Page 47 of Dark Souls
Royally Screwed
“G et up.”
I groaned gruffly as I lifted my head off the kitchen floor. Slowly, pulling myself to my feet, I leaned over the island and dropped my horns into my hands.
“Give a demon a fucking minute to desummonise the fuck out here, won’t you?”
“Okay but time is ticking to stop some pretty terrible torture techniques being used on your sister.”
That woke me up. I lifted my head and hissed between my fangs, slamming my fist down on the island, causing the marble to crack. “Don’t you fucking touch her. You know I lose my shit when you threaten her.”
“Then you better get a move on.”
“With what?”
He tapped the device on the counter with a ringed finger and I narrowed my eyes at the fae member. I saw him last night. He was the only survivor apart from Ilaria. They’d split the winnings fifty-fifty and both left with no issues.
“He has a meeting at the Romano castle tonight. I’m not sure what he’s about to tell them but the 38 dead members from the last event aren’t a great start. What the fuck were you thinking? Not only have we lost thirty-eight paying customers, but you’ve freaked out a member so much that they are running to the Royals.”
“I didn’t kill thirty-eight members. Maybe thirty. I was just giving them what they paid for. The thrill of being hunted. Not my fault if they fucking sucked at it.”
“Well, he is now a problem. Did he see you? Were you in true form or a disguise when you terrorised everyone in that maze?”
I was too excited to be in disguise. Snow wanted me as I am. She wanted me to chase her, catch her and fuck her in my true form so there was no way I wasn’t killing every fucker in there just so I could. But I didn’t, did I? This slippery sucker got away. I clicked my tongue, not willing to give an answer which made The Devil red in the face.
“You fucking idiot.”
“I’ll sort it.”
“Yes, you will. He’s on his way to the castle now so you better fucking hurry.”
“Then you better shut the fuck up and let me get on with it!” I growled and barged past him, slamming into his shoulder and knocking him sideways. I wish I could break his shoulder right off. Damn, sigil.
As soon as I left the front door, I took off into the sky and transported myself above the castle grounds. I made a high swoop around the perimeter to look for any signs of the fae arriving and hissed when I couldn’t see anyone but Romano soldiers patrolling the grounds. I landed on the roof of Ilaria’s attic and scanned the village and gates once more for any sign of someone approaching. Nothing. He better not have arrived early and be inside already because I’d be screwed. I’d have to take him out subtly from inside the castle walls. I climbed down to Ilaria’s window, lifting the inside latch with my mind and shoving it open. Her delightful scent hit my nose and I inhaled deeply with a smile. She’d been here recently. I might have even missed her by minutes. Hopefully, I will still see her and we’ll have a second round of last night’s antics after I finish murdering the fae before he reaches this meeting.
Opening her door carefully, I stopped to listen for anyone within close quarters. Somewhere in the walls, I could hear a rat scurrying, the humming of the heating pipes, and distant chatter from two floors down. I was in the clear. I disguised myself as the same vampire soldier I had used the last time I was here and walked along the grand corridors, looking like I was exactly where I was. If I were king of this castle, where would I have my important meetings? Hmm. Definitely not the top floor. I made my way down to the ground floor and smiled in a friendly manner at a soldier who walked past me. Soldiers smile, right?
I heard voices from behind a closed door at the end of the hallway of one wing and headed towards it, only to freeze when I saw two people coming in the same direction. Ilaria had a phone pressed to her ear and a concerned look on her face. Her Grandma Maddy was chewing at her bottom lip, looking at her with a near identical expression.
“He’s still not answering. I think I should go back. I need to check he’s okay.”
“No. Not if he said he’d text when it was safe, Ilaria.”
“But I don’t have a phone!”
“I am sure he will text mine. He has my number.”
I raised the black eyebrow on the soldier’s face. I was pretty sure they were discussing Luka. Which meant he had her Grandma’s number? He was meeting the fucking family now? For fuck’s sake, I was missing out on witnessing all the awkward shit I loved.
“I guess,” Ilaria sighed. “But if I still haven’t heard from him in half an hour, I am going back.”
Aw, look at Snow, all concerned about us. She must have been at the manor when The Devil turned up. Christ, I bet Luka shit his leather pants. The two women reached me and then looked my way. I quickly glanced down at my boots, whistling a tune as I rocked on my feet to avoid them seeing my black eyes. Best Snow doesn’t know about the crime I’m about to commit in her grandparents’ home until after I’ve done it. Always better to ask for forgiveness than seek permission. That’s my motto.
