8: The Aftermath [Aya]

The impact never came.

Instead, when my eyes snapped open, I found myself lying back on Seiren’s bed, blanket twisting and curling around me like a snake attempting to strangle me. I blinked, trying to calm down my wildly beating heart. I could hear the blood behind my ears beating like an annoyingly loud pair of drums.

The scars on my back ached, they always hurt after a dream like that. I turned to lay on my stomach, burying my face into Seiren’s soft pillow, inhaling his scent. I could hear someone slamming the doors, the engines of both cars and bikes passing past the house; someone was shouting something (“a fresh newspaper!”), and people talking; a dog was barking and a train whistle blew from a block away.

Without me knowing Shimizu Town had burst into life, taking full advantage of the fact that I was asleep. Dead to the world. The sun was so bright it nearly blinded me, I turned my eyes away from the window. To face the rest of Seiren’s room, wasn’t anything one would’ve expected from a guy like Haruse Seiren.

Rather than being extravagant, it was bland, plain, and a bit boring. The only remarkable thing here was an enormous map he’d laid on the wall with some towns and areas crossed out, notes written in red ink, and a few darts scattered on the map. Almost as though he’d been playing darts with the map, a blind selection for something you haven’t decided.

Then there was a desk with a small lamp, covered with books and papers, a bookshelf, and a wardrobe. The colors responded to the general scheme of Fuwa’s house, nothing that stood out to make a target for those with straying hands. Thieves. Seiren’s room felt surprisingly cozy, a few plush toys I’d bought sat at the top of the bookshelf, making me smile.

He’d kept them, I thought.

My body felt like a pile of bricks had been thrown at me. My back was aching from the scars and I felt weak. This is why I didn’t like to sleep. I’d have to ask Fu if he’s got a new batch of Dreamless Sleeping drought or pills if I remembered to do so later on.

“Shit,” wincing, I ran a hand through my messy and greasy golden brown hair, slowly turning to lay on my back. “Fuck you, Faustus.”

Faustus laughed, sounding annoyingly mirthful. I received a holographic image of him sitting on his favorite throne, sipping a crimson red wine that looked suspiciously like blood. I wouldn’t be surprised if it did turn out to be blood, considering the fact that Faustus had no qualms in showing me what his tastes were like and he never failed to remind me who he was.

His ruby red eyes gleamed in the darkness, brightly like fire, shadows covering his body. The single light came from the few candles scattered around the room he occupied, giving off an eerie feeling that fit Faustus.

I preferred when he didn’t show me the form he’d usually take just to torment me, Soo-Won as a demon. It made it so much easier to talk with the Demon Lord, allowing me to imagine he wasn’t a creature after my Soul, and how the only reason I wasn’t killed was due to the Contract between us. It kept Faustus from going back on his word, and me from running away.

‘Easy there, Mistress,’ the fucking bastard sounded a little too amused for my liking. My eyebrow twitched. ‘You wouldn’t want anyone to find out about the greatest taboo you’ve committed, would you?’

“…Fuck off,” I muttered, feeling absolutely drained from dealing with his shit. My back felt like someone was grilling melted cheese on it, my emotions were a wounded mess left by Soo-Won’s death. Him turning into a demon.

Having been reminded that it could’ve easily been me, nearly was me.

The only reason why it wasn’t me was due to Faustus’ interest in me, him forming a Contract with me, and my refusal to give in to the temptation of no longer having to suffer the torture in Hell. Yet, it didn’t prevent me from having moments like this when I regretted the decision, for not taking the easy way out.

For not leaving everything to Seiren, having known full well of the rampage he caused once he learned what happened.

I should have remembered the stories I was told as a child, a cold hard truth that all demons lie. Always.

Maybe that would’ve prevented Soo-Won from dying, his blood on my hands. His death is my responsibility.

‘He would’ve died, either way, Mistress,’ Faustus piped up. ‘There was no saving him from the moment he jumped in after you.’

So…all the more reasons why his death was on me.

“Poke,” my body jolted at the sudden touch of someone’s warm finger on my cheek, and I nearly punched the culprit in his face, only for my fist to be caught before it could land a hit.

My eyes widened as I found myself staring at Haruse Seiren’s concerned-looking ocean-colored-blue eyes. I’d always found his eyes to be something out of a painting, an existence too beautiful to exist. One could get lost in them, finding themselves to think of the ocean rather than a pair of eyes.

“Don’t do that!” I exclaimed, pouting. For a brief moment, Seiren’s eyes sparkled with mischief.

Faustus growled, startling me, and Seiren responded by poking the emerald stone on my cross-shaped necklace. There was a loud bell chime that ran through my existence before the Connection between me and the Demon Lord was silenced. All I heard was a roar of fury before Faustus’ voice disappeared, leaving me alone in my thoughts.

I had forgotten how it felt.

“Now, now, the nasty demon should be quiet for a while,” if there was someone who knew about the Greatest Taboo I’d committed then it was Seiren. He’d seemingly known from the moment we were reunited after my return from Hell.

He climbed on the bed, pulling me close while untangling the blanket from my body. My back no longer ached, and it no longer felt like someone was grilling melted cheese on it. Seiren’s presence alone had dispelled all the consequences of the Contract with the Demon.

I watched, wordlessly, as Seiren’s eyes scanned me for any injuries - for something - and pulled me as close to him as he could, wrapping his arms around me and burying his face into my neck. Seiren’s voice was serious, lacking his usual goofy attitude and it brought on goosebumps.

“Which is perfect, since I don’t like to share what I consider mine.”

My face flushed pink.