The Tear Stealer stood in front of Antinstine, his fingers twitching under his black robes. His heels clicked against the stone floor in distaste, and his eyes burned holes into Anti's smug, slyly-moving figure.

    "Let me guess," said Anti with a fanged grin, running his sharp claws against the stone walls. The music from the club, X Amani, was only a dull pound in the floor, pulsing like a heartbeat. "You're going back on your favor."

    The muscles in Dark's jaw twitched, and he closed his eyes for a moment, fists clenching under his robes.

    "No," he said firmly, voice low and echoing throughout the stone room. He straightened himself, suppressing his pride. "I came here for another favor."

    Anti rose his brows, and he burst into laughter, nails screeching against the wall. "Another?" he cackled, staring at the Tear Stealer in disbelief. "What, is your little mansion not good enough for you? The local Evolveds too weak for you?"

    Dark's took a deep breath and huffed, eye twitching at his jeers.

    "I want to speak with Cibil again," he said.

    Anti's eyes flashed, and he growled, walking up to Dark and standing feet away from him. His presence bled into the Tear Stealers', hot and humid, sparking with electricity.

    "She gave you more than what we agreed on the first time," hissed Anti, teeth bared. Dark said nothing, holding his ground, and Anti clicked his tongue in distaste.

    "No," said Antinstine. "I won't allow it."

    Dark bristled, and his eyes widened in the slightest, brows furrowed. Anti picked up on the reaction, raising a thick brow and scrutinizing him.

    "Well," said Anti curtly. "That's new."

    He walked forward, circling around Dark and letting his heels click against the floor menacingly, every echo pounding through Dark's head. Anti ran a finger across the Tear Stealer's back, and he grimaced, glaring at him.

    "I've never seen you so desperate for something before," said Anti, stopping inches from his face. Dark bristled, and shadows flit across his face, his jaw tight and nostrils flaring. "Have you really stooped so low?"

     The Tear Stealer took a step forward, gaze burning into every facet of Anti's face. Their noses practically brushed against one another. Breaths hot and rank, the power surging in the air practically suffocating.

    "Remember," hissed Dark under his breath, eyes flashing bright red, "where you came from."

    Anti's eyes widened, and he gave a guttural growl. His hackles rose, murder in his eyes.

    "How dare—"

    Dark stepped forward, and Anti straightened himself, his eyes wild.

    "If anyone knew how you truly came to be," Dark growled, butting his forehead against Anti's, "they would leave you in a heartbeat."

    Anti's eyes flashed, and he slammed his head against Dark's, making him stagger back with a grimace.

    "I earned my place here," Anti shouted, raising his hackles. "Talk all you want, Dark, but I'm still more powerful than you."

    Dark growled, and he rubbed the front of his head. He straightened the folds of his robes rather harshly, glaring at Anti.

    "I demand to talk with Cibil," he spat, and Anti scoffed, running a hand through his vibrant green hair as he eyed Dark up and down. He took a deep breath and calmed himself, gazing at Dark through thick lashes.

    "Even with your pathetic threat of blackmail," breathed Anti, his normally abrasive voice falling into a deeper tone, "no one will believe you." He stared Dark in the eye, blue and green meeting sharp red.

    Dark said nothing, staring back with the same intensity. Anti sighed and gave in, running his fingers along the moth-eaten shawl around his shoulders.

    "Fine," said Anti through a huff, and that playful, sadistic glimmer came back to life in his eyes. He smirked, sidling back up to Dark so that his hot breath fanned over his face, sickening and rank. "In exchange, I want your Evolved by next week."

    Dark's stomach dropped at the offer, and he swallowed, forcing himself to keep his composure.

    "One week is t—"

    "Too long?" said Anti, raising a brow. "Fine, fine... I'll be more generous."

    His nose brushed against the Tear Stealer's, and he grinned, eyes flashing.

    "Five days," he breathed, and Dark swore he saw a spark in his crazed eyes. "You will meet me here on Thursday, 7 PM, with your Evolved."

    The Tear Stealer's nostrils flared, and Anti continued.

    "I'll have Cibil here with me. While you talk to her, I'll examine your Evolved of choice."

    Hell... I can't do this to Mark, thought Dark, terrified that he made matters worse.

    Anti smiled, and he shoved on Dark's chest, smugly waving goodbye.

    "You know what happens if you don't go through with the favor," said Anti, eyes alight. He grinned, and Dark swallowed, almost too stunned to open the door.

    "I'll be waiting," whispered Anti with a wink.

———

Dark returned home with a blank stare, still unable to believe the new circumstances of the deal.

    He grazed his fingertips along the side of the walls, the path to his room sparking before his eyes. He ventured through the many hallways, his robes fluttering at his feet gracefully. The floorboards creaked with age beneath his soft footsteps, and paintings, lanterns, and other decorations passed by as he walked, his eyes trained ahead of him.

    After a while of walking, he stopped by his bedroom door, meeting eyes with Ether. Her lashes fluttered at the sight of him, and she straightened herself, taking a step in front of the door as if blocking the path.

    "Is he better?" asked the Tear Stealer, and she wavered, hesitant to answer.

    "Yes, but..." She glanced aside. "He specifically requested not to see you, sir."

    Dark blinked, his chest tightening at her statement. His brows furrowed in the slightest, and he gave a light scoff.

    "And why is that?" he demanded.

    Ether stood her ground and swallowed, folding her hands in front of her.

    "Edwards," she pressed. "You told us to respect Mark. To treat him as one of us from here on out." She rose her shaved brows to emphasize her point. "And he would prefer not to see you."

