CASTYR'S POV
Strong arms around me make me smile unconsciously.
"How are you? You were in pain earlier," Kilo asks, his voice filled with concern.
"I'm okay now, but you have to warn Ilios!" I sit up in the bed that Kilo is dreaming in as I remember the king's order. Kilo sits up with me and takes my hand.
"What's wrong?"
"The king of Hades has sent Aklys to hunt down Ilios. It is the only way Orion can live."
"Why does he want Ilios?"
"Ilios took the tower from him."
"So Aklys has left Hades?"
I cock my head to the side. I do not recall the demon coming to check on Orion today, so I assume he has left. "I think so. Can you warn Ilios?"
Kilo nods his head. "Don't worry, Ilios is here."
"He's there with you? On Earth?"
Kilo nods. "Rae, his partner, was transferred to Earth by Orion, so Ilios came to Daedoeshi."
"Rae is back? Orion saved him?"
"Mm hmm. He's really something."
I cannot help but nod in agreement. "Don't worry. I am taking good care of him. He saved you, so I promised myself I would look after him."
Kilo stares at me for a moment before saying, "I love you."
I find myself melting under Kilo's loving gaze. "I love you, too," I manage to reply before I turn into a blubbering mess. "I miss you so much!" Before I know it, I am clinging to Kilo, not wanting to ever let go. Kilo pulls me into him and begins stroking the back of my head.
"I miss you, too. So much." Kilo plants tender kisses on top of my head as he sooths me.
I had not realized how much I have been shoving down these past days until I realize how much I miss my angel. Kilo pushes me away so he can dry my tears. "It's going to be okay. I'm coming for you. I'll get you out of there, okay?"
I nod as I gaze up at him. Kilo pets my head once more before pecking me on the lips.
Hands grappling me spark fear in my heart. I let out a gasp as I feel myself being pulled from the dream.
"Kilo..."
"What's wrong?" Kilo asks, tightening his hold on me as his eyes grow in worry.
"I think something is happening. They're waking me-"
Before I can say good bye, I am jerked awake. Orion stands in front of me struggling with three demons while two others grab me by my arms.
"Orion!" I call as I watch a demon strike the actaeon across his temple. I struggle against the two demons as they drag me out of the cell. I cry out as one of my captors burns my arm in an attempt to subdue me. "What are you doing? Let me go!" My handlers ignore my shouts as they throw me into the cell with the smaller demon. The demon catches me as I fall. I scramble to the cell door as Orion is beaten and dragged up the stairs.
"Orion!" I call after the angel as the door is slammed shut. It takes a few moments for me to catch my breath. "What - what happened? Why did they separate us?" I turn to the demon sitting behind me.
"I-I-I don't know." The demon's voice is deep and soft. "They came in and tr-tried to take you, but he fought them, so they began beating him."
"Wh-what?"
"You're hurt," the demon points to my arm. I turn my head to look at the handprint burned into my arm. I let out a small breath as I determine the wound is not life-threatening.
"I'll be fine. Don't worry."
The demon nods before scooting back to lean against the black stone wall. He must still be tired from the most recent round of torment implemented by random demons for fun.
"So...how long have you been here?" I ask carefully, hoping to spark a conversation.
"Five years," he answers quietly.
"What's your name?"
"Erin." He pauses before asking softly, "Yours?"
"Castyr," I smile.
Silence falls between us before Erin speaks up. "Thank you...for healing me the other day."
"Of course," I smile kindly.
Erin's voice is so soft I almost miss his next question. "Are you a star?"
I nod, and Erin's eyes widen. "Wow...That's so cool. I never thought I'd meet a star."
I cannot help but smile at the demon. Erin is so tender and kind. Who could do this to him? I look at his bloodied lip and all the burns, bruises, and cuts covering his body. Erin smiles softly as I flick small balls of light toward his wounds.
"Thank you."
We sit in silence until the sound of the door opening jerks our attention to the stairs. I stifle a gasp as an unconscious, bloodied Orion is dragged down the stone steps. The actaeon is rudely tossed inside his cell before the demons turn around and walk up the steps.
"Orion!" I try to wake the angel. "Orion!" I sigh as I realize the angel is passed out cold. I situate myself at the edge of the cage closest to Orion's cell and begin sending balls of light to slowly, but surely, heal the wounded angel.