~Tove
I never do this.Ever.Dating doesn't exactly come naturally. Not when my luck has been abysmal, and my only companion recently is my talented fingers.Tonight, that changes.I'm unsure what to expect. My friend Mary practically begged me to come on a date with this stranger after she met him at her work.She wouldn't tell me much, although insisted I wouldn't regret it.We'll see.The resturant it quiet tonight, the storm gathering outside having chased off most of the potential patrons. The gentle glow the fireplace on the far side of the room emits is alluring warm, as I shrug off my wet coat.And then I see him.He sits at a table tucked into the far corner, watching me.My mouth dries.If that’s him, I’m in trouble.He leans back in his chair, amidst the shadows, a dark, almost cruel look about him. It should frighten me back out the door, and yet, I’m compelled to stare back at him.Slowly, the corner of his sensuous mouth tilts up in a knowing smile.Fuck.Cautious steps lead me toward him. Men like him don’t exist in this part of the city, nor do they agree to go on blind dates.They don’t exactly need them."You're not Keo, are you?" I ask breathlessly. I half expect him to say no, to brush me off to summon his beautiful wife over."Surprised?"He’s not a Territory One native, I can hear it in his strange accent. His voice is like a silken caress, as if it should only be reserved for nights of raw passion.One’s I’m sure he is very familiar with."Kind of."Mary. What have you done?He stands swiftly, making me painfully aware of his towering height, rounding the table to pull my chair out for me.I shift as his shoulder brushes against mine, his mouth coming close to my ear."Sit down, Toven," he murmurs.Elegance be damned, I sink unceremoniously into the chair, unsure I'll ever regain the ability to control my legs again."You can call me Tove." I let my coat slip to the floor, surveying him as he sits back down.His eyes are the most striking aspect of him. They are a dark green, like what I imagine Territory Four forests to look like.And his face. Well, the shadows accent his cruel beauty, settling beneath his sharp cheekbones, under his eyes.I feel like I’m staring at a painting. He can’t be real."Beautiful name." His voice pulls me back to reality.The way he says beautiful…It’s as if I can feel him murmuring it against my skin."So, you know Mary?" I clear my throat, shifting my gaze down to the menu’s, absently skimming over it.He takes a long drink, eyes never straying from my face. "Somewhat. I've only spoken to her that one time, at the library.”"She's my best friend.""She told me you don't date often. What changed your mind?"How do I tell him my past lover cheated on me, and semi-casual sex with some man in my apartment complex has had to suffice until I gave up on that too?"It's just because of bad past experiences. Thought I better move on from it, and try again.”A faint smile plays at his lips. "I'm glad you agreed.""What enticed you into a blind date?" I ask. Why not just walk into any establishment and seduce the first beautiful person you see?I swear his gaze dips down to my lips. "The mystery."It’s as if no one else in the room exists. His attention never strays from me, compelling me to subconsciously lean closer."Are you satisfied?" I whisper.His gaze is cold, even as he smiles. "We'll see."How much will we see? Am I going to invite him back to my apartment for the night? I’m tempted, although the fear of rejection plays in the back of my mind.I get the feeling being fucked by Keo is a spiritual experience."Are you from this Territory?" I already know he’s not, but I need to say something that will distract me from the thoughts which cause my cheeks to flush."Not originally. Territory Eleven, actually."I knew there was something unfamiliar about him. I’ve never met someone who grew up in Eleven."Woah, really? I thought it was mostly uninhabited.""For the most part, it is."The waitress passes by and I order a drink. I feel the need to loosen up a bit, to get up the courage to ask him to come home with me by the time the night is up.What is wrong with me? Usually I don’t make the decision to leave with a man until I’ve done more than just glance at his face.Although none have had a face quite like this man’s."What made you move here?"Keo sighs, tapping his fingers against the surface of the table. "It wasn't exactly a choice.""Why not?"He doesn’t look uncomfortable with my prying, although he tenses, an unreadable look passing over his eyes."What do you do? Do you work?"Odd change of subject, but I brush it off."I'm studying and working. I'm hoping to get out of this Territory,” I tell him. I came here a few years ago with the intention of leaving after the first, although my lack of money has unfortunately pinned me down."Where do you want to go?""Territory Six, I hope. Everything sounds so idyllic there."All the good romance books I read are always based in Six. It sounds so wonderful, to be amidst the pink trees, to sail down the endless rivers and to meet the kind citizens there.Keo let’s out a long breath, recalling a memory. "It is.""You've been?"He looks away, toward a window berrated by miserable weather. With every question I ask him, he seems to grow colder, more distant.His sudden turn of attention back to me leaves me breathless. "Do you study your own magic?"My blood chills, my fingers instinctively rolling up into fists against my lap.I keep my mouth tightly closed as the waitress delivers my drink, never releasing Keo from my gaze."I...You know?"I don’t exactly advertise that I have Angel blood. Most of the time it’s not enough to bother anyone about, and some are wary of those with magic, even if it’s a small amount."I can see it in your eyes,” Keo murmurs, watching me take a long sip from my overly sweet drink."My