~ToveThe moment my feet touch the ground, I fall forward onto my knees.Keo merely strolls past me, brushing lint off his black jacket. I scowl up at him.“Murderer," I growl hatefully.He looks down at me with that sick, sadistic smile on his face that I want to wipe off. All of this is amusing to him, it's fun.“We knew that already.” He holds his out to me.Ignoring it, I stumble up onto my feet, looking around. We aren't in the hellscape I thought we would be, considering everything I've been told about this Demon.This is Territory Two. It's dark, but I can hear the sea roaring outside the large, open balcony doors. I can taste the salt in the soft breeze that ruffles my clothes and hair.And it's so wonderfully warm, despite the hour.“Fuck you," I hiss.“Calm down," he orders firmly, which only fuels my anger. How can he be so infuriating without every trying?“I just watched someone die!”It feels as though a rock has settled in the pit of my stomach. Watching that person los
~ToveI chew on my oatmeal, staring out the window.Sleep didn't come easily last night. My head is muddled this morning, but my anger has dispersed. Now, I want a cure for Mary more than ever, and if it means putting up with Keo, I'll do it.He strides into the dining room, falling into a seat at the far end.I stop chewing. Does he always have to look like that?"Eat as much as possible. We will be working on your magic today," he says, adjusting his gloves.I put my spoon down. Breakfast was already waiting for me when I came down this morning, even in Keo's absence. I've been looking around for staff, but I've found nothing.Keo and I are completely alone up here."Already?" I don't even feel my powers humming under my skin anymore."You think we should delay?" He raises a brow."No..."That means I'll be here longer than I need to be. This manor is so stunning, especially with the view of the expansive sea that stretches endlessly toward the horizon.But that isn't enough for me
~ToveThree days ago, Keo told me flippantly over breakfast that he had business to attend elsewhere.He still isn't back.I spent the first two days reading the book he gave me. On the third day, I spent most of the day staring out at the sea, lounging in the sun and eating all the food left for me.Today, I'm officially bored. I want to explore.Every door I find that leads to the outside is unlocked, although distantly, there doesn't appear to be any civilisation, which means strolling around likely won't get me anywhere.So, I opt instead for wandering aimlessly around this expansive manor.Most rooms are empty. This is obviously just a temporary place for Keo to come to as he hops around the land.On the bottom level, I come across an ajar door which I peek through. My mouth drops at the sight of a small library.Nudging the door open with my shoulder, I step inside, breathing in the smell of ancient books.I just found where I'm going to spend the rest of my time while Keo is ab
~Tove"Put your book down, we are leaving."I look up, seeing Keo leaning up against the threshold of my bedroom."You would interrupt me at the good part," I growl, position my bookmark in the crease of the book before slamming it shut.He smiles wickedly. I thought today was going to be about starting to work with my magic, although he clearly has something else in mind."Up," he instructs.I swing my life over the edge of the bed. "Where are we going?""Home," I mutters, looking out the window as if he can see our destination in the distance. My eyes narrow, wondering if I should be concerned.""Territory One?" I don't think Keo has a permanent home, which means he must be eluding to mine.He threads a hand through his dark waves, jaw tightening. "My least favourite place.""Why are we going back?""There is someone there you need to meet. She's important." He gestures for me to follow him, so I do, all the way down to the main floor."How so?" I ask warily. The more people he intr
~ToveKeo doesn't transport us away like I suspect. In fact, we stand our ground.I look up at him, surprised as Dax reaches us. As far as I'm aware, the two haven't crossed paths in quite a few years, and yet here they are, Dax looking less than impressed while Keo has an amused smirk plastered across his face.“You and I both know this is pointless, Daxen," Keo muses.Dax looks at me, and then at the Demon. “Do the right thing Keo. Hand her to me.”I almost laugh. He would rather take me by force than let me go with Keo.“When have I ever done the right thing?” Keo asks, picking at his nails as if this entire conversation bores him.It hits me all at once that he did this on purpose. He allowed me to walk into the city knowing one of the Noble's would sense it. He's doing this to make a point, to get them to back off.“You’ve never kidnapped an innocent girl before," Dax exclaims apprehensively. I screw my nose up, hating that Dax isn't even trying to appeal to me.He knows by now t
~ToveA week eventually passes, and once Keo returns, he takes me away to another territory for training immediately.“Seven. Really?” I question, turning around in place.He did tell me to put on a thick coat and boots. It's the only real thing he's said to me since returning. And now, we are in the icy tundra that is Territory Seven.At this point I'm convinced Keo is trying to find the most creative way to kill me.“The cold may help you concentrate," he notes, shuffling through the snow as he looks over the bleak environment.I want to ask him about the other week. He acted so strangely, but by the distant look in his eyes, he isn't in the mood to explain himself.I've spent the entire week simmering in my own thoughts and theories about that night.“This is ridiculous," I mutter, feeling the bitter chill of the icy air sting my cheeks.“No one shall bother us here. No Noble’s, especially," Keo explains.I laugh breathily. There is no form of life for miles - just an endless expan
~ToveA couple of days have passed and Keo has bothered me once about training.It's gotten on my nerves for multiple reasons.Firstly, Mary is awaiting a cure, and the sooner I get it to her by completing Keo's task, the less she has to suffer.And secondly...well, I'm bored.Keo doesn't show at breakfast, so, once afternoon rolls around, I amble down to where I know he will be working on whatever business a Demon must attend to.Sure enough, he's leaning over his desk, one hand delved into his dark hair, the other scribbling something I would assume is important onto the paper in front of him."So, what are we doing today?" I ask, leaning against the doorframe.He doesn't look up."I'm working."I sigh irritably, expecting this response. "I thought we could do some more training.""That won't be happening." He starts to drum his fingers on the surface of his desk, conveying his unspoken irritation at my unannounced presence."Why not?"He looks up through dark, thick lashes. "You ne
~ToveThis isn't good.I stare at the ceiling, employing as many ways of distracting myself as possible.I've tried pacing, although that failed to tire me out. Reading was thwarted by my aching eyes from spending all day doing it, and writing down my concerns proved to be impossible considering my lack of paper and a pen...And the thought of Keo ever uncovering my wretched thoughts.Groaning, I toss the covers off my legs and lurch back up to standing.The wood floor is cold underfoot as I stride to the balcony door, pushing it open. The sheer curtains brush against my skin as I step out, letting the sharp sea-scented breeze sweep my hair back off my shoulders.I'm thinking about Keo.Being near him is intoxicating. But it's more than that...I know who he is, what he has done. And yet I find him deeply fascinating, and considering I'm one of the few Angel-bloods he isn't willing to kill right now, my urge to uncover more about him is burning with untamed fire.His parting words to