Chapter 8: The Demon's Rebellion
Rolex stared at the tears rolling down Akin's face, each drop hitting him like a blade. Something inside him twisted, a feeling he didn't recognize. His demon stirred, restless, urging him to move closer. Before he could stop himself, his hand reached out, brushing the tears from Akin's cheek. The boy's skin was warm, soft despite the bruises, and the touch sent a jolt through Rolex's body, like fire in his veins. His demon roared, loud and demanding, but Rolex fought it, his jaw tight.
Akin looked up, his eyes wide, confused. "What… what are you doing?" he asked, his voice small, shaking with fear and something else—hope, maybe.
Rolex froze, his hand still on Akin's face. He yanked it back, like he'd been burned, and stepped away, their eyes locked. The air was heavy, the room too quiet. Akin swallowed, his voice barely above a whisper. "What should I do now? You've got me here. What do you want me to do?"
Rolex's chest tightened. He didn't know why this boy's voice, so soft and broken, made him feel like he was losing control. "Take a rest," he said, his voice rougher than he meant. "I'll send someone with breakfast. You'll eat."
Akin's eyes narrowed, a spark of defiance breaking through his fear. "And then what?" he asked, stepping forward despite the tremble in his legs. "You're keeping me like a prisoner. What's gonna happen to me? I deserve to know my fate!"
Rolex's lips twitched, a cold chuckle escaping. "Your fate?" he said, his voice low, mocking. "You don't need to worry about that. Follow my rules, don't mess up, and you've got nothing to fear."
Akin's hands clenched, his voice rising. "Nothing to fear? You bought me! My dad sold me to you! How am I supposed to feel safe?"
"You're alive, aren't you?" Rolex snapped, his eyes flashing. "That's more than most get. Don't push me, boy."
Akin opened his mouth, then closed it, tears welling up again. Rolex turned, his coat flaring as he strode to the door. He couldn't stay here, couldn't keep looking at those eyes. "Droko!" he barked as he stepped into the hall. His Shade was already there, standing guard, his cold eyes glinting.
"Yes, my lord?" Droko said, bowing low.
"Get the boy breakfast," Rolex ordered, his voice sharp. "Make sure he's fed. Don't let him starve."
Droko nodded, his face blank. "Right away, my lord." He turned to leave, but Rolex's voice stopped him.
"And Droko," Rolex said, his tone colder, "keep your eyes on him. Always."
Droko bowed again. "Understood." He walked off, his boots echoing down the hall.
Rolex strode to his office, his steps heavy, his mind a storm. He slammed the door behind him and leaned against his desk, his fingers gripping the edge. A sword lay on the desk, its blade gleaming in the dim light.
He picked it up, his hand steady, and pointed it at the door, as if he could slice through the chaos in his head. His demon growled, its voice loud, insistent, clawing at his mind.
*Why can't you touch him?* Rex, his demon, snarled. *He's our soulmate, our missing piece. We need to mark him, claim him. Now.*
Rolex's grip on the sword tightened. "He's a human," he spat, his voice low, angry. "A weak, pathetic human. I won't have him as my partner."
Rex's growl deepened, shaking Rolex's bones. "You don't get to choose," it said. "He's ours. Step down, Rolex. Let me take charge."
Rolex's eyes flared, his voice rising. "You don't tell me what to do, Rex!" he shouted, slamming the sword back onto the desk. "We've been together for centuries, and I'm the one in control. Not you."
Rex's laughter was dark, mocking. "Control? You're losing it," it said. "We've waited lifetimes for our soulmate, and now he's here, right in front of us. You saw his tears. You wanted to hold him, tell him it's okay. And you're pushing him away? You're a fool."
Rolex's chest heaved, his anger mixing with something else—sadness, maybe, or longing. When he'd seen Akin's tears, he'd felt it, that urge to pull him close, to promise he'd be safe. But the thought of a human as his mate made his blood boil. "He's nothing," Rolex muttered, his voice shaking. "He can't be the one."
"You felt it," Rex growled. "The bond. The pull. You can't lie to me. I'm part of you."
Rolex's head spun, a sharp pain stabbing behind his eyes. "Shut up!" he roared, his voice echoing in the office. He clutched his head, his vision blurring as Rex pushed harder, its power surging like a tide. "Don't you dare take control," he warned, his voice low, desperate.
Rex's voice was relentless. "I've waited long enough," it said. "I won't wait anymore. I'll have him, with or without you."
Rolex's right hand twitched, dark flames flickering around his fingers. He stared at it, his heart racing. He was losing control—Rex was too strong, too desperate. His eyes burned, turning red, glowing like fire. He tried to fight, to push Rex back, but the demon was winning. His vision darkened, his body growing heavy, like he was sinking into himself.
"No!" Rolex shouted, his voice breaking. But it was too late. His eyes closed, and when they opened, he wasn't in control anymore. He was trapped, a prisoner in his own mind, watching as Rex took over. His body moved, but it wasn't him. Rex stared into the mirror across the room, a slow, wicked smile spreading across his face. The reflection showed red eyes, sharp and hungry, ready to claim what Rolex had denied.
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