~AspenAfter a couple of hours, Atari comes down to the cells to taunt us.The moment she comes into view, I know what I need to do, and I know that I don't feel bad about it. If she kills all Demon's, she's killing herself anyways, so I may as well be the one to do it if it means saving everyone else.“Have you all accepted your fate?” She questions, amusement tripping off each word. From across the cell, I can practically feel the anger seeping off Keo.“In my last moments I would rather not be looking at you, Atari," Keo mutters.She only smiles at him, having no idea about the plan we have concocted. I can tell from Keo's anger that he still suspects that I may not be able to pull this off.I know I will though, because what other choice do I have?“We could have fun together, Keo, if you had your priorities straight," she exclaims pitifully, brushing a long piece of hair over her shoulder.I probably should just let Keo go to kill Atari himself once I get into her head, although
~AspenI feel hands on me before I even realise I'm awake.Someone is grazing their fingers along my hand soothingly. For a moment it feels so perfectly blissful I don't want to open my eyes. I just want to stare into the darkness, let it envelop me forever.Regardless, I crack my eyes open, blinking past the dull light.I'm laying in bed, Kastriv by my side. His head is bowed, hand in mine as he sits perfectly still."Kastriv?" I breathe out, my voice raspy and rough.He immediately raises his head, eyes widening. Pulling his chair closer to the bed, he helps me sit up so more, making sure the pillow behind me is perfectly propped up."Hey...you're awake," he says, like he can hardly believe it. He's clearly been sitting there for who knows how long, probably thinking I'm head."I'm alive?" It feels too good to be true. I thought for a second there that I would have died.Many times in my life I sometimes wished for a simple way to relieve my pain. But as soon as that feeling came, i
~AspenMy gaze drifts out the window, watching the rain glide down the glass in thin rivets.I press my hand deeper into the cluster of ice in front of me, wincing. This time, Oliver chose a unique punishment. One that can be attributed to a domestic mishap, if anyone pries.My eyes squeeze shut as images of me holding that hot poker with a tight grip while Oliver slowly counted to five flash through my mind.The accompanying clatter of the hot iron as it hit the kitchen floor a moment later has haunted me all day.
~AspenI stare up at the house, shuddering.It's beautiful, for a Territory One home. It's located in an oasis, trees growing all around the building, looking like something you would find in Territory Four, if it weren't for the red sand.Oliver didn't say anything to me the entire journey here. Not even to warn me.He's unnerved. Kastriv and his unpredictability makes him uncomfortable. Killing Demon's is worth it though, for him to go through this.I jus
~AspenWere Kastriv an ordinary man, he would be dead.I look toward my husband, so shocked I'm lost for words. He seems to be struggling to form a response too, shifting uncomfortably in his seat."You...You what?"Kastriv examines my husband with an unforgiving, ice cold gaze. "I want to fuck your wife. And you're going to let me."I could throw up. Not because the notion disgusts me, although it does terrify me, I'm just so afraid he's serious, motivated
~AspenYawning, I wander down the stairs, holding my stomach.I'm nervous to see Kastriv again, and in this large home, I'm afraid of stumbling into something I shouldn't see. So I head straight down to where we were yesterday, lingering between the foyer and the living area."Good morning."I flinch, whirling around.Kastriv strolls down the stairs, not much longer after I did. He must have just woken, ivory hair mussed in such a way that has my mouth dryi
~Aspen"I can't believe he did that."I stuff my head deeper into my pillow. "Neither can I."My friend stands by my bedroom window, gazing out.Kaia has been the only friend I've had since meeting Oliver. He made me cut off all of them, and right now, he doesn't know I'm close to Kaia. He suspects, but ultimately, he thinks so little of his staff, I don't think he believes I would befriend her."We need to get you out of here soon, okay?" She turns, lookin
~AspenBoth Oliver and I are left speechless.I try not to look at him, to reveal anything. If Kastriv knows I am a Demon, who knows what he could do...He claims to believe others like me are not dangerous, but that does not mean he can be trusted.Oliver let's out a choked laugh. "Aspen is not a Demon.""The spirits information may not always be reliable, however, this I am certain about," Kastriv says lowly.If Kastriv is so confident in his assessment, w