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The Darkest Temptation 1
~ToveI never do this.Ever.Dating doesn't exactly come naturally. Not when my luck has been abysmal, and my only companion recently is my talented fingers. Tonight, that changes. I'm unsure what to expect. My friend Mary practically begged me to come on a date with this stranger after she met him at her work. She wouldn't tell me much, although insisted I wouldn't regret it. We'll see. The resturant it quiet tonight, the storm gathering outside having chased off most of the potential patrons. The gentle glow the fireplace on the far side of the room emits is alluring warm, as I shrug off my wet coat. And then I see him. He sits at a table tucked into the far corner, watching me. My mouth dries. If that’s him, I’m in trouble. He leans back in his chair, amidst the shadows, a dark, almost cruel look about him. It should frighten me back out the door, and yet, I’m compelled to stare back at him. Slowly, the corner of his sensuous mouth tilts up in a knowing smile. Fuck. Ca
The Darkest Temptation 2
~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
The Darkest Temptation 3
~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
The Darkest Temptation 4
~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
The Darkest Temptation 5
~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
The Darkest Temptation 6
~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
The Darkest Temptation 7
~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
The Darkest Temptation 8
~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
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The Darkest Temptation 46
~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
The Darkest Temptation 45
~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.
The Darkest Temptation 44
~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
The Darkest Temptation 43
~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
The Darkest Temptation 42
~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
The Darkest Temptation 41
~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
The Darkest Temptation 40
~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
The Darkest Temptation 39
~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
The Darkest Temptation 38
~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
