Page 46 of A Soul to Steal

He gestured to a Duskwalker with a bear skull and bull horns on his head. Although shorter than the other Duskwalkers, he appeared to be much larger in terms of muscle and... fat content? His stomach was rounded, his thighs thick like tree trunks. There were no bones protruding from the outside of his body, and he looked like he’d snap the other Duskwalkers in half with his meaty hands.

His fur was short, barely noticeable, and the only things that truly made him appear like a Duskwalker were his skull, horns, claws, and long bull tail. He noted the echidna spikes going down his back, forearms, and calves, and they were what made him appear truly dangerous in comparison to the others. Just one throw of his arm, and he’d pulverise and pierce anything that came near him.

There were also claw marks going down his right eye hole, and what appeared to be a sword slash over the top of his snout. He was the only one with any kind of real ‘scarring’ upon his skull.

“This is Merikh. He is... strange. I do not know how to describe him.”

Gideon furrowed his brows. “What do you mean?”

“Is it possible for someone to be mean, yet kind at the same time? He did not like us, refused to play with or talk to us, but he would allow us to rest within his ward. He never turned us away, no matter how much we annoyed him or how many times we fought. He even named us.”

“You’re all related, right? Brothers?” Gideon’s gaze flicked to Aleron as he nodded. “Sounds like he cared about you, but maybe he just wanted to be left alone? Like a big brother that wants to protect his siblings, while keeping distance from his family. I was never mean to Emerie, but I felt like I had to keep her and our parents at arm’s length before I was able to tell them the truth about myself. It was too painful, otherwise.”

Aleron cupped the tip of his snout again. “I see.”

Then Gideon, with his feet wide, placed his hands on his hips – as well as Aleron’s hand he was holding – and stood in front of one last Duskwalker.

The serpent one he’d met earlier didn’t look any different.

“Still fucking massive.” Gideon turned to Aleron while hiking his thumb at his snake skull. “You know he’s the creepiest looking one out of the lot of you, right? I’m not afraid of snakes, but he makes me question that.”

Aleron shot his free hand up to his chest, placing his claws over his heart. “We’re... creepy?”

Gideon winced.Shit, I shouldn’t have said it like that.

“Yeah, but in a way that’s also really cool,” Gideon fumbled, hoping to ease whatever hurt he’d just caused. “Maybe I’m biased, but I think your skulls are awesome. You Duskwalkers all have this supernatural beauty about you. Especially you, Aleron.”

That perked up the Duskwalker, and his lowering head jerked upwards. “Especially me?”

Gideon, relieved by the cheerful note in his question, beamed. “Well, yeah. Your wings are badass, and you’re the only one with them. That makes you special, even within your own family. Now that you’ve taken me for a flight, I’m kind of jealous I don’t have any.”

This time, the yellow in his orbs turned bright, highlighting his joy.I really like how easy it is to read him now, since I’vepretty much figured out what all the colours mean. It makes him so honest.

He didn’t have time to register anything before Aleron wrapped his arms around Gideon’s torso and lifted him off the ground in a giant hug.

“I can be your wings, Gideon.” His wings twitched back and forth, and even his tail fluffed and vibrated. “I am glad you see me as special and beautiful. I like this.”

Once the surprised tension eased out of him, the laugh that came from Gideon was warm, tender, and quiet. He attempted to hug him back, despite his arms being trapped at his sides.

“I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings,” Gideon mumbled into his fluffy chest. “I hope you know I didn’t mean anything negative by it.”

The strong arms around him tightened, just as Aleron’s wings came around to envelop him in a feathery cocoon. “It is fine. I do not mind if I am creepy, so long as you are not bothered. You are beautiful as well. Pretty for a human.”

Gideon snorted. “Are you saying most humans aren’t pretty, then?”

“You are all squishy and weak. I do not mind this about you, though.”

Humour curled his lips. “Ouch. That cuts deep, Aleron.”

“Then perhaps you should not cut yourself on the truth, yes?”

“Oooh! You’re getting good at this.”

If Aleron started doing it back to him, and managed to confuse Gideon, there was no hope for his sanity. He loved it when a person knew how to play with him just right.

A little chuckle rumbled out of Aleron as he placed him back on his feet. “You are a good teacher.” He then proceeded to pat Gideon on the top of his head. “It makes me wish to listen and learn, so I can become something you want.”

Gideon’s brows drew together to crease his forehead just as Aleron dragged him to a bunch of other statues.

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