Page 107

Xen stared at the finger jabbed at his ribs, then slowly wrapped his fingers around that hand’s wrist, bringing it up to his lips. “Evan, that hurt.”

His lips grazed Evan’s wrist, over his thundering pulse. He inhaled deeply, as if trying to engrave his scent into his senses. Evan wanted to pull his hand away, but that touch was so warm, and without his coat, he was unnervingly cold. So, only for the sake of his own benefit and not because Xen’s touch felt particularly good, Evan let him sniff his hand like it was his dose of drugs.

When his clothes had burnt down, Evan had felt a rush of nervousness and…and something he couldn’t decipher. Like he wanted to rush forward and put himself between the two demons, who knows why. Now that he thought about it, it was probably just his impulsive thoughts.

“Don't youeverpull a stunt like that again,” Evan muttered, jaws clenched.

Xen smiled against his knuckles. That was enough of an answer. Hewasgoing to pull such stunts in the future.

“Give me your word,” Evan demanded.

Dark eyes crinkled before Xen tugged on the hand he was holding, pulling Evan into him. “You sound concerned, Evan.”

Evan’s fingers curled into fists, trying to ignore the soothing scent of damp earth and the warmth of Xen’s skin against his. With much effort, he gritted, “You wish.”

Xen leaned down, nuzzling his temple. “Oh, I do.”

Before Evan could act on his impulse and do something he’d regret. Like punching a demon in the face…

“My lord.”

Evan jumped, bumping into Xen and staying glued there. His fists raised in a defensive stance as he stared at the black-clad individual who’d…materialized from the cloud of dust?

“Who the fu…” Evan paused, noticing the absence of the Hellguard’s body. Then looked back at the youth standing before them. “You…”

Green eyes, pale complexion, and a black robe that vaguely resembled Xen’s but plainer. His long hair was fastened at the nape of his neck, some loose strands gathered around his blank face. His body structure was similar to Evan’s, just a bit scrawny.

The youth pressed a palm to his chest and dropped to one knee in the dust, bowing his head deeply. “Forgive me, My Lord, I’ve failed as your servant. I will accept any punishment My Lord deems fit.”

Evan blinked down at the youth, confused. Wasn’t this the Hellguard in his normal skin? It had to be. But why was he calling Evan his Lord? Since when did Evan have a demonic servant?

Evan opened and closed his mouth several times. The black-clad man remained kneeling on the ground, waiting. The tense air slowly shifted to an awkward silence before a voice finally tore through it.

“Haven’t you had enough dragging yourself through dirt for three centuries? Stand up.”

Two pairs of eyes turned to Xen’s stoic face. All playfulness from earlier had fled his demeanor.

Heeding the order, the black-clad youth quickly straightened. Although his facial expressions didn’t change, his already pale face turned ashen. “I beg My Lord for forgiveness. I shall gladly accept any—”

“If you don’t shut your mouth, I just might punish you right here.”

The youth dropped his head lower.

Evan’s wide eyes bounced between the two demons, brows dipping and relaxing every other second in confusion. Why was this dude calling Xen his Lord? Why was Xen responding like he was actually his master?

Although the explanation was clear and right before his eyes, Evan looked away, refusing to acknowledge it. It couldn’t be what he was thinking it was. There had to be a more sensible, more Evan-friendly explanation to this.

He slowly removed himself from Xen’s side and stepped back till there was an equal distance from him to the two demons. Rubbing a hand across his temple, Evan blew out a breath. Then shifted his focus to Xen. “Explain.”

Xen stared at him with an unreadable expression, eyebrows slightly lowered, but otherwise remained silent.

“You,” Evan shifted his eyes to the youth, jaws clenching. “Who are you?”

The youth looked at Evan as if he was only just noticing another presence other than Xen’s. His eyes slightly widened as he met Evan’s hostile gaze, then dropped to one knee again, this time bowing more deeply.

“I am Zeev, a humble servant of my master,” his eyes darted sideways to Xen’s feet before returning to the ground.

Evan’s attention, however, was fixated on Xen, a look of disbelief and barely withheld shock flashing across his face. His fingers twitched before curling into fists.