Page 15 of Dark Souls

“So that was a long mission. Two weeks in California. Must have been an interesting case.”

“Most of it was just a stake out. I had to practically stalk the fucker to ensure he was really the guy we were after and gain enough evidence before Boss could give me the go ahead to take him out. I agree with the new protocol your mom has requested before we attack a supernatural but fuck me if it isn’t a long process. A job that used to take us a day or two now takes weeks.”

“But surely it’s better to be convinced that they deserve it before they are captured or killed, right?”

“Yeah. Most definitely. After what went down with your uncle, we know things are never as simple as they seem. It’s just, I signed up to be a field agent, not a researcher. But now the two go hand in hand.”

Taking a seat at a little round table in the corner of the coffee shop, I narrowed my eyes at Ronnie when I caught him staring at me with an unreadable expression.

“What?”

“I just can’t get used to you with those blue contacts in.” He leaned his bulky forearms on the table between us. They were so thick; they ate up the entire space and left very little room for the coffees we had just ordered.

“Well, I can’t exactly walk around with pink eyes in a human town, can I? That just calls for unwanted attention.”

“Ilaria, you draw attention to every room you walk into, whether you’re wearing contacts or not.” He shot me his most charming smile as he weaved a sachet of sugar between his fingers repeatedly. The action was annoying. Sooner or later, that paper was going to split and cause a sticky mess.

“Do you even know how to have a conversation without flirting?” I tilted my head to the side, meeting his mischievous gaze. My fingers slipped through his, removing the sugar sachet and placing it back in the pot.

“Can’t turn off natural charm. You either have it or you don’t,” he teased, picking out another sachet just to wind me up. Why am I always drawn to cocky bastards? Honestly, with Ronnie, I never knew if I wanted to punch him in the face or climb onto his lap. The latter normally wins out, but I just wasn’t in the mood for his charm offence today.

“Or maybe you just use flirting to hide what is really going on inside that brain of yours. You know, those deeper thoughts that, heaven forbid, would make you seem less like an arrogant playboy?” I offered as I read his mind. He didn’t look away, knowing full well what I was doing and allowing me to listen in.

Yeah, she’s right. Instead, I should just tell her outright how beautiful she is. Or how much I’d missed her the last two weeks. How all I’ve been thinking about is—

I broke our eye contact, moving my gaze to the window instead. Well, that backfired.

“Ilaria—”

“When do you fly back to New York?” I quickly changed the subject, hoping to avoid the heartfelt confession that seemed to be on the tip of his tongue. I told him not to get emotionally invested in me. This was a business arrangement. Emotions weren’t supposed to be involved. Don’t get me wrong, I cared about the guy. I liked him. Beneath the playfulness and macho bravado was a decent man. Someone who looked out for those he loved and had a good head on his shoulders. Any girl would be lucky to have him. He was a great guy. Just not my guy.

“In three hours,” he answered, clearing his throat and plastering that goofy smile back on his face. “So I’m all yours until then.”

I nodded, keeping my eyes cast away from his and fighting the urge to correct his choice of words. He wasn’t mine and I certainly wasn’t his.

“Are you okay?”

I glanced up briefly before nodding, “Yeah. Great. Why?”

“You just seem a little… off?”

I swallowed thickly just as the barista appeared next to our table, ready to place our coffees down.

“Do you mind?” A deep, gravelly voice interrupted. A voice that I recognised immediately. Oh, fuck no. The barista had his hand lowered towards the table with Ronnie’s coffee in it but was waiting for Ronnie to sit back and remove his arms from the surface. My head snapped up to the server’s face, but he wasn’t looking at me. His attention was directed completely towards Ron. And knowing who that voice belonged to, that wasn’t good. Not good at all.

“Oh, sorry man,” Ronnie said, leaning back and lifting his arms with an apologetic smile as the barista set down the coffee.

“No problem. It would have been a terrible accident if I had burned you,” the barista replied, making it sound more like a threat than an explanation. Fuck, fuck… The man’s head finally turned my way. A mop of curly brown hair, a slightly bent nose and an angular jaw greeted me but it was, of course, the blackness of his eyes that had my heart racing. His lips curved up into that devilish grin that was so Heathen no matter which identity he had stolen as he placed my coffee down in front of me with a heart-shaped froth on the surface.

