Page 44 of Devour

“I… can’t…”

“Yes… you can…”

More grumbling.

“For some feral thing who has existed beyond my concept of time, you’re letting a puny human put you to shame. If I figured it out, so can you.”

“You got literal years,” Rhory yelled back at me.

Nope, he was not getting away with that. I mentally cranked the knob on the music from loud to blasting. “Sorry, can’t hear you,” I said while gesturing at my ears.

“Someday I am going to rip you to shreds and I am going to love it,” he hissed.

“Wonderful. Too bad you have to wait a bit longer for that to happen. Hey, maybe you’ll even figure how to block me out by then.” And I smiled right down at him.

“You are evil.”

“That’s kind of impressive coming from a demon. I’ll even take it as a compliment.”

Rhory sighed, and the sass died down a bit.

“I’m going to be so proud of you when you figure it out,” I hinted.

Rhory sat up straighter while the fangy smile returned. “How proud?”

“I guess that all depends on how long it takes you. This is something you are wholly capable of doing.” I sighed and met his expectant gaze. If he could tune in and out at will for everyone else, his ability didn’t have to be jammed on around me. “I wouldn’t subject you to this if I didn’t believe that.”

So… Day One. We started in the evening. Rhory always needed much less sleep than I did, but I got so hyped on caffeine in preparation for this, I was able to stay awake with him. No progress.

Day Two. Sun rose. Still awake. Rhory started crashing from visible exhaustion, so we went to bed. He wanted to cuddle, and additionally, thought he could be sneaky and take the edge off by filling ever so slightly this way. I allowed it since I was a light sleeper. Him trying to feed more than that would rouse me sooner with him closer. Both of us woke after only a few hours, which was usual for him and not nearly enough for me. Right back to broadcasting. More coffee. So much more coffee. Had to make him kneel on the floor again because he couldn’t control himself if I got too close. Already felt like we were in a personal hell, but so was sharing so much headspace.

Day three. This was where our progress remained. Rhory had yet to sleep, but I nodded off on the couch earlier. Instead of sneaking off, Rhory let his hunger dictate his course of action, which snapped me back awake when he scrambled across the floor to me. I was tired. He was tired. I was cranky. He was cranky. Yet, I still felt certain the payoff would make this worth it. I had to believe it.

Rhory gave up on sitting up straight, but considering we were both exhausted, I didn’t care if he used my thigh as a pillow. He only got so much from contact. Besides, he looked too tired to try anything, and knew I’d only blast the music louder mentally if he did.

“Why’d you stop?”

I had not, in fact, stopped.

“Did you fall asleep?” Rhory mumbled.

“No.”

He groaned.

“Why do you think I stopped?”

“You’re tired and merciful.”

“Yes, but also no.” Blissful silence on my end for the first time in I didn’t know how long. Time to put this to the test. “Come on, sit up.”

More groaning, but he lifted his head and sat upright, back on his feet.

“What am I thinking right now?” And then I chose what I figured would be so irresistible, he’d give himself away if he were faking. Take off all your clothes and let’s get in bed.

“Nothing. Stalling, I suppose. Need a second wind before resuming torture?”

Ah, he always knew how to make me smile. Go ahead. Let’s get in bed. I know you want to.

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