Strigoi Boyfriend: Briareos 2 (special preview)

Dr. Navaro and Irini are introduced to Briareos not long after your return. Dr. Navaro is interested from a scientific standpoint, wanting to study him and learn about his anatomy. Irini has her own machinations, but she is also interested in his mind and what he is able to learn. Better yet, she wants to know what he remembers since his age is quite advanced.

Briareos’ shapeshifting abilities come into play, taking a more human looking guise for when Dr. Navaro and Irini visit. He doesn’t care to wear much clothing, just some pants and a coat, which seems to illicit a reaction from both parties.

“Now how can we be so certain you are not mind controlling our dear friend?” Irini asks him one day, luxuriously posed across a sofa while Briareos stands before the fire.

“Because she would be most unlike herself,” you speak for him. “She would be empty, and her eyes would be rolled into the back of her head.”

“Fascinating,” Dr. Navaro whispers, adjusting his glasses. “What do you do in order to control someone.”

Briareos’ gaze goes into the fireplace before turning and looking back at him. “It is easier to control someone who is vague in personality and thought. Someone who is constantly thinking has too much noise in their mind. Someone who is charming might have an influence over me. It is best to find someone who has very little between the ears.”

Irini is grinning from ear to ear. “So you’re saying stupid people make the best targets?”

“There are plenty of intelligent people who are empty headed,” you continue speaking for Briareos. “Most animals make good targets. Most do not need much thought throughout the day but survival. The goats back in the mountains made wonderful companions for us.”

“I wonder if this is where the visage of the devil came from,” Irini begins to ponder. “Perhaps it was a Strigoi, ages ago, who had shifted into a goat and was caught by someone who claimed they were the devil.” Her bright smile becomes even brighter. “Our lady here told us Strigoi had started quite a lot of myths and legends because of their abilities. Perhaps you are the devil also.”

Briareos smiles towards irini and nods his head.

“Back when we were numerous, we took pleasure in frightening and tricking humanity. Perhaps that hindered us more than helped us.”

“How many of you are there, anyways?” Dr. Navaro asks.

Briareos goes quiet in your mind, he looks at the doctor with a rather harsh stare before he turns away and goes to sit in a large chair. He looks back to the fire, his eyes and throat glowing despite his guise.

“He doesn’t want to talk about it.” You move towards the center of the room. “I think he is growing tired from holding up the disguise. We can talk more tomorrow.” You usher Irini and Dr. Navaro back towards the stairs, seeing them up before you went back down.

Briareos has stripped off the clothes you gave him to wear, as well as his human visage. He stands before the fire, skin glowing with the radiance of the flames. You approach him, standing towards the edge of the room while he stares into the fireplace. You walk past him, going to the table to pour yourself a cup of tea. As you set the teapot aside Briareos is behind you, breathing against your neck.

You add sugar to your tea and take a sip. “You’ll have to answer their questions eventually. They should know you are able to at least communicate with them and not just through me.”

“I don’t wish to talk about the others,” His voice growls in your mind. “I came here because of your promise.”

“They will be your friends too if you allowed them. They are both good people who want to help. The more we know, the better we can understand, the better we can teach, and the less fear that will permeate through the world.”

His sharp finger brushes up the back of your neck, sending tingling pulses down through your body. “I am learning about them.” He captures a curl at the nape of your neck that has worked loose from your bun. He tugs on it, inching in close to lick your skin.

You take another sip of tea, burning your tongue just a bit. “What do you need to know?” You set the cup down from your hands shaking.