Chapter 2

The next morning, Eli opened the curtains to see thick clouds overhead and his master still sleeping. He sighed, and crept up. Leo was buried under his blankets, with his black messy hair the only thing visible. Eli saw the bundle slowly rise and fall, and listening carefully, he could hear Leo's deep breaths and occasional snore. He sighed. Today was going to be a bit harder. Eli tapped on his head. The breathing stopped, and Leo buried the rest of himself under the covers.

Eli turned around, taking a deep breath. His heart was racing. Eli rubbed his sweaty palms on the side of his pants, glancing back at his master. He didn't really want to wake up Leo how he was ordered to. Plus, how could he, when Leo was completely buried? Eli took a deep breath, and turned to face the bundle again. Slowly, he pulled back the covers.

Laying there in a tangled mess was Leo. Eli had to pause to admire how peaceful he looked. Leo's hair covered most of his face, but what was seen was relaxed completely. His mouth was slightly ajar, deeply breathing like he was before. His cheeks flushed red from the heat under the blankets. Eli pulled the covers down a little more, revealing his torso. He was on his side, arms crossed. Eli could just about see the knees peeking through.

Leo's deep breathing stopped, and he sniffed. Eli took a step back, waiting. Leo closed his mouth and groaned. Then shifted so he was now facing his servant, and reached for his blankets. Eli rushed to hold his hand, stopping him from covering his body again. Leo shivered, and groaned again. Eli sighed, and wiped his palms again, and leaned in.

"Leo. It's time to wake up." Leo groaned again, and turned away. Eli could see clearly he was pouting. He brushed his master's hair out of the way, and leaned in again. "Leo, please. We don't have time for this. You need to help plan the upcoming event."

Leo shot up, crazy eyes staring his servant. "What upcoming event?" Leo back away, taken aback.

"Um. Y-your mother…Her—"

"Oh. Yes." Eli saw his master's facial expression change from confused to determine. After what happened yesterday, he knew Leo was planning something, but he didn't know what. Leo fell back onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. Eli was waiting patiently for his master to get up, until he was given a strange look.

"What?" Leo raised an eyebrow at him.

"What do you mean 'what'? What are you waiting for?" Leo asked. It was then that Eli realized what Leo was waiting for. Here's the moment he knew would come up. He took in a deep breath.

"No."

Leo's brows furrowed, and he turned to look at his servant once more. He blinked a couple times, still not registering that Eli had just disobeyed him. Slowly he sat up, shoving the covers aside and still looking confused at Eli.

"No?" Leo repeated his servant.

Eli dared not look at him. He was racking his brain, trying to figure what Leo meant. Eli gulped, a horrible feeling creeping over him.

"Uh…No, sir?" Eli tried. He wiped his palms, glancing up at his master. No longer was the look confused. No, his face had turned to cold and evil. Eli gasped. Surprised at his own actions, he tried to cover it up by covering his mouth, but it was too late. Leo walked past his servant, and looked out the window.

"Tell me, Eli. Who are you?" Leo said without turning around.

Eli shifted his weight, playing with his hands. "I am, uh, the servant of the heir to the throne, Leo Lis. I am sworn to uphold the duty of keeping him active and on time. I—"

"Yes, active and on time. One of which you are not doing."

Eli gulped, refusing to even glance at his master. "But sir, the words aren't meant to be interpreted in such—"

"I am prince. I am the heir to the throne. I am allowed to interpret any words into anything I please." Leo finally turned to face his servant. Eli was staring at his feet, not daring to move an inch. Leo's shadow covered him, and he flinched when a warm hand was placed on his cheek. Leo stroked his cheek lovingly, thumb grazing his servant's lips. Eli wiped his palms behind himself and glanced up. There, staring at him, was the face of pity. Eli leaned into his master's palm. It was so warm, and strangely comforting. The more ticks the clock past the calmer Eli felt. He closed his eyes. The moment seemed to last forever, and Eli didn't want it to leave.

