Page 28 of A Love of Wrath and Rapture

Whatever this thing is, he’s a living nightmare, but why has he saved me? Or is he just taking out the competition to claim me for himself?

He raises his long claws, flaring as they prepare for attack. I’m too afraid to close my eyes as he swipes at Kraven. My attacker’s head falls to the ground, his lifeless body following suit.

“Oh gods,” I whimper as the monster turns to face me.

The fear rises, but at the sight of his face, a strange warmth brews inside of me. Eyes as blue as pure ice lock onto mine with an unexpected softness.

His beautifully magnetic gaze compels me to my feet, fear and fascination fighting to topple one another as the monster approaches me.

His eyes pierce mine, and for a moment, it feels as though he’s looking deep into my soul.

I don’t know whether to crumble in fear, to say thank you, or to reach out and lay a hand on this alluring being.

12

XEROS

Staring down at my claws, I watch with satisfaction as the creature’s blood drips down the lengths of my fingers, down the very tip of my nails. It’s a beautiful sight, one that fills me with immense pride.

That creature had no use being alive anymore.

I breathe a deep breath, suddenly feeling a strong weight release from my body. There’s no need to worry anymore. No need to search frantically for the one I’ve been looking for.

Because here she is. Staring at me with wide eyes as blood trails down my body.

“Evangeline,” I say, my voice somewhat akin to the breeze passing us by. “I’ve been searching for you.”

She takes a strained breath, opening her mouth but closing it quickly. Why does she stare at me with so much fear and hesitation in her eyes? I just saved her from the creature who wanted to take advantage of her.

That’s when I remember… she must not know what I am. Or who I am.

“H-How is that possible?” Evangeline whispers, taking a step back. “Who… What are you? How did you find me? How…”

She wets her lips, staring down at the mangled corpse underneath my feet. My eyes drift down towards the creature beneath me. So ugly, so unworthy of the air that we breathe. Is she angry with me for killing such a vile thing?

“We’re connected,” I reply. As much as I want to step forward and shrink the gap between us, I keep my distance. It’s only temporary. She doesn’t know what I am. Or what I’m capable of. “You woke me from an ancient curse. Surely, you must know what I’m referring to.”

“...What?” Evangeline’s mouth falls open before she quickly covers it with her hand. Then, she runs her fingers through her long, dark hair. How beautiful. I would like to touch her head myself. “I-I thought it was all a game! A lie! A rumor that old women would tell the children to scare them at night! I… Oh, gods…”

Evangeline begins to pace in circles before me, which fascinates and confuses me all at once. She’s a creature with magnificent beauty, unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. The Astreldi, we’re a prideful species. Our features were unique and distinguishable across any continent we stepped foot on.

However, Evangeline is much different. She’s smaller than I am, with pale skin and bright eyes. She has long dark hair flowing out of her scalp and she wears heavy garments around her body.

And her voice. There’s so much beauty in the words she utters. I could sit and listen to her speak all day and find the experience enlightening.

“My name is Xeros,” I say, stepping forward. Evangeline freezes in her spot at my movement. “I am an Astreldi. I am the last of my race. There’s no one else like me in all of Protheka. What about you? Are you the last of your kind?”

“Me?” Evangeline raises an eyebrow and gestures towards her chest. “I’m just a human! I don’t… I don’t understand what this is all about!”

“Human?” I repeat. So that’s what these creatures are called? “Humans must be powerful if you were the one able to awaken me from my curse.”

“But I don’t…” Evangeline’s voice trembles and she wipes frantically at her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m not powerful. I’m nobody, really. I’m just someone who made a grave mistake and I don’t know how to fix things.”

“A mistake? Is that why that creature followed you here? To punish you?”

My fists clench. When I look down at the corpse once more, I want to rip him apart even more. I want to detach his head from his body, before disemboweling him for the beasts nearby to find and consume.

But there’s no satisfaction in that. The creature can no longer feel the pain, so what’s the point?

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