Tethered to You (Alastor X OC)

Ch 15

Alastor's POV

I stared at the amber liquid in my glass.

Ever since Ariel showed me that tombstone...that grave...

I can't think straight.

She was never meant to make a deal with the devil. She was never meant to damn her soul.

Inside, my heart feels like it's shattering. Shattering because of the decision I'm about to make.

I stared at what would normally be a well written contract signed in blood...I stared at the small piece of paper with a poorly drawn pentagram on it...

The very small fingerprint...the fingerprint that meant her soul belongs to me.

But I don't want it, not anymore...

I haven't for a while now...

I gently folded the paper, tucking it into my front pocket. Then I slid my coat on.

I brought my glass up to my lips and took a long drink of the abrasive liquid. The whiskey burned my throat, but it grounded me.

Never, not once in the nearly 100 years I've been in power have I ever let a soul go.

But none have been so captivating as her...

None have made me smile so genuinely...

Her laugh alone could bring me to my knees, and I hate it...

But I love her.

So, for once in my life, for once in my death, I'm going to put myself second.

With the snap of my fingers I was in her apartment.

She froze, but as soon as she saw it was me she relaxed and pushed the small vaccum away from her, dusting her hands off.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" She asked with a bright smile.

Oh darling...I'm so sorry. Please, please forgive me...

I had to swallow the lump in my throat, and put on a smile for her. I couldn't fall apart now.

No part of me understood why this was so difficult. Why letting her go was so hard.

I took a few steps towards her, afraid if I spoke I may unravel. She didn't need to see that...I can do that in private.

But I cursed our connection the moment her smile faltered.

"Is everything ok? You look like you've seen a ghost, Alastor," her voice was worried.

"Darling..." I took a deep breath, "come...sit, I have something I need to talk to you about."

Her nervous stare made my heart clench, but she sat on the couch anyway. She trusts me.

She trusts me...

I sat next to her, and pulled my coat back so I could reach into my front pocket.

I pulled out the little piece of paper.

"Do you remember...the day you summoned me?" I asked.

She nodded, "yes...I do, why?"

"Well, here's our contract..." I unfolded it, and showed her the drawing, and she smiled.

"Wow, how official," she chuckled and I would have laughed given any other situation. She noticed my quietness, and her look grew worried.

"What's...what's wrong?" Her voice was small. Scared.