Leo's hand dropped, startling his servant. Eli shivered, the room feeling cold for the first time, and opened his eyes. The face was no longer pity. It was evil. Leo was paler than before, skin near translucent with black veins showing. His lips dark and cracked, his ears pointed and his eyes. Eli closed his own and looked away, heart pumping in his ears. Leo's eyes were completely red. When Eli looked again, Leo was completely normal. "Were you just—"

"Follow me." Leo made his way to the door, but when he turned around, Eli was in the same exact spot, shivering. "I said follow me." Eli shifted his entire body so it faced his master, and dragged his feet to Leo. When he was sure the boy was following, he led him outside. There was a nip in the air, and Eli noted that the clouds had gotten slightly darker than before.

They kept walking farther and farther from the castle, and closer to the Danger Zone. "Where are you going?" Eli called out. He didn't know if his master didn't hear or didn't care, but he didn't turn around. A blast of wind nearly knocked him off his feet.

Eventually they came to the edge of the forest and Leo stopped. Eli was clinging to his body, trying to keep his body warm from the wind. A chill went down his spine. Leo wasn't turning around.

"Master Leo?" Eli called. He stepped forward, trying to be cautious. Leo's head snapped back, looking just as he did before they left. Eli screeched, and the sky came into view and he landed on his butt. He tried to scotch away, but felt his life draining away. Eli started gasping for air, clutching his throat. Leo turned around fully. Eli called out his name, but there was no response. He gasped some more, and scooted himself away. Eli couldn't bear it any more, he felt like his lungs were collapsing. He looked at Leo again, who was now standing over him. Watching. Eli screamed out when a strike of pain hit his chest. Eli rolled over on his stomach, and tried to get away from his master. Inch by inch he crawled forward, gasping. Leo was following close behind. Eli didn't make it a foot before he collapsed and ceased all noise.

Leo groaned, clutching his head. "Damn demon" he mumbled. Shaking it off, he saw what he had done. He nearly screamed from seeing the body. He didn't kill him. No, the demon did it. Leo was shaking and sweating all over. But he was stuck with the dead body and he didn't know what to do. He shouldn't have killed the demon. No, no, no! This is all wrong! Eli was supposed to help with his plan, not ruin it. Leo kept freaking out and pacing back and forth until an idea came to him. Leo struggled to pick him up at first, but when he did, he went into the forest as deep as he could, and tossed him there. When he was sure the body wasn't going to get up and haunt him, Leo ran out of there was fast as he could.

Leo was back inside the castle and eating his breakfast when his father walked up to him. "Leo. Where is your servant?" The king said with crossed arms. Leo looked up as innocent as he could and shrugged.

"I think he ran away. I should get a new one," Leo said with a stuffed mouth. His father sighed, rubbing his face.

"This is the third servant this month you've had,"

"It's not my fault they're all so weak." His father sighed again and turned to his servant.

"Tell the butler to find Leo a new servant." The servant bowed and turned to leave. "And tell him a female this time. Maybe she could talk some sense into him"

Eli gasped and choked. Looked around him, trying to catch his breath. All he saw were dead trees and some blackbirds. He wiped the sweat away from his face, and tried to sit up. His body he refused, and cracking sounds were all over his body as he forced himself to get up. Eli leaned up against a tree, stilled out of breath. "Spirit guide, please help." He looked up, and closed his eyes. A cool wave washed over him. He felt the pain subside, and he was able to breathe easier. It still hurt, but not as much as before. Eli inspected himself. No exterior damages, but he was sure he had a cracked rib.

First things, first, he had to remember why he was here. Last thing he remembered was going outside to follow Leo, but after that it was blank. Then it hit him. His master had tried to kill him. Eli clenched his fist, and pounded it against the tree he was leaning on. It shook and a bird flew away. He sniffed, and a tear rolled down. He had no idea why his master wanted him dead, he did everything he asked for—well, almost everything. His mind kept wandering back to this morning, when his master had changed his appearance. Eli didn't want to ever see that demonic looking face ever again.

