Silver Skin

51

Dealing with devils
~
Rexton
~

"Cole, I asked you to preserve Tristan's body, did you do that?"

Escorting Cole to his chambers proved to be quite the task. Not because of the bad limp that dragged him at a slow and sluggish pace. Not his unreturned affection for Erisa that made him want to get another beating and return to her.

But because he couldn't stop chewing Rexton's ear off with silly mumblings that dragged out their long trip to the other side of the castle.

The guards snickered and judged Cole as they crossed their path. Cole challenged them with the same disdain ... by flipping them all off with a swollen bruised finger. The guards laughed harder.

It travelled quickly through the grapevine. Everyone knew why Cole looked like this. They knew Adriana got to him.

Still, Cole managed to walk in stride with his head pinned straight ahead without faltering, just a faint and pained limp.

Rexton gave a once over glance at Cole. He hadn't completely fallen yet. He had that relentless and feverish lycanthropy curse that triumphed his survival.

"His body is preserved, yes. It's hidden somewhere in the castle where no one goes. Why do you ask?" Cole asked, clutching his side.

"I want to know, is all," Rexton answered loosely. "Is he protected?"

"He is. I did as you said," Cole responded.

Rexton nodded, pleased. And thankful. Thankful to Cole.

If it wasn't for him, Rexton was positive Tristan's body would have been rotting away or worse. Rexton didn't want to think of the possibilities, he only wanted to dream a sweet, long-lasting dream.

Them all being free. All basking in the liberation Rexton will grant them. That was his greatest dream and it would be accomplished.

"I tried," Rexton uttered breathlessly and looked down, feeling his eyes became damper.

Rexton could feel the bruised and swollen eyes of Cole's squint ever so slightly.

"Dude, I think that's all you've been doing."

Rexton brushed him off with the shake of the head. "No, I tried with you. I tried to come after you before Adriana could."

"You did?"

Surprised. Cole was surprised about this.

Rexton gathered he would be. After all, who had ever come to Cole's aid unless it was to serve their own selfish purposes? Who had ever helped Cole when he needed saving?

No one could come to Rexton's mind. "I tried to,"

"Why? Why would you do that?" Cole questioned suspiciously and tried to keep up with Rexton.

Rexton slowed his pace and backtracked, scanning Cole curiously. He wasn't receiving the news well. Cole believed there was underlying factor of deception at play. He was used to this. He wasn't in tune with his emotion, even if he felt so much.

He wasn't used to others emotions. How could he? He was surrounded by ghosts possessing bodies to live. He was shrouded by meat suits that thrived in the catch, the hunt and the kill.

Cole felt passion, infatuation and the overwhelming urge to protect. He felt it. He didn't think others could feel it toward him.

"Why wouldn't I?" Rexton countered and stared through Cole's bruises and broken skin. "You have lost your way and for yourself — for yourself, Cole, I hope you find it."