powers are weak. My Angel blood is limited enough that I've never qualified to become a Noble, or even been offered a place in a protected institute,” I tell him curtly.Honestly it’s embarrassing.He tilts his head, a stray black wave of hair falling down over his eye. "Why not?""My powers aren't dangerous,” I shrug, stabbing at a mint leaf amongst my ice with my straw."Why do you assume you don't have strong abilities?" He presses.I sigh through my nose, irritated that this is even a conversation he wants to have with me. "When I was a child I tried hard to increase my powers, but eventually I hit a wall."Keo doesn’t look convinced."You were a child. Perhaps things have changed.""They haven't. I had a mentor, and they confirmed I had reached the end of my abilities, and that I should be grateful I don't have enough to become a Noble,” I growl, trying to keep my voice low."You may have not had an appropriate mentor."I close my eyes, willing myself to be calm before I open them again "You haven't told me anything about yourself.""I would like to see you again, after this."I blink, surprised. By his interrogation, I figured he had no interest in a second date.I’m tempted to tell him to come back to mine tonight, although I quietly calm myself. "I'm free in a couple of days."He smiles tightly. "Excellent."I clear my throat, wanting to know more about this enigmatic man. "Do you work?""No, not exactly.""Do you have any friends? Maybe we could get all our friends together,” I offer. Mary would love to be privy to a date between Keo and I, and perhaps it would ease the tension.Not to mention it makes me less inclined to embarrass myself by physically pursuing him."I don't have any interest in acquiring friends." His brows crease, jaw clenching slightly."But you want a lover?" I almost laugh.He draws his finger over his lower lip, captivating me. "Who said I wanted a lover?""You're on a date with me, aren't you?"Unless of course, Keo, you’re only interested in fucking and being done with me.I wish I had the dignity to feel bad about it, but I don’t think I would have any complaints about that.He sighs. "Do you live close?""Why?"He gestured to the window. "This storm doesn't appear to have any interest in stopping. I was wondering if you need accompanying back to your home?"I follow his gaze, watching a streak of lightening illuminate the sky. Unbeknownst to him, my minor magical ability allows me to transport myself from place to place, meaning I don’t need to get a strand of hair wet if I don’t desire to."No, I should be fine." I wave him off.He goes quiet for a long moment, staring at me with that intense gaze, causing me to shift uneasily in my chair. The buzz from my drink is taking far too long to get here."Have I upset you?" He asks lowly.My throat dries, as I force myself to straighten. "You unnerve me. And confuse me.""What about me confuses you?""You act as though you don't have a past. You've told me nothing about yourself, and yet you want to see me again,” I explain.Is he hiding something? I know all about dark pasts, and I get the sense Keo’s was no fairytale."Perhaps we can talk about me more on our next date,” he muses.I rest both my hands against the table. "I'll go on another date with you, if you tell me one thing about yourself that no one else knows."He’s silent for a long moment, pondering my offer.Eventually he quirks his fingers at me. "Lean closer."Bracing myself against the table, I lean over it toward him, noting every detail about his face as I get closer. Every hair, every freckle. His beautiful is unimaginable.His breath warms my skin, dancing over my ear as I dip my head toward him. Will he kiss me, and make good on my sinful thoughts?His voice is like an erotic caress as he murmurs in my ear, "I'm a murderer."~Tove I couldn't run fast enough from the restaurant. I'm usually only grateful for my magic, that allows me to transport small distances, in moments when I don't feel like walking home from work in the rain, or when I want to remove myself from awkward situations quickly. I've never needed it to run from a murderer. My apartment materialises in front of me, my magic dissipating as I launch into a run up the stairs, not stopping until I'm on the fourth floor, in front of my friend's door. She opens it after only seconds of my incessant pounding. "Woah, Tove..." She stumbles back as I barge inside, gesturing wildly for her to lock the door behind me while I try to catch my breath. "He's a murderer," I gasp out. She tucks her bathrobe tighter around herself, yawning. "Who?" "That guy you set me up with. He told me he's a murderer," I tell her frantically, raking my hands through my damp hair. She wanders over to her kitchen counter, filling her kettle with water. "Like
~Tove My blood goes ice cold. "He wants to kill me, doesn't he?" I have no idea what I've done to deserve it. All I really do is go to and from my work, and sometimes go out with Mary. Not that anyone deserves it, but why am I the target of a murderer? "We can't be sure. He acted completely out of character tonight by going on a date with you," Ellard explains. Out of character? What is in his character? "He hasn't been in contact with anyone we have been able to trace in a very long time," Arkyn says, adjusting his jacket. "Why is he dangerous?" It's not going to help me fall asleep tonight, but I want to hear examples of everything that he has done in the past to bring him to the attention of Noble's. "His powers exceed ours, as Noble's." Ellard gestures between himself and Arkyn. My eyes widen. I've grown up in this Territory hearing that Noble's are peak of power in the whole land. That they choose to rule here, over us, instead of elsewhere. Now, to hear that