    Dark gave a deep, long sigh. "It's urgent."

    "I'm sorry," said Ether. "Mark said—"

    Dark pushed past her and opened the door, and Ether gave a shout of protest.

    "Edwards—!"

    Dark stood at the doorway, staring at Mark's body—lying peacefully on his bed. Something in his chest tightened at the sight, and his eyes trailed over to the various, discarded bandages on the bedside. His stomach coiled.

    So much blood.

    Not that the sight of blood affected him... It was the fact that it was Mark's blood. And that blood had been forced to flow by his own hand.

    He vaguely touched his arm under his robe, where he had smeared Mark's blood on his own skin that night.

    So human... so red.

    Dark glanced back at Ether, who stood uneasily behind him.

    "Don't worry," he breathed. "I'll be gentle."

    With that, he closed the door, its soft click ringing out through the bedroom. Dark unclasped his black robes and draped them over his arm, slowly making his way towards the bed. He sat down on the chair beside it, gazing at Mark's soft, now-healed features.

    A flash of his battered body sparked before his eyes, and he shook his head, pushing it out of his memory.

    I'll fix this, he thought.

    Dark leaned forward and rested a hand on the side of Mark's face, gently caressing with his thumb and bringing his hand up to brush his fluffy hair back. He found himself smiling, a warmth blossoming in his chest. Something he hadn't felt in a long time.

    His hand threatened to reel back at the realization, but he fought it, forcing himself to accept what would come.

    "I'll learn more about you," breathed Dark, staring at Mark's relaxed features—so beautiful when at peace. No longer tense and stern.

    His breath caught when Mark stirred, and he pulled his hand back, watching carefully like a curious cat to its innocent prey.

    Mark gave a small groan, eyes fluttering open ever-so gently. His gaze lingered on the ceiling, taking in the patterns with confusion before realizing—again—that this was not his home.

    Mark glanced to his left, eyes glimmering with surprise when he spotted the Tear Stealer.

    "...Dark?" he managed out, voice stronger now. He blinked a few more times, brows furrowed. "Why are you here?"

    Dark gently placed a hand on top of Mark's, and he flinched at the contact.

    "I know you don't want to see me," Dark whispered, "but I had to see you."

    He gave a small smile, and Mark's mouth parted in awe at the sight. Mark quickly caught himself, pulling his hand away from Dark's and glancing back up at the ceiling. His eyes no longer hurt, though his body still ached.

    "You used your powers on me," said Mark, voice withdrawn. Dark's chest tightened, and his jaw twitched.

    You have to face your mistakes, thought Dark.

A tense silence fell through the room, and Dark bowed his head for a moment. He averted his eyes, gaze lingering on the navy blue silk, draped so carefully over Mark's fragile, so human body.

    "I know," he muttered.

Another silence. Mark shifted in the bed, and his voice came out torn.

    "Why?"

    Dark hesitated, and when he glanced back, he found Mark's gaze intent on his person. He gave a weary sigh.

    "I..." He stared evenly at Mark, then bowed his gaze again. "I don't know."

    Mark sat up in the bed, and he gave a grateful sigh as he felt no pain. His body gave a groan at the sudden movement, but he ignored it.

    "You're lying," said Mark as he pulled the blanket up to cover his body. "Why would you hurt me like that?"

    Dark went silent, and Mark frowned.

"Didn't you order your people to be more honest with me?" demanded Mark, his voice growing stronger the more he spoke. "So why won't you be honest, too?"

"You would have been killed if you—"

"I'll be killed in a month, anyway," Mark snapped. Dark's gaze whipped up to meet Mark's, and he earned a scoff.

"What, forgot about that, too?" mumbled Mark. "I haven't." He glanced aside, his voice dropping. "I've been thinking about the very moment I meet Antinstine... every day."

Mark thickly swallowed, and his fists lightly shook as he continued.

"Is his gaze just as intense as the pictures in the paper?" he breathed in a sarcastic, dream-like tone. "Would he scold me, talk me down... treat me like the scum I am?" Mark gave a curt, sour laugh, turning his gaze back to Dark. "Would he kill me once you're gone?"

Dark opened his mouth to say something, but Mark sighed and interrupted him.

"I guess it's good I have a few weeks before I'm forced to do your dirty work," said Mark. "I'll have a few seconds to fight back. Sounds good enough, doesn't it."

Dark's mouth soured, and he cleared his throat, sitting up straighter.

"About that..."

Mark's sarcastic demeanor dropped, and his face paled. He glanced over at Dark, chest sinking at the Evolved's weary figure. Dark carefully exhaled.

"We don't have that long anymore."

Mark thickly swallowed, his throat tightening. His fists shook as he clutched the blanket.

"No," Mark managed out. He squeezed his eyes shut. "No, no, no. Don't tell me. Don't tell me, please—Dark, I-I can't—"

    Dark rested a hand on Mark's shoulder, stilling him. Mark wearily opened his eyes and glanced at the other, the fear blatant in his gaze.

    "You're healed now," breathed Dark. "Right?"

    Mark lightly shuddered, and he gave a weak nod. Dark gently brought his hand up and carded his fingers through Mark's hair, gazing into his sweet, brown eyes.

    "I want to change things between us," Dark whispered, searching Mark's features. "Tonight, I... I want you to feel free."

    Mark swallowed, and he glanced down at Dark's lips, forcing himself to look back up. He gave a shuddering breath as Dark leaned closer, running his hand down the side of his face.

    "I want to see how you kill."

Thank you so much for reading!

Have a beautiful day/night, and stay safe out there,

Kass xoxo