Chapter 280 - The Bowing of Burdens (2/2)

Devina looked over her shoulder at Aegin, ”But-”

”We don't have time to argue, Devina,” said Aegin.

Aegin's gaze met hers. There was no ill-intent there. Just the same sadness reflected in hers, and a determination to save those he could.

Devina stood and began ferrying them over, the maid included. Aegin took the boy as Devina took the mother across last. She paused in the doorway looking back at Aegin. Aegin gave her a small nod. Devina closed her eyes, her entire being telling her that when she saw the boy again, he would not be clinging to the last of the life in him. Then she turned and took the mother across.

She began ushering the family down as she heard the door of the storage room on the opposite side of the deck. Aegin carried the boy closely as they made their way down to the family's room.

The mother sobbed as Aegin passed her the boy's body and she realised that her son had passed. Still, as Devina looked at the little boy, she saw no pain, no fear, only peace.

”Thank you,” the mother said softly, ”Thank you both”.

Then Aegin and Devina returned to their room as the storm made it's last booming threats.

”Why?” asked Devina.

Aegin sighed as he righted one of the chairs in their room and took off his soaked jacket.

”When I feed from you, apart from the initial bite, do you feel pain?” asked Aegin.

Devina hesitated before she shook her head, ”No, but I thought that was normal”.

Aegin shook his head, ”The Paralysis is normal, after all, Prey that can't fight back is far easier to feed from, but the pain, that would be constant if I did not take it away”.

Devina's eyes widened, ”That's why you fed from them, not because you were hungry, but to take their pain away”.

Aegin sighed as he sat back in the chair, ”It's a little more than that. I can take the pain away, but I can also push other emotions back. Like peace, tranquility, happiness”.

Devina was silent as she sank into the other chair beside him.

”I just figured that dying in peace was better than dying in fear and pain”.

Devina watched him for a long moment before his lavender eyes flicked up to meet hers.

”You really don't wish to kill, do you?”

Aegin just stared back at her.

”Then why...? I mean, I understand that you fear those that would give you negative attention, but-”

”I do not fear them, they are of no consequence to me when I can defeat them so easily,” Aegin corrected, ”No, it is not fear that pushes me to kill”.

”Then what is it?” asked Devina.

Aegin was silent for a long moment, so long that Devina was certain he would not reply. That he would close himself off again. But then he spoke.

”When you draw on your power, where do you draw it from? What is it's origin?” asked Aegin.

Devina frowned, ”It comes from within. From my own energy”.

Aegin continued, ”With your Life Lines as the conduit, yes?”

Devina nodded in agreement.

”Well, my power is not generated from within, my power comes from what I take from others, and my Life Lines make it my own. At least, that is my understanding,” said Aegin, ”When you run out of energy, what happens?”

Devina paused, ”We fall unconscious and if it is not remedied, we die”.

Aegin looked back at her, ”It is the same for me. If I do not take in energy, I will eventually die. Perhaps it may take far longer for me that it would for you, but it will happen. In saying that, do you think I have a chance to explain that to everyone else? To have them understand that this is not a joy, but a burden I must b.a.r.e to survive?”

Devina's eyes widened in realisation and Aegin nodded.

”It is easier to kill those who will not give me a chance to speak, than it is to present myself the way I am, and ask for acceptance from a stranger that knows nothing,” said Aegin.