“And a black coffee for the angel.”

My mouth gaped open, momentarily speechless as my eyes flicked between Heathen and Ronnie. Ronnie was completely oblivious, of course, already pouring heaps of sugar into his cappuccino and stirring it.

“Enjoy.” Heathen smiled with narrowed eyes in warning. “I’ll be right over there if you need… anything.”

He walked away with those confident, masculine strides that only a man who knew his full power could pull off and sauntered around the counter to serve an elderly woman who was waiting at the till. My eyes widened as Heath kept up this insanity by pretending to actually fucking work here and taking the order. His eyes met mine once more, and he sent me an arrogant wink.

“So, you are sure you are fine? Because you can talk to me if there is anything troubling you.”

Ronnie’s concerned voice forced me back to the present from my out-of-body experience. I blinked a few times, staring at Ronnie’s frowning face and then peering back over at the demon barista that was all fake smiles and jokey pleasantries for the little old woman he was currently serving.

“Huh? Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine. I, uh, just have a lot, uh, can you excuse me for one minute? I think they got my order wrong.” I stood up, ignoring Ronnie’s protest that I did, in fact, order a black coffee and marched straight up to the coffee counter.

“Personally, I’d go for the caramel latte. A sweet lady like you deserves a treat. I’ll even throw on some of these little marshmallows for you,” Heathen said to the elderly woman, who was lapping up his attention.

“Oh, aren’t you the treat?” She giggled, causing me to stare wide-eyed between the two of them. This was so surreal.

“I can be if you want me to be, but it will cost you extra,” he flirted, causing her to blush and turn to me. She grabbed my arm in the way only old people do, as if they hadn’t just met you but had known you their entire lives.

“Oh, isn’t he just gorgeous? Back when I was young and beautiful, the things I would have done to a man like that... What an absolute diamond. I’d snap him up if I were you.”

“Age is just a number, Doris. And you are still beautiful. I am sure your husband tells you that every day,” Heath replied.

“That old lodger? He barely notices me unless he’s asking for his slippers. No, no, I’m afraid my days of feeling beautiful are long gone.”

The barista’s face scrunched with irritation, Heathen’s black eyes glistening with darkness. “Want me to kill him for you, Doris?”

Oh no, he did not just go there! My eyes widened as Doris laughed, completely unaware that he was not making a joke.

“No need for that, love. Unfortunately, despite his grumpiness, I love the damn fool so what are you going to do, hey?”

“A word?” I snapped, glaring at Heathen. He held up a finger in my direction, implying I should wait my turn and my nostrils flared.

“Well, I say you still deserve better, Doris. Go home, tell that husband of yours to get out of his damn armchair, take you out dancing and kiss you like he means it or next time he can fetch his own goddamn slippers.”

Her beaming smile said it all. She was in love. And not with her husband. She reached forward, grabbing the barista’s face in her wrinkly hands and landed a kiss on his cheek. “You know. I might just do that, Andy. Thank you for making a little old lady’s day.”

He sent her a wink as she released him and took her coffee to go. As soon as she had hobbled away, Heathen directed his amused gaze at me, a wide smile on the barista’s friendly face. “Snow. Fancy seeing you here.”

“Dare I ask where the real Andy is?”

“Oh, chopped up into little pieces in the meat grinder out back,” he replied with a shrug of his shoulders. I stared at him hard. “Joke. Andy is on his lunch break.” He smirked.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” I gritted through my teeth, stepping up to the counter, so I was directly face to face with him. Only the surface separated us, but I could already feel the pleasurable reaction my body was having just being this close to him again.

He looked around innocently at his surroundings. “What, this? Yeah. I think I’ve found my calling. Which is handy because you’re addicted to coffee, right? Black, with one sugar? That’s how you like it.” He leaned his elbows down on the counter, his whole body filling up the space between us as he lowered his voice to a deep drawl. “But I’d much rather make you coffee in bed. With no one else around. Especially that fucker.”

I glanced over my shoulder to see Ronnie watching us with caution, his eyes narrowing at our exchange. I gave him a reassuring smile, hoping he’d stay in his seat and not provoke the demon before me.

“Who the fuck is he, Snow?”

