Page 3 of A Soul to Steal

Ingram reached his hand out to the little female, and Aleron sensed she was the only reason Ingram had the strength to leave him.

His chest warmed when she came closer and reached out her palm to pretend to hold it, her features softening into a lovely expression up at his kindred. Just like that, she’d stolen a little more of Aleron’s heart at seeing how much she adored Ingram.

“Good, because you are almost out of time,” Weldir stated, what remained of his face dropping to Ingram’s chest, examining something upon it Aleron couldn’t see.

“Actually, I do have one question for you,” Emerie said, turning to Weldir. “Did I do it? Did I destroy the Demon King?”

Weldir was silent for a moment, which Aleron had discovered wasn’t uncommon for him. He was often stoic and silent. His only visible fist tightened, and Aleron tilted his head at the action. “I am not sure.”

Her brows furrowed deeply. “What do you mean, you’re not sure?”

A small discussion started about the likelihood of the Demon King’s death, but Weldir explained that, although he could not sense his magic, he had not consumed his soul. All were worried about the spirit of the void being so unsure, and that uncertainty rested heavily between them.

No one was given time to digest this, as Weldir shoved his hand into Emerie’s sternum. A gasp tore from her as her essencewaved like rippling water. Her body disappeared, sucking towards his hand as he pulled back, until he held a small, flaming white soul.

Ingram, eager to hold it, was denied.

They had already shared many goodbyes, and they weren’t given anymore.

Weldir disappeared with Emerie’s soul without saying a word. A moment later, Ingram, scratching at nothing with the claws of his hands and feet, lifted off the ground and floated towards the sky.

His heart gouged in loss, in heartache, as his sight turned blue with sorrow. A whine broke from his chest.Come back.He didn’t want to be... abandoned again.

Watching his kindred leaving, his body rotating and spinning, he considered lifting off with his wings. He would chase him to the ends of the world, desperate to be with him, to follow him wherever he went.

His feathers shifted as he spread them to do just that.

“Guess it’s just us now,” Gideon grumbled with a shrug, catching his attention instead. All cheer from earlier had fallen from his face.

Aleron had almost forgotten he stood there, too consumed by the weight of his emotions.

“Us?”he asked, leaping back and tucking his chest down, his tail feathers flaring wide.

He said us!That meant he didn’t have to be alone. He’d found a companion here after all, and it was thehumanwho stated it!

“Well, yeah. If my parents died when I was young, and my adopted parents died due to a fire, I don’t think they’ll be here. They had to be eaten to come here, right? And, to be honest, the idea of falling back into a dream state feels... weird. I’d rather remain conscious.” Rubbing at the side of his neck, he turned his gaze towards the sky, and a sad smile lifted his features.“I’m just glad I got to see Emerie, and know that she’s happy, safe, and has someone who will love her. It’s more reassurance than anyone else here in the afterlife would get. Does that make sense?”

He turned his face down from looking above, and his green eyes fell upon Aleron’s bat skull expectantly.

Aleron raised himself from his curious stance, then lifted his sight to the sky. His orbs turned blue once more, but the sadness that swallowed him wasn’t as prevalent as it could have been.

“Yes, I understand how you feel. It brings me comfort to know that Ingram has a bride and is not alone. I will miss him, though.”

He wished he could have gone with him. Even if he were to fly now, it was impossible, no matter how hard he chased. He was here,for now.

“You know what?” Gideon stated. “I never expected your kind to be so... I don’t know, caring?”

Aleron lowered his skull to the male next to him.He thinks I am caring?

“We, Mavka, can feel many things. I... love Ingram, and always have.”Glad Ingram had explained what the word ‘love’ meant, he now understood the significance of it. How it could be shared among many people, and not just between their kindred bond.“I love Emerie, too, as she is important to my kindred, who is special to me.”

“You’re known to be violent, human-eating entities. We never knew you could care for one another, or even a human.” Gideon averted his gaze, inspecting a stray human Ghost who was lost in their memory dreams. “If I hadn’t witnessed it myself between Emerie and your... twin, was it? I wouldn’t have believed it.”

The male stilled.

Before Aleron could answer, the human’s sharp features fell and his eyes dazed. He became lifeless within the breath of asecond. The only sign of life came from his hair and clothes billowing, but even his tanned face paled slightly.

“Gideon?”Aleron hesitantly stepped forward as he dipped his body in uncertainty.

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