I copied Nateand bent down holding my lips a few inches above Dylan's.
But seconds passed with nothing happened. Ugh! "How do I give you my soul, Dylan?" I mumbled to myself.
A squall was spawned from somewhere and the rain eventually became a storm. The burning warehouse collapsed and the fire was completely extinguished. I took in a brief deep breath but before I could even think of what to do next, cold blue light washed over and the symbol appeared on my forehead. It had begun.
Like an invisible huge vacuum machine was switched on, my awareness was gradually sucked away. My eyeballs bulged as if the air void wanted to suck them out too. Dark screen conquered half of my sight, then three-fourth, and the soot waded on.
Suddenly, like every time I was about to be welcomed into the afterworld, I found myself traveling back on my memory road to the beginning of this strange adventure, where I unintentionally and unwillingly stepped into the demon world. I gave myself a little smile. Feeling like it was just yesterday that I saw the enchanting Dylan beside the classroom window, made the contract with him. How irritated and scared I was at the time. If I had just ignored him, it would not have come to this today, to the end of my life. But I accepted it. I wanted him to live. It did not matter if I had to be the one who sacrifice. When have I begun to like with him? These feelings grew so fast that I hardly knew it's there. Like a bad tumor, when I realized it was too late.
All memories coiled around emotions and the two became one within a second. Then, even though it was bleary, I got my sight back.
And here I was…staring absent-mindedly at a luminous white ball that was floating in front of my face.
I looked at the ball with half conscious, feeling almost fainted but also mesmerized. So it looks like this…my soul.
I had always thought that a soul would look like its owner. And we'd have control over it. Like a ghost. Like a spirit. I could go haunt any people I want to.
But it turned out …it's just a ball. Just like Jessie's.
"Stop her!!!"
Someone yelled something but I hadn't got enough strength to think about it. I had to concentrate on Dylan.
"Somebody stops her!!"
Loud noises went on. But my eyes only focused on the soul which was drifting lazily towards my demon.
The light ball, or my soul, glowed brighter and brighter and white-washed all my sight. I could not really see what was happening. But I could still hear Dylan's breath getting heavier and heavier in my arm clearly. I hoped he's going to be okay. I hoped that my soul can really help him.
This time, I just couldn't avoid him like I used to anymore.
And I stroked him gently, watching my beloved man devoured on my soul. At the first touch to his lips, red color washed over the clean white lights emitting from the soul turning the place into a blood pool.
"It's a Love soul…." gasped somebody.
"How…how could..."
"Ha ha ha. LONG LIVE THE DEMONS!!!"
"Stop it!"
"Get her out of there!!"
"STOP HER!!!"
Bathing in warm red sphere, I did not want to pay any attention to the noisy quarrel going on out there. It was so good and comfortable in here.
However, at his first gulp, I felt a part of me suddenly vanished as if it was erased out, as if my lung was gone, as if there was a hole …a hole inside of me.
That hole got bigger with every swill Dylan took. This feeling of nothingness brought me down to the lowest. I was getting into depression. My instinct told me to run away, but I yelled out a 'NO,' kept thinking about Dylan. Dylan…DYLAN!!!
Then it stopped. The hole stopped expanding. I felt my fingers. Confounding, I looked around for a clue. What's happening? Will Dylan be okay?
And I saw my demon, wide awake, looking at me with those beautiful blue green eyes. The eyes became bigger and bigger as if zoomed in by a magnifying lens. My conscious was brighter too. And the demon pressed his lips with mine, kissed me.
Sipping in the glistening red light, sweetness seeped in and disperses in my mouth. Oh, what a kiss! The extreme aromatic and strong taste took me to heaven where the joys compacted and appreciations engulfed the entire realm of my heart.
While I was lost in the sweetest scents and flavors, a sour jet shot through. I was taken aback and almost yanked away if Dylan hadn't held me so tight. However, a few seconds later, bitterness took over the domain.
The red light was forced back into my body with constant changes and mixing tastes. So soul did actually have tastes.
Back into reality, I felt Dylan's lips next to mine. My heart skipped a beat and tears trickled down my cheek without any reason. Unable to believe that my first kiss would be with a demon and with him, I kind of panicked.
Holding back my desire to hug him back, in returns, tears came out more. At least, he's safe. He's safe…
"Leigh." My demon said with his same-old melodious voice.
The emptiness I felt earlier, somehow, was filled up too. It's a different type this time. It's not only me. I could feel something else, some additional part. It's…it's…like Dylan's kindness,…as if he's with me, he's in me.
Moreover, I'm still alive? Dylan's not dead? What's happening? Hasn't my soul been taken? I checked all over myself. Everything was in its place and seemed normal enough. "W-why--?" Why don't I die, body wriggling, like Jessie?
I got a big hug as an answer. "I only took half of your soul." said my demon.
"But-but why?"
Dylan smiled and looked at me with his bright blue-green eyes. "Because I don't want you to die."
"Why?"
The demon chuckled. "Anyway, thanks." And he put his hand on his chest. "It's so warm in here."I blushed, not sure what he meant. But I didn't need to know anymore. What does he think about me? Whether he likes me or not? The fact that he's still alive and smiling was enough to make me happy. And also because right now my heart was so warm as well.
��DEEEEEMONSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Phoebe let out a wail and woke me from the joyous world of us two. I looked around in panic, seeing Dale, i6 in hand, froze and the gods burning with anger. Nate was the worst. He looked so battered up and was soaked in blood and painted with purple bruises.
Seth's halo was brighter and shinier than ever. He stepped forward approaching us but it's rather like floating. He should have been sainted but why do I feel so scared?
"Demon, you have to receive the ultimate penalty for the crime you have committed." Seth announced with such magnificent and powerful way. His voice resonated throughout the forest up into the sky. Even I suddenly felt so small.
Dylan stood up and faced the holy god without fear. "I decline. I haven't done a thing wrong."The three gods got in their positions, ready to strike the demon any time. Then Seth spoke. "You eat a soul."
"Half a soul" corrected Dylan "And she's still here." My demon took my hand. "She's as alive as you and me."
The gods were stupefied by the answer. They stood awkwardly, tongue-tied. Phoebe and Conner cut their eyes between each other and Seth for help. They moved uncomfortably and seemed pretty mad, especially Seth and Phoebe.
At this, I glanced back at Nate who, obviously, had eaten a soul. The evidence was still lying here. Then, Phoebe seemed to notice that too. She walked over to Jessie's body and kicked it lightly. I flinched at that. "What about this?" She asked, looking smug. "Are you denying this too?"
"What about you?" Nate countered back challengingly pointing at Dale. "Being gods but hurt human!"
"It's not us." said Seth plainly. "It's these people's doing." He gestured toward the DW's hiding.
"But it's your plan." Nate did not give up.
"It's HER plan." Phoebe had an irritating smile on her face jerking her thumb at Jessie.
"And you agreed to work with her even though you know that she's using a demon like me?"
Nate made a vicious grin. "You're, in a way, working with demon as well. I'll tell everything to the Pure Court. Those white clothes human can be my witnesses."
Phoebe smirked. "As if the Pure Court would believe a demon."
"And they'll believe demon's friend like you!?" Nate laughed.
"Nate!" Dylan rebuked his cousin while Seth was throwing a very very very scary eyes at us. Oh, Nate must have kicked right into his gut.
"Oh, come on Dylan!" Nate was choking in his laugh. "It's all over the sky! Everyone up there knows you two were friends. That's why they're casted out."
Phoebe clamped her teeth furiously while Seth stayed silent for a very long time casting us the snow turmoil look. I was restless, not sure what the god of ice was thinking and felt uncomfortable at Nate's dispute. What is Seth going to do with us? I tightened the hold to Dylan's hand. My demon, despite shocking, gave me an assure nod and smiled kindly. I had goose pimples and felt like my heart grew.
I responded him with an uncertain smile and stole a glance at Nate who in spite of the wounds was making a jovial face. Next, at Dale who was still dumbstruck by the circumstance, and lastly at the DW who still kept themselves well hidden behind the bushes observing the situation. It'd occurred to me that they must have known that Dylan's a demon from the beginning. But no matter what, I will stand firm beside Dylan.
The storm quieted down. Only black clouds were still smothering above in the sky. But they soon dissipated and the sunlight was able to escape to the ground once more. The wind's whining turned into a low hum making the silent atmosphere even more muted. The stench of the wrecked warehouse, or now just a pile of ashes and firewood, was washed away with the rain and now only a faint stinky charred smell still hung around. I grasped a deep breath as I saw Seth turning his back on us.
"Grab your chance and go back to your place now demons." said Seth walking away, Phoebe following him. "I won't let you get away next time."
"Seth." Dylan murmured quietly to himself. "Sorry."
I looked up at Dylan, seeing him sad made me sad too. But Dylan smiled at me and held my hand. As a promise that I'd always be by his side, I smiled back.
Sighing with relief, I watched the gods left. Seth floated up into the sky. My mouth dropped wide-open with wonder, he didn't have wings but he could fly. That was so awesome!! His white sparkling halo drew into a line like a jet plane. The beam line suddenly turned into some kind of tail. Wait a minute…tail? Is that just an illusion?
Squinting my eyes and looking carefully, I saw an all-white gigantic Chinese dragon flying magnificently among white and gray clouds. The light reflected with the scale and scattered creating pleasing shimmers along the silvery body. I still hadn't been able to utter a word when Phoebe, giving me an evil eye, kicked off from the ground. Red luster covered her body as she shifted into a mighty red bird, a phoenix.
"D…dra…nix…" I stuttered mixing up words.
Conner walked to me. Despite my choice, his face and blue eyes were still kind. "I'm sorry for all the troubles. I shouldn't have agreed to involve you or Cartner in the plan. I thought I could save you later" He gave a sad smile and glimpsed at Dylan. "Call me when you change your mind."
My ears were blocked by the wonder of what would Conner change into. Excitement grew when Conner's golden hair and face elongated, the lower part of his body expanded backwards. I couldn't guess. He could be anything! Anything with a pair of angel wings. Pigeon? Seagull?! Chicken?!
The shape change had come to an end and a familiar creature was formed. My heart pounded at the beauty of the creature standing right in front of me. Its perfect pearl white skin glimmers as if there were a million stars on a white sky. It wasn't a pigeon as I'd guessed. Lame guess. Even better, it's a horse. A white horse with wings… Pegasus!
The Pegasus glanced at me one more time with those robin blue eyes which looked a lot bigger in this form, before took off. I watched until they vanished behind the cotton clouds, made sure that they really were gone.