Chapter Seven

 The night wore on without another word between them. Vepir lay with his back pointedly to Zarek, his hood drawn over his face. The incubus's sleeve covered his arm, but the image of the burn scars was seared into Zarek's mind.

 He gazed at Vepir over the dying embers of what remained of their campfire. The forest was quiet save for the sounds of insects and the occasional call of a nocturnal animal, but Zarek's mind was alive with racing thoughts, each one fighting to claim the demon's attention. He couldn't focus on just one aspect of the past 24 hours; there was so much that had happened, so much that had changed. He had been sold to an incubus, used to fuel the man's demonic powers, witnessed the deaths of countless people at Vepir's hands, seen the invulnerable man falter and struggle… Everything Zarek pondered always brought him back to the mysterious incubus, and to the thousands of questions left unanswered.

 At the same time, he wondered if it would even matter. His questions would likely never be answered; Vepir was infuriatingly tight-lipped, answering every question and prod with sarcasm, effortlessly flipping the tables on Zarek and driving him up the wall with frustration.

 And either way, why should Zarek concern himself with the violent incubus? The man was a ruthless, merciless killer – a true, stereotypical demon, as far as he could tell, Hell-bent on the destruction and chaos of mortals. Many demons, true to the human stories, did not experience things like remorse or empathy.

 But some did. Zarek was one of them.

 He couldn't say the same for Kaldryn, his former mentor at the Noctis Circle. The man had always acted kind of wise towards him, guiding and teaching him with warmth and amiability.

 But Kaldryn had ended up betraying Zarek in the most despicable way. So, was it all a lie? A façade?

 And if that was the case, was Vepir's impenetrable guard, his mask of anger and sarcasm, a façade as well?

 Zarek thought back over the past day, combing through his memories in search on a single instance where Vepir had shown any hint or sign of anything beyond anger, defense, sarcasm, and violence.

 He couldn't think of a single one.

 So why was it so difficult for Zarek to believe that Vepir was just another mindless demon, intent on causing havoc with every step he took?

 As the night ran its course, sleep didn't find Zarek again. He laid on the ground, gazing at the silhouette of Vepir through the darkness, until the gray strands of dawn light began to filter through the trees. Vepir had remained motionless throughout the night, his breathing slow and steady as he lay on the other side of the campfire. Zarek glanced up at the sky, sighing heavily as the forest around them slowly began to come to life with the sounds of the morning.

 Zarek sat up slowly. His back ached from laying on the ground all night, and his eyes were dry and droopy with exhaustion, both physical and mental. The majority of the night had gone by and he hadn't figured anything out about Vepir or his behavior. After scouring every memory of the previous day, Vepir remained as unreadable as before.

 Zarek ran a hand through his whitish purple hair, instinctively avoiding his demonic horns.

 As Zarek shifted on the grass, sighing quietly again.

 A small huff of annoyance came from Vepir's unmoving form, his eyes still covered by the hood.

 "You're still here…"

 Zarek's heart skipped a beat at the sound of Vepir's voice, the incubus's grumble cutting through his thoughts.

 Vepir breathed a low sigh, sounding more bothered than anything else. He reached up, using his delicate fingers to slightly lift his hood, just enough to eye Zarek suspiciously. Zarek met his gaze, his mind racing once again.

 Finally, Vepir huffed again. "Might as well get moving. We're bound to have at least a few followers after yesterday."

 Without anymore explanation, the incubus stood nimbly, the sleep gone from him in an instant. He raised his arms over his head, stretching his limbs and groaning softly. His lithe muscles shifted beneath his shirt, and Zarek found himself unable to tear his eyes away for a moment. An unfamiliar warmth pooled in his stomach as he watched the incubus stretch, once again reminded of the sheer power and strength in his slender body. It was only when Vepir reached down for his shoulder bag and slung it onto his back that Zarek seemed to snap out of it, forcing himself to stand as well.

 Zarek shook his head, trying to clear the sudden haze that had fallen over his mind upon seeing Vepir stretch. "Followers?" He prompted tentatively.

 Vepir attempted to kick ashes over the fire, making sure the embers were fully extinguished. "Well, the guards – or any that's left. I don't doubt they're pissed. And…" He hesitated, pushing a scorched log aside with the toe of his shoe. "And anyone else who might have it out for me..."

