Page 90 of Nocte

Even now, he tries to compel me. But he can’t.

Because of her.

I laugh out loud as I hear him, a tiny, pathetic whispering beyond my skull. On theoutsideof it. He can’t get in now. Can’t get inside me and scrape around and issue commands.

He is shut out of me. Forever. For good.

He can never hurt me again.

And neither can they, his toys, my brethren. They stand before the desk of the motel, hands clasped, eyes glowing. Angry, red eyes.

“You have been naughty, Caspian, brother,” they say in unison. “Return with us, and you may find mercy yet.”

Mercy when he kisses me in repayment for the debt I still owe. Mercy when he pins me down and fucks out the retribution I still owe. Mercy still, when he locks me away and keeps me from the sister whose punishment is for my benefit.

I remember now. I am starting to remember. Cassiopea wasn’t the one who sinned. I did. I ruined everything.

And she was taken to punish me.

I look at them now, these smiling, empty reflections of him. Reflections of the master I loathe and the mortal lives he’s stolen away. He wouldn’t come himself. No, I am not worthy of that.

But this, he can send them. Four messengers. Four protectors. Four punishers to drag me back to him.

That was their plan all along—him, them, and the fat mortal Mo. She hates me, oh yes, she does. She planned to set me up from the start.

I don’t blame her.

But I will punish her—not now, because she and the other mortals are gone in hiding. They’ve left this building empty. Cassius plied them with more than enough silver and gold to make it empty. A perfect mouse trap sprung to catch a stupid, mousey Caspian.

But I am no longer his Caspian. I am hers…

And she needs me. She needs me. She needs me to stay. She needs me near, and so she needs me.

And I will stay for her.

I will fight them all for her.

I will kill them all for her.

Because she wills me to stay.

And I would rather die than go back.

* * *

Red robes.Bloodied walls. Gore and violence and bloodshed.

My favorite things. Such pretty things.

Such bleeding, messy things.

Oh dear, have I done a bad thing. The baddest of all, short of killing Cassius like I long to, like I crave. I have done the next best, and worst thing.

I look upon my four brothers and sisters sent to rescue me from the mortal realm. Sent to save me from my naughtiness.

I look at them. Smile at them. Let go of my fae and leave her to watch.

Watch me rip them all to pieces.