Page 64 of Thanatos' Craving

My shadows, like tendrils of silk, gently enveloped her, intertwining and merged with her essence. I pressed my palms against the warmth of her temples, immersing myself in the ethereal depths of her soul. In this intimate connection, I navigate the labyrinth of her experiences, feeling the weight of her journey over the past four years.

As I looked through her eyes, I am engulfed in a world of torment and suffering. The weight on my chest intensifies, aching with each passing moment. I can never truly grasp the depth of her pain, the sorrow that grips her, or the fear she endures. Yet, what I have witnessed leaves an indelible mark on my senses. The scenes I have seen, the cries I have heard, the scent of despair that hangs heavy in the air—they are enough to ignite a desire within me. If given the power, I would willingly set the world ablaze.

Alas, I can only take their souls–

I skimmed through her memories, my anger growing with each day I skim through. She’s so strong and resilient, yet she smiles through all her hardships, here with me.

Is the bond who heals her? Or is it herself?

I tossed the thoughts away, trying to pay attention as I fast forward in time. Nothing is screaming at me, no faces that I can detect in any of the crowds, no strange magic. That is until I come to the end of her stay. The night in which she comes with me.

Seated behind a desk, a woman exudes authority. Her voice, magically muted, barely reaches my ears, while her face remains obscured. Yet, a vibrant pink suit and the rhythmic clicking of her shoes offer the only means of recognition. The air hung heavy with a mysterious aura, likely woven by the warlock of Samael, who gave the possessing demon upon the owner of Fuzzy Bunnies.

My mate hid behind the door. Mumblings and conversations continued, blasts of papers fly off the desks and under the door papers fly. The names Andriel Demon and Simone Angel flitter below Juniper’s feet.

With a menacing growl, my lip curled, contorting my face into a snarl. The air felt heavy with tension as I abruptly departed from her dream. It was too much—I couldn’t bear the anguish of her final moments, nor witness the fear etched into her eyes. But now, with an impending eruption of my fury, I knew it was time to unleash my wrath.

When I opened my eyes, Hypnos stood at the entryway. He was clothed in his traditional white robes, his dark skin shining with sweat. “Did you find anything?”

I kept my hand on my mate’s forehead. She was sleeping peacefully, hopefully dreaming of sweet things.

“Has Azrael found Samael yet?” I didn’t answer his question and walked across the room to keep my voice low to not wake my mate.

Hypnos laced his fingers together. “He found Samael just hours ago. He was in a brothel in Egypt. Would you like Azrael to fetch him for you from your dungeon?”

Once I found out that Samael had transferred the possessing demon to another handler, I immediately called Azrael, my personal demon gifted to me by Hades. He’s a brute with the abilities of an assassin. He’s completely loyal, however. His talents far exceeded that of most demons of the Underworld. Azrael, my personal demon gifted to me by Hades, surprised me completely, and I have only employed his talents for jobs I cannot personally do myself. He can be most persuasive, deadly, and given the ability to break rules when gods cannot.

“Let Azrael have some fun with him tonight. I’ll see the bastard warlock tomorrow. We have another issue, however.”

Hypnos pulled the curtain to lead me to the living room. He strode over to the parlor and pours us both a drink. “So, did you bed her?” he asked.

I snapped my head to the side, my eyes narrowed as I swiftly snatched the drink from his outstretched hand. The room filled with the sound of my sudden movement, the air tinged with the scent of the cold beverage. My fingers curl around the cool, condensation-dampened surface, asserting my control. “That is none of your concern.”

Hypnos shrugged his shoulders. “Just wanted to know. I could smell her all over you, is all.” He took a sip of his glass and smiled.

I rolled my eyes and took back a swig of ambrosia and sat on the couch.

Ignoring him, I said, “I saw the names Andriel Demon and Simone Angel’s names written on a form in Juniper’s mind. They looked like intake forms–they were searching for specific humans.”

Hypnos put his glass down and shook his head. “What? Do you really think an angel and a demon would be that stupid to put Angel and Demon as their last names?” Hypnos scoffed and crossed his arms.

“I don’t know. It’s possible. I’ll need to check the Underworld’s records for any demons with the name of Andriel. We will go from there. We will take Juniper to the palace tomorrow to check on this.”

“Can I come!?” Hypnos asked excitedly.

I sighed, swirling my drink. Hypnos always wanted to accompany me, but I worried about the other gods trying to use him. He got so upset when people asked him to put them to sleep for no other purpose. He only put Juniper to sleep because he didn’t want her to watch her past flash before her.

I guess I will have to get him that wand he wanted from this TikTok.

“I suppose.”

Hypnos fist pumped the air. “And when are you going to go on your rampage for all the people that touched your woman?” Hypnos sat down beside me, nudging me with his arm.

My shadows slithered and coiled around my hands, their icy touch sending a shiver down my arms. With a commanding flex, they erupted into a symphony of tiny explosions, filling the air with faint crackling sounds. As I stand, the faint scent of burnt ozone lingers in the room.

“I promised my mate I would stay with her tonight,” I whispered, determination seeping into my words. “I intend to keep that promise. For now, her enemies will live, but once I have the time to do so...” In an instant, my scythe hurtles through the air, propelled by an unseen force, and lands perfectly in my waiting hand. The blade gleams with a deadly shine.

With a swift and deliberate motion, I drew the sharp tip down my finger, a searing pain shooting through my body. Warm blood welled up, trickling down my hand, staining the blade. I ignored the pain, relishing in the sensation, knowing that it is just a precursor to the agony I will inflict upon those who oppose her.

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