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“What about the demons?” I know we had played with the idea over the last couple of decades to have conversations with them as they arrived. I needed them to stop hurting the souls to near death. Killing them here defeats the purpose of the realm.
“They don’t care. Their newfound power is far too great to give a shit about the souls they have haunted for so many years. Each demon I’ve had a conversation with shared the goal of the realm–to torture for eternity–but they aren’t understanding how killing the souls will zap them out of existence. They listen, but they disregard the message as soon as they feel the power they hold. It was all for nothing.” Giso bows her head.
“The darkness is too much. It lasts much longer now, the smell of fear seeps into our houses, and the rage burns my eyes. Every emotion is magnified and creeps into every available opening. It’s too much,” Tanca says.
“As I suspected. Immediately, we will stop conversing with the demons. Let them have the power, they won’t change. The souls, we will only tell them if they seek us out, a few answers, but enough that they can figure it out quickly.” I tell everyone as I walk back to my house.
Opening the main door I look at the manifesto. No souls are scheduled for at least a decade. Time moves differently here compared to Earth, everything is slower and lasts much longer. What I can do is provide bite-size pieces of information for those who will be coming in.
“What about the souls who get hurt? We need to fix that issue,” Tanca asks.
I straighten my robe and close the book.
When I face them, I decide we will cast a powerful spell over each soul to enter Cavum Terra. “When each soul arrives, we will bless them with the resilience needed to survive, with the ability to heal after the demons have taken them to the brink of existence. Thus making them durable enough to withstand the torture for eternity.
“It seems like the best idea. The current souls won’t make it, but for the next it will be a must.”
I nod at the words. It’s the best we can do and might cut down on the emotions we have to endure. Fear, anger, and anguish are the highest on the list to emote harmful toxins our way.
“I’ll see you when the next batch comes in,” I tell them as I disappear into my quarters. The wooden bedframe in the corner of the room is intricately designed, the mattress firm but comfortable, and I’ve exhausted myself from the day. Until I’m needed again I will be in slumber.
Eighteen
Marla
The cuts on my skin sting in the shower. I’m getting ready to go to the mental health centre. I don’t want another fine, or to be taken away. I didn’t think giving a blade to Sebastian during sex would be so incredibly hot. It lit every nerve endingin my body on fire. Afterwards, the way he held me close, was everything I was missing from my drops when I cut alone.
“Hurry. Do you want coffee?” he asks me as he turns on the tap to brush his teeth. The water turns ice cold in the shower, and I twist off the water.
“Happy to see me?” he asks as his eyes trail over my hardened nipples. I roll my eyes and towel off.
“Stay. I’m going to cover your initials.” He returns with a tube of cream and a bandage. I notice his chest has a similar bandage.
“Won’t you get a fine for not coming today?”
“No. I’ll be out to get your aunt and uncle. These are the directions you said?” he opens his phone and shows me what I told him last night.
I nod. “Why won’t you get a fine for not coming to the centre today?”
He sighs and his warm fingers grip my chin tightly. “Because I’m not registered or mandated to attend. I saw you one day when I was passing by and knew I wanted to meet you, so I pretended.”
I push out of his grip, hanging the towel on the hook. I make my way to the bedroom to get dressed. “You lied to me,” I say as he stands in the doorway. I fasten my bra on and slip a long sleeve shirt over my head before pulling on red panties, and hear his breath suck in.
“Technically, I never lied. I do, indeed have anger problems. Experts would probably love for me to be going if they knew.”
I grab my jeans and slide them on, fastening my belt. I slip past him again to brush out my hair, then add a layer of red lip stain and mascara. As I try to push past him again, he doesn’t move.
His hand circles my throat and he presses me against the wall. “I didn’t lie, Marla. I failed to elaborate, but I didn’t lie.”
“So, you pretended to be suffering like the rest of us just to be with me?” I look into his eyes. His grip on me doesn’t lessen as he presses his lips to mine when he pulls away his gaze intensely watches me.
“Yes, exactly that. I told you I was selfish, and I wanted you.” I digest his words. It’s crazy he went to these lengths to be near me.
On one hand, I should be mad that he lied, but technically, he didn’t even lie. I think back to our conversations in the early days, and he never said they mandated him like they did me. He just answered my questions and didn’t expand. Sebastian went to those lengths to see me, and hang out all day in the depressing centre just to get to know me. I know you can go to prison for being there if you don’t have to be. He risked everything just to be with me. My stomach jumps and my heart swells. The tears prick my eyes before I can stop them.
“You’re right. You didn’t lie, but I’d appreciate no more secrets like that again.” I bring my hand up to his face to clear the hair from his eyes. He should cut his hair soon, although I love the longer length.
“I bared everything to you last night–everything that I am, that I like and what I’ve done.” My mouth curls into a smile.
