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I parted my lashes later that night, only to find darkness consuming me.
The moment I looked around to find myself outside, I quickly gazed up to find Will carrying me through the sidewalks.
I looked around in a hurry before gazing back at him. “Since when were we outside?”
He just smiled. “Since now.”
“Wow,” I said then, lashes lowering, “very helpful.”
“I am one to be helpful.”
I just rolled my eyes. “You can set me down now. I’m capable of walking.”
“Says the girl who passed out.”
“You engraved a crescent shape on my side. I wonder why.”
“You’re the one who offered the contract with me,” he stated.
I just glared sharply. “Set. Me. Down.”
He chuckled. “So persuasive.”
And he lowered me onto the ground.
I immediately stepped away from him and started forward, feeling him following close behind me. “So, where are we going?”
“You started walking forward and don’t know where we’re going?”
“Can you cut the sarcasm?” I shot him a look.
His eyes just glowed a slight red. “Why? It’s my strong suit.”
I stared back forward and continued walking. “Why are we outside?”
“You signed the contract with me,” he said, still following. “It’s better to do that outside.”
“I was in a dark void,” I stated, turning to face him. “Covered in feathers. I doubt that was outside.”
“Amazing point,” he said then, smirking, “when I snapped my fingers, we went to hell. My favorite place.”
“Well, that’s comforting.”
“I wasn’t finished,” he said then, gazing up, “I sent us to hell to sign the contract.” He winked. “The official way. No turning back now.”
“Yes, you’re going to kill me once this is over,” I said sarcastically. “Also comforting. Now, please get to your point.”
He gazed up then, eyes still glowing red. “I snapped my fingers, we teleported outside. End of point.”
I then stared at him. “So you’re going to help me find out who killed my sister?”
“That is the agreement.”
“And then you’re going to kill me?”
He nodded. “Yup. You signed the contract, and promised me your soul, after all.” He smiled. “Since when does soul extraction not involve death?”
I just sighed and stared back out into the distance. “You’re a significant actor, you know. I almost fell for the ‘serious boss-guy’ act that you displayed. In reality, you’re a psychopath.”
“Well, I am a demon.”
“Also, comforting,” I said sarcastically, turning to walk back down the street. “So, when do we start?”
“Your choice,” he said then, “this is your game, after all.”
I just sighed. “I want to go to bed. Maybe tomorrow.”
“If that’s what you wish,” he said then.
I then stopped in my tracks, a small smile spreading across my face. “You know… I just remembered something.”
“Oh?”
“The contract also states that you do anything I say,” I said, turning and smirking at him. “Did it not?”
“Oh,” he said, brows arching, “should I be concerned?”
My lashes lowered. “I want dinner.”
“You just ate.”
“Hey, the contract says you’d do anything I say.” I pointed an accusing finger at him.
He just rolled his eyes. “What do you want?”
“I want Chinese food, and you’re buying it.”
He sent me a look. “Really? Is this how this is going to be?”
“It’s fair, isn’t it?” I said then. “You are going to kill me.”
His eyes glowed a slight red. “You’re going to be a menace, aren’t you?”
“You’re going to—”
“Kill you,” he finished, rolling his eyes, “I know, God. Seriously.” He pulled out his phone, typing on it. “I’m getting it now, relax.”
I smiled in response.
After a moment of typing, he stuffed his phone in his pocket and glanced over at me.
I just watched him.
He smiled then, eyes glowing a dark red.
“How do you do that?” I said then, pointing to him. “Make them all demonic and all that. Aren’t they usually blue?”
“They are,” he said then, stepping forward as I followed him, “when I want to be normal. I mean… they are my normal eye color, but when I get mad or if I am amused, they change color.”
I then watched him curiously before gazing around.
“You must really want to find that killer, if you’re willing to bet your life on it,” he said then. “Do you feel guilt or something?”
Something cold filled me, clutching onto my heart and squeezing it tightly.
My lashes lowered, and I looked away. “That’s not a subject I feel comfortable speaking about.”
He just gazed back forward, remaining silent.
We kept walking before he spoke again:
“You acted all bubbly and adorable before,” he explained, “why the sudden change of heart? You were all snuggles this, and cuddles that! Save me! Let’s watch a movie! Was that all for show?”
“No,” I said then, being honest for some reason, “that’s how I feel inside. I put it for show… that side of me. I was doing it to hook you in.”
“Why’d you fake it if you were so insistent on signing with me?”
I remained silent then, my entire form chilling.
“Is that seriously a sensitive subject?” He looked up. “My, my. You seriously have issues, don’t you?”
“Did anyone tell you that you suck at being charming?”
“Oh, honey,” he said then, “if I want to seem charming, I’d seem charming.”
I just sighed and shook my head.
“I want coffee,” I said then.
He glanced down at me. “It’s… ten in the evening.”
“I want coffee,” I said again.
“Drinking so much coffee isn’t good for your health, darling,” he said smoothly. “Why don’t we get you some hot coco instead?”
“I said I want coffee.”
He watched me for a moment before sighing. “Alright, whatever. I’ll order some for delivery, too, I guess.”
