Page 21 of Hollow Nights

“I just can’t fucking leave! If I do, I’m?—”

“Breaking another rule?” I scoffed, furious at yet another one of his excuses. “I don’t care.”

“No, I'm not leaving. If I go, I leave you completely open for another sleep demon to claim what’s mine. I’m not doing it, Libra. I won’t.”

“I’mnotyours, Axelle. Now, get out!” I screamed, throwing the handful of matches at him. “I hate you.” Axelle’s body went rigid as he stood there.

“You don’t mean that,” he snarled.

“Yes, I do.” I nodded, tears rolling down my cheeks. “All you’ve done is hurt me and use me to fulfill your sexual addiction. I want you to leave! I don’t care if another demon claims me. I’m not yours to keep!”

“Libra, if I leave, I’m not coming back.”

I stared at him, my face burning with emotions as I slowly stood. His hands were balled into fists at his sides as he waited for my reply.

“Good.” Axelle’s jaw tightened as he growled at my choice.

“Fine.” He turned, digging his claw against the closed bedroom door, carving an unknown symbol into it. It began to glow as he gripped the handle, opening the door to a different room. He stopped, speaking over his shoulder, refusing to look at me. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, Libra.” I inhaled, trying to remain strong, my feelings and emotions prickling beneath the surface.

“Go to hell,” I wheezed. He turned back away from me.

“As you wish.”

Axelle stepped through the doorway, closing it behind him, the symbol fading back to nothing more than a carving in the door. I fell to my knees, bawling into my hands as I broke. I knew he’d killed for me, but to kill someone I knew, someone who was pretending to be a good person but really was wanting to hurt me… It was too much. And to hear him say how he regretted saving me? It hurt my heart. I didn't hate him—I hated myself.

I wiped my face, realizing what I’d just done.No, Axelle!I ran to the door opening it to find my empty hallway. I closed it, tracing the carved symbol with my fingers.Please, open. I twisted the knob, greeted by my hallway once again.No, no!I slammed the door shut, repeating the action again and again, each time using more force as I cried out, regretting what I had done.

“Axelle!” I sobbed, slamming my fists into the door. “I’m sorry.” I slid down to the floor. “I’m so sorry. Please, come back.”

I grabbed my face, furious with myself as I began to cry into the door.You idiot!I angrily hit the wood with my fist.Why would you say that? Now he’s gone!I continued to cry, hitting the door over and over, furious with myself for letting my emotions take control. My head began to spin, the room falling into an abyss of darkness as I slowly cried myself into a dreamless sleep.

Chapter 8

Libra

My feet dragged as I stepped around the store, holding a lit lantern, checking inventory. Numerous lit candles lined the store, keeping it comfortably warm despite the wet, cold weather outside. The storm from the night before was intense, leaving half the town without power. The sky, despite being the middle of the day, was dark and cloudy, matching my gloomy mood.

“You look like shit,” Sterling snipped as I raised the lantern to see his face. Even with no power, he was all dolled up. Sterling crossed his arms as the candlelight flickered across his face, the glitter around his eyes sparkling. “I thought you were getting better sleep? What happened? Your sleep paralysis get worse?”

“The opposite,” I snapped, adjusting some of the displays on the shelf. “Now, all I want to do is sleep. To forget,” I whispered the last statement to myself.

“Look, I don’t know what secret little thing you have going on that’s making you look like this,” he motioned his hand in a circle, pointing to my face, “but I need you to get your shit together. We have that Halloween party in a few days, and I needa devil to complete our costume. So,” he took the lantern from my hand, “take your moody ass home and get some sleep.”

“Sterling—”

“No. You’re obviously going through something, and I need you to figure it out. So go home, Libra. The power’s out; no one’s coming in today. I got this. Go.” I looked at him, silently grateful he was letting me leave.

“Thanks,” I sniffled, gathering my things. “I’ll see you at the party, okay?”

“Oh, you better. I didn’t spend all that time making my costume to be a sexy angel without a sexy demon.”

Chapter 9

Axelle

“Do you not have anything stronger?” I slammed the shot glass down onto the bar, groaning. “I mean, fuck, what is this weak shit?” My claw flicked the glass as it fell behind the bar and shattered.

“Not for you.” The monster behind the bar leaned across it, grinning at me with her sharp teeth, her long tongue slithering from her mouth. “What’s wrong, Axelle? Lose another fleshbag?” She crossed her arms, her split red and black hair dipping onto the bar, her large tits nearly bursting from her tiny leather outfit, if you could even call it that. Her glowing eyes stared at me, waiting as she made a cat-like purr.

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