Blacken

  Rhulle squeezed her hands, “Dear Avie, my deepest sympathies are with you and your sister at rest. Thank you for honouring me with her memory.”

  Tears streamed down her cheeks, “Thank you for listening, I don’t know if that would have ever come out until you.”

  “You have not told Owen?”

  Feeling a little guilty, she knew there were times that she wanted to, but felt like he wouldn’t understand. His parents had loved him; he didn’t have any siblings... He didn’t take many situations seriously.

  “No, I mean, he never asked either.”

  Rhulle wiped the tears away, “You are very strong to carry this with you, but it has caused you too much pain. I am glad you have expressed it; you should tell your friend too.”

  Avie nodded in agreeance, “I was also hoping we could all talk again sometime soon. At least if it goes better than last time, I want Owen to see what I do.”

  “He trusts you with the circumstances. You have expressed this to him?”

  “Yes, he’s at least willing to try to understand, but he also doesn’t know if there would be much… goodwill from his half.”

  “I am used to that. I do not mind,” he smiled, soothing her, “will there be any ill will towards you for continuing to see me?”

  She blinked in surprise, “No… No, Owen… I mean, he understands, but he won’t do anything to stop or convince me otherwise now.”

  He hummed, “That is good then. I do not want to stop seeing you, dear Avie.”

  She smiled at the new nickname, “I don’t want to stop seeing you either, Rhulle.”

  In the dim light, she focused on the illumination of his eyes. They played with the contrast of fire and moonlight, red seeping in more as the hours ticked by, taking over. There was such power there, in his eyes. Avie found herself falling into them more often than not.

  “Would you dance with me?” His statement came out of the blue.

  “Right now? The movie isn’t even finished…”

  “We were not watching it anyway, besides, I know you enough to realize when you would enjoy a change of subject.”

  A quick glance to the television, she saw a scene that made no sense with characters she didn’t recognize. He was right…

  “Yes, I would love to.”

  His eyes lit up, standing to prepare and moving furniture. The boombox she left in his space started up, its soft music playing while they settled into a rhythm. Still entranced by his eyes, her own could not leave his face, drawing over the quills that surrounded the alabaster skin.

  For the better part of the music’s duration, Avie’s gaze kept on the features, tracing over them with her eye’s trail, wanting desperately to touch and explore them. What did they feel like? What was the texture of his skin like? Would it be silly of her to ask?

  “Avie, I see the questions on your face, I do not mind, if you would like.”

  She smiled sheepishly, taking a moment before raising her hand that previously clasped in his; tentatively brushing the small, silky feathers. His eyelids lowered, the dance slowing to a crawl while Rhulle’s hand replaced itself on her hip.

  Her fingertips traced the outline of tufts, the other hand caressing down the plumed bridge of his nose and brushed against the pale skin of his cheek. The skin there was soft, much like velvet—contrasted against his coarse and dark hands. It surprised her, her thumb caressing over the feel of him before moving, fingers starting to shake while her index touched his lips. She didn’t mean to, her hand followed her gaze, pausing there in her realization.

  Their bodies weren’t moving now. In a standstill, soaked in the attention of each other.

  “So bashful?”

  His smile and voice caused her fingertips to briefly touch sharp teeth. Avie’s eyes flicked up, caught in his amber elegance. She watched the colour swim, mixing together, drinking in heavy breaths as she focused on them. Rhulle unfurled his wings; fluttering them in a gentle grace as her hand dropped to his chest.

  Perhaps it was the way the moonlight danced across his feathered wings—the flex of muscle demonstrating power against gentle light trickling in through the darkness. A juxtaposition wherein beauty, power, command, and caress all joined in one fleeting moment, causing a sharp inhale of realization from its observer.

  She was shaking now, a hot band burning in her chest, constricting and squeezing, as all she could do was stare. Avie should not feel like this; it was taboo, it was outlandish—it was something she had to stifle down. Rhulle only gazed back, features cooling down to a serious look, increasing the apprehension, those heavy eyes filling her attention.

