STRANGULATE | Markicest

12 | THE TEAR STEALER

Red eyes gleamed from the same window, eager and in waiting for the human's arrival.

    Dark's fingers lightly tapped behind his back, ticking with impatience. His usual robes dripped down his body like black wax, the silver clasp around his neck tighter. Behind him, the door knocked, and he muttered a curt, "Come in."

    Xilef carefully made his way into the room, pure-black eyes examining the Tear Stealer's figure.

    "Once it's dark, we'll go downstairs," he said. A pause fell between them, and Xilef's eyes swept down Dark's frame. "You're at unease. Why?"

    The Tear Stealer lingered, biting his tongue. Xilef took a step closer, leaning against the window to block most of his view.

    "I'm your friend, Dark," he said. "Is this human really a threat?"

    Dark glanced over at Xilef, shoulders falling as he sighed. "Cibil showed me more than just the attack," he said hesitantly. Xilef tensed at that, assuming the worst. "I—"

    He huffed, sitting on the ledge of the window, skin prickling at his friend's intense gaze. His brows furrowed as he mulled over the next words.

    "Xilef," he said softly, pausing for a while. He swallowed, gazing at the floor. "Do you think humans and Evolveds could ever... live peacefully with one another?"

    Xilef's brows furrowed. "I thought we already do."

    The Tear Stealer shook his head. "No, no, I mean... I mean with each other. In the same homes, the same relationships, whether that be—friends or even..."

    The Aurist's brows slowly rose as he realized what Dark was trying to say. "I... that idea's preposterous. Humans and Evolveds—living together? Why, we'd kill them."

    Dark worried at his bottom lip, lacing his fingers together.

    "I want to tell you something," he said, glancing over at Xilef with gleaming red eyes, "that you can't tell anyone else. Not a damn soul."

    The Aurist nodded, eyes focused. "Of course," he said softly, and Dark took a deep breath, fingers clenching and unclenching.

    "When I spoke with Cibil," he breathed, "she showed me a future." He swallowed, wringing his hands together. "A future with the human."

    Xilef blinked, eyes widening, but stayed silent.

    "And," his brows furrowed, "as someone of my stature—falling for a human." He shook his head. "The possibility's insane. I-impossible, even."

    Dark glanced over at Xilef, whose face remained vacant.

    "Cibil tells the truth," said the Aurist after a while. "She may have gotten satisfaction from seeing your reaction, but she cannot lie about the future."

    Dark returned his gaze to the floor. "Maybe I should just kill him," he said quietly. "He's only a human."

    Xilef shrugged, gently shaking his head. "Cibil doesn't give more than promised unless it's vital information," he said. "We'll have to see how things play out."

    The Tear Stealer huffed, standing and collecting himself again. "Thank you, Xilef," he sighed. He glanced out the window, finding the sun setting below the horizon. "Let's get ready."

    Xilef stood with a nod, and they left the room to prepare for tonight's attack.

———

Mark double-checked his pockets as the garage-door opened and the car rumbled to life.

    Knife, syringe, steel cord, vial...