stands up straight, nodding once.
“Let’s get your father.”
“What?! No! Why—”
“I cannot take on this demon alone, Young Master Atlas,” Oscar says, placing a hand on my shoulder. “I am not sure what the two of you have done, but for Julian’s sake, we must get your father.”
I know he’s right.Fuck, I know he is. And my desire to keep Julian alive trumps my fear of my father kicking him out, but the fear is stillthere.
“Fine,” I grit out, and Oscar nods, slipping on a pair of house slippers as he guides me back toward the main staircase.
We reach Hall W2 quickly, and Oscar slips inside, leaving me in the hallway. A minute or two later, my father comes barreling out in a robe, his face distraught as he looks me up and down.
“My darling boy,” he breathes. “Are you alright? What is happening?”
“Papa,” I cry, suddenly feeling like a small child who has fallen from his bike. “It’s here, and it has Julian. Please, I’m begging you to save him.Please.”
A determined expression, the kind of expression only a motivated father can make, covers his features.
“I will fix this, Atty,” he promises before turning on his heel.
Only, he makes it no more than two steps before a loud scream sounds throughout the castle.