 Zarek blinked in confusion. His mind was still heavy with exhaustion after a mostly sleepless night, as well as the mental and emotional strain of the previous few days following Kaldryn's betrayal. "Have it out for you…?" He repeated, not fully grasping what Vepir was insinuating.

 Vepir laughed, the sound mischievous and dark. When he responded though, Zarek was left completely without an answer. "Let's just get moving."

 An all-too familiar annoyance surged in Zarek. He had foolishly hoped that with his choice not to leave the incubus the previous night that maybe Vepir might show even a fraction of kindness. But the man was as infuriatingly tight-lipped as before, even laughing cryptically at Zarek's question. He wanted to shake Vepir by the shoulders and demand answers.

 But Zarek kept his mouth tightly shut. The memory of Vepir's fury the night before, the pure fury in his eyes, kept him quiet when all he wanted to do was scream in frustration.

 Vepir turned and began to stride into the trees. He didn't look back, and Zarek couldn't tell if the incubus simply didn't care if he followed. Or perhaps Vepir hoped Zarek wouldn't.

 Zarek took a steadying breath, bracing himself for a moment. Knowing they potentially had followers – guards or worse – made Zarek hesitate in wanting to follow Vepir. But the thought of trying to fare against these enemies on his own vastly outweighed his uncertainty. In a split second, he hurried after Vepir, choosing the protection the deadly incubus offered over his desire to get as far away from the dangerous man as possible.

 As Zarek caught up, trailing behind Vepir silently, Vepir glanced over his shoulder. He rolled his eyes in annoyance.

 "You don't have to follow me, you know," he muttered coldly. "Actually, I'd prefer if you didn't…"

 Zarek swiftly looked away, feeling an unexpected surge of embarrassment. He quickly attempted to use logic to defend his actions. "You said there could be people following us," he pointed out.

 "I'm not a damn babysitter, kid," Vepir growled. "Get off my ass."

 Zarek's steps faltered. He fell behind Vepir by a few feet, but remained stubbornly behind. He refused to say the quiet part out loud: without his Shadowmancing, he would be utterly defenseless of the authorities caught up to him. At that moment, as much as he hated the idea of spending even another minute with Vepir's ruthless jeers and taunts, it made no sense for him to go off on his own. At least, not yet.

 Vepir watched Zarek over his shoulder for a moment, scoffing in disbelief. But to Zarek's surprise, he didn't argue further.

 Zarek trudged behind Vepir, the forest awash with the dim hues of dawn. The early light filtered through the dense canopy, gradually morphing from a spiritless gloom into a vibrant yellow light, radiating through the forest as they wound deeper into the wilderness. The air was still, save for the rhythmic sound of their footsteps crunching over leaves and foliage. Vepir prowled ahead, his steps light and silent as ever, staying several paces ahead of Zarek. The incubus's strength seemed to have completely recovered overnight; his strength and energy had returned to him, and he remained light on his toes, treading as silently as a predator through the forest. His keen silver eyes remained alert and wary.

 The minutes blended together, the only indication of the passing of time being the sun's position in the sky, though Zarek could hardly tell the difference. He felt as though he were trapped in a waking dream, each step dragging him further into a haze of fatigue and disorder. The events of the last few days played on repeat in his mind – Kaldryn's betrayal, the auction, the cold metal of his chains, Vepir's kisses, the slaughter in the alley… It felt as if his body was moving on autopilot, his muscles sore and strained from lack of sleep, but his thoughts were fragmented, refusing to settle on anything concrete.

 As the morning rolled by, the golden rays of the sun broke through the trees, signaling midday. Even as Vepir seemed to have endless vigor and stamina, each of Zarek's steps were growing heavier, the weight of everything he had endured hanging on his shoulders like a physical burden. He blinked against the glare of the sun, his vision blurring as the exhaustion clawed at him. He was fading into a drowsy haze, and he struggled to keep his focus, his mind wandering aimlessly as he aimlessly followed the incubus deeper into the woods.

 And even still, he couldn't stop his overexerted thoughts from wandering.

 How had he ended up here?

