CASTYR'S POV
I begin to worry when Orion does not wake up and start sending more light balls to his bleeding body.
"Why isn't Aklys back yet?" He has been gone for nearly two weeks. I fret before recalling that he was sent to capture Ilios. A whole new wave of worry washes over me as I hope that Ilios stays safe. Determination fills me, and I begin sending light to Orion wildly. I ignore the fatigue creeping over me, scared that I will not be able to keep Orion from the brink.
"Woah, woah. Slow down," Erin says as he gently grabs my shoulders. My body breaks at his touch. The demon catches me as I slump and leans me against his chest. My eye lids droop as I lean on Erin for support. "Woah, you're heavier than you look," the demon grunts.
"It's just because you're quiet small for a demon." I instantly bite my tongue. If I were in my right mind, I would not have said such a thing. "Sorry," I immediately apologize.
"It's okay," Erin chuckles as he helps me lean against the cage.
This is the first time I have seen him smile. His teeth are white and pretty, and his lips are a light pink. His eyes make a cute moon shape, his dark lashes defining the half-moon and covering most of his black eyes. But as soon as the pretty smile comes, it is gone. Instead, Erin clutches his heart and doubles over in pain.
"What's wrong?" I reach out and grab the demon's shoulders to steady him.
"Ben. Benni is in trouble," Erin gasps through the pain.
Ignoring my throbbing headache, I begin channeling light into Erin. Even though it is a small amount, it seems to help as Erin's breathing gradually becomes less strained and he can sit up straight.
"Ben..." I begin. "Is he your partner?"
Erin nods slowly, a look of longing covering him.
"You guys have a link?"
He nods. "They forced us to mark each other when we got taken, so we can always feel each other's pain." Erin slides down his tattered shirt to reveal the front of his shoulder just below his collarbone where a beautiful black mark stains his pale skin. "It's a form of punishment for falling in love."
The mark is beautiful, but my heart aches at the thought of its purpose. "That's awful."
"I actually don't mind it, except that it hurts Benni when I am...you know..."
I let out a breath and nod in understanding.
"But it is nice to be able to feel each other and know the other is alive."
I continue to nod. I know from experience that I would rather endure all the pain Kilo is going through than be separated without the link. "Can you not cut it off when you're in pain?"
Erin shakes his head. "They blocked us from doing that. We also can't talk to each other. We can only feel the other's pain."
My heart sinks. It must be excruciating to be able to feel the other but not talk to him.
A small moan drags our attention to the cell two cages down. We watch as Orion slowly raises himself on his arms and comes to a sitting position. He looks around in a daze for a few seconds before urgently searching the cell.
"Orion!" I say in a hushed voice so I do not alert any of the guards.
The angel whips his head my way and immediately sighs with relief. "Are you alright?"
"I'm okay," I nod. "How are you?"
"I'll be fine," Orion brushes off my question.
I squint my eyes at him. I know he is still in pain, but he does not want to worry me.
"Aklys...." Orion says the demon general's name fondly. "Is he..."
"I think he left to take Ilios," I reply in a low voice.
Orion nods his head. This is a sensitive subject. Ilios is my mentor, and I will personally kill anyone who touches him, but I also do not want Orion to die. I will just have to find a way to save them both.
The small shuffling of the demon beside me as he tries to get more comfortable brings my attention back to Erin. He looks at me with big, dark eyes before staring into nothingness. He must be aching for Ben. Observing Erin reminds me that I need to let Kilo know that we will be bringing home a little demon. I smile softly at the young demon as he closes his eyes to take a rest.
My smile fades quickly, however, when the opening of the door to the corridor sounds. Erin's eyes snap back open. We look to Orion who stands and prepares to face the guards. Erin and I reman sitting as we are both recovering. I do not know how Orion is able to stand in his condition. The actaeon struggles against his chains as he confidently stares down the guards descending the stone steps. He becomes anxious, however, when they pass his cell and stop before Erin and mine.
"What do you want?" Orion questions.
(WARNING: Cruel and Foul Language)
One of the guards smirks and sneers, "This demon whore's faggot failed one of his assignments."
Erin swallows dryly before slowly standing and walking in front of me. I try to move in front of Erin, but he holds me back. Being a demon, he is naturally stronger, so I end up losing the struggle to protect him.
"You know what this means, don't ya?" Another guard spits. "What's the best way to punish your faggot for failing his mission?"
Erin lets out a breath, his stance changing and preparing for what is to come. When Erin looks back up, his eyes are dark and distant. "Okay. Do it. But don't hurt him," Erin says coldly, his naturally deep voice lowering to emphasize his words. His eyes show a steel uncommon in someone who has been tortured repeatedly for five years.
My eyes widen as the demons release their claws and enter the cage.