Page 76 of Obsession

“You don’t get tired,” I say since he is staring, wanting an explanation, “but humans have to sleep.”

“You should sleep, then,” he replies sensibly, “if you are tired. Why haven’t you?”

“I’m worried about you.” I already know what he’ll ask next and quickly explain, “Because… you’re sick. I don’t know if you’ll follow the rules.”

“I said that I would,” he sniffs with some offense, then shakes his head. “I don’t understand. How is that a reason not to sleep?”

“It just is,” I say, exhaustion creeping into my tone. I’m too tired to debate with him. Too tired to explain.

This has been a night for the books. A few hours ago, I was in bed with Aris. Kissing him, touching him. Having my clothes ripped off of me. Had he not touched my rune, who knows how far we would’ve gone?

And, as he learned of my treachery, eyes dark with hate, I was prepared to die. I was aware that my life was over. I stared back at him just as hard, desperate to soak in victory before annihilation, wanting him to feel the fullness of my betrayal.

And then, as suddenly as we were kissing, as suddenly as he learned my secret, he was gone. Erased, and replaced. And now we’re in some random cabin for the foreseeable future.

It’s more than one person can be expected to take in one night alone; I need reset.

Aris’ expression softens as he studies me. “Go to bed,” he says quietly.

I nod and stand, walking to the bathroom. It takes a moment to notice Aris trailing behind, and I don’t acknowledge him until he tries to follow me in like a dog.

I stick out an arm to keep him behind the door frame. “Give me a moment?” I say awkwardly.

His lips purse as I close the door on him.

I don’t know how long he’ll wait, so I do my nightly routine hastily. When I open the door, feeling fresher, I find that Aris hasn’t moved an inch.

He smiles at my reappearance, trailing after me again as I go to my new bedroom. He follows me to the bed, but doesn’t get in next to me. Luckily. I don’t know how he would’ve handled my rejection.

“How long will you sleep for?” he asks while I pull the sheets back.

“I don’t know.” I kick off my shoes, still muddy from the storm Aris summoned in Denmark. “Most times, it’s around eight hours.”

“Eight?” Aris repeats, flabbergasted. “What am I supposed to do in the meantime?”

“There are books?”

He lets out a huff, becoming even more indignant when I motion for him to turn around while changing into pajamas, tossing my period-piece nightwear to the ground. Though I can’t see his face with his back turned, I can practically feel him fuming.

“Sorry, Aris. We can talk tomorrow, though, all right?”

Aris faces me again, eyes fixed on every move I make. Even now, brain-damaged as he is, he’s like a predator. He doesn’t know why he’s watching me so intently, having forgotten that he enjoys learning his prey to further the hunt.

I swallow nervously. I can’t forget who—what—he really is. Not for an instant.

Stiffly, aware of the domesticated god standing over me, I settle into bed, the sheets cool and unfamiliar against my skin. I wonder how long it will take to get used to this place, how long we’ll stay here. What comes next. The thoughts make me even wearier.

“Will you sleep now?”

“Yes.”

Aris sighs and drags his feet while moving to the doorway. He has the same look from earlier, when he was pounding me with questions; clearly, there’s something he wants to say. I summon the rest of my energy to sit up in bed, wary, unable to anticipate what he will ask next.

“You said that I’m not human,” he says slowly, and I nod my tired encouragement. “What am I, then?”

Again with the hard questions.

“I don’t really know,” I say.

---