Midnight Cove
Kiss of Death

I thought back to our encounter with Phoenix in the woods. My curiosity was burning me up inside and I summed up my courage to ask the question that had been plaguing me. “So, why did Phoenix say I looked scrumptious?” Cove’s face immediately fell but I had to know the answer. “Then...you don’t eat people or drink blood, or anything?”

Cove voice became void of all playfulness. “Yes. Some faeries drink blood,” he paused before adding in a defeated whisper, “and some things that are even worse.”

My eyes grew huge. I didn’t know what to say. “What could be worse than drinking someone’s blood?” I mumbled aloud. It was more of a question to myself but Cove answered me anyhow.

“When we take a life, we must destroy the human’s heart. It isn’t enough to alert humans to our presence but enough to kill them. It is often misdiagnosed by your doctors as some sort of vascular disease.” He sounded so mechanical, like it was a line he had memorized.

“I see.” I didn’t really, but what else was I supposed to say? I sighed deep before asking my next question. “Have you killed people, Cove?” I couldn’t even look at him while I asked it, I was too afraid of looking into his beautiful face and seeing nothing but a killer. I stared down at my fingers, picking at a few split ends as I waited in angst for him to answer.

Cove was patient, he waited a moment allowing me time to brace myself. I could sense his eyes on me, studying me, but I was too cowardly to meet his gaze. The silence stretched and I knew then I deeply regretted asking my question. My fingers stopped fiddling, and I dropped the hair I had been playing with. I paused, afraid he wasn't going to answer me at all, but then the dreaded words came.

“Yes, Bonnie,” he said the words slowly, almost sternly. I couldn’t help it, I raised my head so I could look into his eyes while he spoke. I was surprised by how melancholy they looked. “I am a fatum, Fate. I am not just Destiny in one sense. Yes, I can bring men fortune, or love." He gave me a slight gentle smile at the word love. His eyes lingered on my face a moment longer before looking away, out towards the window and carrying on with his explanation. "I can change the cards of your life. I can give luck, or take it away, but I am also Destiny in another sense. I bring men to their ultimate destiny," he paused and I waited anxiously for him to continue. "I am Fate because I bring humans to their demise, the same fate all living creatures have,” he waited letting the weight of the truth sink in. “I am Death.”

The air in my lungs rushed from me, stolen by the blunt, morbid honesty of his words. His magic, his ability to travel between realms, the fact that he could fly and read my heart, all of it. It all made perfect sense now. It was perfectly clear. I was standing in my kitchen staring Death in the face. I shook my head trying desperately to shake the words away. I tried to dislodge the reality of it from my brain. I didn’t want to believe him, I couldn’t. Death had always been on the perimeter of my life taking away my loved ones, my happiness. Death was the reason why I was all alone, it was the cause of all my heartache and loneliness. There was no way I could fall in love with such a terrible entity.

“No,” I said, still shaking my head like a mad woman, my eyelids clenched tight. Cove reached an upward facing palm toward me. I could sense him, his worry, his body reaching out, but I wanted no part of it. I didn't want him to placate me. “No!” I shrieked, recoiling from his touch. I opened my eyes and glared at Cove in accusation, all the pent up hatred one could possibly have for a life lived alone burning through me. “You!" I spat the words at him. "It’s your fault I’m alone. I have no one.” I began to sob, my body shuddered caught in a torrent of rage and grief.

Moving so fast he was nothing but a blur, Cove was around the counter and clutching me to him. I couldn’t push him away although I had wanted to. I needed him, I needed his love. Death had always been a part of my life and now, I fell into his comforting embrace.

“Bonnie, I am so sorry. I...I...I’m sorry.” Cove never stuttered, always well spoken, he struggled to replace the words that would ease my suffering. Beside myself with pity, I still couldn’t stand the thought of Cove unhappy.

His joy seemed to matter to me so much more than my own. I could handle misery and disappointment, my life was filled with them, but I couldn't handle Cove's. I couldn't ameliorate it within myself for him, this perfect godlike creature, to be downtrodden. Not for any reason, and especially not on account of me. People thought I was pretty, but the only thing I saw was a girl who was pretty screwed up. I wasn't worth being worried over. Not for someone like Cove. He was everything. He was Life. ... He was Death.

“It’s okay Cove. I know that there are other fairies that do this as well, right?” The question came out weak but the point was to show him I understood he wasn’t trying to hurt me. It was exactly as he said, a destiny all living creatures are bound for. It was somehow the duty of the faeries.

“Yes,” he said, grateful for my attempt to understand. “All of the Fates must help mankind meet their destinies. There are so many humans. Many suffer unnecessarily and we of the Fata try to remedy that. It is our duty.” He tried to hide the pride in his voice, but I could detect it. His explanation was an attempt to soothe me while he still maintained his honesty.

“You said 'the Fates,' you mean faeries like you?” I asked.

“Yes,” Cove said, relieved I seemed to be following.

“But what does that mean for other faeries? What about Phoenix? He isn’t a Fate faery.” It wasn’t a question, I knew whatever Phoenix was it wasn’t anything like his brother.

“No,” Cove said unhappiness coloring his tone. It was always the prevalent emotion whenever I brought up his brother. “Phoenix is a Dark Faery, a Daemon. He has nothing to do with humans unless it has to do with entertaining himself.” Cove’s lips curled with disdain for his brother.

“So your brother doesn’t eat hearts, or whatever, but you do?” I eyed him questioningly.

He hung his head resigned to my conspicuous gazing. "I don't eat human hearts." The words came out soft and shameful.

"No, you destroy them. Isn't that right?"

