He kept me tidy and neat, regimented almost.
Hector had attacked me in a second, but now he stood dumbfounded by his surroundings. Clearly, I was no great threat to him. If anything, I didn’t take my eyes off of him, knowing his capabilities. I got up, lifting both hands to my sides to show him I was no risk.
Catching my breath, I watched him pace over to a desk with a small faded-red chair. Upon it were sun-stained colouring pages, the colours once vibrant now leeched from the years. As if my skin was my room, I felt every place where Hector graced, drinking in my shocking history and reality, both blended into one.
“You think you can distract me with this… illusion?” Hector shouted. “As if I’ve not been blinded by them before. Liar.”
“I recommend you keep your shouting to a minimum,” I warned, wondering how I could use the demon to soundproof the room. “My father has armed Witch Hunters outside of this room twenty-four hours, seven days a week. This isn’t a safe place for you.”
“Noshit.”
Hector’s heart-shaped lip curled upwards, flashing teeth as bright as diamonds. And as sharp as them, no doubt. He looked to the door, blinked and stormed towards it. I saw his intention before he acted on it. As his hands reached out, I moved so fast it was unnatural. My arms grasped around his small, yet hard, waist. I dragged him back, my hand pressed firm over his mouth.
“You reckless boy!” I hissed into his ear, noticing the strange scent of burning upon his skin. Beneath it was his usual scent, one that I had starved for, like my need for water to live. And yet it was spoiled by something new—something that didn’t belong on him.
Nails pinched into my arm, tearing new marks into otherwise unblemished flesh. He sunk his teeth into my fingers, forcing me to pull back my hand.
“Let go of me.”
My grip tightened as Hector struggled in my arms. “If they know you’re here, theywillkill you.”
Hector laughed. It was a short bark, loud and demanding. There was no doubt in my mind that he genuinely was humoured by my warning, as if it held little to no merit. “I would love to see them try. The only person dying today is you.”
“I see those claws of yours are still out, little kitty.”
I should’ve thought before speaking, but alas I was without the full capability of my mind considering Hector was here, with me, once again.
In one swift move he drew his flailing legs behind him, forcing the brunt of his backwards kick into my groin. I dropped him as pain swelled. My body folded inwards, but that was my next mistake because Hector was ready. Now free from my hold, he spun to face me and attacked. One fist cracked into my gut, the other cut upwards into my chin, knocking my head up.
This wasn’t the first time we’d sparred one another. He knew how I moved,intimately. Just as I knew the flow of his body. And yet I didn’t bother stopping him.
I saw stars, and it was brilliant. Freeing. More blood pooled in my mouth, but I also felt the warm wet drip as a stream oozed from my chin, down into the collar of my neck.
“You don’t get to call me that,” Hector seethed, wild eyes wide and pinned to me. For all it was worth he at least tried tokeep quiet as he spoke, but we were playing with fire. If anything was heard beyond my cage, they would come in, shoot first and ask questions later. “Actually, you don’t deserve to speak to me. Ever.”
“I’m glad you are back to hating me,” I said, recognising that very emotion rolling off Hector.
He paused, his hesitation evident. “Ineverstopped hating you, Arwyn Hopkin.”
Hopkin, that name, my truth—of all the things Hector could’ve said to me, that was the most painful of the potential list. “No need for surnames. We know each other better than that. I only want to talk to you.”
“And I’ve only wanted to cause you pain.”
Somehow, I didn’t believe him.
“Put those claws away, Hector. You can hate me as much as you want, but I still need you to listen.”
“And what? You think I would believe a word out of your mouth? I’ve had two months to stew over everything you’ve ever said, ever done,” Hector hissed, fists tight at his sides, chest heaving. He looked like a thorn amongst the surrounding of my reality, a strange oddity in a room I never expected him to be inside. And yet, I wouldn’t change this moment for anything. “But I never knew you, Arwyn, not really. You lied your way into my life, you tricked me and used me, and weakened me to a point I have sworn to never reach again. You see, everything you achieved during the Witch Trials has been forgotten now. I’ve had nearly three months to lean into my hate for you, three months to contemplate everything we did together, and all the ways you spoiled me.”
“For what it was worth,” I said, finding it incredibly difficult to hold his stare. “I regret it all. You don’t need to believe me, but that is the truth.”
“Well, that’s convenient.” Hector spat, literally a glob of saliva on the floor at my feet.
“Is it? Nothing about this is convenient,” I replied. “I never wanted this.”
“And yet you entered the Witch Trials, used me and came away the victor. I think this is exactly what you wanted. I just so happened to be a little fun along the way. Something to pass your time with.”
Fury rose, white-hot, within me. Hector couldn’t speak for me. No one could. And he was so very wrong.
