~Tove
I couldn't run fast enough from the restaurant.I'm usually only grateful for my magic, that allows me to transport small distances, in moments when I don't feel like walking home from work in the rain, or when I want to remove myself from awkward situations quickly.I've never needed it to run from a murderer.My apartment materialises in front of me, my magic dissipating as I launch into a run up the stairs, not stopping until I'm on the fourth floor, in front of my friend's door.She opens it after only seconds of my incessant pounding."Woah, Tove..." She stumbles back as I barge inside, gesturing wildly for her to lock the door behind me while I try to catch my breath."He's a murderer," I gasp out.She tucks her bathrobe tighter around herself, yawning. "Who?""That guy you set me up with. He told me he's a murderer," I tell her frantically, raking my hands through my damp hair.She wanders over to her kitchen counter, filling her kettle with water. "Like actually?""Yes actually!""Sit down, you're going to have a panic attack." She gestures over her shoulder for me to sit down on her couch while she flicks the stovetop on, heating her water.She sounds bored, tired. She doesn't believe me, and why would she?"You sent me on a date with a murderer." I flop onto the couch, sinking deeper into the cushions.Keo's striking eyes flash through my mind. I should have known someone that beautiful couldn't look like that and be entirely sane. It wouldn't be fair if he were.Mary turns, resting her back against the counter, regarding me with a judgmental raised brow."He's not a murderer, Tove. I met him, he was very gracious and sweet with me, so I assumed you would enjoy a date with him.""He's a murderer, I mean it. He told me himself!" I insist.The way he had sounded…He’s revelling in it, taunting his next victim to fulfil some sick fantasy in his head?Mary waves her hand through the steam wafting from the kettle. "Was he not just joking?""He whispered it in my ear, no hint of amusement or anything." I shudder, as if I can still feel the ghost touch of his breath against my skin."I don't think Keo is a murderer."I watch Mary pour the hot water into two cups, dunking the teabags. She’s always reasonable, always pragmatic. Of course she doesn’t believe me; I sound unhinged."How did you meet him again?" I ask, twisting the damp ends of my dark curled hair.She hands me the tea. "I met him at the library. We were reading the same book, and a conversation got struck up.""Which he encouraged.""Well yes, you know how shy I can be..." she breaks off, turning away.I stare at her back. Perhaps it's just a coincidence, but Keo knew about my magic, and didn't seem overly interested in actually dating me.What...what if he set this date up purposefully?"He's going to kill us. Did you tell him where we live?" I glance at the door, as if he may burst through with a knife at any moment.Mary rolls her eyes, shaking her head. "No, of course not."I stare into the dark tea, as if I can see his eyes in it, staring back at me. He let me run. Why? He knows something that I don't, clearly."I can't believe that just happened,” I mumble."If you don't want to see him again, you don't have to,” she reminds me, coming to sit down on the couch beside me.I take the blanket she hands me, draping it over my legs. "There was something seriously off with him."How am I supposed to sleep tonight? How am I supposed to go out tomorrow without fear of him coming after me?"Fine. Say he is a murderer, why would he just tell you that?" Mary presses, entertaining my foolishness."Maybe that's part of the fun for him. Scaring his victims before stalking and killing them." I sip at my tea, ignoring the sting of heat."Tomorrow we will go to the authorities. Will that make you feel better?"I summon a deep breath. "Much better."I doubt there is much they can do, but perhaps they have heard his name before and suspect him of others crimes."Sleep here tonight.""Why do I have such bad luck with relationships? Even a blind date goes terribly for me,” I grumble pitifully.He was meant to be perfect. I was meant to bring him back to my apartment, into my bed.With Keo, I definitely imagined doing so…"This one date doesn't mean others will go bad in the future,” she assures me."You know what he said to me? He said he thought I had a bad mentor in my past and insisted I may have more powers than I think."No one has ever told me that. Angel-blood’s are rare, but there are more like me, with trace amounts of magic, then those like the Noble’s, who are almost all powerful.Mary startles. "You told him you are Angel-blooded?""No, of course not. He said he saw it in my eyes." I touch my face, wondering if it's obvious. Mary never guessed it when we first met, and no one else has since.Mary scrunches her nose