  He grasped at the hand that still attached to his face, pulling her astride to the sofa where they had been seated only moments ago. Rhulle sat, grabbing her hips to place her atop of him. Avie gasped in surprise, his action causing that constricting feeling to tread lower.

  She felt the plumage, soft and caressing on her legs where the hem of her pajama shorts had ridden up, hands instinctively going to his shoulders. Rhulle was bathed in moonlight, shadows from the tree outside waved on his face as he stared at her. At this moment, Avie found him so incredibly… beautiful.

  What was he doing? What was she doing?

  A hand went back to his face; thumb stroking the side, a soft crooning could be heard from him. His hands stroked up and down her back, eyes rolling back and closing as her hands massaged his nape and neck. That sound increased to a staccato of sighs, croons and warbling, the pleasant noise he emitted because of her. He held her legs now, absentmindedly kneading the flesh there, opening his eyes to find hers.

  There he sat beneath her, sighing and gasping, trying to keep eye contact despite his eyes fluttering closed periodically. He looked nothing like the cryptid she first met, full of power and malice... He looked, he looked…

  Like he needed a kiss.

  She leaned down, lips meeting his. Avie felt him stiffen, his eyes snapping open and casting that amber-scarlet glow. Even though her eyelids the radiance penetrated, the kiss only lasted a second before a soft moan escaped him. She deepened the kiss, that sound bringing molten lava to burn wildly in her abdomen.

  The burning made her bolder. In the rush, the stifled feeling finally came out and she let her emotions race, feeling him enthusiastically kiss her back.

  God… It felt… He was…

  Incredible.

  The wind blew harshly outside, causing a loose bough to snap and hit the side of the manor with a crack; the noise caused them to startle and separate.

  Heavy breaths filled them both as the adrenaline wore down. The woman still sat on top of him, hands curled in long feathers while his encompassed her back and thigh. They just stared at the other, unsure of what to say over their actions.

  The front door slammed open, alerting them that someone had broken in.

  “Avie! Avie, where are you? I know you’re here!”

  She threw her head back towards the door, “Owen?”

  Jumping off, a quick apologetic glance was cast to Rhulle resting there on the sofa before she rushed towards the lower level. Sure enough, there he was, standing and observing the items she bought over, finally catching his attention.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  For a moment, it felt like he knew what had just transpired upstairs, before shaking off the ridiculous thought, “You can’t be here, Rhulle is going to feed soon, I don’t think it’s wise if you’re here for that.”

  “Why are you here then? Avie, this is crazy! You’re going to get yourself killed!”

  “What are you doing here? What do you need so desperately at this hour?”

  “You weren’t home, I had to come and find you.”

  “Look, I know it looks bad on you end, but please let me explain!”

  As they spoke, Owen was collecting her things, grabbing her coat and boots in a silent action to get her to leave, “No. We’re leaving, the both of us.”

  “Just hear me out for a momen
t—!”

  “What is going on here?”

  They looked up at the direction of the voice. Rhulle stood on the stairs, watching their interaction from above.

  Owen promptly tugged her behind him, “We are getting away from you. How dare you? What exactly made you think your plan would work?”

  “I can assure you; I have no idea what you mean.”

  “Owen, stop it,” Avie harshly warned.

  He continued, “You led her out here to feed on her, right? Well you aren’t getting the chance. She’s coming with me.”

  “Why not ask her what she wants to do?” The chestnut plumed truxen started to descend the steps.

  “D-don’t come any closer! Avie, get your coat on! What the hell are you waiting for?”

  She shook her head, “I want this pain to stop. It’s excruciating and it keeps happening. If there’s a possibility he can help, I’m taking every chance I’ve got. Owen please, it’s nothing like you think will happen, he’s only going to look at my blood.”

  The blond turned to her, placing both hands on each side of her face, “But what if that wasn’t the case? What if you were one of the ones who didn’t come back? Aves, I couldn’t take it if that happened. Not to you.”

