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A Demon’s Kiss 23
~Aspen"This is a terrible idea," I mutter.I don't even know where we are. This morning, Kastriv came to me with an offer that I couldn't exactly refuse. And now, I'm standing in an unknown Territory, walking through a park toward a Noble who tried to kill me."He needs to be spoken to," Kastriv reminds me. Even if he is right, I'm not sure how I feel about having to see Ellard's face again."Why?"Kastriv looks down at me, a cold rage behind his eyes. "Because he may continue to pursue you otherwise."I shudder. There are too many people in my life who I am afraid of, who I am running from. At some point I'm going to have to stand up to them, and I suppose now is the time to start, even if it's not going to be easy."If he kills me now, it's your fault," I tell him bluntly, staring out over the green pond before me.Kastriv threads his fingers through mine. "He won't kill you. Not with me around.""Comforting," I mumble.We stop, facing the pond. To my left, I see a figure tentative
A Demon’s Kiss 24
~AspenI am not ready for this.I've met Noble's before, and yet there is something different about stepping into the Territory One manor they all oversee.It's likely because Ellard may be here, but in reality, it's the cause of this special person Kastriv has told me I'm meeting today.He didn't need to tell me I need to make a good impression tonight, but I get the feeling that nothing else will suffice. Whoever this is, they are important to Kastriv in some bizarre way.I know she practically runs all the Noble's lives, but Kastriv was cagey on telling me why."It was a mistake bringing her here, you know," someone says as we walk through the door, making me jump.It's Larsen, one of the only Noble's I haven't had the chance to meet.Not that it's a bad thing I haven't met him. In fact, it was by design. Oliver cannot stand him, wary of Larsen's poisonous touch and sardonic attitude."Larsen," Kastriv sighs, not seeming pleased to be reunited with his brother either. "I had no ide
A Demon’s Kiss 25
~Aspen Pacing back and forth, I chew on my nails. This isn’t right. There is no chance I’m getting any sleep tonight, not when I’m thinking up a million different situations that could be going on in Kastriv’s room with Daisy there. He wouldn’t do anything…right? I shake my head. Of course not. As usual, I’m overthinking. A soft knock suddenly sounds from the door. I open it immediately, seeing Kastriv standing there meekly. "What is going on?" "Daisy is asleep. I managed to sneak out,” he says, striding in past me. He looks unnerved, his shoulders taut, his expression tense. I wonder if I look that way too, concerned my mate has decided he wants someone else only weeks since finding out about the bond. "Who is the woman? And why does she feel like she can demand you around?" I ask, folding my arms over my chest. I can’t tell if I’m upset at him or not. I shouldn’t be, if he hasn’t done anything wrong, but I can’t help myself. Kastriv sweeps his hands through his ha
A Demon’s Kiss 26
~Aspen Kastriv keeps his promise, and the next morning, we went to Territory Five. It’s a nice place, with mild temperatures and wide open spaces, which at this point, I really appreciate. Kastriv has brought me to quaint home he claims no one will visit, especially no Noble’s. It’s pretty, and will do for the meantime while we figure out or next move, and hope Atari doesn’t learn that we are still together. A few days pass with no disruptions. In fact, it’s quite eerie that nothing has happened. This morning I’ve opted for sitting in the window nook, staring out across the far meadow and to a small woodland area. I’ll explore soon enough, when Kastriv is certain we are safe. The sound of his footsteps approaching from behind have me glancing over my shoulder. “Come on,” Kastriv prompts, shrugging a jacket over his broad shoulders. “Hmm?” “We are going out to a nearby village.” I sit up straighter. “Isn’t that dangerous?” All I’ve heard from him these past few days
A Demon’s Kiss 27
~AspenI wipe the back of my hand over my forehead, breathing out slowly."I don't think I've sweat this much in my life," I mutter, looking over to my left, where Kastriv is finishing up the planting.It's been a nice, calm afternoon. For once.I want this. I want this everyday, with Kastriv here. We have settled into a comfortable silence often. It's mostly because I'm scared of what I might safe if I do stop and talk to him deeply.Sometimes our fingers brush, our stares linger. It would be easy to turn and kiss him, to tell him I want him.I don't think I'm going to have much luck holding off any longer. Kastriv has been patient, which isn't a surprise. He's gentle, sweet and kind.Even if recently I've felt something else going on inside his head, that he is yet to let me see."You should be proud of what you've done," he says, gesturing over the plot that we have planted in. He is right, we worked hard on this and it seems to have paid off."Part of me wishes I didn't have to le
A Demon’s Kiss 28
~AspenI stare at Kastriv's face as he gazes out the window of our transport.He looks handsome, with his hair swept back, making the strong lines of his face more prominent. He's dressed in a black suit, matching his eyes.He looks...intimidating.He can be so sweet to me that at times I forget he is a Noble, that he is powerful in his own right. But considering we are going to a ball that Oliver has told us to attend, I can tell he isn't going to be his usual self.“This is absolutely ridiculous," I mutter, smoothing my hands down my dress. It's simple, but pretty. I just want to blend in and get this over with.Kastriv looks over me. My skin flushes under his scrutiny, as if he is undressing me with his eyes.“If it’s any consolation you look incredible.”I smile tightly, wishing his compliments were enough to put me at ease. “He’s doing this to save his reputation. He’s been made a fool of and he wants to take control again.”Making me out to be Kastriv's pet is yet another sick w
