1876

~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 introduces me to, the deeper I am in his complicated life, meaning it will be harder to get away from him.

There's an urgency in his eyes, even as he tries to appear amused. "She's my friend, and is a part of my big evil plot."

"Fine, whatever," I mutter, extending my hand to him.

He grabs my forearm instead, yanking me close before the world starts to fall away from under us. I hold my breath, used to this feeling, although a thrill of the unknown courses through me.

The moment my feet touch the ground, I feel an intense wave of heat pass over me, causing my jacket to cling to my skin.

Opening my eyes, I blink through my shock.

We are in some kind of small cabin, golden sand everywhere. I face a room that is half crushed in by a massive pile of sand, some of it spilling out into the main room at my feet.

Keo let's go of me, looking around. "Your choice of dwelling's on your visits here never cease to amaze me, friend."

I frown, wondering who he is talking to until I see a woman step out from another room.

She looks like a female version of Keo. It's the air about her, the obvious confidence that gives me that feeling.

"Noble's wouldn't track me here," she mutters, gaze trained on me. "This her?"

I fidget uncomfortably under the intensity of her stare. She has a refined look about her, with strong cheekbones and straight-cut, shoulder length hair. Her almond eyes regard me distastefully, and it quickly dawns on me that she is a Demon.

"Tove. Meet Wren." Keo gestures between us.

"She doesn't look powerful." Wren tilts her head to the side, clearly not minding insulting me straight to my face.

Keo smirks. "Look can be deceiving."

Wren laughs, shaking her head at him. "Whatever. As long as she can do it."

I narrow my eyes, trying to remember why Demon's are so bitter to Angel-bloods. Even with that thought in my head, I'm not convinced I like Wren very much.

"Do what?"

"She's a bit rusty, needs a little practice, huh Tove?" Keo says, nudging me. I scowl, considering kicking him in the ankle.

"So why did you bring her here then, where Noble's can sniff her out?" Wren questions, raising a quizzical brow.

I look up at Keo, wanting to know that too.

"Thought you would want to meet her." He shrugs. "And I need it."

It?

"It's in that room," Wren directs, pointing to where she came from.

Keo nods, stepping past her, but when I go to follow, interested in what this fabled object is, but Wren cuts me off, using her body to block the door.

"I'm going to give you advice, to save you some heartbreak," she purrs, a wicked smile on her face that chills my blood. She really is who I would imagine Keo would share his life with.

"What?"

"I get it, Keo is probably the most attractive guy you'll ever see, but just because he's spending time with you, and giving you all his attention, doesn't mean he's going to want to be with you."

I blink, stunned.

Does she really think I'm interested in a Demon like Keo? She must be insane, but what I suspect is the case, is that she is Keo's lover, and I've stepped over a dangerous line that should only be between them two.

"Who say's I want to be with him?" I fold my arms over my chest.

"He hasn't taken a lover in years, and never seriously. Don't think you'll be the exception." She keeps that very irritating, smug smile plastered over her face.

"The whole jealous girlfriend act is rather embarrassing, don't you think?"

She shakes her head at me, a flicker of darkness passing over her emerald eyes.

"I've been Keo's friend for many years. I'm giving you this warning for your benefit," she exclaims, her brows flattening.

I let out a bitter laugh. "Whatever."

I'm far too tired to deal with this, so I turn, walking straight out the front door.

Before me, is a great, expansive desert. Dunes rear up magnificently, and through them, I can see the Territory One city. Going back there is probably a mistake, but staying here and dealing with Wren might be to.

So ignoring the heat, I set off toward the city, draping my jacket over my head to protect against the aggressive sun.

I'm only left walking for a couple minutes before Keo appears next to me.

"What's your marvellous plan, walking in the desert like this?" he asks, clearly amused.

"Getting away from you," I grumble.

He twists his head to study my face. "I'm afraid that cannot happen."

"Just give me some space! I'm tired of your face, your voice and being near you." I'm not sure where this frustrating and anger has arisen from, but I'm assuming it has something to do with Wren.

I'm not a fool. I would never be involved with Keo.

