Page 3 of Demonic Affliction

"I…" Now they're both looking at me like I'm crazy. I desperately search for the right words to describe what’s happening, but I can’t. "Kind of…"

Don’t be shy. Tell them about me. They will find out eventually. You know, when we end the world and kill them and everything else on it.

I’m going to be sick.

"You don't look so good." Nyx crouches in front of me, his brow furrowed as he places a hand on my arm. "You're burning up."

“Really? I feel freezing.” I wrap my arms around my middle as a shudder works through me.

Your body is adjusting to the Awakening. You need rest and a long soak in those healing baths if you are to survive our Assimilation. Trust me.

Trust you? TRUST YOU?

Once again, there is no need to yell. I’m simply trying to help. If you don’t want to heed my advice, so be it. I’m going to sleep.

“You’re going to sleep?” My mates look at me like I’ve grown a second head, but I hardly pay them any attention. “You can’t go to sleep!”

Why not? I am tired. I need rest.

You can’t be serious! You need to stay and explain what’s happening!

Later. Maybe. Now, I must go away. Good night, little human.

Hey! Don’t you dare leave me! Stay and tell me what the hell is going on!

But it’s no use. The voice is gone, faded away to the depths of my mind, leaving me alone in my head once more.

My knees give out, and I slump to the ground, numb to the ice biting through the fabric of my suit. My mind races, trying and failing to make sense of the situation, but the more I think, the more confused I become.

Rhune sits at my back, picking me up and placing me on his lap, holding me off the ice. He runs his claws through my hair, massaging my scalp and detangling the knots in my long strands while whispering soothing words. His wings curl around me like a shield, holding in some warmth and giving me a safe space to breathe.

We sit there like that for a long time until my heart eventually returns to its normal rhythm, and I feel like I can function again. Rhune’s wings unfurl, exposing my head and part of my neck, allowing Nyx to get a good look at me.

“Do you want to tell us what’s going on, or do you need a little longer?” Nyx’s tone is gentle as he reaches out to cup my cheek. “You are scaring me, beautiful.”

“I am not scared, Willow,” Rhune proclaims despite the tremor in his voice. “I simply wish to hold you and destroy whatever is causing you grief.”

Nyx shares a look with me, the corner of his mouth twitching. “He’s definitely scared, too.”

“I am not!”

“It’s okay to be scared, Rhune,” I say. “I am. I’m very, very scared.”

“Then I will be brave for us all.”

I laugh under my breath, feeling some of my anxiety ease away. “You’re very sweet, Rhune.”

I sit up a little straighter, blinking away some of the fog clouding my vision. “I think I’m ready to talk…”

“Take it slowly.” Nyx rubs his thumb gently over my cheek. “We have all the time in the world.”

Except we don't. As soon as I open my mouth to speak, a figure passes overhead—large enough to blot out the sun for a moment—and my stomach drops before I've even lifted my head to look.

Nyx's jaw tightens as he follows my gaze, and Rhune’s arms flex around me protectively. The demons from the other day are back, circling high above the cliffs in smooth, deliberate loops. Searching. Hunting.

“Are those…?”

“I’m afraid so,” Nyx says. “They must have heard you scream and come to investigate.” He whips toward Rhune, his expression severe. “We need to get back to the cave while there’s still a chance they haven’t seen us. We’ll wait there for Cin and Dravik, then figure out where to go from there.”