Page 15 of Promised to the Demon King (The Demon Brides #1)

Allister sat at the obnoxiously large oak dining room table—his trusty personal assistant, Thomas, sitting next to him just as uncomfortable and disoriented.

Unlike the movies depicted in the earthly realm, a demon cannot merely hop into a vessel, and that's that. It takes a week or two to adjust to the new reality fully.

In hell, demons have two physical forms. One is their truest unbridled form, their beast—their demon in all its magnificent glory. The other is a more humanized form, yet still evident of being Demon. Like horns. The strength of a Demon or Demoness is depicted within the size of their horns. Females will always be smaller in comparison, but the older they were, the more strength, knowledge and status was displayed within the horns.

Asmo’s humanized form looked nothing like the vessel called Allister Carter. Where Asmo had long, silky, raven black hair, often worn in a thick braid or a high bun, Allister was clean cut with a professional, smart-looking trim. His hair was perfectly sculpted to suit the image of a powerful businessman. Asmo noticed that men of power in the realm of the earth did not keep their hair long.

In Hell, long hair was a sign of strength and status. His long braid told a story of his journey and ascension. Not all kings wore their hair as long as his, resting at the small of his back with a braid, but they also didn’t wear it so pretentiously clean-cut.

Asmo looked over and took in Thomas. By their demonic physical standards, he looked like a puny weasel. He couldn’t imagine how his long-time friend and companion was handling being stuffed in such a weak and tiny vessel.

Thalon stood nearly as tall as Asmo did in Hell. Where Asmo was almost seven feet tall and three feet wide from shoulder to shoulder, Thalon was only a few inches from both the measurements.

Thalon, in his beastly form, was breathtaking. He commanded power and fear. His demon was a descendant of the Cerberus bloodline. But Thalon was no watchdog, as the human tales depicted. He was a genuine force to be reckoned with, a deserving Lord, and right now, that fearsome powerhouse was stuffed inside a meek, nerdy, spineless vessel. Thomas stood five foot seven, a hundred and thirty pounds, reeking of the despicable sins of a 'Yes man.'

Asmo and Thalon knew the sins of the undersized flesh suits they inhabited. They were indeed evil men, but that was no concern to Asmo. It allowed him access to Earth and closeness to his beloved bride. Finally.

‘Those eyes!’ Asmo thought breathlessly as he looked across the dining room table at Nova.

She was silent, only giving non-committal responses. She wasn’t comfortable there. She was still thinking of Timothy and his near assault earlier that afternoon.

Every time Asmo thought of what he saw walking into the office, the flesh suit burned up. His demon wanted out. You don’t touch what has been claimed, and Nova has been claimed since before her birth.

“Allister,”

Carol called out, sickeningly sweet. It irritated him as he knew all of her transgressions. “It’s lovely to have you here. I wasn’t aware you were coming to visit. I apologize that the house is overcrowded now.”

The subtle reference was to Nova. It was pulling on his patience, and Thomas gave him a low nudge. They needed to keep up appearances, and Thalon could sense his king’s aura slipping. They could not afford to ruin the vessels. Not that Thalon was fairing any better.

Allister wiped his face with his cloth napkin and looked at Carol. His expression was tight and cold.

“I am here to investigate a potential company matter. I don’t need to inform you of my coming and going. Do I?”

Carol’s facial expression pinched in insult. “Of course not. Investigation with the company?”

Carol briefly turned to Timothy, who had been eating his meal in uncomfortable silence until then. “Timothy? Is something happening with the company?”

She asked; her concern was genuine, but not for the reasons anyone thought.

“It’s nothing. Drop it, Carol.”

Timothy clipped back.

“Nothing?”

Allister scoffed. “I believe the word the legal proceedings will use is called Embezzlement. I didn’t realize you would consider such a hefty crime as nothing, dear brother. That’s interesting.”

“That’s not what I am saying,”

Timothy growled.

Allister kept his eyes trained on Carol. He enjoyed watching the colour drain from her face.

“Timothy? Is this true?”

Carol whispered, uncertain in her words, as she looked around the room in panic. Timothy dropped his fork in frustration.

“Can we discuss this later? I am trying to enjoy my meal, brother. I will speak to our parents and sort this matter out.”

Timothy ignored Carol and spoke only to Allister.

“Tell me, brother, does it come that easy? Sweeping your misdeeds under the rug. A hundred thousand dollars was stolen from the family company. It was put directly into your personal account. Your authorization code was used to push it through. How do you think you will sort this matter out?”

“Enough!”

Timothy shouted, slamming his fist down on the table, causing everything to rattle.

“The person responsible will be charged for this. Period! There is no way around it. The sooner you make everyone here aware of the truth, the sooner we can figure out this mess you’ve created. You’re bringing great shame to the Carter name. That is why you have been immediately removed from your company position. Father needs to get ahead of this mess you’ve made and figure out how to save the family name and appease the partners.”

Allister kept poking at Timothy. He knew the truth but knew Timothy was not a good man, often exploiting his status and position to get what he wanted. No matter who he stepped on to do it.

However, when he touched Nova, he crossed a line. Because of his wandering hands, Asmo would enjoy playing this game with Timothy, but he would destroy him and the woman by his side.

The rules were simple when Asmo made a deal with Carol and Jonathon. No harm was to come to Nova. It is now open season on the two tainted souls, and the Demon King was sitting right next to them at the table-- enjoying his new game.

When Carol heard that Timothy had been removed from the company and was being investigated for company embezzlement, she gasped loudly. She was scared.

