Even weak as a kitten, he’d have seniority over them.He could take back the power at a moment’s notice, command them with their true names, invoke the power of the hierarchy.
Let it go.
He forced his eyes shut.“To Hells with it.”
Saer dug his fingertips into Arek’s hands and pushed outward, directing the heat down his shoulders and corded forearms.
“Whoa.”Arek’s grip tightened as the power surged into him.“Hells,it’s like…eating lightning…”
The transfer lasted seconds—seconds that strained into millennia.
Saer followed instructions to the letter, releasing his grip when he felt well enough to stand and walk, though not much beyond.He steadied himself on the tall table at his hip, sluggish rather than sharp.His usually keen eyes opened with a lackadaisical blink, and his head craned to take in Gluttony and Greed.
Clenching and unclenching his fists, an urgent hum vibrated in Arek’s throat.“This has to be why you’re so touchy all the time.”
Before Saer could regret his decision, Alus pulled up next to him and extended the clay cup in offering.“Down the hatch, Princess.”
Saer took the mug without a word.The receptacle weighed somehow heavier to his weakened grip.Tilting his head back, he drank it down in a long series of quaffs.
He sighed and lowered the cup, wiping the back of his hand over his lips.The fluid burned, different but not entirely separate from flames.It sloshed in his stomach, alien and uncomfortable, though not debilitating.
He otherwise felt no different.
A considering expression on his face, Pride glanced at the Twins and shrugged.
The knowing half-smile on Alus’s face should have tipped him off.Without preamble, Gluttony slid the remaining two full glasses his way.“You’re big for both a human and aDaemoenic.Here.”
Saer smirked and took both servings of spirits.“Not the first time I’ve heard that.”
“Did he just make a joke?”
“I don’t think he’s capable.”
Saer huffed.“You’re both impossible.”Lifting the alcohol to his lips, he downed the second mug.He drank the third with further leisure, pausing between each gulp to let the fluid settle.At the end, he released an undignified belch and checked the bottom of the glass to ascertain he’d finished it.
He stared.
He forgot why he stared.So he stared longer.
“Did we break him?”Alus asked.
“Hrm?”Nose wrinkling, Saer tried to jerk his head up to the Twins.
His eyesight lagged behind the movement of his skull.
Saer blinked and nearly tipped over, catching himself on the edge of the table at the last minute.Greed reached forward to offer a steadying hold on his elbow.Alus’s warm laughter stole into his ears before calling for more drinks in the background.
“It hits hardest the first time.Ride with it.”Arek bent his head down and met Saer’s eyes.“How do you feel?”
Pride stared at Greed longer than he meant to—so long, even Arek fought back a laugh.
“How’m I supposed to feel?”Saer asked, going for a salty tone, but his lips fumbled around the distinct syllables.His brow furrowed.“Why do humansdothis?”The ground didn’t feel solid under his feet.With each passing heartbeat, his skull grew heavier on his neck.He moved his head back and forth, a slow swing left, then right, then left again.“Hellsfire.”
With a rare grin, Arek glanced over at an equally beaming Alus.“Never thought I’d see this day.”
“Think we can convince him to dance?”
“Dance?”Saer shouted.
