Page 4 of A Demon’s Resolve (Demonic Tales and Adventures #3)
CHAPTER 4
Strings of lights twinkled throughout the eleventh level of Tuklati giving the faux twilight setting a festive atmosphere. This was Kian’s favorite place in the city. The one floor that mimicked the outdoors.
It wasn’t perfect, as the lights that were used didn’t feel the same as the sun. But between astroturf, trees and flowers, they helped to give the area a sense of being outdoors instead of inside a mountain. Kian gave a small shake of his head that this had become his life. It was difficult to imagine life before meeting Alec.
Not once had Kian considered he’d meet a man, fall in love, and end up forced to live in a hidden city that could rival any big city with one tiny exception, it was under a mountain. Then again, not in a million years would Kian have imagined Tuklati was exactly where he was supposed to be, or that he was meant to become something other than human.
Until he’d met Alec, he didn’t even know there were other beings. Now, Kian was one. A demon. No matter how hard he tried to wrap his mind around that he was no longer an ordinary human, Kian felt he was in some sort of dream. Or maybe nightmare, considering he’d just come from a Council meeting to discuss killing him for daring to save the demon race.
“Kian.” A beautiful dark skinned woman who had become his best friend since arriving in this strange city, raced up to Kian and threw her slim, yet strong arms around him. “Congratulations.”
Kian couldn’t contain the sarcasm that bubbled up. “Are you congratulating me for risking my life to save the demon race or for beating the death sentence the Council wanted to impose for daring to become a demon?”
Bitter? Yep.
Alec’s arm went around Kian’s waist, pulling him back against his chest as if the mention of his near death had triggered his constant need to protect Kian. Instantly, he found his body relaxing into that loving embrace.
“You know I never would have allowed the Council to kill you,” Alec murmured reassuringly but Kian didn’t miss the slight tremble in his voice that said he wasn’t so sure he would have been able to stop them.
Oh, Kian had no doubt, Alec would have killed anyone who had tried, but as good as Alec was, there were only so many men he could face and still win. Then again, now that Kian was a demon, he gladly would have fought by Alec’s side.
Aira gave an exasperated sigh. “You know, we really need to work on your negativity.”
Kian barked out a laugh. “Really? Because I was thinking not having all of Tuklati out to kill me would solve the problem, but you know, sure, we can try your way.”
“You are such a drama queen.” Aira grabbed his hand and started pulling Kian toward a small group of people a few feet away. “Now come on. There are some people who are dying to meet you.”
“Said the spider to the fly.” That might have been a bit unfair, but Kian hadn’t been able to stop the words from spilling out.
Alec chuckled, sending Kian’s pulse to racing. “Not to worry, my heart, I’ll always be there to save you.” Alec had pitched his voice low so only he would hear those words.
“If that were true we would be home, having our own celebration instead of here with all these people.” Kian said pointedly.
“Alec,” Tarak called as he walked through the crowd towards them.
Both of them groaned.
“Ten minutes,” Alec growled in his ear. “Then we leave, no matter what.”
Kian could definitely get on board with that. He barely managed to nod before Aira had once more grabbed his hand to propel Kian into the small crowd that had gathered to meet him.
Even though he appreciated the support of those who had joined the celebration, Kian only wanted time alone with Alec. Why couldn’t the others understand that?
As if sensing Kian’s thoughts, Alec’s eyes found his across the room. Disengaging himself from the group Tarak and Alec were talking with, he started to make his way toward Kian. The fluttering in Kian’s stomach intensified by the smoldering look in those emerald eyes. But before he could get to Kian, he was swallowed up by another group wanting to congratulate Alec. Damn it.
Resigned to not getting his wish, Kian kept a smile plastered on his face as more and more people came up to him. It was becoming overwhelming as they were all introducing themselves. Kian was terrible with names. There was no way he’d ever be able to remember all of them.
He appreciated their kindness, but to be honest, he just wanted to be alone with Alec. Kian was beginning to lose patience and was about to tell them all to leave him alone, when he felt someone tap his shoulder.
Visola stood there looking as if she’d rather be anywhere else. Great, what did she want?
The only thing that stopped Kian from telling her to get lost was the pleading in her gaze. “Um, Kian, I just wanted to say I’m sorry for the way I treated you. There is no excuse except that I was afraid of what you might do.”
