Page 94 of Nemesync
Niko looked back at me and showed me the picture. On this dead man’s face the tattoo said, ‘Zanae Delle is mine. -The Devil.’
Why does it feel so good to be his?
I felt like Lucifer’s prized possession, his damnation, his precious enigma in this infernal world. And the thought of it made me relax. Because I knew the Devil would protect me passionately and treat me like his own hell. And strangely, that attracted me more than the purity of heaven.
“Why does he hate me so much if he’s so protective over me?”
Nikolai sighed, choosing his words carefully, glancing towards the bathroom door, “Elijah’s always been... complicated. It’s not easy for him to let people in.”
“But why?”
“Little Z, you represent the most painful part of his life.”
I furrowed my brow, trying to understand. “What’s in his life that involves me? And don’t get me started on that little surname you always use these days.”
“That’s a story only he can tell. But don’t mistake his actions for indifference. And‘little Z’is staying forever.”
“And you know all this because...?”
“Because I’m his best friend, obviously,” he declared proudly.
“Well, thank you for not hating me at least.”
“Oh, I didn’t say I didn’t. I just tolerate you.”
I gasped, placing a hand over my heart, “I’m touched Niko, means a lot to me.”
He smiled and shoved me gently away, “Seriously though, give him some time.”
“I will. He’s— he’s different than I thought.”
“And so are you.”
Our conversation shifted to other topics, like how I looked as white as a ghost when he saw me back there. He even called me Casper, so I just pushed him away. This man had the nerve to add that if it were him, he wouldn’t have noticed my presence in that dark room.
But then the sound of the shower stopped, and Elijah appeared again in the living room.
His short, damp hair falls messily over his forehead, green eyes half-lidded, with steam lingering around him like a burning shadow..
Nikolai laughed, eying his best-friend softly, “Now you look good Eli.”
He did look good.
Elijah shot him a mock glare, but the corners of his lips betrayed his amusement and affection for Niko.
“What did I miss?”
“Just discussing how much Nikolai tolerates me.”
“Lucky you,” he replied, locking eyes with me.
“You’re the lucky one Elijah, the only one I truly adore, my only love.” Niko admitted, with a grin so bright it made us all laugh.
And our eyes locked again.
Forgetting everything around us.
He saved me tonight, and I deeply felt that it wasn’t the first time. It felt innate and instinctive for him to come for me, as if it were something habitual.
