KILO'S POV
The wind caresses Castyr's hair as he leans against me. I pull the blanket around us tighter as a gush of cool air flows over the rooftop. I rest my chin on the star's shoulder and breathe in his comforting scent. After filling myself with Castyr's scent, I plant a kiss on his neck. The star smiles and hums happily.
"Ah! There it is," Castyr exclaims quietly as he points to the skyline. I follow his hand to find the first sun ray peaking over the city's skyline. I smile as I watch Castyr gaze at the sunrise.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Castyr turns to look at me.
"Mmm."
A reminder for the meeting sounds from Castyr's wrist device. Keeping my lips on his, my hand flows from the back of Castyr's neck, down his arm from the shoulder, and stops on his wrist. Castyr chuckles cutely as I cancel the alarm. After one more deep kiss, Castyr pulls away and smiles at me.
"We should probably go."
"Mmm," I nod as Castyr stands to his feet. Standing, I take off the blanket and lay it over Castyr's shoulders.
"Thank you," he smiles and looks up at me with bright eyes. We take one more look at the sun painting the sky before exiting the roof and making our way to Conference Room 204.
Colonel Ilios joins us in the conference room once we are seated. Major Azyr and Major Sinjae accompany the colonel along with the leader of Beta Team.
"Somehow, your identity as a star is known to Hades," Ilios begins. "New troops arrive today, so we will focus on getting you back to Heaven. I have notified General Roeden of the situation. He agrees that we should get you to safety and then work on a plan."
"Yes, sir. Ithyos needs to be recharged as well. It is time I go back," Castyr responds.
"Good. Lieutenant Kilo will take you back to Heaven tonight."
I nod in agreement, happy to take my star back home.
"One thing you mentioned in your brief, Castyr, has been bothering me. You said the demon tried to subdue you instead of killing you, correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"They have a plan, then, and they need you alive," Ilios determines. "We're working on extracting information from the demon we captured last night, but he hasn't said anything as of yet."
"Let me interrogate the prisoner," I speak up. "I have...experience."
Castyr looks at me with worry.
I continue looking at Ilios, but Castyr notices my hands are clenched. I have to find out everything the demon knows, and the only way to do that is to use Hades' methods as demons are the masterminds behind the technique of torture.
"Very well," the colonel nods. "Major Sinjae will lead you to him. Good luck," Ilios agrees before standing and leaving the room.
Castyr and I exit the conference room and follow Sinjae to a building towards the center of base.
"He's being held on level B4," Sinjae tells me.
Castyr takes my hand as I start towards the building. "You don't have to do this."
"We need to know," I turn to look at him. I try not to show it, but my eyes are filled with desperation and fear. "I need to know so I can protect you. I can't lose you, Castyr."
He slowly nods in understanding. "Okay." He rubs my hand affectionately, reminding me that he is still here. "But promise me you'll stop if it becomes too much."
I nod and gently peck Castyr on the forehead before slowly letting go of his hand and following Sinjae into the building. I cut off the mind link as we descend four stories underground. I do not want Castyr to see me like that. The elevator doors open after we come to a complete stop. Level B4 is dimly lit; rugged concrete walls frame a narrow hallway.
Sinjae exits the elevator and leads me to a locked room. Low growls emanate from behind the door as our presence is detected. Sinjae unlocks the enchanted chains and illustrations before opening the heavy, metal door. Enchantments and chains keep the demon subdued as it tries to break free when it sees us. Blood oozes from various wounds inflicted from previous failed interrogations. I kneel in front of the prisoner and study his wounds. I have to do worse to find out what he knows. I have to do worse than this...
The demon is barely alive, and I have to do worse...
The demon looks up at me and sneers. "Well, look who it is. The angel to that star bitch."
As soon as the words come out of his mouth, I punch him in the jaw. "How do you know he's a star?" I ask after a moment.
The demon ignores the question. "He's lucky I didn't get him. I didn't really want the job at first, but once I saw his pretty little face, I was all for it," his eyes gleam with a dark perversion.
I clench my jaw as my blood boils. I look around and see a rack of torture devices. The sharp blades spark memories of my time in Hades. Angles do not usually use those weapons, but, strangely, they are the tools that affect demons the most.
I turn back to the prisoner. "Who told you the star's identity?" I am careful not to say Castyr's name as I am not sure how much the demon knows about Castyr.
He ignores the question. "The things I was gonna do...well, I'm sure you know. Your little bitch is lucky I-"
I find myself grabbing a weapon off the rack and beginning the interrogation. The demon screams out in pain. "That's more like it." I look at his pain-stricken face and am secretly satisfied. I would rather hear him scream than talk about Castyr like that.
"Don't. You. Ever. Call. Him. That. Again." I lower my voice as I talk slowly. A slash from the blade comes after each word.
The more time passes, the crueler I become. I hate feeling myself grow darker and slip away, but I have to protect Castyr. My eyes have glazed over with cold brutality. Blood stains my face and entire body. I am sure I reek of it.
Six hours have passed. The demon is barely conscious now. The image of him lying on the floor limply reminds me of when I was in the same position. Sinjae is about to heal him so I can continue with a new cycle when a faint whisper escapes his lips.
"What did you say?" I step closer as the demon struggles to talk.
"A...kl...ys," he manages to say this word before passing out. Sinjae hurries to save the demon from dying as I write the name down.
Aklys. Is this the man who is after Castyr?
I return all the weapons to the rack before exiting the room as Sinjae makes sure the demon will live.
"What did he say?" Sinjae asks after he locks the door and reinforces the magical barriers.
"Aklys. Have you heard of the name?"
"Mmm," he nods his head. "Aklys is the demon general, the king of Hades's right hand."
The news sparks fear in me. "Report this to Colonel Ilios. I need to get Castyr back to Heaven now," I move to rush down the hallway, but Sinjae stops me.
"Wash up first," he suggests gently.
"Ah...thank you."
Sinjae leads me to a bathroom on the first story of the building. I turn on a sink and begin scrubbing off the dried blood. Sinjae hands me a new pair of clothes before going to relay the information to Ilios.
I finish cleaning up and exit the building to find Castyr waiting. He smiles sweetly when he sees me. I pull him into my arms as I reach him. His warm, airy scent immediately calms me. Castyr wraps his arms around me and tries to link me, but I keep him out. The memories are still too vivid.
"What's wrong?" Castyr pulls away and looks at me with concern. "Are you okay?"
I nod. "I'm fine. Just need some time to process it."
"Okay. Let's go," he takes my hand and begins leading me away from the building.
"Where? Where are we going?" I ask as I am dragged off.
"To watch the sun set!" Castyr says happily.