up. "What a creep."A firm knock on the apartment door has both of us flinching.Mary and I both exchange glances before she gets to her feet, making toward the door, but I step in front of her, blocking her."Don't answer it," I whisper, looking toward the door. There is a good chance Keo has found out where Mary lives and has come to silence me forever.Rolling her eyes, Mary shoulders past me, standing on her tiptoes to look through her door's peephole."It's probably our-"She breaks off, stumbling back from the door."What is it Mary?" I can hear my voice shaking.Slowly, she turns, eyes so wide, I think she is close to fainting."Nobles," she whispers.That was the last thing I expected her to say."What?""I'm not kidding. There are literally two Noble's standing in the hallway," she breathes, pressing her back flat against the door, as if to block them from entering.There are seven Noble's who rule here, in Territory One. Each have strong magic that far rivals mine. It's why they have been entrusted to rule here."Why would there be Noble's here?"Mary brings her hand to her mouth, chewing on her already worn down nails. "I should open the door and find out."I grab her arm. "No, that could be dangerous.""They are Noble's, they run this Pack. I'm sure it will be fine." Her hushed voice sounds both terrified and irritated. Her fear of authority is going to get us killed one day.Tentatively, she opens the door a crack, peering out."I apologise for the late hour. Is Toven here?" I hear one of them ask. Their voice is soft, mellow, sounding a lot like Ellard."We need to speak to her," another reiterates. I'm unsure of that voice.Mary's knuckles are white as they clench the edge of the door. I'm sheltered from view, but just knowing these Noble's are here for me is enough to leave me feeling vulnerable."Why?""It's in regards to a man she conversed with tonight,” Ellard says.This is about Keo.Mary looks back inside, looking for confirmation. I nod once. I’m far safer in the company of Noble’s than an admitted murderer. And if they are visiting, something must be going on…Mary holds the door open. "Come in."Two men stalk into the room, dwarfing the size of the apartment with their towering height.My mouth dries at the sight of them, having never seen them in person before."Hello Toven. My name is Ellard, and this is Arkyn.” Ellard motions to his side, at the man I now recognise.They truly are Angel-bloods. It’s evident in their appearance, in the way they carry themselves. Their magic is so much more potent than mine."I know your names,” I mumble, folding my arms over my chest.Arkyn is far more imposing than Ellard. His eyes are a vivid dark blue, that seem to have no problem scrutinising me. Along his cheek bones, are thin silver lines, which I’ve heard turn black when he is using his magic."We wanted to talk to you about a man named Keo,” he says, turning my blood cold."What about him?"Ellard’s golden gaze is soft, non-accusatory. "Do you know him personally?"I swallow, shifting uncomfortably as Arkyn circles around me, falling down onto the couch. I twist so I can see both of them, unnerved with whatever technique they are using to squeeze information from me."I met him tonight, on a blind date she set up,” I say, blindly pointing at Mary. She’s the picture of innocence, how could anyone suspect she had done something incriminating?Arkyn’s gloved fingertips tap rhythmically against the couch arm. "What was the manner of your conversation?""What's this about?"I’ve stepped into something dark, something dangerous. Keo isn’t a good man, it’s clear to me now more than ever."Just answer the question,” Arkyn demands."I don't know...It was strange,” I blurt out. How else could I possibly describe it?"He told her he was a murderer,” Mary adds. Her face is stark, horrified of what she has been dragged into.Ellard frowns. "Did he?""Yes,” I admit sheepishly. This entire thing is embarrassing."And what did he say after that?" Arkyn presses. He clears thinks I’m deranged or foolish for going on the date, as if I knew what I was walking into."Nothing. I left straight away,” I clarify.Ellard looks toward Arkyn, however his friend is still staring at me as if he can open my mind and investigate it himself.He can subject anyone to his illusions, which if I think too deeply into, I’ll freak myself out."Toven, I regret to tell you this, but tonight you went on a date with the most dangerous person in this Territory," Ellard says quietly, as if fearful someone else may be listening in.Arkyn clears his throat. "And you might still be in danger."