The X Guide

The storm barrier remained, but the trio had already left the area. They brought Aicel and the other Nevaris Clan members with them.

The clan forces there did not even see their faces, they were still clueless about what was happening. However, they quickly noticed the absence of Aicel, their current leader, and his clan members.

This would not end here, but these people were unrelated to Ayen’s grudge. Sparing them was also within Khal’s intentions. As for how the clan forces would continue after the Nevaris clan disappearance, that was not part of their considerations anymore.

In the temporary residence in the city, Khal’s subordinates settled the members while Aicel was separated from them. Aicel should have a special treatment, something the man himself might not appreciate.

Ayen sat beside Devion. Khal was talking with his men and temporarily left them for a while.

"Are you okay?" Ayen asked. His fingers playing with Devion’s. "The curse," he whispered.

Once his emotions were vented out and settled, Ayen became worried for Devion’s condition.

"I should be the one asking you that." Devion sighed. "But, I’m fine. The negative atmosphere isn’t that bad."

It was true. Although the news seemed particularly alarming, the city was not as destroyed. There were casualties, but they were still controlled.

Perhaps because it was the start of a real confrontation against forces, so they had not reached a point where they did not care about civilians.

"How do you feel now?" Devion inquired after a pause.

Ayen did not immediately answer. He wanted to respond with his most sincere feelings by thinking about it more.

What was he feeling after slapping Aicel like that? He was not a violent person and so did not have a sense of satisfaction seeing Aicel passed out with his slap alone.

The blood that lingered on his hand was disgusting to think about.

However, he felt relieved as well. It was confirmed that his affections for his clans were spent, and he could truly lay a hand on them.

He was somehow afraid of it before. That if... When they met again, Ayen might not feel anything anymore, or worse, he would think of his younger years. It was especially so for his parents.

It seemed that was not the case. As his years of wandering outside, the memories and affection had also faded.

"I’m not happy. But not sad either." Ayen looked at Devion; his eyes had returned to normal, no longer appearing bloodshot and dark. "I’m not satisfied."

That was how he summarized this feeling that remained in his heart. There were darkest moments that he could not fully embrace, but somehow, he was starting to slowly accept them.

He was not satisfied. Ayen seemed to become a starved beast, ready to devour more of the Nevaris clan’s blood and flesh to feel that small amount of satisfaction.

Although he doubted that he would ever feel such fulfillment. At least, the powerlessness and the shackles of bloodline were past behind him.

Devion stared at him. A small smile appeared on his lips, seemingly content with Ayen’s answer.

He leaned slightly and pressed his lips to Ayen’s ear as he whispered suggestively.

"Is it okay to confess how seeing you beat up that bastard almost gave me a boner?" Ayen paused slightly, processing what he just heard.

Devion gave a low chuckle. "You look so badass there that I feel so envious. Try to slap me next time."

Ayen’s eyes widened slightly, his ears heating up.

"Are you serious?" Ayen looked at the esper as if he had gone crazy. Devion merely put on a wicked smile. "Why do you want me to slap you?"

Did Devion have some violent tendencies? Wait, was there something sexual about wanting your partner to slap you? Ayen could not understand.

Devion saw him being clueless and became even more amused; his eyes were practically shining, having found another way to tease Ayen.

His hand wrapped securely around Ayen’s waist, and he began laughing.

"Ahh, Ayen. Seriously, I want to corrupt you, but sometimes, being innocent isn’t bad at all."

Ayen gripped the other’s fingers to show his annoyance.

"Explain. What’s sexual about a slap?"

Devion grinned at him. Before he could answer, though, a voice resounded behind them.

"What are you talking about?" Khal’s deep voice, followed by his hands stroking Ayen’s and Devion’s hair. "I heard a weird sentence coming from Ayen."

Ayen turned to him, startled by his sudden arrival. Khal smiled at him slightly before he narrowed his eyes and stared at Devion.

"What are you saying to Ayen, huh?"

Of course, unlike Ayen, who seemed a bit embarrassed, Devion was shameless enough to tell the full details to Khal. His lips could not help but hook up amusingly.

Ayen knitted his brows when Khal’s lips curled as well. These two were truly amused when Ayen could not understand their sexual innuendos.

He was reminded of those days when the two would exchange glances after a word from him, thinking of another dirty meaning in their minds.

Khal arched his brow, and instead of explaining to Ayen, he asked Devion.

"I thought it was not your thing."

Devion shrugged. "Maybe, with you, but let’s see if I like it if Ayen did it."

"Well," Khal turned to Ayen, his eyes deep; somehow, Ayen wanted to turn back. This conversation was weird, but it was making him curious.

Khal’s lips curled.

"Now, I’m starting to look forward to it."

Devion chuckled lightly. He knew the total pervert Khal would love everything sexual. In fact, most of his kinks were tame compared to Khal’s.

Ayen stared weirdly at the two of them. He did not know how this conversation suddenly turned sexual. However, deep inside him, he was not against it.

Of course, the more important thing was...

"Explain it to me first," Ayen urged once more.

He could not just slap Devion when he did not know if that was truly pleasurable or not. Ayen knew it was impossible for him to hurt Devion, but the mere thought of slapping him was enough for him to double-think about doing such actions.