Page 15 of He Who Sleeps

"I will...consider it." Troubled, Devil waved a hand to let them all go back to speaking amongst themselves. Even now, the atmosphere was expectant and hopeful, as though they'd all taken fire from the conversation and were burning brightly with it. He needed to think on how he was going to present this to the Elders. One wrong move and even their power and popularity wouldn't save them from the Dark God's wrath.

Chapter 6

Sunlight filtered throughthe steel grey sheer drapery, rolling across her body as she lay on the massive bed. Checking the clock, she noticed it was almost eleven, and that meant she had only slept about five hours, as Ghost had carried her back to the house from the garden as the sun hit the horizon.

Five hours was nowhere near enough sleep, but she had time for a couple more naps before she would be summoned to dinner, and maybe another nap as she waited for sundown, when she would see her seven once more. Spending the day alone and eating alone weren’t her favorite parts of the process, though she was thankful for the reprieve to relax and heal.

Sitting up, she noticed a teapot and covered plate on the small table, just off the cold fireplace, which was a staple of her time there. She was normally a coffee drinker, but the tea was apparently something that helped with healing and her peace of mind, or so the note had said the year before. She didn’t knock it, as she had felt better for her second night after consuming it. Slipping from the bed, she gingerly ambled to the table and uncovered the plate. Croissants, a bowl of oatmeal with pineapple, and a cut up peach were there, along with a note from them reminding her to take a long soak. As if she could forget.

Pouring herself a small cup of the herbal tea, she slowly walked into the bathroom and started the tub, dumping the entire bag of the arnica Epsom salts into the massive garden tub, along with some lavender oil to help with her relaxation. The aroma of blueberries and lavender hit her nose and she smiled, sipping from the cup. She prepared towels and a razor and other things she knew she needed for the soak, and then left the tub to fill, to have her breakfast.

She ate quietly, looking out the window to the forest beyond. She knew that night she would be hunted through the forest by Ghosty, his favorite, and she knew she would end that scene with the man himself naked but for the mask and her bent over something hard as he railed her. Ghost was a lot of fun, and she was excited to show him her new speed. Oh, the fun in the garden was more hide and seek with him, but tonight she would be his prey and that knife he constantly carried was going to be front and center. The idea made her shiver.

Was it wrong that she liked his version of foreplay? That the idea that he could slip with that knife was not a deterrent?

“Jesus, I’m turning into a fucking sicko...” she muttered to herself as she stood, popping the last of her peach into her mouth. Feeling more relaxed and alive, she padded into the bathroom and took off her robe, then slid into the hot salty water, sighing as she lay her head back. The water was just to her nipples, the lap of it kissing them as she got herself comfortable. Her body was sore, but enjoyed the water, even with the sting between her thighs. Closing her eyes, she sighed.

“You are stunning when wet,” she heard from by her ear, and smiled.

“Neon...” she said softly and turned her head.

“Not right now. Right now I’m just Emerson.” He smiled at her. “Want company?”

She nodded. “You sure you’re not going to get in trouble?”

He laughed. “The guys are either sleeping or out somewhere.”

“And you’re not sleeping why?”

“Couldn’t. Not when I knew you were here, and you knew who I was.”

“Bold of you to come see me.”

“How could I not?” He stood and started to take his clothes off, which consisted of sleep pants and a t-shirt. He stepped in and motioned for her to scoot up, then settled behind her, pulling her against his chest, hands on her torso under the water. His knee came up and she ran her fingers over it, softly, enjoying the warmth and silence cocooned in him.

“You doing okay?”