~Tove My blood goes ice cold. "He wants to kill me, doesn't he?" I have no idea what I've done to deserve it. All I really do is go to and from my work, and sometimes go out with Mary. Not that anyone deserves it, but why am I the target of a murderer? "We can't be sure. He acted completely out of character tonight by going on a date with you," Ellard explains. Out of character? What is in his character? "He hasn't been in contact with anyone we have been able to trace in a very long time," Arkyn says, adjusting his jacket. "Why is he dangerous?" It's not going to help me fall asleep tonight, but I want to hear examples of everything that he has done in the past to bring him to the attention of Noble's. "His powers exceed ours, as Noble's." Ellard gestures between himself and Arkyn. My eyes widen. I've grown up in this Territory hearing that Noble's are peak of power in the whole land. That they choose to rule here, over us, instead of elsewhere. Now, to hear that
~KivaI don’t hesitate, turning back toward the door, only to find it locked.Panic spreads through me like a plague. The murderer in my room is clearly to blame for the way the door has magically locked. Regardless, I shake and pull at the handle, to no avail.Slowly, I turn back around. Keo smirks at me."How..." I break off, voice sounding strangled."Something upset you?" He asks, as if his presence alone is terrifying, whether I know about him or not. I don’t even want to think about how he got in here in the first place…"You're a Demon,” I say slowly, the words sounding strange coming out of my mouth.Now that I’m looking at him, I see it. Of course he’s a Demon. You don’t look like him and not have something sinister going on behind the façade."So the idiots over there told you, did they?" He tilts his head to the side.His smile is amused, but his dark eyes are cold. He isn’t here to entertain me, he’s here for a very specific reason and it may just be to murder me.When I d
~ToveThere's only one thing on my mind.I open the door to Mary's apartment, stepping inside. Arkyn sits on the couch while Dax helps Mary carry her bags from her bedroom."I've decided I no longer want to go," I voice confidently, trying to pretend like my voice isn't wavering.I could be making a mistake.But saving Mary is all that matters right now, and if that means selling my soul to a Demon, I'll do it.Arkyn turns to stare at me. "Why not?""I feel more comfortable here, in my own home." I motion at the door, toward my apartment.It's not safe from Keo, obviously. There is no way I'm going to tell the Noble's, though. They won't understand why I need to do this, why Mary is so important to me.And if all they are willing to do is lock me up rather than actual protect me, then how can I trust they will be willing to find a cure for Mary?"What? Come on Tove, we should go where we know we will be safe," Mary insists."I don't think it's necessary...I mean, I doubt he's coming f
~ToveEventually, Mary dozes off.She looks so peaceful, not a care in the world with her now dry jacket bundled under her head.She wanted to stay awake, but once we left the Territory, she succumbed to the satisfying click of the train on the tracks, the way it sways gently.When I am certain she will not be waking for a few hours, I stand.Bracing my hands on the top of each seat as I walk down the aisle, I keep my gaze pinned to the Demon splayed out in his own booth, not a care in the world.I slide into the faded red seat opposite him, resting my elbows on the table.Slowly, he slides his hood back, dark locks of hair tumbling out over his forehead. "You made the right decision."Did I? I don't have it in me to be scared anymore."Then why do I feel so torn?" I say it more so to myself than him, knowing he isn't going to comfort me.He taps his fingers on the surface of the wooden table. "Because you're frightened of me."I shift, his dark gaze burning into me, like an ice cold
~ToveWe made it to Territory Seven a couple days later, around midday.Keo didn't stick around after our conversation, and hasn't shown up since. So Mary and I have spent the two nights curled up on the seats feeling miserable about the entire experience.Once we arrived, we found a place to stay temporarily outside of the main village.It's perfectly remote, and we are unlikely to be tracked for a while.Mary stands at the kitchen bench, staring out the window. "We could have gone anywhere..."I look down at my coffee. Territory One is a cold, horrible tundra. It stretches endlessly, and there is one way in and one way out."They won't think we would come here," I tell her, trying to find a bright side through all of this, even if it's nearly impossible.Mary has gone considerably quieter over the past couple days. She is still reeling from this, and every other hour she asks me if we made a mistake, if we should have just lived our lives out with the Noble's.Because how terrible c