“Where is everyone, anyway? I thought dinner was at six?” Ilaria asked as they turned their back on me and walked towards the end of the big oak doors where all the voices were coming from.
“Yeah, about that. Your grandpapi has a visitor. So, it’s been pushed back to seven. You are probably going to want to be in on this meeting. It’s about The Underground .”
“What?” Ilaria snapped, picking up her pace until she got to the doors and swung them open, storming inside. Her grandma puffed out a breath and then followed her in, closing them behind her.
Well, fuck me up the ass and call me Sally. I was royally screwed. No pun intended. The fae was already here. Looks like I only had one choice left. Eavesdrop on the meeting to find out what he is telling them and then make an impulsive decision on how the hell I was going to salvage this to save Hana from paying for my fuck-up.
Ilaria
The room fell silent when I entered it. All heads swerved in my direction. My grandpapi, my dad, Raiden, Sienna, my mum and even Archer. But the surprise was seeing a face I hoped I would never have to come across again sitting among them. The fae from last night’s murder maze. His orange eyes squinted a little as he tilted his head, clearly recognising my face but not being able to place me.
“Ilaria. Take a seat,” my mum said. She was smiling, none the wiser as to the mindfuck I had just walked into. “This is Marlon. Marlon, this is my daughter, Ilaria.”
“Daughter? How strange. I swear we have met before but I am sure I would remember meeting the princess.”
“I am sure you would,” I answered curtly, moving my attention to the rest of the bodies in the dining room. “What’s going on? Why is he here?”
“Ilaria. Don’t be so rude,” my mum scolded, giving Marlon her best fake apology smile. She had her Queen alter ego firmly in place. “I apologise. My daughter can be a little bold.”
“No apology needed. I like bold,” he answered, still eyeing me suspiciously. I stared into his eyes, allowing my head to fill with his thoughts.
Where the hell have I met her before? Wait. She looks so similar to that vampire from last night but surely not. Unless the royals were sending one of their own to spy on The Underground. Well, damn. In that case, they probably already know and I won’t get a thing out of this.
“And what exactly are you hoping to get out of this meeting?” I asked sweetly, resting my arms on the table between us. He didn’t mask his shock as his eyes widened.
“Ilaria can read minds,” my dad explained. “Again, I apologise for the invasion of your privacy. She isn’t supposed to do so without being asked. Ilaria, no more.”
“Then someone better tell me what the hell is going on quickly, so I don’t have to.” My patience and anxiety were already sky high after leaving Luka the way I had and the fact I had heard nothing from him was only making it worse. And now this cocky bastard. I didn’t like that this man was in my family's castle. Sitting at the dining table. And I really didn’t like that my family was giving him respect when he was clearly up to no good.
“Ilaria, what has got into you?” my mum questioned, her eyes blazing a deep shade of violet as she gave me a stern look that said I was on my last warning to act like a royal and not a lunatic. Too late for that. I was fuelled by vodka, rage and anxiety right now so a lunatic was who they were going to get.
“Marlon is a member of The Underground and has asked for a discreet audience with us. He has information he thinks we should know and, in return, we have offered him refuge under the SIA’s witness protection,” Raiden finally gave me some answers.
I folded my arms across my chest and glared at Marlon, which caused his lips to twitch into a strange half smile, half sneer.
“The information I am about to offer you will change history. I have enjoyed my time at the club but there are just some things one cannot turn a blind eye to. Especially when it comes to something that could put the whole world in danger.”
I seethed, calling bullshit. He didn’t give a fuck about the world or anyone else in it. Only himself.
“And I take it you want more than just our protection for this information?” Grandpapi was calling him on his bullshit, too. Thank God.
His smile widened. “Of course. My life is at risk just by being here, so yes, I will need it to be worth it.”
“And what do you have in mind?” Dad asked.
Marlon folded his hands one over the other with gentle grace as he pretended to think it over. “Fae don’t have destined mates unless they are lucky. But I’ve decided I’d quite like one. And I think you can make that happen.”
I snorted, shaking my head at his absurd request.
“And what makes you think we could do that?” my mum asked, her own eyes narrowing in judgment. She didn’t trust him either. Good. This was good. I was starting to relax, knowing they weren’t about to be played.
“You are the most powerful supernaturals in the human realm, are you not? I am sure between yourselves you could make it happen. A spell. A love potion. A word with Gods up high. Is the rumour true that Leif Anderson is now a seer? I was hoping to meet him this evening.”
