The Edifice

41. Dead Time

LEVI

I wait until Olivia finally takes her leave before dropping the towels and resting against the mirror. I let the cool glass settle the aching migraine that's been plaguing me. Two more days. Two more days of absolutely helpless, dead time for me to fill. Two more days until I can do anything to escape the grave Zagan has dug for me.

His deal had been as clean cut as most of the guys I've dated. Sitting across from him in his enormous penthouse suite while we mapped out terms had only differed from his previous tact by way of the extremely strained civility we'd fostered. Nothing else had changed from his threats.

Zagan Creed has the same funds and magic Otis was born with, but not the hesitation to use them. There was no real choice as to my obedience, with Mona and Katy's livelihoods on the line. The only question is whether I can actually turn this to an advantage.

I can outsmart Zagan. I'm almost sure of it. He's got all the money, power and reputation in the world on his side, but the youngest Creed has never had to fight to through a single day in his life. No, I can survive him. Just not without one Hell of a cost.

What's really killing me are these impossible, unreal hours between where I'm trapped in a fantasy, lovers in one hand and a loaded gun in the other. It's almost to the point where I'd rather get it over with and pull the trigger than be met with Otis's cheery smile one more time.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I try not to think of the two of them and tend to the bruises instead. The black stains trail up my back and across my shoulders like a pair of wings, each comprised of a dozen small dots the size of fingerprints. The injuries accumulate in a small semicircle of split flesh in the crook of my neck.

"Jesus fucking Christ," I repeat.

With a history of hook-ups that covers everything from banshees to tengu, it's far from the worst marks I've received during sex, but the development of Olivia's strength is certainly alarming. Otis wasn't exaggerating his faith in the success of transferring his power to a successful vessel. Another reason he needn't worry about teaching her combat spells, if she's capable of Bella Swan-ing me without even knowing it.

At the very least, I'm glad she's kept her fingernails trimmed. At the worst... well, no more hand jobs until this is over. I'll certainly steer clear of the teasing that got me into this mess. For now. Just until she's human again. After which I doubt Olivia will consider forgiveness for me, let alone a second chance.

-

OLIVIA

Two days of no sleep, no meals, no water and yet I feel more energised than ever before. I can feel everything and it is nothing short of incredible. Every night after feigning sleep for Lee's peace of mind, I escape downstairs to try and work out the restlessness. The sofa I can lift one-handed, I've sprinted down his street and back faster than the cars around me.

When I warm my hands before the flames of Lee's stove top, my fingers can dip into the fire with barely more than a sting. The fact that Otis is trading this infinity for the fragile humanity I once had boggles me, as traded he certainly has.

Otysses Creed has lost his glow. The astounding halo of raw light that once circled his head has settled into long locks of silver. The blue static that buzzed beneath his skin has flushed solely to his small, gentle hands and behind his deep, lapis coloured irises. Irises now flecked with honey-brown dots.

Now, mere hours away from the seven-day mark since Otis first kissed me, I stargaze in Lee's greenhouse and listen to the house around me.

"Olivia? Lee's awake now. Did you want to come eat?"