Haunted Hearts

Chapter 16*

The grandeur of the history museum's entrance unfolded before us like a story waiting to be told. Towering columns, weathered by the passage of time, stood sentinel on either side, their intricate carvings bearing silent witness to the centuries of human endeavor. The massive bronze doors, adorned with intricate designs depicting scenes from antiquity, beckoned visitors to step into a realm where the past intertwined with the present.
Before today, I had never been in this museum before, because I didn't know it existed.
I had never seen it before.
Even the weather felt a little... different.

I turned to find the demon beside me, his gaze fixed upon the museum with a faint, enigmatic smile playing upon his lips. Unlike his usual demeanor, there was no hint of malice in his expression, no wicked glint in his eyes. It was an unexpected sight, witnessing him in such a state of tranquility. Like he was breathing in his surroundings with ease. Relaxed even.
And I couldn't help but wonder if maybe this was his favorite place.

The sunlight bathed his features, casting a subtle radiance upon his skin, and that was when I realized, I noticed he wasn't dressed in the black suit he was wearing at the coffee shop.
Instead, he wore a simple black shirt and pants, which only served to emphasize the powerful contours of his physique. His muscles fitting perfectly inside the shirt. Without the layers of fabric, his strength was undeniable. Unconsciously, I bit my lip.
As my gaze traced the lines of his arms, I couldn't help but be drawn to the intricate tattoos adorning his skin, each one a mysterious symbol of his past. I've never seen any like them. But they didn't stop in their arms, they were full sleeves going all the way to his chest and neck—

"I'll show you mine if you show me yours," he remarked, his voice smooth and compelling, breaking the silence that enveloped us.

I snarled. "Get. Out. Of. My. Head." I retorted, feeling a surge of irritation at his intrusion.

He turned to face me, his expression unreadable. "I thought you were speaking aloud," he replied calmly. "It's not my fault your thoughts are so vivid."

Trying my best to calm down I turned my sight to the museum again. But it was no use. I was so annoyed. I was so angry at him. At me. At everything.

I bared my teeth at him. "You could've at least healed him!" I practically screamed at him before I even realized the words slipped from my mouth. I flinched for a second thinking that maybe he would punish me for my foolishness. But to my surprise, he only grinned. White teeth flashing as he rolled his neck and stretched like a lion under the sun, "And what would be the fun in that?" He asked but his grin turned sinister, turning into a cruel mockery of a smile.

I curled my fists so tight to my sides that I could feel my nails perforating my skin. I tried not to think about the blinding pain from my hands when I finally managed to I spat out, "What is wrong with you?" And I turned away from him.
I was so done with being nice. So done with being scared. So done with this demonic entity. So done with... everything.

In a blink, he appeared in front of me, yet again. Practically towering over me. "Plenty of things." He murmured, as he leaned in to add into my ear, "Relax, little Morgue. He'll live."

I flared my nostrils, "You healed me but you can't do the same for him?" My sarcastic laugh was anything but nice, "You are a monster." I snarled at him.

And for a second there, I could've sworn something else than amusement flashed through his eyes. Surprise? Wonder? Hurt? I wasn't sure, but in an instant it was gone and his nonchalant demeanor came back. "Healing him, will cost you." He sang his words with his piercing blue eyes still glued to mine.

My gaze went to the sky, "you already have everything." I was so done. "You already have me in the palm of your hand." And I was so tired, "What else could you possibly need from me?" I said softly.
Feeling so absolutely defeated.