| |
––––––––
I felt it as soon as Vivian dropped off the grid. I paused myself for minutes in the rain. I had been exploring old buildings that held the remains of demonic energy. I stood there willing myself to think logically. I couldn’t allow myself and my thoughts to revolve around her no matter how great the pull of the ritual. I was almost starting to believe that it was something more. She was not my woman and never would be. I growled as I took one small step after another trying to push myself further into the building.
Minutes after, I realized there was no way I could possibly focus on my task. Acknowledging her disappearance was driving me insane. She was driving me insane. I purposely did my best to put distance between us and she either pulls a stunt like this or she was in serious trouble. I knew that she could handle herself and that Haymen wouldn’t hurt her because he returned her back to her estate earlier today. I confirmed it myself trying to rein in this possessiveness that swept over my usually collected self.
I let an hour go by as I tried my hardest to focus on my search. Nothing. So far it appeared that I would only find remains of the Volv when they wanted to reach out to me. And since my last encounter no one stepped forward. The orphanage hasn’t had further attacks after confronting Vivian. Which very well might’ve meant they had been baiting her.
I growled as I swept up the high building no longer patient for her reappearance. Surely she should’ve returned by now depending on whatever situation she was involved with. But the tugging sensation of something happening at her gnawed at me. I felt that she was alive and safe in my gut but worry still sickened me. And that revolted me as much as it panicked me.
I followed the last location I had sensed her at. A club I had heard much about and was a hotspot in the city of Shabeah. Despite the rain that continued to pour over the city, the distinct smell of Vivian and another demon’s scent mingled with intimacy. Every fiber of me wanted to rip that demons throat apart for daring to touch her. It was the worst thing that could’ve happened while I was under the intensity of the ritual. Another man claiming what was mine.
I swept into the alleyway where I could smell her. She had left a while ago but the demon remained. As soon as I dipped into the alleyway women squealed behind me and gave chase. I spread my wings wide so they could only see my back. I pressed my light to the entrance of the alleyway so no one could step out.
There, standing over the remains of the demon who had touched Vivian, was Haymen. He didn’t seem surprised as I walked towards him. He charmed a smile at me as I approached him, wiping over his hands with a cloth that evidently didn’t even touch the demon that was gasping for life with wounds that would not heal in time. Silver blood drenched the cemented ground and splattered the walls.
Mixed emotions pumped through me. I was pleased to see another demon dying, more specifically one who dared touch Vivian. Discretely I would’ve tried to kill him myself. Vermin. I tried to push away that second thought that reared its ugly head. A demon’s death was always nothing but joyful to me. I was sharp on the reality of the situation despite battling the barbaric inner monologue.
“You killed him because he had sex with her,” I said in a low enough voice that only he could hear. A crowd began to gather behind me as a few photos were taken. No one would be able to see past my wings. The dead body on the ground in front of me should’ve been blocked from their sight. The darkness around Haymen advised me that he was concealing his physical form from everyone but me. Which meant I walked into a trap and the subject of murder. I let the storm unfurl like my emotion. The heavy downpour and lightning that flashed would force everyone into cover. The rain would assure no one would be able to see past their own hand.
“Weren’t you coming to do the same?” He asked me with a knowing smirk. Information of our kind and ritual wasn’t meant to escape past our own knowledge but somehow during the years, certain rituals such as the angel kiss had. It wasn’t general knowledge but Haymen made sure to be informed as much as possible against those who were his arch enemies. Likewise.
“I wouldn’t do an unauthorized kill. Especially in your city,” I said, formally. He laughed at that. A deep chuckle that drew out his true menacing nature.
“You’re right. This is my city and I don’t allow those who touch my property to live,” he said pointedly. It was both a threat and an admittance. I clenched my knuckles, aware of those who still tried to take photos behind us.
“You killed Luke, didn’t you?” I said as it all made sense. It wasn’t Vivian who killed the men that she had slept with but Haymen who spited anyone who dared touch her. She was something to him or whatever remained dormant in Vivian was what was most precious to him. And it had cost my friend his life.
“You’ll have to be more specific,” he said with an antagonizing smile. “I don’t make it common practice to ask the name of those I kill.” The final gasp of the demon who bled out on the floor was the only thing that came between us. The downpour soaked us both. He was smug because he knew I couldn’t go to the council and openly claim him to be the murderer without proof. My restraint held me in my position. I wanted to kill him more than anything but I had to be smart about the way I would execute him. This was politics and any irrational action I made would affect even those who followed me. The time I had been given to mourn Luke made me more logical and restrained.
At the moment of the demon’s death the veil was revoked from Vivian. Obviously, it was this demon that withheld her presence. If I had taken a better look at him I might’ve realized what demon he was.
I almost wanted to drop to my knees as soon as I felt her again. I almost choked as if the life that her and I shared was being extinguished. Haymen seemed to feel the same effect through whatever connection they had and within seconds had vanished. I teleported myself screaming out to that thread that connected us, to where she might be. I didn’t focus on any location or image because I didn’t know where she was. I only focused on her. The one thing that felt insufferably freezing to my usual warmth and light. The darkness drew me in and the pull was so great that it felt like a form of home. A place that would be my yearning for years to come.
I would make it there before someone truly hurt her.