~ToveI stare at the Noble, a chill racing down my spine, and not just because of the bitter air the open door it letting in."Where is my friend?" I ask slowly.If he is taken her to manipulate me...my priorities will have to change."Right here. She is how I found you." He grabs to the left of him, tugging my friend over into view. Her gaze is trained down at her feet, the pained look on her face suggesting she has done this terrible thing."Mary..."She looks up suddenly, anger flaring in her eyes. "I'm sorry Tove, but I'm not going to let a Demon hurt you because of me.""So you told a Noble where I was?" I can hardly believe it. I'm not even sure how she managed to pull it off, but I suppose it makes sense why she was so eager to head toward the main village.Mary's expression breaks. I've hurt her, and now she's hurt me. But this doesn't feel even...Because she has knowingly signed her own death sentence."I had to. I wasn't going to let you make a deal with a Demon to save my
~ToveI pace back and forth, watching the sun slowly start to vanish behind the Territory One cityscape.I'm going to transport myself out of here. I have to. What is stopping me from going right now is Mary.Leaving her here is the last thing I want to do. She has made it clear, though, that she isn't okay with my idea, and at least her being here will mean she is safe, while I try find a cure through Keo.A soft knock on my door has me turning around defensively, scowling as Dax opens it."What do you want?" I snap."I've come to apologise. And talk to you one on one," he says softly.He has a kindness in his eyes when he talks to me that makes me want to trust him. But no amount of trust is going to change the truth.Him and all the Noble’s stand no chance hunting Keo down.And even if they did…Mary would die."You don't have my respect just because you're a Noble." I fold my arms over my chest, glaring at him. People fall at these Noble’s feet because they are handsome and powerfu
~ToveThe moment my feet touch the ground, I fall forward onto my knees.Keo merely strolls past me, brushing lint off his black jacket. I scowl up at him.“Murderer," I growl hatefully.He looks down at me with that sick, sadistic smile on his face that I want to wipe off. All of this is amusing to him, it's fun.“We knew that already.” He holds his out to me.Ignoring it, I stumble up onto my feet, looking around. We aren't in the hellscape I thought we would be, considering everything I've been told about this Demon.This is Territory Two. It's dark, but I can hear the sea roaring outside the large, open balcony doors. I can taste the salt in the soft breeze that ruffles my clothes and hair.And it's so wonderfully warm, despite the hour.“Fuck you," I hiss.“Calm down," he orders firmly, which only fuels my anger. How can he be so infuriating without every trying?“I just watched someone die!”It feels as though a rock has settled in the pit of my stomach. Watching that person los
~ToveI let out a contented sigh, resting my head against Keo's chest.I've never experienced such bliss. I'm in my mates room, in his bed and in his arms. Nothing can harm me while I'm in here."Why don't we just stay in bed and never get up," Keo muses, gently playing with my hair.A smile stretches across my face. "That sounds nice."Relm, my mother, the other Demon's are far away issues right now. They can be dealt with later. Keo's eyes shift over my naked body that is stretched out over his sheets. "I just want to lay here and stare at you all day.""That isn't very polite," I tease.He grins, flipping me over. He leans down, kissing me once, twice. My toes curl, enjoying the feeling of his hand smoothing down my body."We may have already passed polite," he murmurs against my skin, kissing down to my neck. Chills flutter across my skin. Everywhere he touches me, kisses me feels awakened. It's a feeling I want to chase forever.The only problem is, as selfish as I want to be to
~Tove "That..." I slap my hand over my eyes. "Did not go as planned."Keo paces back and forth, his footsteps echoing through the vast foyer. My stress has chased me all the way from Territory One with the Demon's to back in Territory Two."I will say I didn't expect twins, but I expected them to act that way," he admits, ruffling a hand through his hair."Really?"I'm not sure what I expected, but it wasn't that. Maybe I'm just surprised that I managed to get out of there without being slaughtered on the spot."They have been isolated from other Demon's for a great amount of time. They don't know who to trust," he reminds me.He starts off through the large sweeping archway, heading toward the glass balcony door.I chase after him. "We threw ourselves into the lion's den for them. How could they not trust us?""Ziah knew who I was. He wasn't entirely convinced about my plan." He presses the door open, a cool, sea scented breeze touching my skin as I follow him out onto the balcony.
