Expected Side Effects
“She is an interesting one.” Altheas immediately dropped the letter he was reading and snarled loudly when he heard the voice. Lips curling back to reveal preternaturally sharp canines, “She is none of your concern.” “Oh but she is! After all, I am right here. With you. Always. In the same body.” The demon hunter growled deeply. His nose crinkling in anger and fists clenching tightly. The letter he was reading just moments ago now getting crumpled into a little ball. “What a marvelous coincidence. To find something familiar after believing it dead along with so many others in that pretty little Temple. She is like you.” “You shut up!” Altheas barked at the disembodied voice, jerking his head to the right as if the speaker were physically there with him. “I know you like her.” “That is also none of your business.” “Oh but it is. It is very much my business. I am here. Within you. Always.” “You said that already.” Altheas snarled, turning his head again. Following a being that was but wasn’t there at all. “It’s such an innocent thing. A precious thing. A... vulnerable thing. All it takes is one slip. One lapse in judgment. To cause something very... unexpected. Forgotten all about during the heat of such a passionate moment. Are you sure you’re willing to take such a risk? To partake in the delicious pleasure of the flesh? Her flesh?” The Illidari was silent, clenching every muscle he could to keep himself from lashing out against something. Anything. The demon within was taunting him. Goading him into lashing out. Reminding him. He stayed quiet. Refusing to answer his inner demons questions. “No answer? Then allow me to tell you: it’s a way out just like any other. You will be free of me. And you’ll have what you want.” “SILENCE!” Altheas howled, swinging his right arm outwards and throwing an inkwell against the nearby wall. The glass vial shattering upon impact, forcing it’s black liquid contents to splatter against the wall it struck. “You even try that and I will not hesitate to do what needs to be done! There is no more Argus to resurrect you! You will not be reborn again when I am through!” His voice echoed within his office. The silence following immediately afterward, only to be interrupted periodically by the standing clock next to the giant ink splotch upon the wall. There was no response to him. Only silence.
