Romulus sat across from Derrick in silence. He couldn’t find the words to fully express the pain in his heart. “I don’t even know you.”
Derrick winced. “I’m your Soul Tie-”
Romulus chuckled, “Are you?” He stood. “I mean you said it yourself, Apep tricked Angelica and he’s not as powerful as you, for all I know you tricked me as well.”
Derrick shook his head feverishly, “I wouldn’t do that.”
“Oh, so that’s too far huh? You can lie to me about your name, about your powers. Lie to me about knowing Evie, and about the deal she made. You can lie to my FUCKING face, and not feel anything, but I’m supposed to believe you’re really my soul tie?” Romulus couldn’t look at him. It was like looking at a stranger, the more he stayed in the room with Derrick, the more he felt his love grow to hate. “When this all over, I never want to see you again. I’ll make arrangements so that you can pick Adam up from my mother in the future.”
He heard Derrick inhale sharply. “I-I really did just stumble upon you…I came to find Evie, and I found my true love instead.”
Romulus turned his back. “Add that to your list of lies *Magnus*,” he said before he walked away.
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“How can you not be angry with him Thanatos?” Romulus stared at his brother in disbelief, “He literally lied to us about everything!” Inhaling, Thanatos walked towards the window and looked out.
“I’ve been angry since I was ten Romulus. Angry at you for loving your baseball so much, I broke the rules and went to the woods to get it back. Angry at the evil of the world, angry at people thinking I was a monster, angry that I became one. I was even got so angry; I drove away my soul tie and child.” Turning, he looked at Romulus sadly.
“I’m exhausted. I can’t be angry with Derrick because I honestly am so rotted from my anger, I don’t have space for anymore.” He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “You two have a child, one that needs you both. I respect whatever decision you make, as long as it’s best for both you and Adam.” Thanatos placed his hand to his chest and grimaced in pain.
“You okay?”
“Yeah.”
Romulus stared at him deeply. “Don’t lie to me. I can't take any more of that.”
Thanatos sighed, “I didn’t want to worry you.” Lifting his shirt, he saw Romulus's eyes widen and he closed his.
“How long has this been happening?”
“Since the day Evie left.” Moving blackened veins pulled from every part of his body, all centering to where his heart should be. “I-I’ve been having these dreams and thoughts Romulus. Darker than the ones I usually have. They fill me with so much rage.”
“What kind of dreams?”
“Of these things…I don’t know what they are, but they whisper in a voice that almost sounds like one. They call to me, and sometimes they attach themselves to my body. I can feel the evil in them…and I force myself awake. Every time I dream of them…this grows.” Thanatos saw the fear in Romulus's eyes.
“We need to find Evie Thanatos.”
“I know.” He didn't know how, but he knew finding her would make it stop.
“YOU BOTH COME HERE QUICK!” Derrick called to them from the other room. Looking from one to the other, they raced to him. He was staring at Adam, who sat on the floor. In front of him were three cards. “We were playing a game…and…” He pointed to the flower in the child’s hand.
“I don’t understand.” Romulus said confused.
Derrick called out to Adam, “Adam…can you give daddy Romulus a flower?”
Smiling Adam placed his hand on a card and reached inside. Holding the flower up to Romulus, he laughed and waited for him to take it. Hand shaking, Romulus reached down and took the flower from his son. He stared at the now blank card and looked at Thanatos who face bore the same expression.
“That’s not possible. He-” Derrick finished his statement.
“He has the power to give life to an inanimate object.”
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Apep seethed his thoughts on his brother. Though he’d kept his cool, inside he was filled with turmoil. “He fucking unbounded his powers.” He threw his glass against the wall, hearing it shatter. “And that fucking Grim Reaper…” He couldn’t get out the words. Apep love for games ran so deeply, he’d made yet another mistake. Betting the Reaper, he wouldn’t find them by two weeks, made his skin crawl.
“HE’S NOT TAKING HER FROM ME!” He screamed louder than his previous words. Picking up his phone, his fingers searched from a familiar number. “CHANGE OF PLANS! Meet me at the same location and when you do, bring a wedding dress.” Hanging up the phone, he stormed into the room finding Evie.
“Give me a kiss!” He demanded. Standing almost as if on autopilot, Evie closed her eyes and did as he asked. His stained teeth curled into a smile, as he caressed her face. “Look at me.” She opened her eyes. “You belong to me. Don't you?” She nodded. “You have a week until we wed.”
Evie's eyes widened. “But you said-”
“I changed my mind. Our officiant will bring your dress in a few days, so prepare yourself for your future.” Watching her lip quiver, Apep couldn’t help the twinkle in his eye as he’d celebrated himself for the loophole he’d found.
*He's not taking her from me. *
He repeated in his mind. He may have given Thanatos two weeks, but he’d never said he wouldn’t claim Evie in one.