~KivaI don’t hesitate, turning back toward the door, only to find it locked.Panic spreads through me like a plague. The murderer in my room is clearly to blame for the way the door has magically locked. Regardless, I shake and pull at the handle, to no avail.Slowly, I turn back around. Keo smirks at me."How..." I break off, voice sounding strangled."Something upset you?" He asks, as if his presence alone is terrifying, whether I know about him or not. I don’t even want to think about how he got in here in the first place…"You're a Demon,” I say slowly, the words sounding strange coming out of my mouth.Now that I’m looking at him, I see it. Of course he’s a Demon. You don’t look like him and not have something sinister going on behind the façade."So the idiots over there told you, did they?" He tilts his head to the side.His smile is amused, but his dark eyes are cold. He isn’t here to entertain me, he’s here for a very specific reason and it may just be to murder me.When I d
~ToveThere's only one thing on my mind.I open the door to Mary's apartment, stepping inside. Arkyn sits on the couch while Dax helps Mary carry her bags from her bedroom."I've decided I no longer want to go," I voice confidently, trying to pretend like my voice isn't wavering.I could be making a mistake.But saving Mary is all that matters right now, and if that means selling my soul to a Demon, I'll do it.Arkyn turns to stare at me. "Why not?""I feel more comfortable here, in my own home." I motion at the door, toward my apartment.It's not safe from Keo, obviously. There is no way I'm going to tell the Noble's, though. They won't understand why I need to do this, why Mary is so important to me.And if all they are willing to do is lock me up rather than actual protect me, then how can I trust they will be willing to find a cure for Mary?"What? Come on Tove, we should go where we know we will be safe," Mary insists."I don't think it's necessary...I mean, I doubt he's coming f
~ToveEventually, Mary dozes off.She looks so peaceful, not a care in the world with her now dry jacket bundled under her head.She wanted to stay awake, but once we left the Territory, she succumbed to the satisfying click of the train on the tracks, the way it sways gently.When I am certain she will not be waking for a few hours, I stand.Bracing my hands on the top of each seat as I walk down the aisle, I keep my gaze pinned to the Demon splayed out in his own booth, not a care in the world.I slide into the faded red seat opposite him, resting my elbows on the table.Slowly, he slides his hood back, dark locks of hair tumbling out over his forehead. "You made the right decision."Did I? I don't have it in me to be scared anymore."Then why do I feel so torn?" I say it more so to myself than him, knowing he isn't going to comfort me.He taps his fingers on the surface of the wooden table. "Because you're frightened of me."I shift, his dark gaze burning into me, like an ice cold
~ToveWe made it to Territory Seven a couple days later, around midday.Keo didn't stick around after our conversation, and hasn't shown up since. So Mary and I have spent the two nights curled up on the seats feeling miserable about the entire experience.Once we arrived, we found a place to stay temporarily outside of the main village.It's perfectly remote, and we are unlikely to be tracked for a while.Mary stands at the kitchen bench, staring out the window. "We could have gone anywhere..."I look down at my coffee. Territory One is a cold, horrible tundra. It stretches endlessly, and there is one way in and one way out."They won't think we would come here," I tell her, trying to find a bright side through all of this, even if it's nearly impossible.Mary has gone considerably quieter over the past couple days. She is still reeling from this, and every other hour she asks me if we made a mistake, if we should have just lived our lives out with the Noble's.Because how terrible c
~ToveI stare at the Noble, a chill racing down my spine, and not just because of the bitter air the open door it letting in."Where is my friend?" I ask slowly.If he is taken her to manipulate me...my priorities will have to change."Right here. She is how I found you." He grabs to the left of him, tugging my friend over into view. Her gaze is trained down at her feet, the pained look on her face suggesting she has done this terrible thing."Mary..."She looks up suddenly, anger flaring in her eyes. "I'm sorry Tove, but I'm not going to let a Demon hurt you because of me.""So you told a Noble where I was?" I can hardly believe it. I'm not even sure how she managed to pull it off, but I suppose it makes sense why she was so eager to head toward the main village.Mary's expression breaks. I've hurt her, and now she's hurt me. But this doesn't feel even...Because she has knowingly signed her own death sentence."I had to. I wasn't going to let you make a deal with a Demon to save my
~ToveI pace back and forth, watching the sun slowly start to vanish behind the Territory One cityscape.I'm going to transport myself out of here. I have to. What is stopping me from going right now is Mary.Leaving her here is the last thing I want to do. She has made it clear, though, that she isn't okay with my idea, and at least her being here will mean she is safe, while I try find a cure through Keo.A soft knock on my door has me turning around defensively, scowling as Dax opens it."What do you want?" I snap."I've come to apologise. And talk to you one on one," he says softly.He has a kindness in his eyes when he talks to me that makes me want to trust him. But no amount of trust is going to change the truth.Him and all the Noble’s stand no chance hunting Keo down.And even if they did…Mary would die."You don't have my respect just because you're a Noble." I fold my arms over my chest, glaring at him. People fall at these Noble’s feet because they are handsome and powerfu