  Rhulle raised an eyebrow, taking in the interaction, “Why not also spend the night, if you are so keen on protecting Avie?”

  She took the hands from her face, holding them, “Owen, I want to stay, I’m sorry, but I won’t change my mind.”

  He looked between her and the feathered being, almost glaring death at the latter. He spoke through gritted teeth after much consideration, “Fine.”

  “Are you sure? I don’t think you’ll-”

  “I’ll be fine. You’re my number one priority, Avie.”

  “Okay… Okay, Owen, if you’re sure…” She looked over at Rhulle, a silent thank you exchanged.

  They sat in the same living space with the fire burning to keep warm. Owen had his arm wrapped around her back; she was shaking. He may have thought it was from the cold, but she was worried. She knew the librarian was going to try something, she just didn’t know what or to what extent, absolutely sure Rhulle knew it too.

  “So long as you are here, you must have more questions for me. Anything you would like to ask?”

  “You’re going to feed on someone soon, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “When’s that going to happen?”

  Rhulle sat back in his seat, “Typically, I can tell when the feeling is coming. But I cannot tell when the hunger will show up.”

  “And Avie, do you want to feed on her?”

  “Owen…”

  The truxen waved it off, “No, I would never. Humans often come to me; I do not lure them or hunt them down.”

  Owen looked frustrated at that answer. “The blood inside her led us to you. Isn’t that what you do to your victims? What you’ll eventually do to her?”

  The woman squeezed his arm, concern exaggerated on her features, wanting him to draw back. She wasn’t really sure how to jump into the conversation.

  “I have not seen any other blood do what you describe. I was hoping to see it myself.”

  “Never, huh?” he asked in disbelief, “Let me ask you something else… When the blood is around you, are you sure you won’t go into a frenzy?”

  Rhulle leaned forward, a stern look plastered on his face, “When it comes to Avie, you can be completely sure.” He looked over to her, their eyes meeting as he leaned back.

  Avie knew the way he expressed himself had been different, she knew Owen noticed it too. He turned to her, but her eyes still caught with blazing ones before them, unable to break away just yet. With the kiss they shared, the woman understood the dynamic of their relationship changed, yet she couldn’t make that abundantly clear around the blond.

  It was another secret she had to keep.

  Owen stood suddenly, “I need some water. Would you have any, Avie?”

  She broke out of her trance to look up at him, and simply nodded. Leading him to the kitchen where she placed a few bottles, once they were out of ear shot, he turned to her and started whispering.

  “Has he done anything? Anything to hurt you?”

  “No, absolutely not! You don’t have to be here, but if you are, you’re going to have to behave a little better.”

  “I didn’t like the way he looked at you just then. It was predatory, especially with what he said. I’m sure he’s going to try something, something to hurt you!”

  “Rhulle wouldn’t do that, there’s more to him than you know. He really is remarkable; he’s so smart and caring; an incredible being… Astonishing, really. I just wish you could see that too,” she beamed, looking back down the hallway in his general direction as she spoke his praise, fiddling with her hair.

  A strange look washed over Owen’s face, “You’re blushing...”

  In the dim light, because of her pale features, the pink flush could be seen with ease. It took her by surprise, a hand reaching up to feel the hotness in her cheeks, “Yes, I suppose I am.”

  He scowled, “Is this what it’s all about? What it’s come to?” He scoffed, an incredulous laugh falling from his lips as pieces lined up, “You have feelings for that thing? When he-he’s not even human, Avie!”

  She tried to shush him, “Owen shush! Look, I’m not going to lie to you—”

  “Why him? Hmm? Why him and not me?”

  She stopped, “What?”

  He grasped her face in his hands, leaning down and pressing their lips together. The kiss only lasted a few seconds, Avie pushing him away.

  “We were always supposed to be together, Aves. It made so much sense; just tell me it’s not real. Tell me the real Avie is in there still.”

