Page 48 of A Soul to Steal

This was all born from Aleron’s heart.

The Duskwalker had more gentleness and compassion in it than Gideon thought he could ever have. His intelligence may truly be low, but his understanding of how to treat someone was deep – likely a byproduct of his bond with Ingram.

Gideon wished he could say he had that same emotional intelligence, but he didn’t. Although he’d had many friends, a relationship that had been healthy, and a family that loved and accepted him, he didn’t have most of those things until his later years of life.

Before that, he’d been secretive, reserved, and almost shy. He’d found it hard to be forthcoming when he didn’t even understand a large part of who he was.

Should I reach out to Aleron more?Despite the conflicting and puzzling nature of the feelings growing within, they were there.

His eyes crinkled when he worried it was due to him being completely dependent on Aleron. Yet, somehow, he knew deep within that what he felt was real. It was the most real thing within this false, messed-up world. But the worrying question was: what if Aleron was only attaching himself to Gideon for thatreason? His feelings could be muddled by him being the only friendly human he’d ever met.

That thought burned a hole in his chest, right where Aleron had literally touched his soul.

Which meant he came straight back to the conundrum of why he’d been waiting on Aleron this entire time. He wanted Aleron to make the first move – or, rather, any move – to show Gideon he felt a fondness that went beyond simple companionship.

Love, lust, a craving to be closer. Something,anythingto indicate a potential for there to be a place within his big monster heart for Gideon.

He needed to show him that his feelings weren’t influenced by Gideon’s and were his own.Then why did he say he felt a tenderness towards me? Dammit! Could this be any more confusing?

Gideon would be damned if he allowed this to pester him any longer.

“Hey,” he said, hoping to gain Aleron’s attention as he pulled back on his arm. “When you said you felt a tenderness...” His voice died off completely.

When he came back to reality and took in their environment, which had fully opened back up to a different chamber, his jaw fell.

More of those small lights floated, brightening a room completely.

A chilly creep of disturbed dread slid down his side.

Letting go of Aleron’s hand, he jumped onto his back. He managed to place his entire forearm over his eye holes while the other hung on for dear life around his neck.

“Don’t look, Aleron!” he yelled, hoping his arm covering his orbs truly hid everything from sight.

Aleron bucked his head, turning it one way and the other, as he attempted to shake him off. “Why not?”

Gideon’s eyes darted from one naked and perverse statue of the Witch Owl to the next. He tried not to let a single one truly sink in, merely drifting his gaze around to make sure this was absolutely something neither of them should be witnessing.

Especially not Aleron, her child.

Okay, Weldir. You have now revealed that you are an obsessed sicko.Gideon’s ears even heated in mortification, as well as with the discomfort of seeing a woman’s body naked and utterly bared to them.It’s like a sex shrine to the poor woman.

Was she even aware of this?

“Just trust me,” Gideon choked out. “This isn’t something a kid wants to see of his parent.Idon’t even want to see it.”

It shouldn’t even exist.

Aleron stopped bucking his head back and forth, and settled. “I should not be witnessing this?”

“Just turn around. Once you do, I’ll let you go.”

“Okay, I will trust in you,” Aleron said, yet the happy note in his tone was obvious. He did as instructed, giving the depraved room their backs.

Just as they were leaving, Gideon did notice one thing.There is no image of Weldir.Only the Witch Owl by herself. Odd, considering many of the positions would require two people to be possible.

Once they were back in the tunnel from which they came, Gideon removed his forearm from across Aleron’s bony face. However, before he could slide off, Aleron shoved his arm back and put a supportive arm under his arse, forcing him into riding piggyback.

“You fit nicely between my wings.” Aleron had a spring in his step as he carried him forward, and the previous cavern came back into view. “I also felt this way when you were inside them. I cover you completely, whereas Ingram is so big I feel as though I cannot fully protect him.”

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