He pulled out his phone and typed on it.
“You certainly dislike sleeping, don’t you?” he said then, pushing his phone back in his pocket. “Is this because of all those nightmares you have at night?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I held my chin up despite the cold deepening inside me.
“Bad liar,” he said, sighing.
“No, I’m not. I had you fooled for a while.”
“Ah, yes, but you said that was your true self.”
I was silent then.
We continued forward for a while longer.
Until we met my house, and I opened the door before gazing back at him. “See you tomorrow.”
Right as I closed the door, his foot got caught into it.
I opened it again, finding his lashes lowered. “May I help you?”
“I’m sorry, but… it seems as if you’ve forgotten the terms of our agreement,” he said then, smile widening. “Who do you belong to?”
I stared at him before my lips thinned. “None of that states that I live with you.”
“I have to protect you,” he said then, eyes darkening. “That’s my job.”
“I still don’t see how that’s relevant. Stake out like the police do. Good night.” I closed the door again.
He just shoved it open, making me stumble back a couple steps.
He climbed into the room and kicked the door closed behind him, making his way over to me.
I stared helplessly at him when he tipped my chin up, face inches from mine.
“Are you going to be this resistant, Suki?” His eyes darkened. “If you are, then that violates my bond to you. Are you willing to give this up? It’s only been ten minutes.” He leaned forward then, breath heating my neck. “It smells good, too. Very good. I am hungry.”
I breathed for a moment before closing my eyes tightly. “Is this your rule? I have to succumb to you? I cannot be resistant when you want something?”
“No, when you want something.”
I gazed up at him in shock.
He chuckled darkly, running his finger lightly along my neck again. “Think of this, Angel. You came to me and only me. You let me hoop you into a relationship. You let me kiss you. You leaned into it. Do you seriously think I don’t sense something?”
My cheeks heated then, and I looked to his chest.
“Suki…” he said, voice dark, “you want to be close to me, don’t you? Be honest.”
“Maybe.”
“I see.” He smiled. “You only are willing to let me help you?”
“If I have to sign a deal to find my sister’s killer,” she said then, gazing up. “I’d prefer it to be with you. You were my best friend in high school. I know how well you get things done.”
“If that’s the case,” his eyes darkened, “why are you willing to allow me to kill you?”
“If I didn’t offer that, you wouldn’t say yes,” I stated honestly.
He watched me then, curiously now. “You are confusing, aren’t you?”
“So, I’ve been told.”
“Haven’t I stated that I am going to kill you?” he repeated sternly.
“Yes.”
“And you’re willing for that? When you clearly want to get close to me?”
“Oh, well… don’t flatter yourself.”
He gave me a look then, but I remained unfazed.
After a moment of silence, his expression grew soft with a hint of numbness, and he brushed his thumb along my lip.
“I’ve wanted your blood for so long.”
“I’m giving it to you,” I said then.
“Willingly,” he finished, voice gentle. “So… I will help you find your sister’s killer. I have to now, but since you are feeding me the last essence of your life…” he leaned down then, “I’ll make it worthwhile.”
And he set his lips on mine.
I closed my eyes then, feeling his hand lace in my hair as he brought himself further down, moving his lips gracefully on mine.
He pulled away then, making my breath shake, but he just smiled and set his finger on my lips. “You’ve been craving that, haven’t you?”
I was silent, but I felt my eyes gloss over.
“You don’t have to speak, your eyes say everything,” he said quietly. “Now… Suki, please, do something for me.”
I watched him.
“Your life is short,” he said then, voice quiet, “especially after this.” He brushed his thumb along the scar on my side, sending a jolt of heat through me. “So, do something for me… stop resisting.”
I stared at him for a long moment.
“Just… stop resisting,” he said then, running his thumb over my lip again. “I will take care of you now. You need not to worry. And I promise… I will make your death painless.”
He brought his lips down onto mine then, devouring me before pulling away.
“You don’t love me,” I said. “You cannot love. Why are you saying these things? Why are you kissing me?”
He chuckled then, eyes glowing slightly. “Sweetheart, I might be a psychopath, but I can smell pain, love, and lust. And you are covered in it.”
My cheeks burned a bright red, although I kept staring at him.
“I won’t hurt you,” he said this time, his voice somehow… assuring. “Not until this is over. I won’t allow anyone to hurt you. I can love you, too, if you want.”
“If I… want?”
“Protecting you is my job now,” he said then, eyes darkening. “That includes mind, body, and soul. So, do us both a favor and open up to me, hmm?” He tapped my lips. “Or I won’t be as generous on getting it out of you.”
I was silent then, breaths straining. “What are you saying?”
“You know very well what I’m saying.” He caught my wrist and held out my hand, placing something onto it.
I gazed down then, eyes widening when I found a small, little bunny keychain. “Where did you…?”
“It’s your sister’s, isn’t it?” he said then, smiling. “Keep it with you. It’ll keep you sane.”
He then tipped my chin up again. “And stop resisting.”
He let go and then walked off to the hall, leaving me stranded.
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