Heathen’s tone was terrifyingly fierce. It was the only warning I had that he was on the edge. His blank expression and his soulless eyes lacked any emotion, but his voice couldn’t hide just how possessive he was feeling. Panic rose when I remembered how the last encounter ended when Heath was feeling possessive.

“A friend of mine,” I replied with just as much raw aggression. “Which means he is someone you promised not to harm.”

“Don’t lie to me now, Snow. It only makes me murderous. Who is he?”

“I’m not lying. He is a friend.” I inhaled sharply as his eyes narrowed into slits of distrust. Fuck. He wasn’t stupid. He could sense there was more to this. “We have an… arrangement.”

“An arrangement? Enlighten me?” Heath arched an eyebrow.

“It’s none of your damn business,” I snapped.

“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong. If he thinks he can have what is mine, it is very much my damn business.”

“You are impossible! You want me to trust you? Leave him the hell alone. I mean it, Heathen. He is off limits.”

A deep growl vibrated from the barista’s chest and shot straight to my core, making me instantly soaked. I forced my thighs together and gave him my sternest glare before turning back to the table to find Ronnie staring between me and the demon that was watching me leave.

“Do you know that guy?” Ronnie asked as I sat back down, refusing to look in Heath’s direction. I didn’t need to. I could feel the venom radiating from him. “He seems a little intense.”

“Yeah. He’s like that. Split personality disorder. I come here quite often so I guess I’m used to it,” I lied, hearing a scoff come from behind the till. “Anyway, I should get back to the flat. I’ve got to pack for Sienna’s bachelorette tomorrow.”

“But you haven’t drunk your-”

I picked up my now lukewarm coffee and slurped it back in one go, as Ronnie frowned. Before I had a chance to stand, Ronnie’s hand reached across the table and grabbed my arm. The panic must have been clear in my expression, because I’d never seen him look so worried.

“Ilaria, what is going on with you? Is everything alright? You know you can talk to me.”

With a jerk, I freed my arm from Ronnie’s grip and forced myself to calm down. “I’m sorry. I’m fine, honestly. I’ve just not been sleeping well, and I’m exhausted.”

Ronnie lowered his tone, his eyes darting around the coffee shop quickly before he said, “Do you need to feed? You seem a little on edge. Just ask if that’s what you need. You know I don’t mind.”

My eyes darted over to Heathen. A deep scowl was etched into his disguised face, and he slowly shook his head, warning me. Anger suddenly rocketed through me like a volcano. How dare he try to dictate who I see or what I do? At that moment, I felt completely torn. I wanted to put Heathen in his place, show him I’d do whatever the fuck I wanted, including drink from Ronnie if that’s what I chose to do. But I also didn’t want to risk Ronnie’s life in the process. Heathen had promised me he’d never harm anyone I cared about, but could I really trust him? Were the history books right? Was he just a ruthless killer incapable of putting anyone else’s feelings before his urges?

I moved my gaze back to Ronnie, knowing I had to play this carefully. Not only was Ron growing more and more concerned by my odd behaviour, but Heathen was watching everything between us like a hawk.

I reached across the table and patted Ronnie’s hand with a forced smile on my face. “Thanks, Ron. You are such a good friend. I know you’d always put my needs before your own, which is why I really appreciate you in my life and your concern. But I’m fine. Honestly. I just realised I have so much to do before tomorrow and I need to get back. Walk back with me and you can catch a cab from the flat, yeah?”

The perplexed look on Ronnie’s face at my uncharacteristically affectionate words was nearly laughable, but I had to keep up the performance. Heathen needed to know that Ronnie was a line he could not cross. If he ever hurt him or anyone that mattered to me, this would all be over. He’d find himself up against the full force of the SIA and my family in a heartbeat. This was his chance to gain my trust and prove that the little voice inside my head that told me he wasn’t entirely evil was right.

Before Ronnie could answer, I was out of my seat and walking towards the exit. He scrambled to follow me and I didn’t dare look back at Heathen. Once we were outside, I fought the urge to glance over my shoulder and took off in a brisk walk, Ronnie matching it easily with his long legs. I was certain Heathen was following, but I doubted he would remain in the barista’s image.

“Well, look at the ice queen being all mushy. Just for the record, I appreciate you in my life too,” Ronnie teased, throwing his enormous arm around my shoulders and pulling me to his side. I quickly shoved him off me, masking it as playfulness, and hit his chest with a roll of my eyes.

