Always Hate Me

15. Without You

Ryder turned sharply, in time to face the right direction. Something dropped from the balcony above and landed with a heavy thud in front of them, causing the statues to tremble. It rose from a crouch to its full height, eye-level with them. Devi tensed, cringing into Ryder. It was monstrous. 

The thing shrieked, the eye-watering sound piercing as it reverberated around the chamber. It hadn't expected residence. But then it hadn't known what it was up against. Ryder wasn't an opponent that many were prepared for. Cautiously it backed up, sizing up the shield of blue fire that Ryder had created. 

Devi stared at Ryder. The fire crackled painlessly around Ryder's fingers. As she watched, it coiled into the shape of a whip and lashed out suddenly, wrapping around the monster's neck. Ryder pulled, bringing the thing down to its knees. It writhed, burning its hands with every attempt to free itself and the stench of burning flesh made Devi's stomach sicken. 

"How are you doing that?" Devi questioned- her voice hoarse. She'd thought that Ryder's magic was weak. 

"Must be fear and adrenaline." Ryder lied, his eyes tight. 

Devi considered this. It did seem like he was afraid, since he was still holding onto her – as if his life depended on it.

"Well don't stop." 

Devi made to step forward, to approach the thing – but Ryder held her back.

"Don't go."

She couldn't, Ryder's grip on her was shackling her wrist. She stopped attempting to pull away and instead, put a soothing hand on Ryder's chest. 

The creature slumped forward, mewling feebly. 

"What do you think it is?" It looked human in features – with recognisable two eyes, nose and mouth. But the skin was reptilian and... it moved too much. The skin seemed to writhe and slither -it was hard to tell what was limb and what was... snake. Or snakes would be more accurate. Perhaps...

But there seemed to be no head of the snake -or end of its body- as it twisted and swelled.

The thing lunged suddenly. Ryder pulled Devi to him, wrapping an arm around her in a protective hug. Face pressed against Ryder's firm chest -Devi couldn't see Ryder's eyes. If she had, she might have read the cold depth in them. He wasn't scared like he was pretending to be. For perhaps the first time since his resurrection – he was exhilarated. He felt alive.

Brilliant blue flames shot out from Ryder's mouth. The monster shrieked, engulfed by the fire. In pain, it danced, its hideous face contorted in its final death mask. Ryder's bared his teeth, his expression feral. With fierce triumph, he watched the creature fall and once it had - silent at last - he let the flames die completely away. Devi twisted and looked under Ryder's arm, in time to see the ashen husk remaining before that too began to crumble. 

"You...you killed it."

Ryder coached his expression to appear shocked.

"I've never done anything like that before," he lied.

"Crevan." Devi beamed. "You're amazing!" She swung their still interlocked hands in the space between them and Ryder's lips twitched - as he struggled to suppress his amusement.