She didn’t think about this level of pushback; she merely expected Timothy to discover what she had done and be slightly angry. She had a cover story prepared for her husband once he found out, but she couldn’t say it now. No, she never expected a full legal matter, and certainly not for Timothy to lose his position. This was the opposite of what she expected.

Panic filled her.

Now, what was she going to do? She couldn’t confess. She wasn’t built for prison. She just needed to make sure nothing could be tied to her. Then, she could play the ever-devoted role of a supportive wife. After all, no one knew that Carol knew Timothy’s authorization code or his company login information. She just needed to keep that narrative up for however long it took.

Carol's eyes glided over to Nova. She didn’t look up from her plate despite the conversation.

Good!

Nova understood her place. With a deep sigh, Carol realized that she would have to wait to remove Nova. There was too much attention paid to her household at the time.

“Timothy?”

Carol whispered low. She'd sullen her expression, placing her slender hand on Timothy’s tense forearm as she called him.

“We can discuss this later, Carol!”

he growled low, yanking his arm away.

“But your position in the company--”

Carol tried again.

Timothy had reached his limit. He grabbed his plate of food and threw it at the wall directly behind where Carol sat. She yelped, startled by his flash of rage.

“I said Enough!”

Timothy roared. His reddened face turned to his calm brother. “I didn’t do this; I want a full investigation done. I plan to clear my name on this matter, and whoever framed me will not make it to court. I can assure you of that.”

There was a cold darkness in Timothy’s words. A chill ran down Carol’s back as he shouted. Timothy didn’t wait for anyone else to speak. He stormed out of the dining room, pulling out his phone to make an unknown call.

Carol paled again.

Her already panicked body soared. She needed to contact the professional she hired and warn him to keep his mouths shut.

Carol quickly excused herself from the room, leaving the silent, non-responsive Nova and the two males alone to finish dinner.

“Well, I must say, I like this company for a meal much better. Don’t you, Nova? You can relax now. Eat!”

Allister smiled warmly at Nova. She smiled back and obediently started to eat her dinner instead of picking at it as she had been.

“So,”

Thomas cleared his throat. “I heard you enjoy art. What medium do you prefer most?”

The two men watched with rapid hearts as they took in a glowing flash of green in Nova’s eyes. She loved talking about art. Not that Timothy or Carol would have known that. She was amazed that these two strangers did.

She felt a stir within her. Something-- primal and raw, but she couldn’t figure it out. Was it her instincts telling her to flee? Had she been pushed too far when already so desperately broken that now her body rages with amplified instincts to trust no one?

‘You can trust them, Little Star.’ Roz whispered in her head. As always, that was the push she needed. She never doubted Roz and her judgment of others. She saw what was always unseen.

“I started with comic book art when I was younger. I love comic books and the idea of living a mild-mannered life and suddenly finding out you are so much more. Like a great power suddenly awakening within you. It’s exciting to imagine and create on paper. Over the last few years, I have grown to love graphic design. It has more of a market and career opportunity, and it is a much greater challenge. It can be a make or break for products and companies.”

“Do you have any of your artwork here?”

Allister asked with interest. He was noting that Nova’s face fell slightly.

“Most of my stuff is at home. I didn’t bring anything of value here other than my tablet and laptop. They have a bit of my graphic art but none of my hand-drawn stuff. All that is kept safe in my bedroom.”

“Then you have to take us on a tour sometime. I would love to see all of your talented work, Nova.”

Allister smiled.

“I used to sculpt in my younger years. I loved it. The idea of creating everything from nothing. My over passionate pursuits when in the thrall of a new piece drove my wife insane. Art has a funny way of consuming you, doesn’t it?”

Thomas had a look in his eyes- a faraway stare as though reflecting on his past. Nova noticed Roz flinched at Thomas’ words. Was she saddened by them?

“You’re married? How long have you been married? Any children?”

Nova asked with a smile.

She watched as darkness crossed Thomas’ face. It was chilling. But just as suddenly as it appeared, it was gone again, and his face was emotionless as before.

“Once upon a time, but they’re gone now. When I lost my wife and child, my desire to sculpt went with them.”

Thomas looked up and held Nova’s eyes in place. Something was deep underneath his; she would swear she saw a flash of green, much like her own. “How can one create beauty when they're dead inside with pain and remorse?”

His words were haunting. The true meaning of gone weighed them down. Nova understood clearly. His family had died. He was alone, like her. She understood the hollowness of losing a loved one.

With their eyes held, locked onto each other, it felt as though a bond had formed inside of her. She felt understood.

“I am sorry.”

Nova whispered. Her heart squeezed for him.

“Don’t be. It was a long time ago, and as with everything, we must continue moving on.”

He offered her a small smile. “It does get easier to breathe without them over time.”

He was saying it for her and letting her know she would be alright eventually.

“I hope so.”

That was all Nova said.

The conversation moved on, and the pair left their sad stories out of it. They sat at the table for far longer than their meals, enjoying one each others company.

There was something about the two men. Nova couldn’t put her finger on it, but they felt familiar.

She never saw Roz for the rest of the meal. She left shortly after Thomas shared the story of his past. Usually, she was nearby, standing guard, but perhaps she felt she didn’t need to with those two.

It was unusual for Nova to feel safe in her mother's home. But she did.

Maybe letting her guard down with these two wouldn’t be so bad. After all, they were here to ensure Timothy suffered for his crimes. They planned to hold him accountable for his actions.

That was not something that Carol nor Timothy seemed to be familiar with.

Karma is a bitch, and Nova hoped that it was served cold.