Skye's Arrival

Koan chuckles, bringing his enchanting aroma to a full embrace around me. It’s incredibly difficult to think around this predicament. He slowly partially retracts his teeth, bringing shivers up and down my spine. “Will you please drop the arrow, Skye? I’d hate for you to be hurt.”

Regrettably, I drop my arrow. My body is still hyper aware that his lips are centimeters from my neck.

He kisses my neck and pulls my waist gently, tracing my waist with his fingers, leaving trails of longing pressure in its wake. “Come, let’s talk about what is going on.”

He pulls me along while I try not to move. His lips are still brushing my neck. The second that man bites me, is the second I’m doomed. Demons cannot control me, but he can certainly use his venom to stardaze me. Avoiding a trance is my main goal right now.

“Now, my dear Skye, how about we get you dressed into something more appropriate; while we wait for my companions to be reborn?”

“What are you up to Koan?” I breathe, afraid to move my mouth. I do not want to trigger his predatory instincts. His fangs are still descended so he’s still in that mind.

“You know what I’m up to.” He chuckles. “Only this time, I’ll make sure you’re on my side. I’m fortunate enough to be much, much closer to ruling this country. It’s not required for my desires, but it does make it easier.” Koan lifts me up quickly then sets me back down to avoid some rubble.

“Why are you so desperate for the veil to be broken?” I demand, trying to keep my voice level.

I can feel Dawn is irritated. I’m curious as to why he isn’t trying to surface her. I may be different than her, but she’s the one most suited to his needs. My only guess is he wants me in my weaker state. He’s more vulnerable if I am though. Dawn may be able to kill the weaker demons, but I’m able to vanquish any and all. All I need is-

“Because,” he starts, breaking my concentration, “when the veil is broken, I can enact my revenge.”

“But you’ll kill thousands.” I hiss, trying not to let my temper raise. Do not challenge him, I shout at myself internally. The last thing I need is to be stardazed, I remind myself, still trying to think of an escape.

“Life is temporary for them.” He answers simply. “It’s much longer for us, don’t you agree? However, your punishment does hinder my plan a little.”

“Why is this?” I ask, forcing myself to be relaxed.

“Because, in order for the veil to be dropped, I need a strong Celestial and a demon to share their blood. You’re a Celestial and I’m a demon. Both on equal planes who are irrevocably bonded. All I need is your blood and I’ll give you mine, creating the pairing needed to break that shroud and merge our worlds with this middle one. To create unity and bring us into an age of greatness that we will rule together.”

“What about Esmeralda? She’s celestial,” I offer, trying to force my mind into a logical setting. My entire body is craving his touch. To let him drink from me, and I from him. I mentally slap myself. Get it together Skye.

“Her celestial side is rather weak as of late. She gave her celestial side to Heathe, allowing him to give our moronic mortal strength enough to bring me to this side.”

My breath catches as I try to process this. That betrayal is devastating to say the least. “Why would she do that?”

“The same as any other motive I suppose. Revenge.” He puts his lips against my neck, making my eyes lose focus; not that I was retaining my immediate surroundings in the first place. Where are we?

“Your dearest Celestial King may have forced you into the mortal realm for a century; but he was less forgiving to the one that forced your actions. Her brother, your protector, was executed and his name stripped from those who had served the Celestial Kingdom. Esmeralda’s part was also discovered and found that it was her idea.”

My head is reeling. “What? She…she was the one?”

He nibbles at my neck. “They both planned it, my dear. She wanted you out of her way, so she arranged it. Her brother simply put you there. Only the man was caught and covered for his sister’s actions.”

“Why?” I gasp as he nips under my earlobe. All I can tell is that we’re still walking. I can’t see anything past a blur of colors. I’m not able to feel Dawn. What is he doing to me?

“Because she was always jealous of being compared to you. Always living in your shadow.”

“But she was my superior,” I breathe.

“She was in the Celestial Soldiers. Not where it mattered to her, which was with her father, the king.” He bites gently under my jaw, careful not to touch me with his fangs. “You always outperformed her in every way. And let’s just say, she was more into your achievements than her own. Esmeralda never quite got the confidence she needed when it came to a social aspect. The Celestial Soldiers never respected her. They followed you.”