“Did you hear the part where I friend-zoned you?” I teased, shooting him a sideways glance.

“Meh, eventually you’ll fall in love with me. I’m a patient man, princess. I’m in no rush.”

Shaking my head, I realised that our arrangement was going to have to end. Or at least, I was going to have to cool it with him until I’d figured all this Heathen drama out. I’d never forgive myself if someone I cared about got hurt because of my trust in a monster. But I couldn’t end things between us here. Not when I could feel Heathen’s onyx eyes watching my every move.

We reached the flat but I didn’t invite Ronnie up. Instead, we sat on the steps in the sunshine and chatted, keeping the topics light as we waited for his cab. He leaned an elbow back on the steps and turned my way. His expression was serious as I stared into his warm brown eyes.

“So, you’re good? You sure you don’t need to feed?” he whispered so the humans going about their day wouldn’t hear.

I smiled, shaking my head. “I’m good. I fed off the green list yesterday.”

He nodded once, inhaling deeply, and I felt the atmosphere shift around us again. Oh no. Where was that cab?

“Well, you know you can text me any time. I know I’ve been busy, but I’d drop anything for you. I’d rather you feed from me than anyone else, so don’t hesitate to just show up or call me, yeah?”

Catching sight of Harry Gould leaning against a building on the other side of the road, my heart flipped.

“I know. Thanks, Ron.”

“And Ilaria, I know I joke around a lot, but I really do like you. I know you’re not ready to take anything further, but just know that as soon as you say the word, I’m all in. I won’t mess you around. I wouldn’t do that. Regardless of what you might think, when I commit to one woman, I take that shit seriously.”

My head darted back and forth down the street, searching for his ride. I needed to get him away from me.

“Ilaria?”

“I… uh… don’t know what to say,” I answered, completely clueless how to handle such a sweet and vulnerable confession, especially with my stalker watching. All I was concerned about was Ronnie’s safety and he chose now to spill his heart out to me?

Ronnie chuckled, shaking his head as he stared across the street. “You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to know. I’ll go back to being the cocky asshole now.”

“Oh, thank god,” I sighed, which made him laugh harder. “Ronnie, maybe we should cool things a little. I’m just not—”

“No.” He shook his head frantically, sitting up straighter. “Shit. I knew I’d scare you off. I’m not confessing my undying love for you or anything, Ilaria. This isn’t that deep. I just wanted you to know that I liked you. If you wanted to see if there was anything more here, then I am game. But if this is all this is meant to be, that’s cool too.”

The cab finally pulled up next to us and we both stood up. He hesitated for a moment, unsure as to an appropriate way to say goodbye, so I moved back towards the building door in answer. He gave me a disappointed smile, saluted me and climbed into the back of the car. I exhaled a breath of relief as I watched it drive away, knowing he’d soon be on a plane back to New York, although that didn’t necessarily mean he was safe.

My gaze met Heathen’s across the road and I knew I had to deal with this. I opened the building door leading up to Neve’s flat and stood in the doorway, holding it open as an invitation. In my peripheral vision, I saw Harry Gould’s body stalking across the road casually, climbing the steps and then stopping right in front of me. I peered up into those terrifying eyes and narrowed my own.

“I was starting to think he’d never leave.” He smirked before walking past me and over the threshold. I sucked in a deep breath, looked to the heavens and prayed I was not about to make the biggest mistake of my life by inviting this demon in.

The moment I entered the flat, my steps faltered. Heathen had shed his disguise and was casually strolling around the small living space, eating up the room with his sheer size and commanding presence as he picked up objects with his sharp claws, staring at them with curiosity before placing them back down and moving on to the next. It wasn’t every day you saw a beautifully dangerous demon with curved horns, entirely black eyes, protruding vines and magical tattoos covering his shirtless body strolling around your living room. I don’t think I’d ever get used to the majestic sight of him.

‘Look at those veiny arms! Those claws! He could do some serious damage with those things! Damn, he is so fucking fineeeee!’ Rue was practically salivating in my mind. This beast was all her wet dreams come true and I couldn’t blame her for ogling him. But why? Why couldn’t my stalker be some grotesque, green goblin instead of the finest specimen of monster that’s ever lived? Life just loved to throw me challenges.