 How had his life spiraled so far from the safety of the Obsidian Archives, where the only danger had been in the turning of fragile, ancient pages? The memory of Kaldryn's cold-hearted betrayal still stung, gnawing at the edges of his thoughts, but now it felt distant, overshadowed by the surreal absurdity of his present situation. He was walking through an endless forest, helplessly following an incubus who had used him for power and slaughtered without hesitation – and now they were... allies?

 No, not allies. He shook his head vigorously, trying to clear the muddle from his mind.

 "Allies" was much too strong a word for whatever was happening between them.

 It was Vepir's voice that suddenly wrenched Zarek from his confusing thoughts.

 "There's a small cabin just up ahead," Vepir informed Zarek. "It's abandoned. I've used it before; it should keep us sheltered until the coast is clear."

 Zarek felt the warmth of relief surging through him, giving his weary limbs a slight surge of renewed energy. The thought of shelter and safety – however temporary – was a small comfort in the face of the danger that Vepir was constantly on watch for. Even then, his silver eyes gazed vigilantly through the trees, ever alert.

 "How do you know nobody is there now?" Zarek asked, his voice more hushed than he intended.

 Vepir's answer came alongside a cruel grin. His eyes darkened, and his voice suddenly took on a sadistic, cruel edge.

 "I killed them all…"

 Zarek stumbled to a brief stop at Vepir's chilling words. His chest tightened, making his breaths shallow and strained as an icy claw sliced its way down his spine. Vepir had slaughtered the cabin's inhabitants? And now the incubus expected Zarek to hide out with him in the very same cabin?

 He stared at the incubus in shock and disbelief, his voice barely above a whisper. "You… You killed them…?"

 Suddenly, Vepir began to laugh. The sound only added to the dark foreboding that clouded Zarek's mind like a black storm.

 "Gods, you should see your face," Vepir laughed, pausing his stride to glance back at Zarek. His eyes were alight with mischief, a mocking grin across his lips. "No, I didn't kill them all, dumbass. It's been abandoned for years. No one even knows it exists."

 Zarek felt infuriated, more so at himself for being so gullible than at Vepir for mocking him. He tried to settle his heart, which was still racing with adrenaline at the thought of sharing a small cabin with the deadly demon in front of him. He gritted his teeth in annoyance, sputtering for a moment with the emotional whiplash.

 "You bastard," Zarek muttered, refusing to look at Vepir any longer. He wanted nothing more than to punch that smug grin off the incubus's face.

 Vepir turned and continued walking through the trees, still chuckling to himself. Zarek had no choice but to grudgingly follow, still seething.

 Within minutes, though, Vepir came to a full stop. The clearing before them was covered in a thick blanket of soft, green clovers, illuminated by the midday sun that filtered through the treetops. The air was still, carrying the earthy scent of the forest floor, and the rustling leaves above head created an eerie silence. Nothing else was in sight except for the endless expanse of trees stretching beyond the horizon.

 "Well," Vepir sighed, stepping lightly onto the moss and clover-covered ground, his arms spreading theatrically, "we're here! Home sweet home."

 Zarek stopped just behind him, the words barely registering in his foggy, exhausted mind. He blinked, his light violet eyes flicking over the vacant clearing before him. Home? Bewilderment only tangled his weary mind even more as he studied the empty space, his gaze sweeping over the trees and the untouched foliage. There was no sign of a cabin, no structure, no shelter – nothing but the quiet, dense forest and the endless green carpet beneath their feet.

 Zarek's heart sank as his eyes darted back to Vepir, who seemed completely at ease, as though he had taken them exactly where he had promised. The sheer absurdity of the situation hit him like a slap to the face. He could feel the last threads of his already frazzled composure unraveling. After everything – the chaos of the Underground City, the violent escape, the sleepless night – now this? An empty clearing in the middle of nowhere, with nothing in sight?

 He wasn't sure why he expected any more from Vepir at this point.

 His voice cracked as he finally spoke, his tone incredulous. "This... is it? There's nothing here..."

 Vepir chuckled. "Oh, come on… I'd think a fellow demon like you would be able to spot it without that much effort…"

 Zarek felt a spark of annoyance. He was exhausted, but Vepir knew exactly how to hit a nerve. He gazed ahead, squinting into the clearing, trying to make sense of this.

