Page 35 of A Soul to Steal

Annoyingly, his ears grew hot. He rolled his eyes away to inspect the only sliver of light cascading within from Aleron loosening his wings.

His furry arms were comfortable, and his feathers cushioned him from all sides. He didn’t mind being held by Aleron, even though he’d be awake the entire time the Duskwalker slept.

However, he was incapable of looking upon Aleron’s oddly alluring face right then. “Nah. It’s fine, I guess,” he grumbled out awkwardly.

Aleron shifted his wings, and the gap of light closed.

Standing on the edge of a shallow, shady canyon, Gideon narrowed his brows and his lips pulled tight. His chest flooded with a sickening, dreadful ache, like his lungs were filled with thick oil. He should have known the afterlife couldn’t be entirely pleasant at every corner.

“What is this?” Gideon asked in disbelief.

His eyes roamed over what had to be thousands of people just...standingthere. Standing there, doing nothing! Most of their heads were forward facing, and their expressions were truly blank of emotion. Their eyes were closed, as though peacefully sleeping.

With the canyon and mountains in the distance, most people were shaded. Mist danced all throughout, making it even more eerie. It looked like a valley of the dead and forgotten.

Another disturbing aspect was the different styles of clothing they all wore. Some women were dressed in elegant and outdated ballgowns, with men wearing intricate suits that matched. Many wore robes and outfits that must be from other lands, while even fewer were dressed similarly to how he was.

Thousands of people from different eras were all clutteredtogether in this sad canyon. He tried to ignore the different ages, from young children all the way to those who were old and needed to wield a cane.

Such devastation upon humankind, such sorrow and sadness to be witnessed here.

All of it unnecessary – if it weren’t for the Demons who plagued the world.

Aleron’s hand clasped his tighter. That shouldn’t have comforted him as much as it did, but it felt like he’d spoken a dozen easing words by doing so.

“These are the humans who have no ties here, or do not have pleasant memories with the others here they know,” Aleron stated quietly, as though also unnerved. When Gideon turned his head to look up at his skull, Aleron dipped his head forward and to the side. “Only those who have strong bonded strings are able to be active in their memories. Otherwise, Weldir told me they come here, and play any and all happy memories.”

“Shit,” Gideon rasped, wishing the despondent emotion gripping his throat actually felt physical. He couldn’t help bringing his gaze back to the vacant humans, his eyes crinkling in remorse, pity, andfear. “Is this... Is this where I was before Emerie came here? Is this where I’ll go if we get separated?”

Neither set of his parents would be here, since they hadn’t been killed by Demons or Duskwalkers. Beau should have been a part of his happiest memories if he’d been eaten, and Emerie... she was with Ingram now. As much as the other people in his life had been precious to him, he doubted he would have been included in their happiest memories.

Just as his thoughts began to spiral, a heavy, feathered black wing encompassed his back and opposing side. Aleron drew him closer with it, and his shoulder bumped against his furry torso.

“I do not know where you were before I met you, but I will not let you go,” Aleron stated, his tone holding confidence in his promise. “I will stay by your side, always.”

Gideon lifted a weak but appreciative smile to him. “Thanks for saying that.”

He had his doubts.

Aleron had yet to meet a woman here, which could be more in tune with his desires. Regardless of any emotions, Gideon didn’t have a pussy and couldn’t produce children – assuming reproduction was a large part of what Duskwalkers sought. Why else would they seek a bride, if not for this?

Humans didn’t always desire a child; sex was more about pleasure and connecting with the one they loved. But it’d already become apparent that Duskwalkers in general seemed to be more animalistic in their thoughts and behaviour. Even Aleron acted on instinct much of the time.

Then again... Ingram didn’t seem to mind that Emerie is infertile.Overhearing that Emerie had chosen to do that to herself to climb the Demonslayer ranks had been... saddening. Only because it was obvious she regretted it.

It was the moment that he truly accepted Ingram as his ‘brother-in-law,’ technically speaking. With a full heart and absolute confidence, he’d stated he didn’t mind so long as he had Emerie.

It was love in its purest form, in Gideon’s eyes. The same kind of love he saw within same-sex couples.

Humans could adopt, but it was with a drive to extend their family through unrelated bonds, share an unconditional love that wasn’t a ‘requirement’ because of blood. A chosen family that held no accidents. Every step on that journey was planned, and arms were opened willingly.

If that pure, chosen love could be accepted by Ingram, then itdidmean it was possible between him and Aleron. That’s even if Aleron could have a bride now that he was dead.

But... would I even want that?A bride seemed like a massive, unbreakable, binding relationship. Would it be a heavy burden to bear, being the human within a Duskwalker pairing, or would it be enlightening? Especially with one that had so little humanity?

He wouldn’t make the decision solely based on not wanting to turn into the humans before him. In this world, there was absolutely no reason for Gideon to bond with anyone. His existence was entirely pointless – neither of them were alive.

Aleron would also have to choose Gideon.With what he said yesterday, it seems like he’s already been thinking about it.But Gideon was the first human he’d truly befriended here in this realm.

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