“Enjoying the view?” he said with his back to me while he looked at a framed picture of Neve’s parents, Calli and Niko. “Don’t pretend you’re not checking out my ass.”

My eyes spontaneously dropped to his firm, muscular ass. A damn fine one. The amusement in his dark chuckle snapped me out of my trance and I slammed the front door closed with a bang.

“What the hell was that?”

“What the hell was what?” he answered, placing the frame back down on the shelf and finally turning to look at me. My heart flipped and my traitorous vagina fluttered as I took in the structure of his face again. Black vines snaked all around his head, masking his high cheekbones and straight nose as if he wore a mask. Like Batman. But a villainous Batman. With only his strong lower jaw and full lips truly exposed, it left even more mystery to the monster.

Forcing myself not to become distracted by those obsidian eyes that danced with laughter, I stepped into the room, giving him my ‘don’t fuck with me’ glare. It was hard to remember I was mad and had a point to make when one side of his lips curved up into an irresistibly cocky grin.

“The coffee shop. It’s one thing stalking me from the shadows but to do it out in the open like that was really fucking uncomfortable.”

His eyes sparkled. “You think I am stalking you? That’s adorable.”

I scoffed. “What would you call leaving a ripped-out heart in my bedroom, ominous notes, invading my personal space, watching my family and following me to coffee shops then?”

He tilted his head, staring into the distance, pretending to be in deep thought as he tapped one sharp nail against his chin. “Dating.”

“You’re deranged,” I snapped, grabbing the delicate crystal that belonged to Calli out of his hands before he accidentally broke it with his super strength or something.

“Don’t pretend you don’t like it, Snow. I see the way your face lights up and hear the way your pulse quickens when you realise I’m there. Let’s just call it what it is.”

“Temporary insanity?”

“Mutual obsession.” He grinned, stepping into me. My head was level with his chest and, once again, I could feel the heat radiating off his skin, awakening my senses. Every inch of me itched to take a step back so I could breathe easily, but I was too goddamn stubborn to break first. And by the way his black eyes had narrowed into slits of desire and the muscles in his jaw twitched, he was feeling it too. The overpowering pull of sensations.

“If only I could, I’d really show you what stalking is, Snow. Show you how deep and unapologetically crazy my obsession with you runs. I’d never leave your side. I’d watch your every move, watch you eat, watch you sleep, study every little thing about you until I knew you better than you knew yourself.”

“Did you not learn the importance of boundaries growing up?” I raised my eyebrow, ignoring Rue’s swooning over his toxic words and my racing heart.

He chuckled. “Boundaries? What are they? With you, Snow, I have no fucking boundaries. Unless you set them.”

“Unless I set them?”

He nodded, lowering his head and leaning in. His lips brushed the shell of my ear and I shuddered subtly as he said, “In case you haven’t noticed, you are my weakness, Angel. And it seems that I’ll do anything for you. Including not killing that body-building asshole that looks at you like he’s picturing you naked.” I held his dangerous gaze when he brought his face in line with mine and I held my breath at the darkness lurking in the depths of his eyes. “Has he seen you naked, Snow?”

Not able to take the tension anymore and needing to break away, I spun away from him and made my way over to the dining table to refocus. I needed to change the subject and I had questions I needed answers to. Not to mention, being that close to him and his possessiveness was too tempting.

“I know what you are.” I glanced over my shoulder to see him still standing where I left him, those deadly eyes dark and glistening with irritation because I hadn’t answered him. “Demonski Upir.”

He clicked his tongue as his eyes landed on the stack of books behind me to, eyeing them with suspicion. “Told you you’d figure it out.”

“Are you the only one? Or are there more of you out there?”

A flicker of pain warped his features and his eyes turned lethal. He turned his back to me for a second, needing a moment to gather himself, I presumed, before he made his way over to the sofa and flopped down, spreading his legs wide.

“You’ve read the books. I think you have your answer.”

I let his words hang in the air between us. My chest tightened at the unexpected sorrow and empathy I suddenly felt for him. He was completely alone. Had he had a family? Were they all slaughtered? What did his past look like? From the haunting look on his face, it was painful.

“You were there, weren’t you? You saw it all…” I whispered, my voice choking with emotion at the thought of having to witness something so horrendous. Damn, even the thought of any harm coming to a single member of my family would have me spiralling so I couldn’t even imagine.