Page 43 of Becoming Monsterous

Gliding forward, I let my darkness in. It fills me with power and strength, along with self-loathing.

I can see in the dark. Which means I can see Ellie's expression. For the first time since I met the once-mortal girl, I really look at her while in the midst of my darkness.

To my surprise and pleasure, I see only acceptance in her eyes. She was afraid of me once, but no more.

I vow to myself that I'll take her sexually as soon as we get the chance.

Putting my fingers on the summoner's temple, I feel his fear and weakness. So I go in—and discover the truth.

In his nightmares, the summoner is fighting with us: the monsters. We're larger, cruder, and more horrifying in his dreams.

So is the Magistrate.

He was the man's secretary for a time period, and he discovered illicit secrets in his files. Things he shouldn't know. Things the Magistrate would kill him for knowing.

Like the fact that the only way the Goddess of Love passes on her powers to a new living vessel is if the vessel in question unconditionally loves someone who does not deserve it.

Someone like me.

Chapter30

Ellie

We're quiet for a long moment after leaving Raphael's room.

It unnerved Lise to see Aleron embrace his darkness and go into Raphael's mind—I can tell from the way she shies away from him now.

I search inside myself for the same fear and nervousness, but find none. I've seen his darkness before, and I've come to accept it. I know he didn't choose to be what he is and that he isn't evil. Just... different.

It was new to see him feed, though. He was eager as he dove into Raphael's mind.

And the summoner thrashed in his bed even more once the Mothman was in his nightmares. Morpheus kept singing him to sleep, but it felt like he would wake up any second.

He cried out in fear and moaned in pain.

As if Aleron was torturing him.

What disturbs me is that I don't mind at all.

"I discovered how to get her powers," Aleron tells us in a low, monotone voice. "It's surprisingly simple. They'll only be passed on to a vessel who unconditionally loves someone who does not deserve it."

Someone who does not deserve it.

I wonder how you love someone like that. My mouth twists at the thought of a few undeserving people I could love.

It sounds toxic and abusive.

"I guess we'll have to figure out how to do that," I muse aloud. "Maybe you can help, Morpheus?"

"I'll do my best to research further, though it sounds fairly straightforward."

Lise offers, "I can brew some love potions. Maybe they'll help you... come around."

I wrinkle my nose. "I get the feeling it has to bereallove, but it's worth a shot."

Aleron is silent as we brainstorm, and soon we've come to our hallway.

My heart beats furiously as I glance over at my men.

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