My dad growled in warning across the table. “We would never mess with mate bonds. You are barking up the wrong tree, coming to us with a demand so outrageous.”
Marlon sighed deeply, tapping his fingers on the table as he stared at them. “I knew it was a long shot. You can’t blame a lonely man who only wants love in his life for trying, though, right? I mean, look at what you all have. It was a pipe dream, but still worth a go. I’ll just take two million, a private island in the Bahamas and the chance to call in a favour with the royals at a later date. And if you happen to already know the exclusive information from your detective princess over here, then I’ll just take the witness protection and half a million for offering to do you a solid in the first place.”
‘The bastard knows we were there! This is not good!’ Rue panicked.
My parents looked between me and Marlon. Grandpapi sat up straighter and Raiden asked, “What do you mean by that? What does Ilaria know?”
His orange eyes sparkled as he grinned with mischief. I silently begged him with my eyes.
“That I can read his mind and just tell you what he knows,” I quickly said as he chuckled.
“Oh, they didn’t know you were there last night? Naughty, naughty, Shorty.”
The fucking wanker . I hissed as my fangs snapped down and my eyes blazed red, jumping up from my chair as he raised his arms in surrender but still with a cocky smile plastered on his face.
“You were there?” My mum looked back at me. “At the Murder Maze? Did you know about this?” she accused my dad, whose nostrils were flaring, and gold circled his pupils.
“No, I fucking didn’t. Ilaria. Explain.”
“Not in front of this asshole!” I shouted, pointing my arm at the fae across the table from me.
“Then leave until we are done here and we will discuss this later.” Grandpapi’s tone was lethal and cold. He was raging. I forced Rue back and slumped down in my chair. There was no way I was leaving. Grandpapi continued, “I’m losing my patience, Marlon. Say what you have to say and we will reward you with the price we deem fit for the information.”
Even Marlon had some sense not to push Grandpapi and dropped his smile, turning serious. “Alright. I was one of two members who made it to the finish line last night. Ilaria was the other. Normally, about half of the members survive. But last night there was something else in the maze hunting us and it wasn’t a member.”
My heart nearly beat out of my chest as I sat forward. Rue was ready to leap across the table to rip out his throat before the next words came out of his mouth but I was hit with a magical barrier, flinging me back into my seat. My head spun towards my mum, who was watching me with purple eyes and a suspicious glare.
“What was it?” my dad asked, looking from Marlon and back to me.
“It was a Demonski Upir. I saw it with my own eyes. And I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only one.” He directed his gaze towards me and I stilled. Well, fuck. Not exactly the way I had intended to tell my family about Heathen.
“But that’s impossible. They’ve been extinct for over a hundred years,” my mum said what they were all thinking, their faces masks of confusion.
“That’s what I thought too. But I am telling you. There it was. Wings, horns, demonic vines and symbols all over its skin. The lot. It was on a violent rampage through the maze, killing everything in its path. And it made complete sense. The Underground has The Devil’s Pet. A rumoured monster that kills members who break the rules. I’ve heard many things about it, that it’s a mutated hybrid, a spelled vampire, a controlled monster made by magic. But I guess no one who has ever met The Devil’s Pet has lived to tell the tale. But maybe you should ask Ilaria about that.”
I hissed, attempting to catapult myself at him once more but the magic kept me glued to my seat. “Release me!” I shouted.
“Not until you calm down,” my mum said, standing up and pacing the room. “Is this true, Ilaria? Did you know about this? Why didn’t you say anything? Do you know how dangerous Demonski Upirs are?”
“Raiden. Archer. Take Marlon to the SIA HQ where we will get him set up with a new identity and put on the witness programme. Marlon, you are not to speak a word of this to anyone or it won’t just be The Underground you should fear. And we will know where to find you,” my dad said, standing up to join my mum.
“Wouldn’t dream of it. And the reward?” the cocky prick dared to ask.
“We’ll be in touch,” my mum snapped, her fury unable to be contained under her usual poised exterior. That fury was solely directed at me. I knew I was the least popular person in the room, but I didn’t care at that moment. I was more concerned with the fact they were letting this distrustful fae leave freely with this knowledge about Heathen.
“You can’t seriously be letting him go!” I shouted, thrashing against the invisible restraints in my chair. “Erase his memory, at least!”
“Ilaria. Enough.” My mum glowered at me. As soon as Raiden and Archer had escorted him out of the room, my mum clicked her fingers and released me from her binds. I jumped out of my chair with barely contained anger, which matched their own, as they all stood up. My grandma was the only one who tried to calm the situation down, suggesting we all sit down and discuss this over some wine and food. Apparently, we’d all feel better once we’d eaten. I think not.
