Always Hate Me

23. Power in Pain

Ryder sat on the floor of his room, his head in his hands. This couldn't be happening. Not again. He raised his head and stared up at the ceiling, sweat gleaming on his forehead. Gritting his teeth, he raised his hand - palm up. A small flame of blue fire flickered on his hand – it trembled weakly, like a petal in the wind. Ryder grunted in effort, the veins standing flush in his neck.

"Ergh-ahh!" He groaned- the fragile flame flickered before sputtering out. Ryder crumpled forward, panting for breath. His powers – why were they weakening?

*

"How long do you intend to live here?" Lucjan asked. For the past two nights Chloe hadn't come back to the complex, though he'd waited for her. Now he stood in her office and quickly registered the situation. Her clothes were crumpled, her hair messily tied up and turning greasy at the roots and, judging by her desk, she'd been napping at it between mugfuls of coffee.

"I'm working," Chloe replied stiffly. It was the middle of the night and the entire floor of the building was deserted save for them.

"You're avoiding me," he countered. Chloe got up to make another coffee, rubbing her stiff neck as she did so.

"If you knew, why did you come here?" Take the hint.

Lucjan scowled and replied sarcastically.

"To enjoy your delightful company."

The kettle bubbled noisily, cutting some of the tension in the room.

"I've given up on having you followed. Though, I'm sure you know that." She poured herself a steaming mug and returned to her chair.

Lucjan sat down on the edge of the desk in front of her, infuriatingly close.

"Any progress with your work?"

"Next to none."

"I could help."

"Hmm," Chloe studied him, dubious.

"Tell me where you're stuck. I might have some ideas."

"To distract me?"

"To spend time with you."

He leant forward and blew across her coffee, cooling it. Chloe stiffened, wary of the impish glint in his eye. Flashbacks of their hook-up crossed her mind and she surreptitiously crossed her legs. 

She set down the mug of coffee without taking a sip. "Do I make you uncomfortable?"

"Deeply. You have always have. Though, I'm less scared of your than I was." 

"You never needed to fear me. I was always your friend."

"Why?" Chloe questioned, genuinely curious. Why did he treat her so differently to how he did anyone else? 

Lucjan considered his answer.

"At first it was your smell," he admitted, "your candy-scented blood."

A shiver skated down Chloe's spine. "It grabbed my attention. But then it was your strangeness."

Lucjan's gaze became distant as he remembered. "Your air of mystery. I listened to your conversations and you were so vague about your past. Even simple questions didn't seem simple for you. It made me curious. So, it was then that I approached you," he grinned at the memory – revealing his fangs that had partially extended. "And I encountered your hostility."

"My hostility?"

"You were so outrageously angry at me." He concluded, as if it made sense. Chloe stared at him, wondering if she was missing something. "When are you coming home?" He asked, changing the topic. Chloe scowled. She looked around the room. It wasn't like she could stay living here forever. She needed access to a shower. And a bed.

"I should speak with the housing group."

"They'll ignore your pleas," Lucjan asserted confidently. Chloe glared at him. "Come home," he entreated, softening his tone.

"I'm happier here," she lied, "and I'm very busy."

Lucjan shook his head, frustrated, but also gloriously entertained.

**

Ryder swept down Gomorrah's thoroughfare. He wore the coat he'd stolen from Giovanni, the cut sharp and fashionable. It flapped out behind him and he pulled up the emerald colour, enjoying the feel of the expensive material. His blonde hair ruffled in the breeze and female heads turned lustily to follow him.

He entered Zodiac square from the north and quickly scanned the crowded area. Devi was sat waiting for him, as they'd arranged, perched at the foot of the newly carved fountain. A stone statue of the Father loomed protectively over her – staring blankly out in Ryder's direction. Ryder flexed his wrist. A smouldering ember of blue fire kindled on his palm – but it quickly died and Ryder let the remaining tiny grains of ash flutter harmlessly away.

There was something he needed to try. He marched across the square - his expression grim.

"Crevan!" Devi called out happily, spotting his approach. It had been a couple weeks since she'd heard anything from him, honestly - she'd been getting anxious. She got up quickly, ready for Ryder's arms.

He embraced her, resting his cheek against her smooth hair. "Is everything alright? You left so suddenly last time."

"Everything is fine." He flexed his palm before pressing his hand flat against her back. Devi cried out as a stab of pain sliced through her.

Ryder let her go and Devi hunched over, rubbing her back. She grimaced – wondering where the shooting pain had come from. Ryder furtively summoned a ball of blue flame. It kindled easily and brightly, burning cold. Ryder closed his hand, extinguishing it and composed his handsome face. So, his power was still restricted it seemed. It hadn't returned as fully as he'd hoped.

For a limited time, he had full access to his power without needing to touch her – but it was Devi's pain that sparked it. Would he have it for longer, the worse he hurt her?

 As Devi mumbled about her back, Ryder idly patted her head. It was an unsettling dilemma. He needn't be Devi's false lover anymore - he could work on his plans more effectively as her tormentor instead.

Should he do it? Should he abduct Devi Summan and lock her away? He could cage and hurt her just as he had every warlock he'd ever trained. He could turn his weakness into his prisoner. She would hate him, but...

she couldn't go on loving him forever.