“Why should I be surprised?” Cyril seethed, hands clasped loosely in front. “You’ve always been weak, a mistake.” The word stung, Artem flinching. He was down on his knees in the snow, unable to bring himself to meet Cyril’s fiery stare. “How is it that you’re mine? Do you have any idea how bad it looks for me to have you as a spawn?”
There was movement and a rush of heat, Cyril grasping him by the shirt front and dragging him to his feet. Artem resisted the urge to cry out, burying it deep inside. Whatever punishment Cyril saw fit, Artem would willingly take, any harm doled out to him better than the alternative.
“You disgust me. If I could send you back into the flames and bring you out the right way, all proper like, I would in a heartbeat.”
“I’m sorry,” Artem whispered. Tears burned the backs of his eyes.
Cyril laughed. “Sorry, he says, that’s rich.”
“Let him go,” barked a voice. Artem shivered, momentarily closing his eyes. Why did Drew have to show up now, of all things? He was exactly what Cyril wanted, a pure heart. “He deserves better than you.”
Cyril let Artem drop, distracted by the decadence of Drew’s aura. “My, my, what have we here? Perhaps I have it all wrong. Maybe there is some hope for you yet. Well done, Artem. He’s a perfect specimen, exactly what I asked for.”
Drew frowned, trying to appear defiant and tough, despite the fact his teeth were chattering. “What are you talking about?”
“Delicious.” Cyril inhaled deeply. “You didn’t tell him? How…wonderful.” Cyril’s smile dropped with ill intent.
“Tell me what?”
“Oh yes, Artem, tell him.” Cyril waited a heartbeat and when Artem refused to speak, terrified into silence, he went ahead. “I sent this nitwit here to capture a pure soul by midnight Christmas Eve and, well…” He held out his hands indicating Drew. “Look at who he delivered. You. And just in the nick of time.”
A moment of silence passed, Drew’s frown deepening as the weight of Cyril’s words settled on his shoulders. Artem wished the ground would swallow him right up, thinking of all the wonderful things they’d done, the kiss, and now this, the harsh truth coming to light. How it must hurt Drew, to feel betrayed, lied to, and at a time of the year humans considered peaceful and filled with love. A lone tear slipped, cold as it coursed down his cheek.
“Is this true, Artem?” Drew finally asked.
The words refused to come, lodging themselves in Artem’s throat. He nodded, unable to even look at Drew.
Rich laughter rang out as Cyril relished the moment. “Well, I can see Artem has finally found the sinister side of himself.”
A hand clapped him on the back.
“For once I’m proud of you.”
“Artem…”
He sniffled. “Please just let me go home.”
“You can always come home,” Drew said quietly, his words catching Artem by surprise.
His head snapped up, his eyes searching Drew’s, warmth spreading through him. How unfathomable, the kindness he found after the ugly snake of deceit had been exposed. How could it be, Artem wondered, that this man was willing to stand by him even when he got things wrong? Back home he was laughed at, ridiculed, and made to feel like a fool every second of his existence. By his family, the very beings meant to be on his side.
Drew stepped in his direction, holding out his hand. “In the brief period I’ve known you, Artem, you have displayed a wealth of compassion and love for others. Yes, I’ve seen your wings and your horns, but just because you were born a demon doesn’t mean you have to be what everyone wants you to be or expects. Stay with me, Artem, and be who you want to be.”
“I…” What exactly did he say to that?
“Stay?” scoffed Cyril, taking rough hold of Artem’s arm. “The both of you are coming back with me.”
By now the cold had Drew visibly shaking. “Is that what you want, Artem, to go back?”
His gaze shifted from Drew to Cyril and back again. The unknown flutter in his chest returned stronger than ever before, and in that moment Artem realized it was connected to how he felt about Drew. Could this be, he wondered, what humans called love? The way warmth spread through him was unlike the devouring burn of flames and more like an affectionate hug. And the place where Cyril held him sizzled, his flesh taking on a sooty appearance. Did he want to stay? In a manner of speaking, yes. On one condition.
“With you?” Artem asked.
Drew nodded, hugging his arms across his chest. “For as long as you want.”
This exchange earned a growl from Cyril. “How quaint. I hate to rain on your parade, but the others are waiting and they’re hungry.”
Heat whirled around them, the snow melting, the temperature rising, the naked branches of trees rattling. Artem panicked, trying to figure out the best course of action. Artem couldn’t let Cyril drag Drew to a place he definitely didn’t belong. But how did he fight back when Cyril had always been stronger? Tears blurred his vision as he recalled the injured dog, the first time Drew embraced him, the acceptance he saw when he revealed his true self, and the touch of Drew’s lips. Each of these moments brought forth wave after wave of overwhelming emotion and Artem gathered them into a churning ball inside of himself where it mingled with his demon core.
“No!” he yelled, attempting to yank his arm free of Cyril. “I won’t let you take him.”
Artem let it all loose, his tattered wings spreading behind him, his horns sprouting forth. Artem’s eyes flashed and Drew stepped back, shielding himself from the inferno. With a newfound purpose, Artem finally had the strength to stand up to Cyril, breaking free and whirling around to face his maker.
“You cannot have him. Go back where you came from and leave us!”
The air danced around him and what Artem didn’t see but Drew did, was the return of his feathers. These new ones were pale blue and they grew rapidly into the holes until Artem’s wings were once again whole in a mishmash of black and blue.
Cyril glared. “You are a fool, Artem. And your time will come.”
Somewhere off in the distance a bell rang. It was officially Christmas Day.
“When you least expect it,” threatened Cyril as he began to fade. “I will drag you both down to burn forever.”
He vanished, leaving them alone in the park. Artem heaved a sigh and promptly collapsed.