Death's Stigma (NanoWriMo14)

Chapter 22

When Grim got back to the sanctuary he flopped onto the couch. Nadia transformed back into a person but Grim hadn't moved her so she was sitting on his back.

"I'd complain but I don't have the energy to care."

"If your regenerative powers sapped your strength that much you should probably be dead." Death said.

"Yeah he should, but luckily he has me and Myst."

Nadia popped into the kitchen and threw a protein shake onto him.

"Thank you." He said his voice muffled by the coushin.

"Who was it this time?" Death asked.

"Corvina."

"The Reaper Eater, she's killed two Reapers and their partners. She will be a welcomed addition to your collection."

"And I'll handle that in the morning." Grim drained his drink and went into the room he claimed for himself. He flopped onto the bed still dressed and tried to sleep.

...

He woke up gasping for breath as the clock hit midnight. The nightmare played over and over in his head. He ripped off his jacket and tossed his sweat soaked shirt away. He splashed cold water on his face at the sink and steadied his breath. A wave of nausea rolled over him and he threw up. In the main room Nadia was sitting on the couch with a glass of wine trying to think about something other than Grim's moans and wretching.

"His walls are starting to crack." Death said pouring himself a glass of bourbon. "Soon he won't be able to hold them up alone."

Nadia waited but he said nothing else and left. Grim wandered into the room and grabbed a random bottle of the shelves. He was going to start drinking but instead let it fall out of his hand.

"And my body can metabolise poisons so I can't even get fucking wasted anymore."

"Grim, are you okay?"

"No, no I'm not okay. No matter what I do I can't stop seeing the faces. Elizabeth, Katie, Kelly, James, all of them suffering because of me. I just want it to stop."

"Then look at mine." She grabbed his chin and tilted his head down. Gently she brushed her lips against his. She cupped his face and kissed him deeper. His lips were rough and patchy from him chewing on it. At first he resisted but Nadia wrapped her arms around his neck. There was no lust, no desire, just need, the need to have someone to hold you up. He lifted her up and returned the favor. She leaned him back into his room and pushed him onto the bed. She left a trail of kisses down his neck and sat up. She let her robe slide off revealing the magic glyphs drawn on her body. They ran from her neck to her hips and wrapped around her shoulder blades.

"We'll never have to walk alone again."

The nightmares faded from his mind as he embraced his partner. The dread that surrounded his heart was lifted.

...

Grim woke up more relaxed than he had been in months. Nadia lay next to him her head nuzzled against his neck and one arm across his chest. He carefully slid out of bed and got dressed. The feather was still lying in his pocket. He slipped into the main room and sat cross legged on the floor. He gripped the feather and when Corvina materialized she was chained like the others. The power surge was just as strong as the others and his body locked up.

"That never gets old." Myst said.

"No, it doesn't."

"What the hell just happened?" Nadia said coming out of Grim's room. "Felt like someone plugged me into a light socket."

"I added Corvina to the collection."

"Warn me next time please." She huffed and went back into the room to get changed.

"So what does this one let you do." Myst asked.

"I think I have an idea, but we'll test it in a minute." Nadia came back out adjusting her eyepatch. "Time to go." She transformed and they left. The binding circle flashed and his coat shimmered. The black cloth split and tore into two ragged wings that folded to his back. One powerful flap launched him into the air. He spun upwards and landed on a gargoyle that decorated the churches bell tower.

"Time to find number four." Grim said. He leapt into the air and shot off towards the school. A flash of yellow below caught his attention. He let himself drop and smashed into the roof in front of the Demon. "Sup Fulcrim."

"Grim! It's good to see you again." He said nervously.

"I'll make it quick."

"Wait Grim, don't kill me. I was forced to lure you into the trap."

"Funny, Corvina told me something else."

"No!" Fulcrim said turning to run. Grim swung and hooked Fulcrim by the leg. He dragged him back and lopped off his head. He punted it off the roof and it soared through the air. It reached the edge of the school and was incinerated. A ring of ashes and charred corpses surrounded the school.

"This just got a lot more interesting."

Hey everyone, sorry it's been taking so long for updates to come out. I've just been uninspired and haven't felt like writing lately. As always feel free to leave me a comment.