I took his silence as a confirmation. “Then why does Phoenix want my blood?” That’s the part that hadn’t made sense to me. He cut my finger and drank my blood, but why? He merely took a drop before licking my wound and sealing it shut.

“What makes you think Phoenix wants your blood?” Cove perked up a little, clearly curious about the topic or my hidden intentions, I couldn’t tell.

I shrugged, “Eh, I figured as much when he said I was ‘scrumptious’ and kept licking his lips. You knocked him into a tree so I suspected he was a threat. How did you do that by the way?”

“Do what?” Cove wasn’t happy about being sidetracked from the conversation.

“Knock him into a tree that was a football field’s length away from us? You didn’t even touch him but he was in so much pain and he couldn’t move.” Cove tried to hide a faint smile and shrugged nonchalantly. “Why didn’t he fight back?” If it had been me I wouldn’t have just stood there and taken it.

“Pfft,” Cove rolled his eyes and squared his shoulders, standing up a bit taller. “Phoenix could never win a fight against me. It’s part of the reason I hate fighting with him. He’s my little brother. It’s not a fair fight.”

“Oh,” I could understand that. Cove was extremely honorable and the idea of picking a fight with someone younger and weaker than he was rubbed him the wrong way. “But that doesn’t explain how you did it.” I was prodding him, I wanted to know the extent of his magic but every moment with Cove gave me the feeling that I might never fully understand.

“No, it doesn’t.” Cove’s smug smile was back. He knew I hated having him deflect my questions. I felt like sulking at the mere idea of him not answering me once again.

“Ugh,” Cove sighed, “if I answer this one can we drop the faery business?”

“No,” I said. I knew well enough to be specific with Cove. He was exactly the kind of guy that if you gave him an inch he would take a mile. “We can drop the subject for a few hours,” I paused and then added, “if, you answer at least two more questions.” I smiled at that, I was starting to get better with his word games. I knew he would give in, otherwise I would be at it all day.

“Alright,” Cove relented, shaking his head at me which only made the grin spread farther across my face.

“Good.” I said. I was as content with myself as a fast housecat. “I want to know how you were able to knock Phoenix into that tree.” I was excited about this. When he had done it I couldn’t see anything really, just a force gushed out of Cove’s palms and thrusted Phoenix into the bark of the immense tree.

“Certain faeries are known as Elementals. Meaning they can command the elements of Earth, Air, Water, and Fire. I was using the air to blow Phoenix back and keep him away from you.” Cove had moved over to the other side of the kitchen, crossing his arms over his chest, he leaned back resting his shoulder against the wall, looking at me with an amused impatience while waiting for my final question.

“Hmm...,” I had to think about it. If it was going to be my last question for a few hours I wanted it to be a good one. The phone rang then and before I could even extend my hand out to pick it up, Cove answered.

“Hello?” Cove’s voice was so seductive. Whomever was calling was probably falling in love with him from the way he pronounced that one word. “No, this is Bonnie’s residence. I’m her boyfriend, Cove. I have been taking care of her since her terrible accident. Oh she’s recovering well, she’s still a little confused though,” he winked at me and I had to put my hand over my mouth to stifle the giggle. “I’m sure she would appreciate that. Thank you so much for calling, I’ll let her know. Yes, I will. Have a great day,” he said, ending the call.

“What was that all about?” I couldn’t imagine who would be calling me.

“That was Jenna. She was checking on you since you didn’t show up for work this morning or call. She was worried. I told her I was taking care of you and she felt it was best for you to take the next few days off until you are fully recovered. She said you have a stockpile of sick and vacation days so not to worry.” Cove smiled sheepishly. “That was your second question by the way.”

“Ugh,” I let out a small pout. I replayed the conversation and realized he was right. I said two questions, they didn't have to be about faeries. I wasn't specific enough. There was no way I was getting anymore faery answers for at least a few hours. Just when I thought I was getting good at his labyrinthine wordplay. Then, to add insult to injury I remembered Cove telling the caller that he was my boyfriend.

“Ah!” I screamed and dropped my face into my hands.

“What!” Cove reacted rushing to my side placing his hands on my shoulders. “Bonnie, what’s wrong? What is it?” Concern and confused by my actions he stepped to my side, closing the gap between us in a few quick steps.

“You told her you were my boyfriend!” I moaned loudly into my cupped hands.

Cove dropped his hands from my shoulders. “So?" He asked, looking at me with love in his deep brown eyes. "That’s what I am, aren’t I?” He had a coquettish smile on his face and I hated that I loved the look so completely.

I slid my hands farther down my face, just enough for my peeking eyes to glare at him. “Yes, Cove," I sighed with exasperation. "You are my boyfriend.” I didn't exactly love the term. Why label things? He was my person. Putting pressure and labels on things didn't usually help anything. 'Boyfriend' it just sounded so archaic, so juvenile.

I stood up from where I had slumped over the kitchen counter and walked over to where Cove was and wrapped my arms around his trim waist. He was kinda sulking. I suppose he had wanted me to jump and giggle like some silly fangirl. “The fact that I am head over heels in love with Death himself isn’t even the worst part," I said with a groan as I banged my forehead into Cove’s rock hard chest. "It’s the fact that I know Jenna is gonna burn me with a million questions when I get back.”

Cove just laughed his irresistible laugh and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “Come my love, we won’t worry about it for now. Shall we adjourn to the other room and watch cartoons?” he peed down at me with his dumped smile beaming and his one eyebrow arched. Temptation bubbled up within me. The idea of watching cartoons after everything I had learned in the past few hours sounded like heaven. Cove knew exactly what I needed every time. I nodded my head and let a quick giggle escape, Cove watching cartoons was a funny thought. I was excited to watch Spongebob reruns and zone out for a while with my favorite person.