  She reeled, distressed at his actions, “I think you should leave. You keep saying I’ve changed but you’re the one who’s changed. I’ve been defending you and making excuses, but this draws the line. I don’t like you in that way; I never will.”

  “What, you wanna kiss the monster instead?” She looked down, away from his sad eyes. “You don’t… Avie, you haven’t!” He stomped toward her, causing the woman to flinch backwards.

  Rhulle appeared behind her, his hands falling lightly on her shoulders, a wing blocking Owen’s path, “Avie has asked you to leave. I suggest you do.”

  She watched through the gaps between feathers as the fearful cerulean gaze locked to Rhulle. Avie stared up at him, his eyes that were once seen a tarnished gold, now completely encompassed in a threatening crimson. The blond fell to the ground and scuttled back, finding the strength to stand up, run for his coat, throwing open the exit to flee into the night. She was heartbroken. A sob escaped her; Rhulle turned her to support while she cried over the transpired scenario.

  “What just happened? I thought… I thought he was my friend. He kept saying he would try. He would at least try… We have been through so much, but he just… He didn’t,” she hiccupped through the sobs, grasping his feathered chest.

  “He did not view you as an equal, but a prize. Come; let us go back to the fire.” She could only nod, sniffling and sobbing getting the best of her.

  CHAPTER 15

  She finally stopped shaking, a blanket draped around her shoulders and a water bottle in her grip, Rhulle drew light patterns on her back over the hour.

  “Did I overreact? Did he deserve any of that?” Avie asked.

  “I do not know him as you do, but it may be something that needed to happen. He tried to change you. He tried to use you. He had tried to claim you. A friend does not do that.”

  She nodded, craning her neck to look back at him, “What do you think will happen now? What will he do?”

  “He can try to gather humans to search for me, I have been here a very long time with no luck on their part. He may try to come after me alone, however.”

  “You won’t hurt him, if he does?” He was silent. “I don’t want him to die, please promise me that you won’t.�
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  “… I promise, Avie, he will not die by my hand if it ever came to that.”

  “Thank you…” She rested her head on his chest, “Rhulle, how long have you been on this planet?”

  “I do not know years in specific, I have lost track. But it has been numerous, at least.”

  “How old are you?”

  “Truxi live for a few hundred years by your cycles of the sun. To us, it feels a normal life span. If humans live to be 100 years old on average, I suppose I would reach around the 30 years mark, simply speaking, of course.”

  Avie laughed, “Of course…” She turned to face him, “I was thinking about it… and I’m wondering why the call came to me now, why didn’t it affect me later? Same with the other people who come here, it’s all different times in their life. How does that work?”

  “We still do not know what goes on in the bodies of them, let alone yours. Are you certain you are okay to keep going?”

  She nodded strongly, “It just keeps getting worse. This will help, I know it will.”

  “You are very brave, dear Avie.” He brushed hair out of her face, taking in her features. The look was gentle, eyes drinking in her being. She glanced over him in turn, lingering over his lips… Lips that she kissed moments ago…

  The redhead changed the topic, “Maybe we should talk about something else. It’s tough to think about.”

  He hummed, “We could talk about what happened earlier between the two of us? I rather enjoyed that.”

  Was it just her, or did his tone sound flirty? She blushed brightly, not really expecting him to bring the kiss up. “O-oh? I wasn’t really sure if what I did was appropriate, do you do anything similar?”

  “We show affection in this way,” he cupped her face, kissing her chaste on the lips and rubbing her jaw line with both thumbs, “it is for vovii. But what you had done… I have never experienced that before.”

  Her body flushed with heat, thinking about how her tongue danced in his mouth, she still had her face so close to his, lust filing her gaze, “... Vovii?”

  Rhulle smiled in that soft way that made her heart flutter, “I like you, Avie. It took a long time, but I like you a lot. I do not know what your customs are, but if I get to kiss you like that, they must be similar.”