A cold wind rushed his face. Eli realized had no idea where he was. He knew he was in the Danger Zone, but he had no clue which direction he had to go in to get back to the castle. So, he chose a random direction and began to shuffle his way through.

Eli felt like he walked for miles and miles. The sun was already setting, from what little sunrays he could see. His legs were ready to give up and he had no idea how longer his spirit guide could keep him together. He just barely escaped death, and now he was lost. Eli felt he was getting colder by the minute. He felt like he might die anyways.

"Halt! State your name and business!" Eli perked up, and saw in the distance a human figure. His hopes rose, and his feet quickened.

"I am Eli Nosveros, servant to Prince Leo!" Eli shouted back. He was already panting. "My body had been dumped and left to rot, I am lost and have been injured. I seek refuge for the time being!" Eli made it to the guard. Behind him was a path that led to a castle. Eli didn't realize there was a nobleman close by.

"Please, I think I have a cracked rib. I've done what I can to myself, but I can't hold it together much longer." The guard nodded and turned.

"Follow me." Eli did as he was told, and the guard led him to inside the castle. They went up a flight of stairs, tripping once, and down the hall was a medical room.

"Who is this? What seems to be the problem?" The man in charge asked.

The guard spoke first. "This outsider was found stumbling in the Danger Zone. There's little information now, but the poor boy got injured. Says his body was tossed and left to rot." The guard pulled up a chair.

"And, uh, who are you?" The man asked, leading him to a bed.

"I am Eli Nosveros, servant to Prince Leo. He tried to kill me, but I survived."

"I'll send word to Miss Catherine right away!" The guard jumped up and practically ran out of the room.\

"Just fuck me already," moaned a servant. Leo pushed the servant on his bed and jumped on top. He yanked the shirt off the servant and kissed and licked every inch of their body, before yanking off the pants too and licking and kissing the thighs. Leo looked up at the other man and grinned. The servant bit his lip, waiting to be penetrated. Leo shrugged off his own pants and lied on his stomach. Then the door opened, and the butler's head popped in. Leo was pretty sure he saw what they were doing, but chose to come in anyways. The servant's hands darted down to his crotch.

The butler cleared his throat, staying by the door. Leo sighed and looked over at him. "What?" He snapped.

"Your new servant shall be here by tomorrow. His name is Calvin." The butler then left, leaving the door ajar. Leo grumbled as he got up to close the door fully, but instead his father walked in.

"I know Eli is alive." The king looked directly at the male lying on the bed. "You are excused." Eli and the king waited patiently as the servant rushed off the bed and ran out of the room, not bothering to put on his clothes until the door closed.

"What do you mean?" Leo turned and began picking up his clothes to put on.

"I mean, Miss Catherine sent me a message saying that she found one of our servants. It was Eli." Leo continued to put on his clothes. "I know you tried to kill him. Everything was explained to me."

Leo sighed, and went to the mirror. He despised how his father was always trying to take command over him. Leo believed that cannot be ruled the same way his father rules the kingdom.

"Why, Leo? Why must you kill your servants?" Leo sighed and finally turned to his father.

"Like I said before, it's not my fault that they are so weak."

Glossary:

Leo Lis: Only known heir and prince to the Lis kingdom. Currently writes to his sister every month. Was found to have magical abilities at an early age. At 10, he made a pact with his spirit guide, but turned too greedy, and instead found and made a deal with a lust demon at age 15.

Eli Nosveros: Servant to the prince of the Lis kingdom, and has healing capabilities due to his spirit guide. Got the job out of luck.

Miss Catherine: A noblewoman who lives on the edge of the Danger Zone. Her husband died of an attack led by the forest, and after refusing to change castles, she increased the amount of guards guarding her and the castle. She claims she likes the thrill of the unknown. Due to the closeness of the Lis castle, she and Joel Lis are on familiar terms.