Page 10 of A Soul to Steal

I made a friend here. One that wants me to join him on his adventure.

He wasn’t afraid or attempting to run away. He wasn’t screaming upon seeing his skull like the other humans here. He wasn’t being mean and growling at him.

Aleron truly thought he would be alone here forever.

Well, not particularly true, since Weldir often came to his side,but the spirit of the void was... busy. He had tasks or needed to be elsewhere, leaving Aleron to chase after and find him when he felt his presence within Tenebris.

He could always feel Weldir when he was nearby.

But now he had Gideon, someone whoneededhim. Aleron wanted to be needed, wanted to be useful to someone in the way he had been vital for his dear kindred. He wanted someone to give him meaning. If this human wished to remain conscious within Tenebris, Aleron would happily touch him in order to do so.

Weldir had once stated that hope wasn’t lost for Aleron. Although that had been rather cryptic, he pondered whether this meant he could be brought back to life. If so, did that mean he could bring Gideon with him in the same way Ingram had done so for Emerie?

Weldir said I may yet steal another soul from him, and that my bride could already be within Tenebris.Could that be Gideon? Had his bride been here all along, or was he being foolishly hopeful?

He liked the male enough.

Before he’d died, Aleron and Ingram hadn’t particularly thought any humans were attractive.

To Aleron, Emerie had just been another person, and he felt this way about Gideon as well. He’d also held nothing but friendship towards the pointy-eared Elven female he’d once met, with her hair as white as snow and her skin a strange, inhuman brown due to its grey undertone.

Something must have won over the heart of his kindred for him to travel all the way to the afterlife simply for Emerie.

Ingram told me their beginning had not been easy.He raked his gaze down Gideon again.Did he grow to care for her, or did he know straight away?

Aleron didn’t know if it was supposed to be instantaneous or if it was something he needed to work on to decide.

Should I try with Gideon?How would he even begin to do that?

Apparently, Emerie had been kind. Since Gideon had not been rude towards Aleron, he wondered if this was a trait shared between them.

He didn’t know what he desired in a bride. He would like them to be kind to him, warm towards him.I would like them to cuddle with me and enjoy being within my wings.He wanted them to... be at ease and find comfort within his embrace.

He said he felt better when I hid him from the world.

Just remembering that had his wings flapping against his back in joy.

He decided then that he would try. If not, then he could find a different human to be his bride.

But he must admit... he did like the look of this one.

His light-brown hair was a nice colour. His skin was tan, and his body looked sturdy enough. He would need to be sturdy if he wished to be Aleron’s companion, since he often liked to play and would squeeze Ingram in the process.

I also find his eyes... pretty.They were such a light, but intense green that they seemed piercing each time they briefly flicked to him. He liked them the most, although his deep voice did tingle his ear holes.

As they walked together, Aleron thought back on everything his kindred had taught him in the short amount of time they’d shared. Their reunion hadn’t been as long as Aleron would have preferred, but then again... he’d wished Ingram hadn’t left at all.

He said changing forms and standing on two legs seems to help. That I must act and appear more human.He looked down at his hands as he placed them against the grass, noting hisclaws. Humans didn’t have them. They also didn’t have fur like he did, nor wings and a tail.

How am I supposed to be like them when Mavka cannot change their outsides?He’d never seen Kitty, the feline-skulled Mavka, or any other Mavka, look completely human.

Even Ingram hadn’t magically transformed for Emerie. He’d just... stood on two legs and hid his claws.

Aleron bumped Gideon with his shoulder and initiated contact to ensure he didn’t forget. He winced when the male almost fell to the ground, since he’d done it a little harder than he intended.

“Bloody hell, you’re strong,” Gideon grumbled as he quickly righted himself. He whipped his face towards Aleron’s skull, before drifting it forward to watch where he stepped as he led them up an incline.

“I am sorry,”Aleron said, lowering his head as his orbs slowly turned white.

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