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2024-10-29 19:42:56Kaugnay na kabanata
A Demon’s Kiss 37
~AspenI stare at the Demon across the table from me, and then at my mate beside me."We didn't know who else to talk to," I say after what feels like decades of silence.Kastriv wasn't happy when I brought up Keo and how we should meet and talk to him. Eventually he reluctantly agreed, letting Keo visit one of his many properties.And now, we all sit in the same room, the tension palpable.Keo looks at me. "Not when everyone wants you dead.""How can you help Aspen?" Kastriv demands. He doesn't want Keo here for any longer than he needs to. I can't blame him, Keo does have an infinity for making situations uncomfortable.Keo sighs, tipping his head back. "Look, I don't know much about spirits. It's not my kind of thing.""You must know something." I'll beg him if I have to.He sighs, tilting his head from side to side. He was very dramatic when I asked him to come here in the first place. Apparently he has far more important things to deal with, forcing me to remind him of his obliga
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
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 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 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 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 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 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
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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