A Demon’s Kiss 29
~AspenPanic sets into the deepest parts of me, as I take in the Demon who has suddenly appeared.Kastriv freezes, taking in the new arrival as well. Boldly, Keo continues to hold out his hand, only looking at me.I nod for Kastriv to go sit down. This isn't exactly and offer I'm allowed to refuse, unless I want to risk him making a scene, which in itself, would expose me."I'll kill you," Kastriv mutters as he brushes him.Keo merely waves his hand dismissively. "Yeah, I'm sure you will."My throat tightens as he takes my hand in his, cold skin brushing against mine. Resting his palm on the small of my back, he presses me against him, my entire body going stiff as a result."What are you doing here?" I hiss lowly as we sway gently to the beat.Keo smiles at me, a single dimple appearing on his left cheek. In another universe I may have found him attractive, since objectively he is.But I know better than anyone here that what darkness festers in his soul makes him vile beyond compreh
A Demon’s Kiss 30
~AspenKastriv didn't get his wish in getting us as far from the ball as possible.We need to stay close, in case anything changes with Oliver. So instead of returning to our sweet, flower surrounding cabin, we are stuck on the ground floor of an old motel in Territory One.I haven't wasted any time telling Kastriv about the agreement I've come to with Keo.I figured I shouldn't keep anything from him, and he's going to find out eventually...He stares at me. “This is a terrible idea.”“It’s all I have.” I rub the back of my neck, trying to avoid sitting down on the unstable double bed in the centre of the room.I've seen the state of those sheets, and it's disturbing.“I know you think you can trust him, but what benefit does he get from this?” Kastriv questions, trying to make sense of Keo's motivations.“He’s going to train me to get a firmer hold on my magic." Kastriv knows this by now, he just doesn't want to admit it.Were it anyone else, he wouldn't mind. I know that. It's Keo
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A Demon’s Kiss Epilogue
~AspenI feel hands on me before I even realise I'm awake.Someone is grazing their fingers along my hand soothingly. For a moment it feels so perfectly blissful I don't want to open my eyes. I just want to stare into the darkness, let it envelop me forever.Regardless, I crack my eyes open, blinking past the dull light.I'm laying in bed, Kastriv by my side. His head is bowed, hand in mine as he sits perfectly still."Kastriv?" I breathe out, my voice raspy and rough.He immediately raises his head, eyes widening. Pulling his chair closer to the bed, he helps me sit up so more, making sure the pillow behind me is perfectly propped up."Hey...you're awake," he says, like he can hardly believe it. He's clearly been sitting there for who knows how long, probably thinking I'm head."I'm alive?" It feels too good to be true. I thought for a second there that I would have died.Many times in my life I sometimes wished for a simple way to relieve my pain. But as soon as that feeling came, i
A Demon’s Kiss 45
~AspenAfter a couple of hours, Atari comes down to the cells to taunt us.The moment she comes into view, I know what I need to do, and I know that I don't feel bad about it. If she kills all Demon's, she's killing herself anyways, so I may as well be the one to do it if it means saving everyone else.“Have you all accepted your fate?” She questions, amusement tripping off each word. From across the cell, I can practically feel the anger seeping off Keo.“In my last moments I would rather not be looking at you, Atari," Keo mutters.She only smiles at him, having no idea about the plan we have concocted. I can tell from Keo's anger that he still suspects that I may not be able to pull this off.I know I will though, because what other choice do I have?“We could have fun together, Keo, if you had your priorities straight," she exclaims pitifully, brushing a long piece of hair over her shoulder.I probably should just let Keo go to kill Atari himself once I get into her head, although
A Demon’s Kiss 44
~AspenI should have known this would happen. It was too easy, too perfect.Atari has two guards come in to take us down to the holding cells at the very bottom of the manor, dragging us ruthlessly without a care in the world.I'm surprised Atari didn't just kill me on the spot. I suppose she gets more pleasure out of watching us suffer."No...this can't be happening!" the spirit shrieks from next to me, trying to pull against the guards grip.I'm not bothering with any protest. Even if I manage to escape from these guards, there isn’t a chance I’ll make it out of here. Knowing my luck, I’ll bump into a Noble who isn’t interested in helping me out."Of course it's happening. You betrayed me,” I hiss back, nearly falling straight onto my face as my foot bumps under a rug."I had to. I couldn't keep living like I was."I grit my teeth, trying not to let my anger overcome me. "You weren't living. That's the point. And now, many Demon's are going to die and so are you.""I thought if I ca
A Demon’s Kiss 43
