My Demon

Chapter 4

Will turned quietly, almost not believing his eyes as the smiling figure walked towards him.

"I figured it would be easier to meet this way."

"..You're... no."

The figure gave a soft, calm chuckle. "Yes. I am."

He wanted to just rush over to the silver haired figure. To embrace him, and never let go. But this situation set him on edge.

"Jem... You died." As if to prove it to himself, he touched the faded rune on his arm.

"Technically yes, I did. But all based on relativity, on the contrary I could say the same for you." James stepped closer, the grin never leaving his face. "I can sense it, you know. The human, the mundane part of you is gone William. You've been... taken over. As have I, only, now it seems we are truly opposites. Seems familiar to those Holy Stories we read as children, hm?"

"Cain and Abel." Will said quietly, looking at him. That would mean that Jem was-

"Yes, William, do keep up. A demon." The smirk turned darker. Jem always knew what he was thinking.

"How?" Was all the dark haired boy could say.

"Much like you and your angelic power, the yin fen took over my body. When I died, it kept me alive. My soul is gone. I am finally free of all those feelings."

Will shook his head. "Free? James, what about us? What about Charlotte and Jessamine and...everyone back at the institute? What about me?" He moved closer to him, wanting to reach out and touch him. Wanted to hold him in his arms once again. Jem's skin was even more pale, his teeth appearing almost jagged, and with a closer look, Will could confirm that they were. Easy enough to rip apart flesh with ease. And his eyes. The gorgeous silver that he had grown to love gazing into was now filled with black. There were no whites, only a pit darkness.

Before he could even touch him, he was receiving a sharp kick in the gut. He stumbled slightly back, coughing a little as he glanced up at him.

"So terribly sorry, William," Jem replied, sarcasm that Will had never heard before laced in his voice. "But unlike you, I'm no longer weak. I no longer have to care." He smiled. "And it feels glorious. Now come on and fight me. Let's end this once and for all. Know which side would truly win."

The dark haired boy stared at him, straightening. Both of them drew their blades, but Will shook his head, chucking his to the ground with a clatter.

"No. I'm not hurting you."

Jem laughed. A dark, sadistic laugh. "Always so sentimental, Herondale." Grabbing Will by the front of his shirt, he threw him into a bookshelf like it was nothing. He supposed Jem was also stronger. The bookcase wobbled as her caught his footing, righting himself and shaking his head.

"You don't have to do this, James. You can still redeem yourself..." Once more receiving a sharp blow to the face, he felt his nose bleed slightly.

"Pick up your sword and fight me, Will! Stop trying to play the hero! It will get you nowhere." Jem growled. Raising an arm, he chucked the knife in his hand, hitting Will's shoulder as the other boy grimaced. In quick succession, Jem was advancing on him, kicking out his knees as he collapsed to the ground, holding up no resistance.

Jem crouched, grabbing his curls, lifting his face to look into the dark blue eyes. "Fight me, William."

"No." Came the short reply, much to the demon's aggravation. Kicking into his ribs, he turned, walking away. Will coughed, pulling himself up from the ground, looking at the other's back.

"I love you, James. I will not hurt you. You may destroy me, tear me limb from limb, ruin me. I will never do anything that would hurt you. This isn't the James I know. I know you're in there... somewhere. Come back to me, Jem."

The silver haired boy scoffed, shaking his head. "That person is long gone. And good riddance."

Will moved slowly over to him, taking hold of his shoulder. The flinch he felt gave him hope. Jem may know him better than anyone else, but he knew Jem like they were one in the same.

"Jem..." He started.

"NO!" Whirling around, Jem hit him hard in the jaw. He could taste blood, spitting it out and looking at the other, who was fuming by now. "Stop with this nonsense, brother!"

Of all the things in the world, it was these words that got him to smile. "..You called me brother." He pulled him into a tight hug, grinning happily. That was of course, until he felt the knife pierce his abdomen, driven in with a brutal force.

"Sentimental."