Something changes in the room, as though all of the oxygen has suddenly been sucked out and I am gasping for air. The demon’s anger is something tangible and heavy, warning me that something terrible is about to happen.
“This is a soul bond.” She spits, the way she says it making me realise that there is more to this than I originally believed. When Kit first marked me, he explained that it was how demons made deals, sealing them in flesh. The fact I can hear him in my mind and feel him when he’s close… is that because of this soul bond?
The demon screams like a banshee, my glass of water smashing on the other side of the room at the ear-splitting pitch. I struggle beneath her, trying to get away from the awful sound but I am trapped.
“You sold your soul to him?! Disgusting pieces of trash, you have no idea what you’ve done.” Her claws dig into my shoulders, carving deep grooves into my back. “There’s no way to undo this, so I guess I’ll just have to carve it from your skin.”
Pain hits me before I can process what she’s saying, the torture taking my breath away. Slice by slice, she uses her nails to slice me up, cutting at my mark.
I scream, losing all ability to think, kicking and thrashing the best I can to be free. Nothing works. I’ve never known pain like it, and every time she goes over one of the lines of my mark, the pain intensifies so much I think I’m going to black out. Blood pools around me and I know I won’t survive much more of this.
Ella will be alone again, but hopefully she will be allowed to stay here and grow up with the life she should have had. Amir will see to it, I know he will. Maybe Abbie and Caleb can help her too. Finally, my mind turns to the other being I will be leaving behind.
“Kit,” I whisper, my consciousness barely hanging on as I reach for the demon who got me into this mess. All because of a lie. I don’t regret it though, I only wish I had a chance to speak to him before I died. Black spots appear in my vision and I know my time is almost up.
“Get the fuck off my human.”
Kit. He’s here. He came for me.
Knowing he’s here instantly bolsters me, and as the female climbs off me, I want to cry out in relief. I am still in agony, but the pain of her slicing my mark was enough to make me crave death. I can’t see what’s happening behind me as I am unable to move, but I strain my ears to hear their conversation.
“Ahh, Kitan. I wondered if you would show up.” She tsks, as though scolding him. “You took your time; the poor girl has almost bled out.”
“She is mine, and whatever you do to her, is a direct attack on me.”
I barely recognise his voice, which sounds more like a growl, like a beast ready to attack. He is absolutely furious and I feel his power prickling over me. However, when it does reach me, the sensation gentles, like his magic knows who I am and that I am hurt deeply.
The she-demon makes a pouting noise from behind me. “I didn’t know that when I first started. Mortals are so secretive, she wouldn’t tell me.”
Kit snarls and I feel him taking a step toward me. “You shouldn’t even be here.” His voice promises violence and I am glad his anger isn’t aimed at me.
“She is a disgusting mortal and you are riskingeverything-”
Whatever she was going to say is cut off suddenly. From the corner of my eye, I can see him surge forward and smash her into the wall, glowing tendrils of blue magic tightening around her throat. “You say anything about her again, and I shall sliceoff your tongue.” He leans in close, his body seeming to grow and shift, his form becoming more monstrous. “Tell the others I promise the same to anyone who touches her. She ismine.”
She looks shocked, and with a surge of magic, she disappears. I get the feeling that she was banished by his power and she didn’t leave of her own choice. Not that I care, I’m just glad that she’s gone.
Slowly, Kit turns and looks at me, power dancing off him in sparks, like little bolts of lightning flickering with his fury. Sharp spikes protrude from his arms and his horns have grown taller than I’ve ever seen them. Hunched forward slightly, he pants, as though using this type of magic takes a toll on him. I’ve never seen him look more demonic, but I’m not scared.
No. I’m glad he’s here. That I am able to see him before my end.
Suddenly, he’s at my side, his body back to normal, his eyes dark with anger and concern. Hand hovering over me, I feel him gather magic, the prickling of power almost too much for my abused body to take and I make a gargled noise of protest. No, I don’t want him to use magic on me, even the thought makes panic flare in my chest.
“I have to, Kiara, otherwise you’ll bleed out.” He sounds apologetic but firm, not bending to my pained noises. “You may have sold your soul to me in both life and death, but I’m not ready for you to die yet.” He’s never spoken to me like this before, his tone soft and honest. All hints of the jokester are gone, as are any traces of the monster he was moments ago. I’m not sure what to make of his comment, but I don’t have the energy to ask him.
Warmth fills me as his hand hovers over my back. There are a few twinges of pain that make me wince as my body knits itself back together, but otherwise the process is mostly painless. It is the strangest sensation as I canfeelmy skin fixing itself, pullingme back together. My mind whirs as I heal, questions keeping me distracted as my head clears and I can think again. Why did he come back for me? Why did he take so long? Why was the female demon so angry about my deal with Kit?
Eventually, I feel stronger and like I can roll over and sit up. Kit offers me his hand to manoeuvre me into a comfortable position. It’s slow and I feel so weak, but I need to make it to my bed-
The world blurs around me and I find myself in Kit’s arms. He carries me across the room but I am too focused on the fact the direct contact with him makes me tingle all over. It doesn’t last long as he lowers me into bed and I am going to blame the strange feelings it brings up in me on the attack.
“I’m sorry, Kiara. This never should have happened.” His expression is so torn, showing emotions I never thought to see on a demon’s face. Compassion moves inside me, I want to console him. A demon. Yet, as I look up at him, I don’t see the demon, but as a person in emotional turmoil.
Reaching out, he places his hand on the top of my head. It’s an odd gesture, especially from him and I frown, trying to shake him off.
“What are you doing?” I manage to croak out.
Kit stares down at me, resolute and sure in his decision. It makes me nervous but I am still too weak to pull away. His black eyes flash and I feel him magic pour into me.
