Seraph Lover Adriel (special preview)

Your mother arches her brow as she looks at you. “Hmm, well, ok.” She leads you back into the house. “I’ve got some food ready. I want you to get an extra helping today, you just don’t seem quite right.”

That evening, after putting your siblings to bed, you snuck out into the dark. You’re only in your nightgown, so the cold air easily nips at your skin. You reach the shed, stepping inside. You find the creature is standing and gazing out the window towards the woods.

It’s massive. No longer hunched over and afraid, it’s stance is regal and proud. It’s wings curl around their still, creating a shield between their body and the world. It turns slowly and looks at you. The eyes are burning brighter now and almost hurt to look at.

“I brought you some food,” you say. You hold out to it some bread and cheese. “If you’re hungry.”

They reach out, touching your arm rather than the hand offering food. The strange bulbous fingertips stroke down your skin and to your shoulder, stopping where the fabric of your nightgown is. They then touch your neck and they wrap their palm around your throat.

You gasp in fear and step back.

The creature makes a strange, surprised sound and pulls their hand away.

You look back at them. “I can just, leave it here.” You set the food down on a shelf and take a step back to the door. “I just hope you’re feeling better.”

The creature gasps and stretches their hand out again. You hesitate and glance to them. You hold your hand out and they take it.

For a moment, you hear a voice whispering in your mind. You feel calm but dread lingers around you. You’re a little angry and then tears start to drip down your cheeks.

You heave and look up at the creature as they pull away.

“Oh,” you whisper. You place your palm over your chest. “It’s...it’s ok to be scared. You’re hurt. You’re somewhere strange.”

The creature wipes your tears away from your cheek and you hear the voice trying to whisper in your ear again.

“I’ll be back in the morning,” you reassure them. “Give it one more day. Alright?”

The creature growls and takes away its hand.