Page 103 of Lost in the Dark
“Thank you.” My mouth began watering the moment I held them in my hand, but I did my best to eat slowly, as if I had some manners and wasn’t absolutely starving.
He watched me eat and let out a satisfied chuckle. “I take it that it’s been awhile since you’ve eaten.”
I nodded my head as I worked down a large bite of cheese.
“What did the townsfolk accuse you of?” he asked quietly, his voice taking on a sympathetic edge as he looked down at me.
I swallowed and wiped my mouth on the back of my hand. “Prostitution, stealing, and witchcraft. I, um, am certainly guilty of the first two. I did what I had to in order to survive. But I’ve never practiced witchcraft a day in my life.”
He nodded his head and rubbed his jawline with a clawed hand. “It’s been some time since a human ended up down here in my cave, but it would appear that the townsfolk are still the same. They seem to think it's easier to persecute others than to lend a helping hand.”
The last part came out as a harsh growl and his tail flicked back and forth in agitation.
“I-I take it you don’t want to eat me. Unless you’re fattening me up a bit first.”
He shook his head and laughed again. “Those are rumors. I don’t eat the humans that end up here. I help them.”
“H-help them?” I asked.
“Yes. Remember the moss and leaves that cushioned your fall? I lead each sacrifice that finds their way into my cave under the mountain to safety. They start a new life in the next town over.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My entire life I’d been told that the Demon of Dalwick Cave feasted on the sacrifices offered to him, but in truth,he led them to safety.
He was a purer soul than William, and even Father Aldous, a supposed man of God.
“So you’re saying that you’ll take me under the mountain too?”
He smiled and nodded his head. “Yes. But first you need to get some rest.” His gaze lingered on my bandaged feet. “I’m sorry for frightening you.” The corner of his mouth dropped into a lopsided frown.
“It’s fine. Really. Your kindness and generosity have already made up for it.”
It was the truth too. As things stood, I felt silly for ever running away from him.
“We’ll head out tomorrow, but for now, sleep.” He pulled an extra fur from off of the shelf and laid it down next to the fire before stretching out on top of it.
I couldn’t help but sneak another glance at him and the way the glow from the fire highlighted his muscles and the tapered shape of his hips.
As I snuggled into the pile of furs, he started to hum that familiar song again, and it wasn’t long before I lost myself to sleep.
Selvyn
After packing our supplies, I took a few moments to admire her while she slept. Her ample chest rose and fell with each delicate breath that slipped past her parted lips. Ah, those lips. I wondered what they’d feel like pressed tight to mine.
It was a shame that this little fallen angel had been dealt such a rough hand in life and found her way down into my pit.
But it would be better soon. I’d help her start over just as I’d helped the others before her.
As I gazed down at her, it occurred to me that I never asked for her name.
It would seem that after all my years in solitude I’d forgotten my manners.
I cleared my throat and sat down gently on the pile of furs. “Miss? Excuse me, miss? It’s time to wake up.” I spoke softly so as not to alarm her.
She stirred before squinting her brown eyes at me. “Time to get up already?” Her hair was a rumpled mess and her voice hoarse from sleep, but she was still beautiful all the same.
“Yes. It’s time we get going. Would you like some water?”
She nodded her head and I passed her my drinking skin. After taking a deep drink, she handed it back to me.