~ToveI'm transported by the Demon into a separate part of the cave.She nudges me forward, ensuring I walk down the corridor that emerges into a surprisingly intimate sitting area.My eyes immediately fall upon my mate, who is sitting rigidly on a plush crimson seat, holding a glass of something dark in his hand.On the seat over from him is an unfamiliar man who I pin as the other Demon.He has the same air about him as Keo. He seems tall, with broad shoulders and long legs, and is utterly terrifying.He shifts his attention to us as we enter the room, the words he was once speaking to Keo falling short at his lips.His eyes are a brilliant silver, sweeping down over me. Something shifts in his expression.He knows I'm an Angel-blood.I'm not sure if I'm used to being around a powerful Demon, but I don't flinch away from the force of his presence. His sister's nearness is just as intimidating; especially since she is still staring at my neck.He stands, and to my surprise, he smiles
~ToveI yawn, trying not to drag my feet.This has been the longest day of my life. I've followed Keo around a large part of the Territory One city, asking people for information.Almost every one of them has no idea what we are talking about...This fabled Demon doesn't seem to exist."We have talked to everyone we can, we have been to every corner of this city...this is hopeless," I mutter, pausing at the end of the street.The sun is setting behind the rolling dunes of the expansive desert. We have made it to a district at the end of the city that is almost half consumed by sand. It's everywhere. It blankets roofs, it blows across the street and right into my eyes..."It just doesn't make sense," Keo mutters, sweeping his hand through his hair frustratingly. "Why would this Demon stop taking Angel-blood's from here?"I sigh, shaking my head."Because they aren't here anymore," I mutter.The wind flutters through Keo's hair as he stares out at the horizon. He's tense, uneasy. Ever s
~ToveI don't take Relm's hand, pushing up to my feet myself.I steady myself, trying not to panic. If I keep him talking, it may give me enough time to find another way out of this."Tell me who it is you trust to rule over the Demon's," I demand firmly.Relm has the ability to get rid of me in an instance and yet he is hesitating. He clearly doesn't want me dead, I just need him to see that keeping me alive is worth more than killing me in cold blood.Relm sighs, blinking his dual coloured eyes. "It would be a waste of my breath.""Why? Because you enjoy taking innocent lives?" I ask, trying not to shiver. My breath billows in front of me, reminding me that if Relm doesn't kill me, this terrible cold soon will."Quite the opposite," he mutters, conflict toying in his expression. "But this person...well, you will not find them."My jaw clenches tightly, but I don't wince. This is beyond frustrating."You're Relm. Can you not figure it out?" For someone who supposedly doesn't want to
~ToveKeo smooths a map down on the table in front of me."This realm has an interesting layout," he notes, running his hand along it.The map shows an island split into two. Keo is right, it does have a strange layout, with one side seeming to be mountainous, while the other is smooth and flat. It seems small compared to my home realm too."Okay." I'm nodding numbly, trying to drink everything in. I'm going to have to not only become familiar with this layout, but also become connected to it.It's been made clear to me that today is the day I'm transporting to the new realm. There is no other option, considering the pressure from Relm."There is no point aiming for anywhere in particular, since you've never seen, nor can you even imagine being there, so just shoot for the general area," Keo says, motioning around the perimeter of the islands."That sounds dangerous." What if I plunge myself into a massive volcano or something similar?Keo holds my gaze. "It is dangerous. But if anyon
~ToveI catch a glimpse of light spilling onto the water logged street from a few steps away, signalling refuge."Come in here. We need shelter from the rain."Grabbing Mary's arm, I pull her along, pushing through a glass door and into a bar. The bartender flinches at our sudden interest, nearly dropping the glass they are polishing.Looking down, I see my sleep clothes plastered to my body like a second skin. Feeling the gaze of the single patron slumped at the bar, I quickly peel the fabric off me as much as possible."I can't believe that happened..." Mary gasps out, sweeping back her dark wet hair with both hands before she falls into the booth.I join her on the other side, stunned. "Yeah, me either.""Did you get a look at who did it?" She asks, shuddering. Thankfully it's warm in here, considering how wet we now are.I close my eyes, trying to piece together as much as I can. Nothing about that person felt familiar, which gives me some kind of solace. What I regret most is not
~ToveKeo smooths my hair back, smiling down at me.“Promise you will come back and you'll feel better." It feels more like a cautious concern than an instruction."I promise. I think this is exactly what I need," I tell him, mustering a smile.Him and I decided that I need a break, just for a couple of days. He's going to take me somewhere and I'm going to try and relax, so when I come back, I'll feel more certain about him, and where we stand.Keo turns to my friend. "Take care of her, Mary."He picked her and brought her to Territory Two only moments ago. He understands how much Mary means to me, and that if I'm going to get my thoughts and feelings under control, I'm going to need her."Of course," she says, winding her fingers through mine. "We are going to have some fun. For once."Keo nods, looking solemn. "If anything happens, let me know. Okay?"After my attempt to escape, I can see he is wary about sending me off, but he is choosing to trust me. Still, it seems like it's goi
~ToveI rush up to the room, pressing my back against the closed door.This may be wrong, but I need to get out of here...just for a bit. I need to think this over, and more importantly, I need to determine whether I am safe to come back her.Keo may have changed, but it is my life I am gambling with. I need to be careful.I have no bag, so I make quick work of pulling clothes from the dresser, piling them into a sheet I lay out on the floor. Once it is full of all that I will need, I wrap it up and tie it until I'm satisfied it won't come apart as I make a break for it.From there, I'll get my bearings, Mary, and then I'll leave again before Keo can catch up to me.I just need to find a train station before dawn. Then, Keo will wake, and expect me to be down for breakfast.Just as I turn to choose an outfit that will be appropriate for running through the night, the door to the bedroom opens tentatively.I practically throw myself as far from the dresser as possible.Keo leans agains