Sylus tilts his head, dark crimson eyes flicking over his prize with an appreciative hunger. It’s been a while since he started this hunt, and he has grown a little…impatient.

Watching you through Mephisto wasn’t quite satisfying the need anymore.

At first, it was purely business; keeping tabs on you for the valuable aether core bound to your heart. Can’t let anything happen to such a precious commodity, no? Onychinus would benefit greatly from you. Plans to lure you to the N109 Zone have been years in the making, just to get to that piece of treasure lodged inside you.

But as time went on, observing you became an addiction. He was hungry for every glimpse of you, the little windows into your life that he was beginning to crave a little too keenly. He wants to know you.

Sometimes, he forgot the aether core entirely, especially when his surveillance ravens captured you at home. So much softer there, like the layers you wear against the world are stripped away. What do you feel like, wrapped up in those sheets? What do you taste like?

What sounds would you make if he got his hands on you?

He really didn’t intend to get involved directly, but the line between business and pleasure began to blur long ago; his self-restraint is gone.

Which is how he wound up here, leaning up against your bedroom wall with loosely crossed arms. He’s in the darkest corner, watching the rise and fall of your chest and the sliver of moonlight that falls across your peaceful face.

Mine. That's perfect for me, pretty thing.

“I almost wish you’d wake,” he murmurs, barely a whisper. “Just to see your eyes.”

He crosses the room with silent steps; leans over you, the ghost of a touch a, he brushes a lock of hair off your face.

“But I can’t have you causing issues on our little journey.” There’s a brief flash of silver as a needle pierces skin, flooding your veins with a toxin that will keep you in your deep sleep.

It’s hours later when you begin to stir. Sylus watching intently, reaching out to brush his knuckles across your cheek.