Someone like him is only capable of one thing, and that's ruining me.

"Whoa, alright. What did she say to you?" Keo questions, not even looking like he's breaking a sweat as we walk.

"I can't escape you, Keo. Can you please just give me a moment?" I ask desperately.

It's dangerous, Keo and I both know that. The Noble's will sense I'm nearby, but by the lack of tension in Keo's shoulder's, it's clear he isn't intimidated by that.

"You have an hour. I'll be close."

My eyes widen. "Really?"

"We have a lot of work to do when we return to Territory Two. I want your mind clear." He catches my gaze, looking fairly genuine. I'm sure he will be stalking me the entire time, but time alone outside of the house isn't something I'm going to complain about.

Before I can say anything, he vanishes. A little bit of disturbed red sand is the only evidence that he was ever there.

Exhaling slowly, I close my eyes, promptly transporting myself toward the city.

There is no way I'm going to make the walk all the way across the desert...

I keep to the outside of the city. I wish I could go in, to my apartment or maybe even to see Mary, but I know there's no chance with that. So, I busy myself by walking down the streets, enjoying the familar atmosphere.

"Tove!"

I turn, looking through the crowd for the source of that familiar voice.

Sure enough, I catch a glimpse of the charismatic smile of one of my past boyfriends. I haven't seen him in a couple years, and although we ended things on relatively good terms, some twists in my stomach.

"Anthony..."

"What are you doing in these parts?" He asks, bumping past a few people as he comes to stand before me.

I rub the back of my neck, keenly aware of Keo lurking nearby. "Visiting a friend. How are you?"

"Better now. It's been forever since I last saw you." He grins, although that isn't unusual for him. He's always been an optimistic person.

Maybe that's why we never worked out...

"We haven't spoken much over the years, have we?" I say uncomfortably. Mary forbid me from talking to him after we broke up, but not for my own good.

I think she was more worried about Anthony's feelings.

He shifts. "Mistakes we made, definitely, but I think we are both different people."

I smile, grateful he doesn't seem to hold anything against me. It's not as if I have many friends, so maybe reconnecting with him could be a good thing.

But that feeling is quickly dashed away as an arm draps lazily over my shoulder.

"Sweetheart, who is this?" Keo murmurs in my ear.

My eyes widen, seeing a petrified look cross over Anthony's face. I would be scared to, if a dark, mysterious figure appeared suddenly from behind, all muscled, tattooed and tall with a smile that rivals a pure Angel.

"This is Anthony, an old friend," I mumble uncomfortably.

I could shove him off and claim I don't know him, although that will only lead to Keo transporting us away, leaving Anthony to assume I've been kidnapped.

The last thing I need is mroe people coming after me.

"Nice to meet you," Keo exclaims, holding his hand out for Anthony to shake, who only winces a little at his grip. "Sorry, but I may have to pull Tove away from you. I'm having a hard time being out in public."

I turn my head, wishing I could wipe that smug smirk off his face. "Why is that, honey?"

"I'm finding it impossible to keep my hands off of you," he purrs.

Anthony swallows tightly. "Oh. I didn't realise you were with someone. I'll just go."

He backs away uncomfortably, looking like he wants to turn and run. So much for rekindling a friendship, although I'm not sure that was what he was looking for anyway.

"Good idea. I need to take Tove home and-"

I jab Keo in the ribs with my elbow, muttering under my breath, "okay, shh, I think he gets it."

Anthony melts into the ground, allowing me a chance to shove Keo away from me. He clasps his hands together, looking infinitely amused.

"Him, really?"

"He was a friend," I snap back, not feeling like being ridiculed for a man I haven't seen in years.

Keo shakes his head, shaking a hand through his hair. "Uh ah, he was your lover. He looked at you like he wanted you all over again."

"Can we go?" I hold my hand out, narrowing my eyes.

Keo pauses, staring over the crowd. "We can, because I am sensing a very irritating presence nearby."

"Huh?"

He points through the crowd, and as I follow his gaze, I see a Noble pushing through the crowd toward us.

Great.

🖤••🖤

~Midika 💜🐼