Page 217 of Shadowman

But I’m here to remind him that he doesn’tneedit. He doesn’t need anyone but me.Together, we are still unstoppable.

His trust should not be placed in other human beings, because humans are fucking tragic.

“They don’t know we’re here,” Trevel says to Byron, easing up to the side of the house for some cover. Byron appears skeptical, but he follows. “Now’s our chance.”

I can’t help but grin.Good. He’s seeing things clearly.

“Chance for… what?” Byron asks hesitantly.

I don’t know what to think of thisByron Kang person. Clearly, he means something to Trevel. I’d like to think it’s just a physical attraction, but I know it’s more than that. He doesremind me of Alice in a way… Maybe a grumpier version, but still.That’s exactly Trevel’s type.

I want to give my best friend the benefit of the doubt. But it’s my job to make sure he doesn’t get carried away. To keep him from blindly following his heart, like a real Michelangelo.

It might sound odd, since…well, ya know.But I’d like to keep him grounded in reality as much as possible. His existence isn’t a curse… It’slifethat’s fucking cursed.For every human, not only him.

A relationship won’t fix that. Alice, Byron… Even Dr. Lemuel bloody Love. They can’t heal the wounds in his heart that have been there since birth.

It’s in his best interest to stay hidden. Remain in the shadows with me, only popping up now and then to get—

“Revenge,” Trevel tells Byron with confidence. “Show those egotists that actions have consequences… Even for them. They fucked with the wrong psychos.”

Byron swallows visibly. Potentially nervous, but notappalled, which makes me like him a bit more. “What did you have in mind…?”

Trevel glances at me again, and I chuckle, rolling my eyes. “You sure you want to date this bloke? Seems like a proper sprog to me…”

Trevel’s eyes flicker with the frustration of not being able to argue with me the way he normally would if we were alone. It’s quite comical.

“Let’s start by following them,” he says to Byron, cocking his head. “You know how to do that, yea?”

Byron narrows his gaze at my friend. “Yea. I do.”

“Good,” Trevel chirps, kissing him on the cheek. “When they’re least expecting it, we’ll pop out and yell surprise.” He grins, and Byron rubs his eyes.

“Uh… okay.”

“Are you unsure, Raph?” Trevel frowns, rubbing Byron’s shoulders. “What’s wrong? Talk to me… Don’t you want vengeance? On behalf of your mate?”

“Well…yea. But—”

“Then what’s the problem?” Trevel goes on, working his magic.

He’s rather brilliant at…I don’t want to call it manipulation, because that’s not the right word. But he can be quite persuasive when he turns on the charm, and the massage is an added bonus.

“I’ve seen you fight, baby,” he croons, laying it on thick. “You can take Lemuel, I know you can…”

“That’s not what I’m worried about,” Byron rumbles firmly.Cocky lad.“I just didn’t expect to be doing this…”

“Byron, maybethisis the reason we’re out here.” Trevel shifts behind him as we all watch Dr. Love and his serial killer beau, playing with flowers at the entrance of what looks to be an enclosed garden. Pops of color sprinkled between the death and decay of crawling vines and barren trees. “We were supposed to see Lemuel, and would you look at that… We’ve found him.” He leans in to whisper in Byron’s ear, “It’skismet, sweet fury.”

Suddenly, Lemuel drops onto one knee. And if I had lungs that filled with air, I’m certain it would all gust right out.

Oh, bollocks.

I feel Trevel stiffen. Ihearhis crippled heart gasp.

“What thefuck??” Byron hisses. “Are they—”

“No…” Trevel whimpers as Felix Darcey drops onto his knees as well, grasping Dr. Love by the jaw. Both of them kneeling together in the wet soil, kissing fervently through smiles so bright, they’re fully visible from where we’re standing. “No no no nono…”