“I-I never knew that.” I say, recognizing that we’ve stopped.

“You never did care to notice, my dear.” He licks a trickle of blood that had escaped, giving a slight moan in response. I stiffen as desire starts to rise. I want him. I need more than that.

“You always did care more about others, than noticing your standing. Like a true Celestial. Did you know that the Celestial King was to name you as the Head Rank of the Celestial Army before that night? You were to be promoted over his own daughter. Doesn’t that make you a little angry Skye? All of that ripped by one act of jealousy. And for what? All for that to be given away for a small bit of revenge against dear old dad?”

I hesitate. “It makes me sad.” I breathe, trying to engage empathy. I know anger is to be avoided around Koan, but I’m beginning to forget why.

He chuckles. “You do enjoy toying with me dear.” He nuzzles my neck as he breathes deeply. “Not nearly as much as I do with you.” I feel his tongue trace my neck, making me shiver. “You’ve always tasted divine, my dear. Being in your presence makes my mouth water. To taste you almost makes me lose myself completely.”

He buries his nose in my neck, inhaling deeply. “You’re my Skye, not that demon inside of you. Once she’s removed from you, you’ll feel much better.”

“What do you mean?” I demand, my skin growing cold.

“As long as she resides inside you, my dear, I can’t use your blood. It’s tainted.” He kisses my neck, but part of my mind is beginning to wake. My heart quickens as the colors start to form shapes. “Once removed from your body, she’ll cease to exist.”

“You…you can’t kill her,” I tell him, seeing a room with red velvet rugs. There is a bed with silk sheets. The stone is smooth and pale. It’s from the Ashen Mountains. I can feel Dawn’s anger and worry. There is something scaring her. Is it Koan?

“She’s a manifestation of a curse on you Skye. A consequence of your actions. She’s not real. Once cleared from you, your full celestial blood will be released, and your blood no longer tainted. I’ll destroy the veil, and there will be nothing to stop us. We’ll rule together for all eternity.” He starts nibbling on my neck, making my breath hitch.

“If she’s not real, how can you kill her?” I ask, trying to force my mind to work. Focus Skye, I shout internally.

“As one who controls demons, I can also remove and destroy them. However, since she was given by the Celestial King, it’ll be a little trickier to remove her. There is a way to keep her from surfacing though; but it’ll be a little painful for you, my dear.”

“But…I love her,” I say in a soft voice, trying to force myself past his tranquilizing scent.

“And I love you,” he tells me, causing my heart to race. “Dawn isn’t a real demon, Skye. She lives in you. She’s an unnatural parasite that resides in you. All she’s doing is causing you damage and weakening you. She’s hurting you. Let me protect you.”

“She’s been with me so long,” I muse, slowly raising my hand up my bare leg. “She’s a sister to me.”

“She’s a disease, dear.” He nibbles my ear. “Allow me to cure you.” I hesitate as he nips at my lobe. It’s not me that caused that pause, it’s Dawn. She doesn’t want to hurt me. We both knew it was likely why I’m the weaker one, but it’s hurting her that it’s confirmed.

“She’s my friend.” I respond, realizing that he’s starting to do something to me. There is a red mass starting to form around us. He’s distracted enough by his thoughts that he doesn’t feel my hand brushing under his as I reach under my shirt.

“I’ll be gentle.” He soothes, placing his lips on my neck, his growing desire palpable.

“I won’t,” I hiss as I grab my knife under my shirt and stab it into his bicep. He roars and lets me go out of reflex. I start running, very aware that I just triggered his hunting instinct. When that’s engaged, there is very little control Koan will have over his body. He may actually kill me. It’s surprising me that Dawn feels sad, but I’ll ask her about it later.

Something hard hits my back, rolling me across the floor. When I stop Koan is on top of me, his hand on my throat. I put my hand on his face and try to push him away, reaching for the knife still stuck in his arm. Dawn is subdued, which is almost distracting. If his fangs weren’t an inch from my face, it would be.

I manage to grab the knife and stab it into his neck. He screams in agony and throws me across the room. My back hits glass and I go sailing out the window. I don’t think he aimed properly, considering I hear him swearing. Now it’s time to run.