The Monster Within

Voyeur

Hollis tried to whip her gaze to the darkened tree line, panic coursing through her, taking all the butterflies and exhilaration of a few moments ago with it.

"Shh," Oberon hushed, voice gentle, keen eyes scanning their surroundings with precision. Once they fell back to hers, she could see his mind was set on a task.

"Follow my lead, and do not move when I leave you, understand?" came his deep voice as he cupped her cheek again.

"Obe—"

Before she could finish her fearful question, he lifted her, gripping handfuls of her butt and wrapping her legs around his hips. She swallowed, knowing he could hear it at the small smirk on his sculpted lips.

"Put your arms around me," he said, and she obeyed, limbs trembling.

"I will not let him get to you. He is weak," he sneered, walking them to where the horses were snorting and shifting restlessly—even they could sense the presence of a threat. Hollis felt annoyance more than anything, now, for her own senses were weak and did nothing to help them.

Between the horses he walked, silent as a ghost through the trees and still night air. He set her down, ensuring she was steady before releasing her.

"Stay here, he cannot see. I will double around," he said, and she nodded up at him, lips parting, face still flushed from whatever he'd been about to do to her a few moments ago. He chuckled, leaning down to trail his nose along the length of her neck, and she shivered despite the warmth of the evening, leaning into his fiery touch, her mind forgetting all about the threat lurking in the darkness.

"You are not ready yet for what I'd do to you, Hollis," he whispered, his words a promise. She felt her breath hitch in her throat, wishing to argue that it was her choice on the matter, when she felt his lips kiss her forehead.

"But there are other things you're quite eager for, and I will gladly indulge you once I rid our camp of this voyeur."

And with that, he disappeared, leaving her a shaking, sweaty mess. Pressing a hand to her forehead, she leaned against Winston, his side sturdy and reassuring. He gave a huff as Tyr nipped at him, always the pest. She patted Tyr, giving him the attention he desired as her overwrought mind calmed, focusing in on any noise she was able to decipher.

She was surprised in herself, that she hadn't been afraid of another person so nearby. Perhaps it was the confident air Oberon exuded, and the fact that she had now witnessed his indestructible nature more than once. That, coupled with the confirmation that he wasn't fully human all pointed to her reassurance that she was safe from any foe.

She trembled, a vision of vivid red flashing in her mind's eye.

She knew she could defend herself, too, if necessity arose, but that violence was not something she sought openly, as her companion did. She lurched as his booming voice erupted from somewhere on her left, sending nested birds scattering into the night, their wings loud as the rush of wind.

"You!"

Her chest deflated in an instant. He knew whoever was watching them? Worried and curious, she pushed Tyr aside, making her way to the campfire as two figures emerged from the trees, one hulking, one smaller, but both men.

His golden, seething eyes seared into hers.

"I told you to stay put," he said, gripping the jacket of the man from the grocery store. Hollis' heart leapt into her throat, a defensive aura overcoming her.

"He was...he was the guy from the store," she said, voice quiet in comparison to his. The man gave her a pleading look, deep brown eyes now black, face pale and frightened, glasses askew.