Eden

Loud laughter fills the chamber at my words. He's laughing at me? How dare he! I could jus- "Incubus?" He laughs, interrupting my train of thought. "I'm no incubus, Witch, though I'm flattered." He smirks at me and I instantly let go, stumbling backwards and almost knocking myself into Aries who helps me catch my balance.

That's when I realize my mistake. And what a mistake it was. If this man is truly not an incubus.. Then why did I just claim him to be such? Heat floods my face as I try to think of a reasonable explanation as to why I would think this man was a sex demon. I look between him and Aries. While this man blatantly smirks at me, Aries tries to keep a smile from forming on her lips. My embarrassment is tangible. "I-I mean-" I stumble over my words. "He's not an incubus, Eden, you know I can read ones energy to the extent of being able to pinpoint their blood origins." Aries finally says.

Why didn't she give me more information on this man before bringing me in here in such a hurry? I could roll my eyes at her if it wasn't so childish.

The man clears his throat, bringing our attention back to him. "But please do tell me, Eden, was it? Why you would accuse me of being an incubus so quickly?" His eyes are alight with amusement.

And my face is lit up with shame.

Trying to recover what dignity I have left I turn and leave the room. "I owe no explanation to the likes of you." And hurry my ass out the door and down the long hall, trying to escape my humiliation, though I know Aries will want answers to my erratic behavior. I don't think I'll ever give anyone the true reason I thought he was an incubus.

Those golden eyes staring up at me while my body reached the ultimate peak of pleasure-

No! Don't think about that.

How is Aries so sure he isn't an incubus, anyways? How long has she spent with him before informing me of the situation?

His energy was extremely strong. Maybe he is able to disguise what he truly is. But, Aries has never been wrong before, it wouldn't do me good to doubt her now.

Speaking of Aries, I finally hear her foot steps catching up to me, she needed to take a moment to lock the door back securely, I shouldn't have left her like that, but I needed to get away from that man and that situation, what a fool I made myself out to be in the matter of minutes.

I hope I never see him again.

"Eden! Wait up! What's going on? We needed to figure things out back there before you stormed off, we can't just leave him in the cave a prisoner forever, we need answers and I needed you present just in case he tries anything, his power is beyond even ours.." She grows quiet at that last part for a moment before continuing. "My only other encounter with him was with the two guards who had found him, we three took him here and left him for the night."

I slow my pace as she begins walking beside me, I can see her eyeing my face, but I have no idea what to say.

"I'm sorry." I finally manage to squeak out, truly feeling bad for leaving her back there. "I wasn't thinking when I stormed off. It was irrational of me."

She grabs my arm. "Please, Eden, talk to me." I can feel her eyes on my face, but can't bring myself to meet her gaze.

Maybe I should come clean, or at least tell her I saw him in my dream this morning, she doesn't need details.

I take a large inhale as we near the opening of the cave, as soon as we pass the threshold I slow my pace even more so, Aries is still staring at me. "Okay, please stop looking at me like that.. If I tell you this, you can't repeat it to anyone." Aries nods. "You know I'd never share your secrets, Eden." I close my eyes and calm myself before admitting what I'm about to out loud.

"I saw him in my dream this morning, Aries, it was unmistakably him." Aries expression turns dark quickly. "Are you saying this man visited you in your dreams the way an incubus would?"

I know what she's implying, and I don't want to admit it. I don't want to admit I not only saw this man in my dream, but found great pleasure in the experience as well, admittedly, I didn't want it to stop. My face heats at the images that pass quickly through my mind.

My reaction is answer enough for her. She looks furious, I'm not sure the last time I've seen Aries so mad, she instantly turns around to head back into the cave, I panic. "Aries! You can't go back in there and do anything to him over this, you said he wasn't an incubus. Going back in there like this after I accused him of being a sex demon, he will die laughing!"

"He's a Reaper, Eden. They are allowed access into the spirit realm, it wouldn't surprise me if he somehow found a way into your mind." I stop dead in my tracks as she says this.

Reapers are practically myths in a world full of magic. Expert trackers, incredible hunters, and skilled in all types of combat, with extremely good senses, they're fast and almost impossible to kill. They work for the god of the underworld, retrieving souls and making sure soul debts are settled. No one knows where they originated from, all I know is there are fewer than nine in existence. A shiver runs down my spine as I think about just who the hell we are housing here on our land.

Realizing what she's said I suddenly don't feel too great. That means this man really might have been in my mind this morning, he'd remember every gasp and moan, the arch of my back as I climaxed from the heat he wrapped my whole body in. If I was the only one he visited.. Could it mean I'm what he's after? I shake my head at my own thoughts. No, I've done nothing wrong.

I've made no deals and owe no debts.

