Page 28 of Wicked Magik

It was as if the demon within him was clawing its way to the surface. I had never encountered a demon before, the sheer malevolence radiating from him was unmistakable. It made me feel hot all over.

Like, unnaturally hot, between the legs.

And when he would gaze at me, if only he possessed eyes, I could almost imagine them softening. He would nudge his cold, bony skull against my cheek, a chilling contrast to the warmth of human touch. In a voice that seemed to echo from a distant void, he would promise his return, and then, with a sinister edge, he would threaten that no matter how desperately I screamed, my cries would dissolve into the emptiness, unheard by any soul.

Um, yeah okay thanks?

Overall, he was a confusing monster, but it is what it is.

I hated to admit it but I was getting feelings I shouldn’t have for him. He was lonely, just as I was. Kindred spirits is all that we were. The Stockholm Syndrome was real and I was being pulled into this crazy beasts net where one day he will become too hungry and eat me alive.

I rolled back onto the pillows and spread out like a starfish. This has become more complicated than what it should have been.

I had a monster for a friend and my body just hadn’t had a release in a while, that’s all.

The door creaked open, wide enough for Oryx’s horns to come through. He shut it quickly and made sure no one was behind him to come in. I’m not sure why he would check, but he looked so damn guilty.

His Lord didn’t know I was here and I don’t think he wanted him to know either.

Getting home in a month was going to be even harder if that was the case.

“I brought food,” his gravelly voice said.

Oryx’s hooves clopped over the hardwood floor as he came to the bedding. He held out the plate and this time, instead of steak like it normally was, it was a plate of pasta with a chocolate cake on the side.

Which was unusual because I was used to the same thing for every meal.

Did he learn something new?

“We have a new servant at the estate,” grumbled Oryx. “He is in charge of making the meals now.” He huffed and sat beside me.

I raised a brow and held the plate closer to me to inspect it. “Is that a bad thing?” I lifted up the fork and took a bite.

Oh sweet baby… whatever deity exists.

Oryx crossed his arms. “I suppose not. But how will I show my Lord I care for him now? He doesn’t let me do anything else for him. I try to help but he pushes me away.”

My heart squeezed in on itself.

What kind of Lord was this? He sounded like a complete douche. Could he not see that his creation was begging for attention? That he had to steal me to even make a friend?

I squeezed my fork in my hand.

“Oryx, your Lord is a grade A dick.”

Oryx gasped. “You mustn't call him that.”

I growled back at him. “Why not. He’s hurt your feelings, in turn it hurts mine. You don’t want that do you? I can’t stand it... how he treats you.”

Oryx folded his claws together into his lap.

Oryx let out a deep sigh. “My Lord is… complicated,” he murmured, his voice tinged with sadness. “He has his reasons for keeping his distance, for that I am sure. He is very smart.”

I set the plate of pasta aside, suddenly losing my appetite as I turned to face Oryx fully. “Everyone has their reasons, Oryx. But that doesn’t excuse cruelty or neglect. You deserve better than this. He made you, doesn’t mean he can excuse your existence. Just as a mother and father create a child, doesn’t mean they put them aside.”

He looked at me, his expression unreadable without eyes to convey his emotions. “I am but his creation, a creation of his will. He put my spirit inside this vessel, with memories of my past life I do not know. I feel I owe him my second chance. To serve him. He is a creator. I should have a purpose.”

I shook my head, feeling a surge of anger on Oryx’s behalf. “You are more than that, Oryx. You are a living being with your own thoughts and feelings. You deserve kindness and respect, just like anyone else. You didn’t ask to be here, he brought you.”