 But before he could fully understand, Vepir's fingers were suddenly on Zarek's chin. The demon's heart fluttered at the light touch, adding to Zarek's confusion as the incubus led his gaze, guiding his line of sight.

 "Right… Over… There."

 Zarek silently cursed himself, both for the way Vepir's touch sent his heart into a tizzy and the ignorance brought on by his exhaustion. Of course, just ahead, the sunlight shimmered, as if caught in a reflection of a mirror. Zarek immediately understood; there was a rift in the veil, created by shadow magic – the very thing Zarek was trained to understand – to hide the real vision of the clearing before them from prying eyes. Only a being that was practiced in the ways of demon or shadow magic could have seen it, and Zarek silently fumed with himself for letting his exhaustion get in the way of his wits.

 Zarek growled irritably, jerking his chin away. "I could have seen it on my own, thanks," he snapped.

 Vepir chuckled, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, whatever you say, Mr. Shadowmancer." His tone was yet again mocking, and Zarek had to bite back a furious retort.

 Vepir flicked his wrist, waving his hand in the air as if gently slicing through the veil. At once, the shadows beneath the trees shifted, shimmering and moving away to reveal a cabin amidst the field of moss and clover.

 The cabin itself was weathered down, its wooden walls gray with age and exposure to the elements. The soft, dense carpet of green moss and clover stretched out from the cabin's foundation, creeping up the stone steps that led to its door, as though nature itself had begun to reclaim the forgotten building.

 As Zarek gazed at the peaceful cabin, drawn into its simple, decrepit beauty, Vepir strode forward, grasping the door before pushing his way inside. Zarek eventually tore his gaze away, forcing his feet to follow Vepir into the worn, rustic building. It seemed even smaller on the inside than on the outside, only featuring a single room. Zarek's eyes swept over the simple interior as he stepped inside after Vepir. The floor and walls were wooden and rough-hewn, with minimal furniture. A metal fireplace rested in the far left corner from where Zarek stood in the doorway, surrounded by ash-covered bricks. On the right side, tucked between the wall and a tall, cluttered shelf, was a single bed, the mattress only covered by a threadbare blanket. The only other furniture in the room was a scuffed table and single chair. Everything was covered in a thin layer of dust.

 As Zarek took in the new surroundings, Vepir strode confidently into the cabin, the old floor creaking faintly beneath his steps. His dark shoulder bag fell to the floor with a loud clang as the incubus stepped inside, placing his hands on his hips as he looked around, inspecting the place.

 "Ah... Just how I left it."

 Zarek's felt his breath stick in his throat as a realization hit him. His pale violet eyes flicked between the bed and Vepir, who was already making himself at home, shrugging off his jacket without even sparing Zarek a single glance. A cold, sinking feeling settled in Zarek's gut.

 One bed. No other rooms. No other options.

 Frustration flared once again beneath the weariness that had been dragging at him all morning. His hands balled into fists at his sides. He couldn't believe this – after everything, after being dragged through the forest in stoic silence, this was what they were left with? This was the "home sweet home" Vepir had promised?

 Apprehension coiled tightly in his chest like an angry snake. The space felt too small, too enclosed. The bed, a silent reminder that he was trapped in close quarters with someone who unsettled him at every turn, loomed large in the tiny room. He swallowed hard, trying to suppress the rising wave of discomfort.

 Vepir raised an eyebrow, the familiar smirk tugging at his lips as he finally glanced at Zarek, seeing the tension in the demon's every muscle. "Oh, don't look at me like that. I did give you the chance to leave last night. You came back all on your own."

 Zarek clenched his teeth, irritation prickling at his skin. He knew Vepir was right, to some extent – Zarek had chosen to come back of his own free will, but that didn't change the fact that the thought of being in such close quarters with the stubborn incubus for Gods knew how long was less than pleasant. His thoughts raced, trying to figure out how to navigate this situation without losing his composure. But the longer he stood there, the more the room seemed to close in on him, every inch of space a reminder that he had no control over his circumstances.

 Zarek swallowed hard, desperately trying to turn his attention away from the single bed. "So I guess I don't have a choice, then? I'm just stuck here with you until further notice?"