"A reaper?" I whisper, trying to distract my thoughts, she simply nods. "What does he want? Why is he here?" She sighs. "I don't know, he won't tell me, he says it is not my job to stick my nose in the business of the gods." I scoff. "What a prick, he shows up on our land and refuses to say why?" She eyes the opening of the cave. "I do suppose we will just leave him, for now. We need to ask him why he invaded your mind Eden, he could have been doing whatever he did to distract you while he looked through your mind in search of something."

I think on it for a minute. "But what if it wasn't him? You only said it could be possible. If you're not sure I'd rather wait and see what other information we can find out from him before bringing up him being in my dream, it was embarrassing enough the first time it was implied."

She offers me a gentle smile. "I understand, it's okay, we can wait to revisit the topic of him visiting your dreams, if it was him. But, Eden, this is too much of a coincidence, make sure to put up protection spells around your cottage tonight, sleep with your dream crystals, guard your mind as best you can." I gulp and nod, I hadn't thought of the fact he could try to visit me again in my dreams. The thought leaves an odd feeling in the pit of my stomach.

We started walking a bit ago and finally make it back into our small village, some women are tending to the fruits and vegetables, while others tend to the clothes that need washing. Everyone is calm and everything is going just as normal as usual on this sunshine filled day.

Aries takes her leave, probably to go into deep meditation to seek council with the Light goddess to see what this all means. I'm left to go about my day as normal, though it feels anything but that. My mind wonders back to the man again and again, no matter what I'm tasked with throughout the day.

It crosses my mind I never got his name, it bugs me more than it should, I don't need to put a name to his face.

His face, even in the dim light, I could tell he was handsome, with a strong jawline and full lips, his perfectly messy dark hair, and his piercing golden eyes. I couldn't help but admire him. Yes, he definitely was made by a god, and they took their precious time making him. No matter my feelings on this whole situation, I won't deny that he's an attractive man.

Still, I hope to never have to deal with him again, whatever he's here for Aries will find out and deal with it properly. I haven't seen her since this morning, and dinner is now being cleaned up. She never misses dinner.

I make my way to the kitchen with arms full of dishes. It's not my job tonight, but I could use the distraction, plus I know Kiana won't mind, she hates dish duty, though I don't know why, it's a quick and easy task.

I mindlessly wash and then dry what few dishes are in the sink, each of us good about cleaning our own plates after each meal, thankfully.

The long day is starting to wear on me and I can feel myself growing tired and I put the last few things away and go to leave the kitchen, turning out the lanterns as I go. I'm dreading going back to my cottage, though I know we're all in close proximity to each other, I'm alone at night.

Kiana is waiting for me, her chocolate colored skin glowing softly in the dim moonlight that filters though the forest canopy. "Hey! You didn't have to wait for me." I lock arms with her. "Though I do appreciate it." We begin to walk in the direction of our cottages together.

Her full lips pull up into a smile. "It's the least I could do after you took over dish duty for me tonight, I know you hate walking around alone in the dark, and everyone else had already left, I didn't mind to wait, it's a beautiful night, and I've been watching the fire fly's dance."

I glance around and smile, taking in the beauty of our little village hidden in the forest, even at night it's breathtaking.

We reach my cottage first, we unlock arms and I bid her a goodnight and thank her again.

Once inside I already feel uneasy, I glance around and take note that nothing is out of place.

Of course not, no one's been here, you're being silly.

I tell myself this but can't shake the uneasy feeling. I instantly get to work with my protection spells, warding my cottage and my mind. Not wanting to use up a bunch of magic and energy going over board I decide I've done enough and to take a quick bath to wash away the day. Usually I only bath at night, this morning being an exception due to waking up sweaty and sticky. I like to wash away my day before climbing into bed at night.

I fill up the tub and strip out of my clothes and put them in the basket I take to the stream twice a week to wash the contents of inside.

I sink my body down into the water and breath a sigh of relief. I'm safe here, I'm protected. One man on our land doesn't change that.

But this is no man, he's a Reaper.

Despite the hot water my body is submerged in, a chill runs down my spine at the thought.

"His power is beyond even ours." Aries had said. Then why? Why is he our prisoner? When he could over power us and do whatever it is he came to do, and easily so. Why let us take him prisoner and lock him up in a cell he could easily break out of if he so desired?

My mind feels like it's racing as I step out of the tub and wrap myself in a towel as it drains. Smelling of jasmine and honey I climb into my bed naked, as I do most nights. I put out all the lights except one in my cottage, leaving it barely aglow, just enough to make out my surroundings, though no one entered my home it still feels tainted somehow.

I continue to try to think of things to keep myself from falling asleep, worried about what my night will consist of.

Despite my better judgement, I decide I'm going to go visit this Reaper again tomorrow with Aries. I need to settle my fears that don't seem to want to quiet down enough for me to calm myself. I need to know that no one is invading my mind. I need to know my mind is still a safe place.

I continue to quietly chant spells of protection as my eyes grow heavy.

After lying awake for what feels like hours, slowly and only halfway willing, I fall into a dreamless sleep.

2,297 words.