~AspenIt takes me a day to recover.Kastriv doesn’t leave my side the entire time, patiently waiting for me to regain my confidence after my encounter with my mother. Has hasn’t pushed me, which is probably because he doesn’t want me to go through with this anyway.I have no other choice. That’s why today, I’m doing it.“You don’t have to do this,” Kastriv reminds me quietly, watching me pace across the room, making sure everything is in place.This has to go right. “I know, I know. But I need to do this,” I tell him firmly. It’s exactly what I’ve been telling him all night. He hasn’t been interested in listening, though. He’s pushed and pushed with the hope of changing my mind, but nothing can.This is the only chance I’m going to have to save my own life, and all other Demon’s.“It’s not too late to find another way,” Kastriv breathes, grabbing my hand to stop me from pacing.“It is, and you know that,” I remind him pointedly, standing between his legs as he sits on the edge of th
A Demon’s Kiss 42
~AspenThere is no more conversation for mother and I to have, and she knows it.Someone comes to collect me, taking me upstairs to my old bedroom. The feeling in my legs is taking it's time to come back, so escaping isn't an option right now.I'm laid down on the bed before being left to myself, the door closing behind the guards.I stare up at the roof, gritting my teeth. Beneath me is my old bed. I spent many nights like this, staring up at the ceiling, wishing I were elsewhere.Turning my head, I examine my room.It hasn't changed much, which is a surprise. I would have thought mother would have stripped everything that resembled me away, using the space for her own interests. But nothing has been touched.I screw my nose up at all the dust. This is terrible...I wish I could rip this entire room to shreds, along with all the dark, cruel memories.It takes a few hours of laying on the bed before the feeling in my legs fully returns. I sit up, wincing at the sharp pain in my back.T
A Demon’s Kiss 41
~AspenEverything hurts. Everything.Groaning, I lift my head up, blinking my wary eyes open.I’m in a room, dimly lit with not a window in sight. When I go to move, I realise quickly that my hands are tied behind me.And even more grimly, it comes to my attention that I have no feeling in my legs. I stare down at them, willing them to move, but it’s as if I can’t remember what it was like to ever control them.I’ve been stabbed in the back. By my own mother. Literally and figuratively.I’m going to die…I can’t feel my legs or even where I’ve been stabbed. Clearly it’s damaged me forever, that there is no coming back from this.I want to scream, but like my legs, my mind is entirely numb.The door in front of me opens, a bright light assaulting my vision.Someone steps into the room, the door closing behind them.“Mother?” I ask, my voice croaky and raw.“Ah. You’re awake. Good.” She clasps her hands together, pulling a chair from the shadows so she can sit in front of her.I haven’t
A Demon’s Kiss 40
~AspenI explain it all to him as fast as I can manage.The entire time he stays silent, his expression grave. Doubt starts spreading across his face the more I detail the spirits plan, making it clear that he already isn't on board with this."I'm not going to let Atari hurt you," he insists, grabbing my hands, as if to prove to me that nothing to do with the spirit matters...that I don't need its help."I don't think you can stop her. I don't think anyone can, even Keo," I tell him firmly.She's a Demon, her powers unknown. She has managed to manipulate seven powerful Angel-bloods...if she can do this, then she is very capable of using magic to kill all Demon's in an instance.Kastriv looks sceptical. "But this spirit can?""Apparently." I shrug.He frowns, rubbing the back of his neck. "You should know that spirits cannot always be trusted. They don't abide by a moral system as we do."I nod grimly. I know that, but this spirit has spent far too long trying desperately to get in co
A Demon’s Kiss 39
~AspenKastriv is in shock. Serious shock.So much so that I've booked us into a ancient inn in the centre of the village, because there is no way he's going to transport us out of her."I think we should leave soon," I tell him, looking out the window at a storm is rolling in.Thick, dark crowds crawl through the sky, casting ominous shadows over the village. This inn is hardly clinging to life, so the sooner we get out of here the better."We can't leave yet. I can't leave them," Kastriv mutters.He sits on the end of the rickety bed, head in his hands. I can't even begin to imagine what thoughts are passing through his head. His parents, who he has spent his whole life protecting, don't even remember him."Let's go now. Maybe they are still in the field." I motion stupidly out the window, knowing they would have been chased off by the nearing storm by now.Kastriv's eyes are torn apart by emotion as he looks up at me. "What are we going to say? Atari has shredded apart their minds.
A Demon’s Kiss 38
~AspenIt doesn't take time for Keo to locate Kastriv's parents.We gave him a day to return home, filled with the knowledge of everything Kastriv could impart about his parents to him. It's not much, since they were taken from him so long ago, but Keo seemed convinced he 's capable of tracking them down.He's returned today, looking both determined and wary.Seeing Keo unsure of himself isn't a good sign. He seems to know the result of everything that happens across these lands. It's uncanny, quite frankly."It's simple, in theory," Keo exclaims, stalking back and forth in front of Kastriv and I.Kastriv sighs. "Go on.""Your parents are in Territory One, not far from here," he announces. Kastriv sits up a little straighter, a dulled down version of his true shock crossing his face.He doesn't want Keo to see how much that information pleases him. He doesn't want him to know how desperate he has been over the years to hear that. To know he is one step closer to seeing his parents aga