 He couldn't keep the bite out of his tone, but Vepir didn't seem the least bit fazed. Vepir turned towards the bed, throwing himself onto the old mattress meant for one person. "Pretty much," he replied dismissively. "Unless you want to be slaughtered by those guards, or whoever else might be behind us, in which case, be my guest."

 Zarek felt his stomach churn with butterflies as Vepir laid obvious claim to the singular bed. He fought to keep a steady tone, replacing his uncertainty with irritation. "No, I don't want to be killed, thank you very much…"

 Vepir locked his gaze with Zarek's for a moment, his eyes narrowing in thought.

 "So what's your deal, huh?" Vepir wondered aloud, his tone aloof. "A lesser demon on the black market? Never thought I'd see that."

 His question was jarring, throwing Zarek back in time for a split second, once again reminding him of his circumstances. The dark knife of betrayal once again dug into his chest, and Vepir's flippant attitude as he asked the sensitive question only made Zarek even more irritated. "What's it to you?" He shot back.

 Vepir simply shrugged, as if the answer to the question truly didn't matter to him. "Curious."

 Zarek couldn't suppress the growl that escaped him. "Curious?" He demanded. "That's it? It seriously matters that little to you how I ended up in that damn place??"

 Zarek's anger didn't even cause the incubus to flinch, his only response being a noncommittal "Mhmm."

 Zarek's anger began to boil inside him, making his skin feel hot with rage. "It's none of your business."

 Vepir eyed Zarek thoughtfully, his silver hue glinting with deepening curiosity even as he continued to mock Zarek. "I mean, if it's just too sad and painful, then I guess you can keep your secrets to your poor little self."

 Zarek felt the last vestiges of his composure beginning to slip away. He was too exhausted to even care anymore, but he still desperately tried to keep his anger at bay, knowing that letting his fury loose was the last thing either of them needed.

 But regardless, Vepir continued to taunt Zarek. "Let's not even mention how absolutely vulnerable you were to let yourself be sold to the black market in the first place…"

 Zarek's words were dripping with barely contained fury, even as his throat tightened with emotion. His words were growled through gritted teeth. "Don't you dare call me vulnerable," he hissed. "I'd call you an insufferable, smug bastard, but that already seemed pretty damn obvious."

 Vepir shrugged again, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. "Ah, yeah, then you'd be right."

 Zarek could feel his control slipping further away from him, lost in the muddy tangle of exhaustion and anger that consumed his mind. "You're infuriating, you know that?" He snapped. "You're infuriating, rude, and condescending, and just insufferable."

 Vepir nodded indifferently to Zarek's jabs. "Check, check, and check…"

 Zarek scoffed in disbelief. He was nearly trembling with anger, and Vepir didn't care. It was becoming clearer by the second that this incubus truly was what Zarek had feared – a stereotypical, emotionless demon who only cared about causing destruction and pain to anyone who crossed his path.

 Gods, why the Hell did I follow this prick?!

 Zarek's eyes pricked with unshed tears that he fought to hold back. He was so angry… so livid, that he felt he would snap in that moment. He had been foolish to think that there was something in Vepir that was even remotely respectable.

 "Of course, you don't care," he seethed, his voice trembling with bitter resentment. "You're an emotionless prick, who doesn't care about anyone or anything but yourself. How am I not surprised…"

 To his surprise, Vepir didn't answer. His silver eyes remained glued to the ceiling. His expression was unreadable.

 Zarek's frustration only grew as Vepir remained infuriatingly silent. More than anything, Zarek wanted to cause Vepir the same pain and turmoil he was feeling inside. But Vepir wouldn't give him that satisfaction. The incubus was as cool and collected as ever.

 "Don't give me that," he demanded. "Are you just going to sit there and keep silent, like a brooding child?? Haven't you got anything else to say? Another way to mock me??"

 Vepir sighed deeply. Zarek was thrown completely off guard at the quiet tone of resignation in the incubus's voice.

 "What do you want me to say?"

 Zarek opened his mouth to reply, a hurtful barb ready on his tongue. But the insult vanished the moment he realized that Vepir was being uncharacteristically quiet. Zarek narrowed his eyes, still staring at Vepir, but his glare was softening unexpectedly, transforming into confusion.

 What did he want Vepir to say?

