Page 32 of Demonic Affliction

Thank God, it’s Cyprien. I’m not sure I could have convinced Malice or one of the others to let me inside.

I pull my shoulders back, fix my face into a bright smile, and walk right up to him. “Hi, Cyprien!”

“Willow! Greetings!” A moment later, his smile dims slightly. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to visit Cin. Make sure he’s doing okay. I’m worried about him.”

Cyprien looks side to side nervously. “I’m not supposed to let anyone in.”

“I know, I know. But I really want to see him. Just imagine if someone tried to keep you away from Dagny.”

This seems to get through to him. “I never want to be away from Dagny.”

I nod solemnly. “Then you understand why I need to go in there and see Cin. I just want to talk to him for a few minutes and make sure he’s okay.”

I watch the war in Cyprien’s expressive yellow eyes. Finally, he nods. “Just for a few minutes.” He pulls the door open. “Call for me if you feel unsafe.”

“I will.”

As soon as I step into the room, I choke on the wild magic hanging heavy in the air. There’s an acrid, burnt edge to it, and it settles at the back of my throat and turns my stomach with every shallow breath.

The space is small and bare, with only a bed of furs sitting against the far wall. And in the center of that bed sits Cin. He’s facing the wall, his back turned to me, wings drooping tiredly to the floor.

“Cin.”

I’m not sure if he hears me, but a few seconds later, he shifts, turning to face me fully.

“Willow.” His slitted eyes brighten as he sits up straighter. “You’re alone.”

It's not a question, but I nod, stepping closer and crouching at his side. I notice someone has screwed his mask back in place, and it catches the light with each small movement he makes. For some reason, the sight of it makes me sad. I don’t like that he feels he has to hide behind that metal.

“Cin…” I reach out to touch him, but he reels back, his expression twisting into one of abject terror. “You shouldn't be here,” he says. “You shouldn’t be near me.”

“Yet here I am.”

From here, he could easily reach out and snap my neck, but I’m not afraid. Despite everything, and all that I’ve seen, I could never be afraid of Cin. Pushing forward, I lay my palm flat against his beating heart, never taking my eyes off his. As soon as my skin makes contact with his, Cin breathes out, his eyes sliding closed as all the tension bleeds from his shoulders.

“I’m so glad you’re unharmed.” His voice is a low rasp. “You must understand that I would never—it wasn’t me who—that I didn’t want to hurt—” He shakes his head, blowing out a thick breath. “What I mean to say is that I am sorry I am the one who hurt you. That I keep hurting you.”

I reach up, touching my fingertips to the cool metal of his mask. “It wasn’t you, Cin. I know it wasn’t really you.”

“You can say that, but it does not erase the mark of my teeth.” His voice is a tortured whisper, his eyes staring mournfully at the healing pink skin on my neck. “You should leave me, Willow. I will only cause you pain.”

“I don’t care.”

“I do.” His eyes crease in a sorrow-filled smile. “You are so very precious to so many beings, Willow. I will not be selfish enough to take you from them. To put your life at risk to satisfy my need for you.”

“You wouldn’t hurt me, Cin. I know you never would. You could never.”

He breathes a laugh and closes his eyes for a moment, leaning into my touch. “That’s a nice thought…”

“You’re so sure you will?”

“There is evil inside me, little serafyn. It’s eating at me. Rotting me from the inside out, and I can’t… I don’t know how much longer I can fight it.” He opens his eyes, and the intensity takes my breath away. “So yes. I’m terrified one of these days I’ll slip, and I’ll…” He swallows, his face contorting in pain. “I’ll kill you.”

“You won’t⁠—”

“You don’t hear it.” His eyes flash with pain. “You don’t feel its claws digging in, forcing you to bend to its will.” His eyes widen, and he leans forward, gripping my shoulders in his massive clawed hands. “It’s so hungry, Willow… so very, very hungry…”