Chapter Thirty-Six: The Devil's Help

Holly told herself that the reason she followed Eros back was that she worried about him. She worried about Quix as well and Ruby, but right now she had to make sure that Eros was taken care of. She's almost lost him, forever.

And why? Because of a decision her soul's ancestors had made ages ago that had nothing to do with her. She really hated the gods.

"I can hear you back there." Eros glanced back at her over his shoulder. The usual sparkle in his eyes was dim. "You can stop following me. I'm fine."

"You're going to bed," Holly demanded, "and I'm taking you there."

A flicker of a smile passed over his lips. "Only if you're going to join me."

Holly sighed. "You know that I'm involved with Quix."

Eros's nose wrinkled. "More than you know," he responded. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to stop trying."

"You're not being fair," Holly whispered. She wouldn't admit it openly, but there was a part of her that wished that she could just give in and love multiple people. It had worked out for the others, but it just didn't feel right for her. But seeing the pain in Eros's eyes, unhidden, it was almost more than she could bear.

"I'm not going to be," Eros responded. "You know how I feel about you, how I'll always feel about you. I can't stop myself from falling in love with you time after time, and not just because of the soul inside you, but because of the women it chooses to posses. They're special to me."

"Bed," Holly demanded with a swallow.

Eros gave her that same sad smile and shuffled down the hall.

Holly watched after his retreating back. If she went after him, if she followed him, she knew what would happen. It was clear to her that she would end up deepening things. But leaving him alone was devastating as well. She wanted to be with him, but she couldn't argue her morals.

And so she stood there as he got farther and farther away from her. Her window of opportunity was closing. To go back to Quix and stay by his side, or follow? She even wanted to ask the voice in her head, but couldn't bring herself to. She had a feeling she knew which way he'd encourage anyway.

*Not only that, but I'd let you know that he's not completely healed.
*
She should have been surprised, but she couldn't muster it. Did he live inside her head or just have her constantly tuned in at this point?

*You could say that. *

*What do you mean he's not completely healed? I...*

Holly let herself fade out. Famine's words echoed in her mind. How much danger would she be in if she told this man about her power? Then again, he probably already knew about it. If she couldn't even hide random thoughts how could he not know what she was capable of.

*I know it, and I can help you control it. You shouldn't settle for hiding it away. Your power is powerful, but it's not perfect. You were able to take care of the physical problem, but what happened to Eros was far more than that. He's a Sin. His power was taken away to the point of near death. If you leave him now, he'll die.*

*Die?*

*That's right. Like a candle flickering out. He'll be gone for good. Lucky for you, I can help you save him if you care to hear about it.*

Eros couldn't die. No, she couldn't let that happen. She didn't care that he had done this all to himself. She just wanted to protect and save him.

*But not be with him? That flicker would restore him enough where he could recover on his own. He has no fight in him.*

*I'm with Quix, I couldn't do that. I don't want to hurt him, I don't want to hurt either of them.*

All she could focus on was the thought of not seeing Eros's smiles. Not having his soft warm body pressed against hers when she woke up. She couldn't allow that.

*How do I help him? I don't want to get in a relationship with him, there's a way right?*

*I could help you, saving a Sin would be easy for me. I do have one request in that case though. *

Holly waited for the words she already knew deep in her heart.

*After he's healed, you come with me and leave there.*

*How am I supposed to do that? There's a barrier and everything now. They won't just let me walk out.

*They will because I'll be using some of my own toys to force them to. Do you think that Krim, a mere reaper was impressive with his necromancy abilities? Wait until you see everything I can offer.
*
*You won't hurt them?*

*I have no reason to.*
*
Holly bit her lip so hard that iron entered her mouth. She sucked on her bloody lip for a moment as she thought about her decision. This could all be a trap, she knew that. But he had saved Eros from Famine. If he hadn't interfered then she'd already have lost him. The others would be mad, they would all be furious at her, but she couldn't let Eros die. Which meant that her decision was made.

*I'll do it. Please, just save him.

Follow him, go to his room, and I'll let my power flow through you. I'll mask it so the others don't catch on. They'll be busy with my toys.*

If he had been a cat he'd be purring. His satisfaction was almost tangible and it gave Holly even more pause.

By this point, Eros was already out of the hallway, retreated to his own room. Holly raced after him. There was no one to see her, she could risk this without worry. She got to his room and grabbed the handle. It clicked beneath her hand and she gave it a little wiggle.

Locked.

Not in the mood, Holly let her power flow again. Like magic, the handle turned in her hands and she slipped through.

Eros was on the bed, staring straight up at the ceiling. Not moving.

"Eros?"

Was she too late?

He turned toward her voice. "Why are you here?" there was no flirting in his voice, it was deadpan.

If death had a sound, Eros would be it.

"I was worried about you."

"I'm fine," he replied as he closed his eyes. "I don't want your pity, Holly. You know what I want. Unless you're here to give me that, then just leave. I want to be alone."

Holly moved forward until she knelt on the mattress beside him. His eyes snapped open and a spark appeared deep inside. The hope reflected in his eyes was enough to crush her heart. "I can't leave you alone," she whispered.

*Reach for his hand, when my power flows through it will knock him out for a time. When he wakes up it'll be over. He'll be healed and you'll be out of there.*

Holly intertwined her hand with Eros'. It was cold and clammy against her skin. The spark deepened in his eyes and he sat up.

"Holly?" he whispered. His voice quivered.

"You're going to be okay, Eros, I'm here for you."

This was a bad idea, it was a horrible idea. This was the kind of idea she should never ever have.

She couldn't stop it.

She didn't want to stop it.

She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. Soft, chase, the barest of touches.

Her goodbye.

One he didn't even know about.

As she pulled away Eros reached for her but she put a hand over his.

"Holly?"

She was saved from having to answer as the grunts, groans, and moans echoed.

"What's going on?" Eros demanded as he got up from the bed.

"I don't know," Holly answered.

Liar, horrible evil hateful liar!

"I'll go see what it is, you stay here," Eros demanded.

Holly captured his hand and pulled him until he bumped against her body. "Please, don't leave me alone."

Eros looked away from her and out to the hallway. "I have to protect you."

"Aren't you doing that now?" she questioned back.

Up this close, she could see the bags under his eyes. The pallor to his skin that still hadn't recovered as much as she had thought it had.

Once more he looked back and forth before sighing.

"Eros!" Dagon's voice reached them first. "Is Holly in here?"

"Yes," Eros responded. I've got her covered, you go deal with that. What's going on?"

Dagon grunted. "We're being swarmed by thousands of skeletons. Looks like Krim got an upgrade. I don't see the asshole out there, but when I find him I'll rip him apart. Guess he realized that he'll never be able to take us on with usual methods. Keep her safe, Holly, stay here, we'll handle this."

Holly watched as Dagon left. She'd be saying goodbye to him too. Goodbye to so many, but she wouldn't let Eros die, ever.

They were alone again and Holly hugged Eros's hand tight to her chest. He relaxed at her touch and she let the Devil's powers flow through as she healed Eros.

His color returned, but before he could talk to her he passed out, falling back on the bed with a smile on his lips.

Once more Holly leaned over and brushed her lips against his brow.

*I'm ready.*