 He was so used to Vepir's scornful retorts and taunting jabs that he was caught completely off guard by this new, quiet version of Vepir.

 "I…" Zarek stammered, the anger in his voice faltering. "I don't know…"

 Zarek continued to stare in confusion at Vepir. Vepir's silver eyes were focused on the ceiling above him. It was a long minute before the incubus finally responded, his voice despondent and almost… melancholy.

 "There's not a single insult that you can throw at me that'll get to me," he murmured, "because I've already heard them all. I know which ones are true."

 Zarek felt as if he were talking to a different person in that moment. The sarcastic, insufferable incubus had vanished, replaced in the blink of an eye with this new, solemn figure. Zarek took a step back, feeling shocked and disoriented, as if he had been thrown into an entirely different reality.

 Had his exhaustion finally gotten to him? Was he dreaming?

 Suddenly, Vepir huffed, his face hardening into the one that Zarek had grown used to. His voice returned seamlessly to his normal sharp tone, as if a mask had suddenly slipped on. "I mean, just…" The incubus quickly tried to recover himself from his lapse. "Just keep that in mind. You shouldn't be so damn sensitive."

 Zarek let out a shallow breath, his mind reeling from the emotional whiplash that came from witnessing Vepir switch so swiftly between two versions of himself. The vulnerability in the incubus's earlier tone was so painfully evident, but the way Vepir had so quickly dismissed his own feelings, turning it into unwarranted and crass advice, as if such vulnerability had just been a lapse in judgement…

 Zarek remembered the sleepless night he had spent awake, watching Vepir's sleeping silhouette from across the dying campfire. He had wondered, then, if Vepir was one of the few demons that experienced empathy and remorse.

 Was this some sort of sign? A hint that, behind the façade of anger and violence and mockery, there was something much more complex to Vepir's character than he would willingly let on?

 Vepir's finger tapped relentlessly against the old mattress, bringing Zarek back to the moment. He gazed at the incubus, all his anger fading at once. Suddenly, more than anything, he wanted to know the truth. He needed to know if Vepir was more than just violence and indifference.

 He hesitated for a moment, his curiosity warring inside him. He wasn't sure how Vepir responded, but his need to understand was overwhelming. He took a deep breath, his voice taking on a slightly softer tone.

 "Vepir… What's going on in that head of yours…?"

 Vepir flinched visibly. His finger froze mid-tap.

 Zarek held his breath, waiting for an answer.

 But the mask slid back into place as Vepir attempted to cover his flinch. He smirked, his finger still raised. "Oh, just… thinking about all the people I had to murder to get this cabin all to myself."

 Zarek's irritation came back to him, clashing against his curiosity. "Is that all you ever think about?" He demanded impatiently. "Death and violence and pain? Don't you ever think about anything else?"

 Vepir's smirk immediately widened. "Oh, yeah… Sex. Lots of sex."

 Zarek rolled his eyes. Though, surprisingly, Vepir's answer wasn't as irritating as he thought it would be. It seemed he was getting used to the sarcasm, if only slightly.

 "Vepir, come on," he prompted. "What's really on your mind?"

 Vepir narrowed his eyes, tearing his gaze away from the ceiling as he studied Zarek skeptically.

 Zarek took a deep breath. He had no idea how to navigate this, no clue how to truly discover what the incubus was thinking, or why Vepir's demeanor had changed so suddenly. But he had to try. "I can tell something's on your mind. Just… talk to me, for once."

 Vepir held Zarek's gaze for a moment, as if searching the other demon's expression for something.

 Then, he looked back up at the ceiling.

 "It's beautiful, isn't it…?"

 Zarek blinked, dumbfounded. "What…?"

 Slowly, Zarek's gaze followed Vepir's. He stepped closer to the bed, looking up at the ceiling above it. He inhaled sharply, gasping quietly as he saw what Vepir had been looking at.

 The wooden ceiling, though old and gray with age, was adorned with intricate carvings, each line and curve carved with care and precision by an unknown artist long ago. The sunlight from the windows, dappled with the rustling leaves outside, played across the surface of the carvings, creating shifting patterns that danced across the ceiling. He was surprised at how beautiful and detailed the carvings were, each figure and symbol meticulously crafted and filled with a life and depth that he had not noticed until now.

