From the Heart of a Villain (MxM)

Chapter 4 - Pressing Matters

The bunched-up clothes were thrown on the counter as Brett made his way to turn the shower on. Samael stood in the corner, still hidden behind an extra dimension while Brett stared at his reflection in the fogging mirror. He was concerned for Brett because his energy felt strangely different again. The energy was as calm as it had been on the bridge, but it was not warm or inviting. Brett's energy felt like laying at the bottom of the deepest ocean trench. Cold and empty, yet surrounded by immense pressure. Samael cloaked himself in Brett's energy in an attempt to understand his emotions. He felt sick and craved fast relief from the weight of it all but he didn't want to let go of it either. Samael was determined to understand this human, so he continued to wear his energy like an itchy and aesthetically displeasing turtleneck.

        The back of Brett's neck began to bead with sweat and the rate of his breathing increased. He rummaged through the blue coat among his pile of clothes for a small vial containing a clear liquid and a sterile needle and syringe. Samael didn't expect this from a seemingly innocent young man like Brett. Then again, this human was full of surprises. At least he was smart enough to use sterile equipment.

        Samael felt conflicted again like he did last night when David slipped a pill into his drink. When a human used a drug, it changed the energy they emitted. The degree of change depended on the drug's specific effects on the mind and body. Drugs made it difficult for Samael to judge a person's true nature because the energy they gave off was not actually true, a mascaraed for one's true self. Samael could not allow this to interfere with his investigation of Brett, so he made sure to intervene this time. When Brett reached for the syringe, he made a loud knock on the door that made Brett jump back from the counter in surprise.

        "Damnit Joey, wait your turn!" Brett said with a hostile tone.

        Samael was proud of himself for interfering inconspicuously because Brett shoved the needle and vial back into his blue coat. He tore off his t-shirt and jeans, then dropped his underpants and socks to step into the steamy shower. 

        Samael was fixed on the water that ran over his tightly closed eyes and down his perfectly stubbled cheeks to his neatly defined shoulders. He was tempted to reach out and trace the tattoo over Brett's chest of a wooden cross that carried a beautiful white dove. The artwork suited him very well, and Samael wondered if there was a mystery to be solved behind it as well.

        His focus trailed lower down Brett's body to his tight abdomen. The outlines of his muscles danced as he moved his hands over his body to wash himself. Admittedly, the package below the belt was not so bad either. Samael imagined what kind of sensations Brett's body would bring in bed and it took great courage not to give in to his desires. Then, to Samael's disappointment, the human stepped out as swiftly as he had stepped in and his fine region was covered by a white towel.

        Frustrated, Samael was forced to clean up his thoughts as Brett finished getting ready to leave. He stood in the hallway as a fully clothed Brett ran into his bedroom with the blue coat and came back out with his courier bag. He followed the human down the stairs and out the front door, too fast to notice if his father was still in the living room. Leaving the front steps, Brett checked his cell phone and huffed before taking off in a sprint down the sidewalk. Samael was ready to follow when he heard a familiar voice in his head.

       Come to your apartment. Marzanna.

       Right now?

       Yes, it's important.

       Observing Brett at work was going to have to wait.

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