Page 36 of Hunted By Fear

I stand watching her for a moment, unable to move, unsure what to do.

“Aerilyn…” I trail off, unsure what to say.

Mortals are often lacking; that’s the beautiful thing about them. They have free will, the ability to make mistakes and learn from them. Sadly, oftentimes, most don’t, choosing instead to stay stuck where they are.

But Aerilyn had that choice taken from her by Rome, a being whose job is to protect and cherish mortal lives.

It’s disgusting, and in no way her fault.

“Rome is a monster.” She flinches when I say his name, but even without that, I can feel her love for him, hear the way her heartbeat picks up pace.

He’s conditioned her to respond the way he wants, yet I’m the one who’s supposed to be the king of torture.

After who knows how long, she finally looks up, and I get a good look at the state she’s in. I saw the blood from the door; it runs down her face, over her eyes, and down her nose. Flicking my eyes to the wall behind her, I see a spot that matches, and I know it’s self-inflicted. What I hadn’t noticed before were the rest of the marks.

The shirt she wears is too big, hanging off her shoulder and showing off a bit of skin that had been hidden by her hair until now.

Fuck, I wish it still was, because looking down at her, I see the physical manifestation of her pain written on her like a call for help. Deep gouges litter her neck and chest, red welted lines, and I don’t need to look to know that if I checked her hands, her fingers would be bloody too.

“Please just make it stop.” The pain in her eyes is haunting, more so than some of the souls I’ve tortured at my hand. I wish I could give her what she wants, but despite being the ruler of Hell, I have no desire to kill this girl.

“I can’t.”

It’s a lie. I could, but I don’t want to, and if she stopped to think about it for a moment, she wouldn’t want me to either.

I cross my legs and lower myself to sit on the ground beside her.

“You're a good person, Aerilyn.” Her head pops up at my words, and I see the uncertainty that shines in her eyes. It makes me want to kill Rome even more.

“I can see it in your aura, feel it in your soul.” I don’t tell her how I felt her soul. Something about giving a piece of my demon soul to her for her to cross over feels like it might be a little much for her to comprehend in her current state. “If you were to die right now, you wouldn’t be staying here.”

It takes her a moment, but I see it the second she processes what I’m not saying.

“You mean…” she trails off, unable to finish her question as her eyes well with tears that have yet to fall, and I take pity on her.

“If you died, you would go to Heaven, and you’d be right back where he wants you to be.”

She shudders before burying her face in her knees again.

It’s harsh but necessary. The last thing I need is for her to get any ideas about how she can end her suffering, only to end up facing an eternity of it.

Her whole body shakes as she sobs, and I feel helpless.

I’m not sure I’ve ever felt helpless before.

“Don’t worry, they will figure this out.” I’m not sure it’s actually true. I can’t guarantee it, but I say the words and hope they are true.

“What if they can’t?” The way she looks at me makes me want to make sure it’s true.

“We will.”

“We?” Her eyes search mine, and I should correct it. This mortal has nothing to do with me, but I want her to.

I don’t confirm or deny it, instead pulling her into my arms. Despite how strange it feels, I know that’s what she needs.

Contact, comfort.

She sniffles and hiccups a few times before her breathing levels out, and I know she’s asleep.