Page 96 of Malice

And for the first time in ages, I’m not scared of letting him in.

Aster came to save my life in more ways than one, and I plan to spend the rest of our lives loving him as hard as I can.

Chapter 32

Aster

It’s much colder than it was the first time I was here. Wilder should’ve warned me how disorienting it is to visit this plane several times in one night, but he probably didn’t foresee that I’d have to rescue my boyfriend.

That thought is sobering.

My boyfriend.

My brain had no problem making that connection. I was aware of my feelings bubbling up when I stared into his eyes moments ago. The fear of losing him was untenable, and I wanted to tell him I love him. It’s been over a decade since I’ve uttered those words, and even then, it didn’t feel anything like it does when I look at Hudson. Maybe the love bond is relevant after all.

I shake the tension from my hands. Okay, I’ll process that later. Right now, I have a Horror to deal with if I have any chance of a future with Hudson.

“Where are you, asshole? Face me.”

A shiver runs down my spine when a low growling noise reaches me. The darkness is so opaque I can’t even see my hand in front of my face, much less anything else. I narrow my eyes in an attempt to focus or pick out a shape, but I’ve got nothing.

Then I hear the distant sound of Otto barking, and for some reason, I swing around toward the direction it’s coming from, finding myself face to face with a glowing, very pissed off Horror. It’s taken on its former human form, looking almost as alive as anyone, except for the eerie gray aura around it and the jet-black demonic eyes.

“You ruined everything. I’m gonna fucking kill you.”

It’s sentient, not at all like the pulsing blob it was before, but I can sense it’s weak. It looks so human and alive, until I spot the huge, gaping wound coming out the back of its skull.

“It’s time you go back where you belong, Horror.”

“My name is Chester, and all I have to say to that is, make me.”

“I’m going to. It’s my job.”

The Horror makes a strange choking noise that could be described as a scoff. “As if a mortal has any power against me.”

Oh shit. I have the upper hand. It doesn’t know what I am. It doesn’t know what I’m capable of. This is fucking badass.

“Maybe you should’ve spent a little more time in the Below before you escaped. You might have learned a few things. Maybe you would’ve found out about Soul Chasers.”

“What is that?”

“I’m that. I’m not mortal, Horror, and your name isn’t Chester. Not anymore. Chester is dead and the body has been burned to ashes, though I think a burial would’ve been more appropriate so your corpse would spend decades rotting away.”

“No. I can come back. All I need is a body I can steal. I’m still alive. Technically.”

“Nope. Just accessing your former memories and personality because you’re so evil your energy lingers. Not for much longer though. I’ll make sure of that.”

“No,” it says again with more force, shaking its head as if simply disagreeing with me will do something.

“I suppose I should thank you. If you weren’t so obsessed with Hudson, I never would have met him. Now I can show him how a real man loves. I can treat him the way he always should’ve been treated. You led him to me, Horror, and as much fun as it would be to keep you locked in the attic where you have to witness our love, you don’t deserve to look upon his face ever again.”

“Stop it. Hudson is mine. It’s you that’s never gonna see him again. I’m going to kill you and then I’ll scare the shit out of him and he’ll be all mine again.”

“Oh, I see. In life, you got off on fear and in death it makes you stronger.” I rub my knuckles. “Sorry, buddy, but you can’t kill me. You’re getting an express one-way ticket back to the Below.”

“I’ll just get out again, stupid human. You can’t contain me.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. Like I said, you should’ve found out about Soul Chasers before you made a break for it. It’s my literal purpose to stop you. You won’t get out, but if somehow you manage it, I’ll be there again. And again. And again. You’ll never be rid of me. You spent your life being a nightmare for other people. Now I’m yours.”

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