Alexis N Sage [Sage - AetherBlood

D emas watched the boys body wriggle and twist, trying to escape from the grasp of the smoke that threatened to crush his lungs. Tears streaked his face in dirty lines that might have resembled war paint if they werent so pathetic. He twirled a black curl around his finger before looking away. How much longer is this going to take?

Whats wrong? His sister asked, Not having fun anymore? The boy cried louder as her fingers danced.

If you keep this up, hell wake up the whole neighborhood.

This was your plan, brother. Dont blame me for trying to bring some joy into our lives while we work. She grinned, What is it the humans say? If you love what you do, youll never work a day in your life?

Another grin as she straightened her fingers allowing the boy to take a gulp of air. His eyes watered, and he clasped at his throat as if he was trying to decide between screaming and breathing. His mouth opened but before he could let out a sob, she clenched her fist, yanking the air from his lungs.

His knees shook and he beat at his chest, his body drooping over itself with heaving, shallow breaths. She let go and the boy screamed. A desperate cry to no one in particular. His eyes darted around, looking for a way out despite knowing full well that escape was futile.

Just hurry up with it already, we have to move on.

There was another flick of the hand, followed by more screaming, and then a loud thud. The boys body dropped to the ground like an anvil hitting water. His open eyes made Demas groan with disgust. There was really nothing beautiful about these creatures. Nothing poetic. They lived, they died, and that was the end of it. How blas.

Not having fun anymore, he repeated in his head. He tried to remember the last time hed truly had fun. Eirenes twentieth birthday snapped to mind. He had brought her to a clearing, away from the elders and covered the entire thing in shadow. Their own private oasis. She was so happy, twirling and singing in the grass. Her eyes never leaving him. That was the last time he remembered smiling, the day that turned into night then into morning again. The day their daughter was conceived.

He shook the thought away and walked to the boys body. Youre sure its done?

Do you really need to ask, brother?

I suppose not.

Demas stepped over the body and leaned on the wall in front of him. His hand pressed against the brick as he looked down, patting the stone lightly.

Is everything quite alright? he heard his sister ask from what seemed like miles away.

Eirenes face flashed before him. Her smile, eager and innocent, melting away in the darkness of the night. He straightened his back, twirling to face his sister.

Everything is splendid. Time to go.

F ish! You gotta see this! Shaylahs voice rang through the apartment with a tone that resembled a dolphins mating call, Hurry up!

The morning light had just started to coat the ceiling of Rubys bedroom in twirling slivers of pink and turquoise. Reflections bounced off her vanity mirror, and she lazily studied the patterns while stroking Liams heavy arm on her stomach. She looked at him, slowly roaming her eyes over his bare chest, only to catch him staring back at her. Ruby could read his current state of mind without pause; his expression caught between amusement and annoyance.

Since Liam had officially moved his things into her apartment, they had spent most of their time trying to find moments of privacy; but her roommate made it difficult, if not entirely impossible, for them to have any semblance of a personal life. It wasnt that she disliked having Shaylah around, more that she missed the silence of spending quiet evenings with her boyfriend. Her theatrical friend was many wonderful things but quiet had never been her strong suit.

Liam nudged her side with his shoulder as if to wake her up from her thoughts, Think shell give up if we pretend to be asleep?

Fish! Come on! Shaylah yelled, as if on cue.

Guess not. Nice try though. Ruby bounced up to sit, leaning over to give him a quick kiss before making her way to the living room. Im coming! Calm down!

She tugged at the strings of her robe, tightening it around her waist, and sluggishly dragged her feet out of the bedroom to find Shaylah cross-legged on the couch, her hair a giant mess of slept-in curls. The television was on, and she was fumbling with the remote to get the sound louder. If this girl got me out of bed for another cat video, Ill kill her, she thought and sat down on the edge of an armchair. The sleeve of her robe rolled up as she settled in, and she pulled it back down quickly to hide the rough scars on her arms. Despite her ability to heal, the cuts on her arms had not disappeared entirely, and she hated the constant reminder of her last fight with Demas. A little gift from Tartarus himself to make sure she never forgot him or his final warning when they met in the Aether Plane that night.

War is coming.

She turned the words around in her mouth, tasting their bitter and spiteful remnants. Why couldnt he just leave them alone? Her and Liam were finally in a good place in their relationship, the AetherBorns had settled in nicely at the center, even Jake had started to come around more though his attitude towards Liam bordered on toxic. They were so close to living a normal life, as normal a life as half-deities can have at least. Why was Demas so intent on ruining it for them? On ruining her?

Are you seeing this? Shaylah asked, tugging her attention back to the television.

Sorry. Still waking up, I guess. Whats this now?

Shaylahs hand clicked the remote rapidly, blaring the volume even louder. They found that guy that disappeared last week! She yelled over the television, The one in Dalhurst! Remember?

Yeah! So thats good, no? Ruby yelled back and grabbed the remote from her hand. Can we turn it down a little?

Oops. Sorry. But look! Shaylahs freshly painted red nail pointed at the television as if accusing it of a crime, Hes dead!

Rubys eyes blinked rapidly, fully awake now and concentrated on the news coverage. Shaylah had been obsessing over this case lately and had taken any excuse to bring it up in conversation. She wasnt sure why her friend was so interested in the disappearance of someone on the other side of the country that shed never met but was glad for the distraction. The more time she spent talking about this with Shaylah, the less time she had to worry about what Demas might be planning next.