Kian didn’t want to believe the apology. To be honest, after nearly being killed by Visola – twice – he would have been perfectly happy to never talk with her again. If only there weren’t at least a hundred pair of eyes on him waiting to see what Kian would do.
Keeping his stance rigid, Kian prayed his dislike of Visola didn’t show. Visola might have appeared sincere but that didn’t erase what she’d done. The woman had tried to push Kian down a flight of stairs. When that hadn’t worked, Visola challenged Kian to a fight where Visola cheated, nearly succeeding in finishing Kian off.
Once more, Kian had been saved when the Sentinels stopped Visola from killing him. Kian had no reason to trust her but also didn’t want those watching them, which seemed to be all of Tuklati, to think he was vindictive.
Rushing to get everything out, Visola continued to apologize. “See my parents truly believed you were a witch and they convinced me you were out to destroy us.” Shrugging a little, she faltered. “Well, I guess, maybe that doesn’t – I mean…” Visola took a deep breath to steady her nerves. “I don’t expect you to forgive me but I just wanted you to know I’m sorry.”
Standing there waiting for Kian’s response, Visola glanced around at the crowd that wasn’t even trying to hide that they were listening to them. There was no way Kian couldn’t forgive her and still keep the respect of those watching.
Kian resigned himself to forgiving this woman who tried to hurt him, at least publicly. “I forgive you, Visola.” He wasn’t giving anything more than that.
Kian was startled when Visola clapped her hands together as if she were actually happy. “Great. Thank you so much.” When she threw her arms around Kian, it took every bit of control Kian had not to push her away. “You have no idea how bad I felt about how mean I was, especially when you risked your life to become a demon.”
As much as he hated to admit it, Visola’s happiness was infectious and Kian found his resolve to hate the girl melting away. He even managed a smile, although he still wasn’t sure how sincere Visola truly was.
Grabbing Kian’s arm, Visola asked, “Would you mind meeting my fiancé? He’s been wanting to meet you but because of me, he’s too afraid of what Alec would say. But now that you’ve forgiven me...” She didn’t finish her thought as she started dragging Kian through the crowd.
Not really wanting to go with her but not seeing other options at this point, Kian let himself be pulled along. Glancing over his shoulder, Kian looked for Alec. Not seeing him, Kian reluctantly followed Visola.
“My fiancé is going to be so happy to see you again. He has been trying to get you alone for quite some time now, but you were always surrounded by Sentinels or those silly friends of Alec.” Chatting along, Visola never slowed down as she lead Kian to an area removed from celebration.
Wait a minute, what did Visola just say? Confused, Kian replayed the words, sure there was a reason for the sudden fear that snaked its way into his body. It wasn’t until Visola came to an abrupt stop that Kian understood his mistake in thinking, even for a moment, that Visola meant him no harm.
“Kian, meet my fiancé, Brant,” Visola said way too gleefully.
“Hello, Kian. It was nice of you to make this easy for me.” Brant’s sneer froze the blood in Kian’s veins.
Glancing at Visola in disbelief, Kian wasn’t surprised to see she wore a triumphant smile. “Yeah, tell me about it,” she cackled. “I should win one of those silly awards you humans give for acting.” Turning to Brant, Visola smiled smugly. “I told you I could fool him.”
The gleam in his eye was dangerous. “Yes, you did, my pet. But now you are nothing more than a liability.”
Confusion shone on Visola’s face even as Brant’s sword severed her head. Bone chilling fear encompassed Kian as he watched. The need to run had his body starting to shift into molecules in order to get out of there quickly.
“No, you don’t.” Brant stuck a needle in Kian’s arm before he’d been able to disappear.
He tried to scream, but nothing came out of Kian’s mouth. Nor would his body obey the need to get away. Darkness descended as Brant lifted Kian into his arms.
Kian’s mind reached out to touch Alec’s but even that didn’t work. Just as blackness took him under, he heard Brant’s voice explain, “I don’t normally drug my victims, but a little birdie told me Alec can feel your fear and I’m just not ready for him to come find you.”
That was scary enough to hear. But it was Brant’s final word that had true terror taking hold.
“Yet.”