Chapter 35
Another quick strike for his throat, quickly dodged.
A swipe with sharp, dagger-like claws for his stomach–Cullen dodged that as well, and landed a swift punch to his face.
Leviathan merely grinned, his mouth full of wickedly sharp teeth, and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his pants, as if he were strolling casually down the sidewalk.
A vicious snarl tore from Cullen as he jerked forward, swiping at Leviathan, a dull surprise popping into his mind when he realized his hands were just as gnarled and clawed as Leviathan’s.
He used it to his advantage, rushing forward with vicious swipes, aiming for his jugular and his stomach, his face and his groin, each strike missing while Leviathan laughed and taunted him with those snake-like teeth.
When the demon finally grew bored with him, his hand shot forward, his palm slamming into Cullen’s chest and sending him flying across the training room.
He landed hard against the wall of weapons, several sharp blades clattering down onto him as he fell to the stone floor.
He pushed himself up again as Leviathan approached, his hand curling around the hilt of a long dagger.
Leviathan gave another smug laugh and Cullen jerked up with a scream of rage, slamming the dagger into his chest.
It pierced his heart with a wet squelch, dragging a harsh gasp from Cullen as blood spurted out over his fingers.
Time itself seemed to still as Leviathan looked down at his chest. Cullen followed his gaze, his eyes going wide at the sight of blood–thick, black blood–running over his fingers.
Leviathan coughed and it splattered onto his face, making him flinch.
Panic dug its claws into his chest, making him yank the sword out and whip it to the side.
Leviathan collapsed with a choked gargle, his hand moving to cover the wound, and Cullen sprang forward with a cry of terror.
“Wait, wait!” He screamed as he caught and lowered him to the ground. “I didn’t mean to!”
Blood spewed out of Leviathan’s mouth, his body convulsing as black seeped across his bare chest. Eyes full of agony and fear met Cullen’s, and tears formed in his own eyes, his hands pressing to Leviathan’s chest to staunch the bleeding.
“Levi, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to!” His voice broke. “I don’t know what I was thinking–”
He broke off as Leviathan reached for his face, his fingers brushing weakly against his cheek, smearing blood there. “I thought…you were happy…”
“I-I was. I am! Please, don’t die! Don’t leave me!” Pain ripped through him as Leviathan’s eyes fell shut, his hand dropping to the floor.
A scream tore from him, but it made no noise. Darkness swept in and then Leviathan’s body was gone and he was alone in an empty void–
He shot up with a cry of terror, reaching out for a body that was no longer there.
The training room was gone, a soft, familiar mattress under him and a blanket tucked around his waist. The room was dark and warm and silent, aside from the rapid thumping of his heart–and the soft breathing beside him.
Slowly, he turned to look at Leviathan, his gaze dropping from his eyes–flickering gently under his closed eyelids–to his chest, his eyes narrowing as he watched the gentle rise and fall there.
Relief flooded him. He hadn’t even realized he’d been holding his breath until he released it, his hands coming up to cup his head.
What the fuck was that?
A nightmare about killing his kidnapper was one thing, seemed fairly normal even, but that fear…
that guilt and regret… The relief he’d felt when he’d seen Leviathan laying beside him, unharmed…
He thought of the way he’d snapped at Leviathan for trying to make him sympathize with him and swore under his breath, scrubbing his hands over his face.
He never should have given in to anything.
Never should have said a single goddamn word to the fucker.
And now…
I like it here. I like you.
What the fuck had he been thinking?
It wasn’t true. Not a single damn word of it–
The vision of Leviathan bloody and pale in his lap flashed through his mind, making him wince. His lips pressed into a tight, unhappy line.
Not true.
Just a lie to appease the demon so Cullen could get what he wanted. So he could stay alive. So that his mind wouldn’t break…
The vision flashed again and his teeth snapped together, his jaw clenching as he turned to look at Leviathan again. His chest rose and fell steadily, his face calm and relaxed in his sleep. Something tightened in Cullen’s own chest.
Relief. Relief that it had been a dream, that the demon lord was beside him, unharmed, his breathing calm and his heartbeat steady.
Stupid. So stupid to have let this softening towards him happen.
To have let these emotions happen. But, truthfully, he wanted nothing more than to lay down with the monster and let that quick, even heartbeat lull him back to sleep.
But it felt like giving up something vital to do so.
Something that had only ever belonged to Walker.
Something human that would be sacrificed…
But I’m not human anymore. He thought a bit numbly. So does it really matter if I betray them?
And Walker…that was over. He knew that, even if the knowledge stabbed at him.
But it had been weeks–months–and it still hurt, like a wound that kept tearing open.
But…the wound was healing. Slowly. Very slowly.
And shouldn’t he let himself feel what little bit of happiness was possible at the moment?
He’d been dragged here against his will and held hostage and he had spent so many disappointing years with Walker, despite the love between them…
So, surely, it wasn’t such a massive, terrible thing to lay down beside the demon. To edge closer and closer to him until he was tucked into the protective curve of his arm and his ear was pressed to his chest. The quick, steady rhythm of his heart had Cullen sighing quietly in relief.
The soft sound must have woken Leviathan; his arm came up to curl around him, drawing him closer. And he turned his face until his lips met Cullen’s forehead.
“You okay?” His voice was quiet, still half asleep.
Cullen leaned into it, running a slow hand over his chest before wrapping it around him to pull himself closer. “Yeah.” He whispered, closing his eyes against the tears that threatened to escape. “I’m okay.”