Verity (Mavi)

XI

amica mea = my love
columba = dove (nigra = black)

Ruina Columba in Latin translates directly to "the collapse of a dove" and I'm so in love with that

...I should've made that the name of the book...

-

When he returned to Mitch's room, he wasn't expecting the boy to actually be meditating.

He was sitting cross legged on the floor against the bed with his hands placed gently across his knees, with a completely relaxed expression on his tear-streaked face. His breathing was even and deep, and when Avriel took a peek into his mind, he was surprised to find that the rush of thoughts in his mind was reduced to a quiet hum.

Not only that, but the potent energy that always buzzed off him was even purer than it was before, and twice as strong. It made Avriel feel hungrier than he had in years -- he could only imagine what he could do with an energy like that, and he was itching for a taste.

Like a switch went off in Mitch's mind, he jerked his head towards where Avriel was waiting and bowed his head.

Master.

The thought was so and loud and crystal clear and calm compared to earlier that Avriel had to smile contentedly.

Hello, pet, he thought back. It seems as though meditation's done you some good. He was impressed that Mitch was already able to sense him just by his presence; he wasn't expecting that response for another month or so. After the demon taught him how.

Mitch hummed out loud as confirmation. It's like I'm in a whole new world. I guess my senses were a distraction.

The demon had to blink a few times to make sure he wasn't just imagining it, but shook his head anyway. He'd ignored the fact that Mitch had actually meditated in the past; isn't that what he was going to do when Avriel first introduced himself, after all?

He remained silent while he considering what was actually going on here, so Mitch screwed his face up in displeasure. I'm sorry, master.

He still kept silent. Was this some kind of ploy? There was no way his prize was broken in in less than nine hours of total silence.

He heard a rush of panic in Mitch's mind, but the boy took a deep breath to calm himself again. I have to pee really badly and my ass hurts and I was scared for so long and -- he tried to cut his own thoughts off just as soon as Avriel rose an eyebrow, but they became so flurried that he could barely focus again.

The demon smiled softly. What have you learned, little one?

Mitch kept his head bowed, but to Avriel's surprise, he shifted onto his knees in the most submissive pose the demon's ever seen. I cried for a few hours. I was so scared of you, but then I was scared without you, and I worried that you wouldn't come back. But then... His thoughts were rushed again, and this time, he couldn't refocus.

"I realized that it didn't matter," he finally spoke aloud, his voice broken and hoarse and shaky from crying. It was louder than it should've been, but Avriel was too entranced in the words he's been waiting to hear for a week to care. "I mean... If you weren't coming back, then you weren't coming back. It shouldn't matter to me."

Avriel grinned, but he continued anyway.

"I-I don't think that I wanted to admit it, but... You clearly want me to. So I will."