Page 3 of Hunted By Fear

His screams and pleas for mercy are like music to my ears, and while it might not have been what I craved, I know it will do the job.

My black boot rests in the center of his back, keeping him pinned to the ground, though I’m sure he wouldn’t be able to move right now even if I released him. The contrast between us is striking. His wings have feathers that are soft, plush, and white. The only thing that taints them is his own blood, but even that shines gold, while my own is black.

Just like I swore my heart was.

Shaking my head, I dislodge the thought. I don’t have time for sentiment right now.

I lean down, having had enough of his whining, as my head begins to throb.

“When you see him, you let me know.” Stepping back into the shadows to teleport to the apartment, I don’t wait for his response, but I hear it nonetheless, and I can’t fight the smile that tugs at the edge of my lips.

I’ll find her, because my brother needs her. I might not believe demons get mates, but he does, and I’ve seen the damage that comes from losing a mate.

After all, many of my fallen brothers are now demons because of that, by my own hand.

3 months

The days blur from one to the next, but none of us are any closer to finding her now than we were when Asta got the call that she was gone.

It’s been weeks since I returned to the apartment and days since I bothered to charge my phone. I know if they really need me, they can find me. Asta or Kai could teleport to me in a moment. Honestly, I’m a little shocked they haven’t yet.

I guess that means I’m not the only one who cares about my mate, despite how much I know the others would deny it.

Kai had been adamant that he’s only looking for Aerilyn because of my interest in her. He refuses to even entertain the idea that she’s my mate.

He can pretend ‌he hates her, but I heard him with her that night. The way his heart rate went through the roof as he fucked her. I felt the lust that oozed from him long before he actually fucked her. He attempted to hide it behind cruel words and glares, but I saw through him.

Lust is my sin after all, and while nowadays I lust after knowledge and power more than anything else, there was a time when sex was everything to me. Bodies were all I craved, and connections were a waste of my time.

Eons alive changes you, though, or it should.

Kai prides himself on his ability to seem unfazed, but I know better. Just like I know why he killed our last roommate.

Funny enough, if he had just explained, Asta wouldn’t have given him such a hard time, but that’s not Kai.

He’d rather seem like an asshole, and for a while there, he was doing a good job.

But just like with the rest of us, the tiny mortal woman found a way under our skin, and not even Kai or Asta was safe from her.

Finding her isn’t an option; it's only a matter of time, and as each day stretches into the next, all I can do is hope that it’s sooner rather than later.

“Please, I don’t know. I haven’t seen Rome in—” The demon's head hits the ground, rolling away as I let his body drop to the ground.

I’ve heard enough excuses. That seems to be all anyone has, but I know that’s not true. Someone, somewhere, has seen her; it’s just a matter of time before I find them, and I will.

With a snap of my fingers, I set the demon's body ablaze with hellfire, ensuring I don’t leave a trail. Usually, I wouldn’t mind, but I don’t need Rome knowing if I happen to get close; no, I need every advantage I can get.

I wipe the blade on my black jeans, the black demon blood blending in, though the same can’t be said for my shirt, the graynow splattered with black. Thankfully, mortal blood is red, so most won’t look twice.

With a wave of my hand, I extinguish the flames, tucking my stolen knife back into the holster on my hip, and head out of the alley, off to find the girl the universe made me for, even if I have to kill every damn person on this wretched planet to find her.

4 months

Asta got a call saying Rome had finally reported back to Heaven. How he got an angel to report to him I’ll never know, but I don’t care to ask. Neither Talian nor Bast is home, but they both read my message.

It’s not like we haven’t been looking for the little mortal as it was, but now with the possibility of them being separated, it feels like we actually have a chance to find her.

A whole lot of fucking work for one mortal.