 Zarek slowly let out his breath, unable to look away. "Yeah, I… I guess it is beautiful…"

 Vepir fell silent, content to simply watch the lights dance across the carvings. Zarek pulled his gaze away for a moment to look down at Vepir, trying to be inconspicuous as he furrowed his brows and studied Vepir's features. It was the first time he had seen the incubus so… relaxed. Calm.

 Something stirred inside Zarek, a warmth towards Vepir that he hadn't felt before.

 The incubus was capable of emotion. It was now so painfully, blaringly obvious as Zarek watched Vepir admire the beauty in the ornate carvings above them.

 As Vepir admired the intricate ceiling, Zarek admired him, reluctantly so. As he finally tore his gaze away, back up at the ceiling, Vepir suddenly sighed. He turned, sitting up and pushing himself off the bed.

 "Just take it," Vepir acquiesced. "I know there isn't room for both of us."

 Zarek quickly took a step back as Vepir stood from the bed. His eyes, wide in disbelief, glanced between the bed and the incubus.

 "Take… what? The bed?" He asked, perplexed. "You're giving me the bed?"

 Vepir huffed in annoyance, stepping towards the fireplace in the far corner, not even looking back. "Don't make me change my mind."

 Zarek's jaw nearly dropped. This only confirmed his suspicions, without a doubt. Vepir was not like most other demons. They were alike, in that they both felt more than just the chaos and hatred that ran rampant through the blood of their demonic race. He shook his head, his exhausted mind still reeling as he tried to process this. "Why…" He took a breath, trying to calm himself. "Why are you giving me the bed? You could just as easily make me sleep on the floor if you wanted."

 Vepir smirked as he tossed a couple of nearby dusty logs into the fireplace. "I mean, we could share, if you really want to…"

 Zarek despised the rush of heat he felt in his cheeks. "No. Absolutely not. I'm not sharing a bed with you."

 Vepir chuckled, his back still to Zarek as he filled the fireplace. "Oh, come on… We've already kissed, like, three times. Doesn't that mean I get to bed you now?"

 Zarek felt his blush deepen, his body betraying him against Vepir's shameless flirting. "No – no, that's not how it works."

 Vepir laughed again, the velvety sound unbearably soothing. "Well, you could always just leave, you know."

 Zarek felt startled.

 Leave?

 Yet again, Vepir was freely handing him the opportunity to walk away.

 Zarek hesitated, gritting his teeth. He had already made this decision before. Was Vepir hoping he would take the opportunity and simply walk away?

 Did Zarek even want to walk away now, knowing that there was so much more complexity beneath Vepir's tough surface?

 He already knew the answer. Kaldryn had always told him that his curiosity would get the better of him someday, overriding his intellect. But even though he knew his answer already, Zarek felt guarded. He didn't know if he should so enthusiastically agree to stay, not when Vepir was still so volatile.

 "I… I don't know," he managed to stammer. "I should just… I should just leave, right?"

 Vepir huffed, a dry humorless chuckle escaping him. His voice grew even more somber and cold. "Right. You should. You should leave, and forget that any of this ever happened."

 Zarek looked at the incubus, who was sitting casually in front of the fireplace, not even daring to glance over his shoulder at the lesser demon. And yet, even through the incubus's cold and indifferent tone, Zarek could almost see the tension in Vepir's shoulders, his muscles tense as he waited for Zarek's answer.

 "I… I suppose I could stay for a bit…"

 Vepir flinched, his head whirling around to look at Zarek over his shoulder. His silver eyes flashed with suspicion as they locked with Zarek's, making his heart skip a beat. The incubus's entire body was tense, and it was almost like Zarek could visibly see his guard shifting into place around him.

 Vepir's heart raced, but there was no possibility of letting it show. As he gazed into Zarek's eyes, his mind raced with floods of mistrust and doubt. This lesser demon that he had so callously purchased as a slave for his own use… wanted to stay? The thought sparked a plethora of unexpected, infuriatingly unwelcome feelings in him, but his expression remained cool and calculated, a defense that had been trained and disciplined heavily into him.

 He turned back to the fire, silently cursing himself for showing such a sudden response. He could feel his mask slipping effortlessly back into place, his voice indifferent.

 "Whatever you say."