Page 76 of Emma & Edmund

"Poor choice of words," tisked the demon. The hold around her evaporated, and she hardly had time to scream as the air rushed around her, free-falling, only to be caught a moment later, still hovering above the ground. Edmund's face went as white as a sheet.

"Now, what do you say?" She didn't need to look at the creature's face to know a sneer stretched across it. "Feel like giving what I have to say a listen?"

"I...I'll do whatever you want," Edmund stuttered, "just don't hurt her."

"That's more like it."

From the corner of her eye, Emma saw the smug look on the demon's face. With his threats fully ingrained, the ground drifted closer and closer until his feet threaded through the grass. Almost the same moment, Emma was unceremoniously dropped from his hold, back landing on the ground hard, pushing out an 'umph!' from her lungs.

Her whole body ached, but still, she scrambled away. Rushing to meet her, Edmund helped her off the ground, her gown thrown over her head before she was shoved behind his back. It was a fruitless gesture, knowing how unworldly the thing can move, but Edmund's familiar scent and warmth brought comfort to the unnerving atmosphere.

"I'm listening," Edmund said with a clip, "now what do you want?"

"Haven't I already said?" The creature kept his distance, arms folded over his heavily defined chest, his glow reflecting off the blades of grass, turning them red. It seemed as if he stood in a puddle of his own fire. "I've come to meet my child."

"Stop saying that, I am the son of-"

"Poppy, right? Poppy Livingston?"

Edmund took a sharp intake of breath. "How did you...it’s PoppyLockhart."

"Ah yes, that cuck she married. Poor man."

"How dare you!" Stomping hard enough to shake the ground at Emma's feet, Edmund shot across the clearing before Emma could stop him. Fist rounded up, Edmund took a swing.

Despite Edmund being nearly a head higher, a red arm shot out, catching him across the neck. As if he were as weightless as a bird, Edmund went flying, crashing to the ground several yards away.

"Edmund!" Emma wanted to rush to his side but was rooted to the ground when the demon beat her to it. Mounting Edmund's flat body, clawed hands grabbed at his open collar, hauling him close to the angular, sulfuric face.

"Your whore of a mother begged for my cock for nearly half her life. She moved out to this ugly, stupid place to keep fucking me without consequence. She gave birth to your ugly, stupid self to please me. If it weren't for your ridiculous chastity, I could have begun training you a long time ago."

"Release me," Edmund sneered, "your lies do not bother me."

"And yet, you still brought me a virgin. You still broke her over the pathetic remnants of my altar that your mother lovingly made for me."

"Excuse me?" Emma gasped, disgust lacing her words. The mention of just a mere ten minutes ago had the core of her pulsing. Rather than the satisfied buzz it brought her at first, humiliation crept up.

"Ah," he rose, releasing Edmund, stalking to her, "I suppose this does involve you too, seeing how your destroyed innocence fills me with power. What's even better," he took her face in both hands, Emma frozen in place, "your debaucherous display tasted too sweet. Just like his mother. I think I'll let him keep you, as you're no novelty to me."

"Emma!" A strong hand wrapped around her arm, swiftly pulling her into Edmund's large chest. "Don't listen to him. What happened between us-"

"You're saying you didn't feel the pull deep in your gut?" The demon teased. "The little voice in your head telling you to come here, to fuck her on that spot? To bring her to me?"

"Stop talking!"

"Afraid to let her know? Afraid to tell her that, deep down, you know I'm right?"

Tears swelled from Emma, streaking down her face. The hands on her shoulders, the ones that felt so safe just minutes ago, made her itch. "Let me go."

"Emma, please-"

"Yes, Emma. Forgive him for sacrificing you. Spread your legs again for him! Feed me all that much more."

"Stop!" Emma screamed, clapping hands over her ears. She wanted none of this, wanted to block everything out and pretend nothing was happening. That she would shock herself awake, and the previous night was nothing but a dream. That Edmund never came to the party, and they never left together.

Maybe then, she wouldn't feel soused.

All of her learning had taught her that agents of evil lie. But everything the creature said just made sense, more sense than anything had since she stepped foot outside of the city. It explained everything, right down to the supernatural pull she followed from Belmont to that very spot.

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