Page 149 of Evil Hearts

Chapter Four

I don’t hear from or see the monster for the entire day.

After it followed me to the field, I stayed there until the sun was up, unwilling to go back home where it can live in my shadows.

But now the sun is going down, and it’s the night after a full moon, meaning it’s going to be dark as hell. I could keep all the lights on in my house, but I can’t live in fear for the rest of my life. I wasn’t brave last night in that field, but I’ll be brave now. I’m going to face this thing and see what it wants from me. So after dinner, I clean everything up, grab a flashlight just in case, then take a seat in my living room and wait for it to show.

As the minutes tick down, the room grows darker until I can’t see even an inch in front of my face. My hand grips onto the flashlight for dear life, ready to pop it on if necessary. I’m not sure if this thing is being truthful or fucking with me, but it’s possible light won’t stop it from hurting me if that’s what it’s after. I wait and wait for it to show, and eventually, it does.

“You are waiting for me.”

My eyes fall closed, and I take a steady breath. “Yes.”

“So, you have accepted it?”

“Accepted what?” I ask, looking around, though I still don’t see anything.

“That we are meant to be together.”

Meant to be together?

“Together how?”

His low, raspy chuckle echoes around the room in a haunting way that makes no sense for real life.

“Together… in every way.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You called for me, sweet Ethan.”

“Yeah, but…” I glance around, hoping to see what this thing is. “Where are you?”

It’s only a second before a large, warm hand falls on my shoulder, holding tightly. Possessively. But not aggressive.

“I am always here.”

“Except in the light.”

“I am here in the light, just… lingering.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means I cannot be corporeal in the light because it takes too much energy. I need darkness.”

“How will I ever see you?”

“Once we mate.”

“Mate?” I bark out, jerking out of his touch and to my feet. “You mean fuck? We’re supposed to fuck?”

He chuckles again. “Don’t act like you don’t want it.”

“I don’t even know what you are!”

“I am yours.”

“But what are you? You’re not human. Are you a demon?”

“I am not a demon. I am… a creature of the darkness.”

“And how did you get here?”

“You performed the spell.”

Right, yes. The spell. I know that. But…

“How does Madame Zella know you?”

“She has a deal with our kind,” he says, moving closer to me. I feel his presence there, and his voice is closer. A little louder. There is nothing that tells me I should be afraid of this thing, other than it’s a monster in the darkness and an otherworldly being that I know nothing about. But I’m not getting bad vibes from it.

“So, what? She gives people the spell and you all get to feed on humans?”

“It is not feeding. It is freedom.”

“From?”

“Our version of hell.”

Oh… okay.

“How do I know I can trust you?”

“I suppose,” it begins, brushing its fingers along my forehead, then down my face. I feel it standing right in front of me. Feel its large presence. Though I can’t see it with my eyes, there is something that I can just feel, that I know. Like a memory, almost. This thing is tall and large. Seven feet or so and if it had weight to it, I’d guess around three hundred pounds. “You will learn to trust me over time.”

It’s hand falls, but it doesn’t move.

“What is your name? Do you have one?”

“I am Nyx.”

“That’s… simpler than I thought.”

“It is short for Nyxomaiha.”

“Still not too bad,” I say with a little laugh, then realize what I’m doing. I’m fucking laughing in my living room with a demon. Okay, not a demon, but a monster. I’m hanging out with a monster. Is this really what my life has become? What the hell!

Yet, I don’t hate this. Don’t hate that this room doesn’t feel as lonely as it usually does. That his touch is warm and possessive. That his voice is soothing and understanding.

“How are we supposed to be together if I can’t see you?”

“You would prefer me to look like one of your own kind?”

“I would just prefer to see you.”

“And when we mate, that will happen. You will gain the sight.”

I’m not sure what makes me say it, but the words are falling from my lips before I can stop them.

“Then let’s mate now.”

There’s a deep rumble in Nyx’s chest and he moves closer, his large chest brushing against mine. His finger run along my lips, hooking on my bottom one and parting them.

“Are you sure?” he whispers, and I feel his breath on my skin.

“Yes,” I breathe out, my heart pounding, only this time it’s for a very different reason.

Maybe this is all a trick, and he’s the one who put a spell on me, but… what do I have to lose?

“Just promise me one thing,” I say. He drops his hand.

“What is that, sweet Ethan?”

I lick my lips, looking up at where I think his eyes would be. “If you decide to kill me, let me say goodbye to my friends first.”

He hums a grumbly sound. “Killing you is the last thing I will do.” His large arm comes around my waist, tugging me to him. “Now tell me which room of this house you want me to fuck you in.”