“Why the hell were you at an Underground event without our knowledge and why did we have to hear about the existence of a Demonski Upir from a smug bellend like Marlon and not our own daughter?” Dad yelled, placing his fists on the table and leaning forward.
“It’s complicated! But you seriously cannot let that fae leave with knowledge like that!”
“Why not? Why are you trying to protect this information? Do you realise what this means? If Demonski Upirs still exist, we could all be in danger.”
“Urgh, you have no idea what you are talking about!” I groaned, dropping back down into my seat and closing my eyes. I had to remain calm and rational if I wanted them to listen. I counted to five as my mum continued to spill propaganda lies about Heathen’s kind spread by the likes of our own family.
“They eat human organs!”
“And you drink human’s blood. Bit hypocritical, don’t you think?”
“This is the person you have been trying to help at The Underground , isn’t it?” Grandpapi suddenly asked. “When you came to us about the first Underground event, this was who you were helping? You’ve been covering for him this whole time.”
“Yes,” I sighed. “Because he’s–”
Sienna gasped. Everyone stared at her. “Did you say they eat organs? The Heart Thief! The SIA has been looking for a Demonksi Upir this entire time! It makes so much sense. Wait, did you realise this, Ilaria? When? Why did you hide it?”
“If you would give me a second to just explain—”
“I can’t believe you have lied to us to protect a deranged killer for months, Ilaria! What the hell is wrong with you?” My mum put her hands on her hips and glared at me. I had to take five more breaths. On breath number three, commotion broke out around the castle. The castle’s intruder alarm rang out and everyone froze when Raiden and Archer raced back into the room, looking a little dishevelled.
“What is happening?” Grandpapi demanded.
“Marlon was taken,” Raiden panted, running his hand through his black curls. “We were escorting him to the car and some creature just came out of nowhere. It literally swooped down from the sky and yanked Marlon off his feet by his head and, just as quickly, it was gone again. It was so fast, we didn’t even catch a good look at it or have time to react.”
In the next second, carnage ensued. The glass of the huge arched dining room window shattered as a burly body crashed through it, landing on the cream carpet in a crouched position. My eyes widened when I took in the beautiful black feathered wings stretched wide, curved horns and those pitch-black eyes.
I wasn’t sure who attacked first. Grandpapi, mum, dad or Raiden. But there was a sudden flurry of activity all charging towards Heathen at once. I screamed for them to stop, diving in front of Heath as he stood up slowly behind me. In the next breath, everyone in the room had come to a screeching halt because Heathen wrapped his clawed hand around my throat and yanked me back into his chest. It must have looked like a threat on my life, but I knew it was anything but. My dad’s wolf roared through him, already half shifted. Grandpapi hissed through his fangs, his eyes blazing red. My mum glared, her chest rising with rapid breaths and Raiden and Sienna were in attacking stances by the door. Archer and Grandma Maddy were the only ones who seemed to be wide eyed and unable to believe what they were seeing.
“Hey Snow,” Heathen husked in my ear. “Thought it was about time I met the family.” He gave me a kiss on the cheek and released my throat as I kept my hands up in front of me to signal to my family to seize in an attack.
Really? This is how he decides to meet the family.
“You could have used the front door!” I hissed at him as he pulled out a chair next to me at the table and sat down, ignoring the hostile glares and emanating power that my family was projecting around the room. A cocky grin appeared on his face, showing his razor sharp fangs as he dropped the bloody heart I hadn’t even realised he’d been holding in his other hand on an empty plate on the table. The clatter echoed around the room.
“Don’t worry, I brought my own dinner. Do you have any spare cutlery I could use, though?”
He really had completely lost the small amount of sanity he ever possessed.
“What? I am not about to rip into Marlon’s heart like a vulture at your family dinner table,” he stated seriously. “I do have some manners. I am not a complete barbarian.”
“It really is a Demonski Upir. I can’t believe it,” Grandma Maddy whispered, her eyes wide and curious as she took him in. She met my eyes, her grey ones sparkled with realisation. “So this is...”
“Who the hell are you?” my mum asked, taking a single step forwards. Heathen shot me a wink, allowing me to do the honours as I shook my head, unable to hide the small smile at his insane entrance. I don’t know why I expected anything less.
“Mum. Dad. You might want to sit down. Because this is Heathen. My soulmate.”