Page 74 of Destroyer

“It's OK. I like pain.”

“You are a weird, wonderful little demon.”

“Ooh, you brought muffins?”

Watching him scamper away to the sideboard where the tray sits brings a smile to my face.

All the four new leaders owe him for their new roles, and he has a connection with all of them, through blood or friendship. That's why they won't kill him for what he's done. But they all know this boy doesn't value life. If anyone steps out of line, Nico is the threat to bring them back online. He's the secret weapon that they are all willing to use but all afraid of. Nico's future will be very controlled, but it’s exactly what he needs.

“I will always be here to take care of you.”

“And hurt me the right way.”

“Always.”

Chapter forty-seven

Nico

Caeosleepsagainstme,a heavy arm rests over my hips. Maybe one day I'll grow out of my three am itch, but until then, staying in bed is impossible. The room is cold outside of the covers as I walk to the large window. Walls are always barriers to trap me; they don't let the wind through like the trees.

“Going somewhere?” Caeo calls sleepily.

“Not tonight,” I confess. “Though I tell myself that each night.”

“Can't you sleep?”

“Never can I sleep. Always the sound of leaves to listen to under crisp sky.”

“Crisp sky?”

“When cold like this.”

“You mean frost? Jeez, Nico, did you sleep outside in winter?”

“Sometimes I go to Gavriil's sofa when I get really cold.”

“Do you want to open the windows for a bit?” His body presses against me, dominating and firm. I breathe him in, calmed by his presence.

“Tell me what you need.”

“There are people out there.”

“Don't worry, it's a couple of our guys keeping an eye on the place.”

“Are they stopping me from getting out or everyone else getting in?”

“A bit of both.”

This is my life now. Trapped in a brick box with no purpose. Trapped by the four men I made flourish. My breathing quickens in my chest. Being Trapped makes me floaty. I need grounding. I need pinning down, so I don't fly away. I need to feel something other than this hot enclosed room. I need to breathe.

“Nico. It OK.” Caeo's arms wrap around my chest, pinning my arms with his. “They're here to keep you safe. Running off doesn't keep you safe. People as important as you have to make plans in advance.”

“Running is what I do,” I confess.

“Stopping you is what I do.” His hand closes around my throat, stabling my breathing.

His touch is grounding me. His warm body highlights how cold mine is. I'm not boiling up like I thought.

---