White streaks jetted from his cock, shooting onto Kinzer’s chest as Hayde’s body continued shifting and twitching.
Hayde’s eyes rolled back as he savored some final delight that seemed to be rushing through his nerves.
***
Hayde shifted to the end of the bed, his arms over his head as Kinzer tied them just like the night before.
Kinzer felt bad about fucking Hayde and then restraining him, but it was a necessary precaution. Hayde had proven he was an enemy and a dangerous one, and as hot as their sex was, that wasn’t an excuse for him to be stupid… or at least, more stupid than he was for fucking the flit.
“You’re an idiot. You know that, right?” Hayde asked.
“What?”
“These humans. They’re garbage. They’re nothing. And yet you’re trying to save them.”
Kinzer wondered what had stirred Hayde’s impulse to call him out on his appreciation of mortal lives.
“One night,” Kinzer said, “after battle, I asked Janka the same question. I didn’t become a fallen to help humanity. I did it to better rights for the laboring class. Mortals were animals. They were grotesque… perverse. And with such short lifespans, what did it matter what happened to them? Janka said, ‘These mortals. They didn’t choose to be here. They didn’t choose to be such lowly creations. They were made this way by the same creator that brought you forth. Is it that you find them detestable or is it that you are so detested in your status that you require someone even lower that you may detest?’ At the time, I brushed it off. Didn’t acknowledge that it had gotten to me, but it had. Surely, there were so many reasons we were better than mortals. And yet, those above me could have said the same. These humans… they feel, just as we do. They fear, just as we do. They hate, just as we do. And gradually, I came to realize that we weren’t that different after all. I know, had Janka not started me thinking along those lines, I probably never would have reconsidered my opinion of them. But for a long time, I couldn’t. Because I was selfish. Because I only cared about my own future—my own status in heavenly kingdoms. But eventually, I realized that inequity is a breeder of hatred. And I saw no reason to hate them so much.”
The raised eyebrow Hayde gave Kinzer suggested he was laughing at his naivety for believing that Janka had actually cared for mortals.
“I know he probably didn’t believe half the shit he said. Probably was just using it as rhetoric to gain his position with the Leader. But I believed it. And I still do, regardless of whether or not he did.”
Hayde’s expression softened. It didn’t seem as judgmental, as conceited. It seemed, for a moment, he saw the beauty that was Kinzer’s perspective.
“Well, I guess I’d better get to sleep,” he said.
***
Kid entered Treycore’s room.
Vera had told the creature Treycore had requested Kid’s company for the night and that it was to oblige.
My Treycore,Kid thought.You have to leave.
Vera had informed the creature that once Treycore stayed the remainder of the night, he would be forced to remain with her forever. He didn’t want that. He wished he could have warned Treycore that he had to go. At the dinner they’d shared, he’d tried to reach him, and all he could do was grab Treycore’s wrist.
The door behind him opened and Treycore entered.
Treycore, get out!
He can’t hear you, you fucking bitch, the creature said.
Why wouldn’t it stop plaguing his thoughts?
He had to overpower this creature. It was his only chance at saving him from that cunt.
Treycore approached Kid slowly, his head hanging low.
“This is our last night, Kid,” Treycore said.
“Will,” the creature said through Kid’s mouth.
“Yeah. That’s right, sorry.” He gulped, then looked into Kid’s eyes, his expression rife with sadness. “This is just my last chance to reach you, so I thought… I don’t know what I thought. I promise I won’t bother you long. I just wanted to tell you… well, the part of you I remember, goodbye. This is my last night as a free higherling.”
No!Kid screamed.Don’t leave me!
“Goodbye, higherling.”
