1507

~Tove

Keo doesn't transport us away like I suspect. In fact, we stand our ground.

I look up at him, surprised as Dax reaches us. As far as I'm aware, the two haven't crossed paths in quite a few years, and yet here they are, Dax looking less than impressed while Keo has an amused smirk plastered across his face.

"You and I both know this is pointless, Daxen," Keo muses.

Dax looks at me, and then at the Demon. "Do the right thing Keo. Hand her to me."

I almost laugh. He would rather take me by force than let me go with Keo.

"When have I ever done the right thing?" Keo asks, picking at his nails as if this entire conversation bores him.

It hits me all at once that he did this on purpose. He allowed me to walk into the city knowing one of the Noble's would sense it. He's doing this to make a point, to get them to back off.

"You've never kidnapped an innocent girl before," Dax exclaims apprehensively. I screw my nose up, hating that Dax isn't even trying to appeal to me.

He knows by now that it won't work...

Keo's gaze dips down to me, studying me like I'm a fine painting. "Who said she's kidnapped? She's here on her own volition."

"I would say that..." I tilt my head back and forth.

"Grab my hand, and I'll take you to Mary," Dax says, finally acknowledging me. I stare down at the hand he offers, taking an uneasy step backward.

"You'll lock me up again." I'm not stupid. Nothing will change if I go with him, and Mary will remain sick.

"It can't be worse then what Keo is doing to you," Dax growls lowly, wary of those passing by. Most will recognise him, and wonder what he is doing in a public market talking to a Demon and a strange girl.

Keo's smile is pure wickedness. "Oh no, what I'm doing to her is far more pleasurable."

Dax frowns uncomfortably, refusing to acknowledge that. My cheeks flush, but I don't correct Keo. Dax can believe whatever he wants.

"Come on, Tove," he insists again.

Keo drapes his arm around me, just like he had done in front of Anthony. "She's not going to go with you. She's mine."

"I'm not anyone's," I growl.

He looks down at me, a challenge burning in his eyes. I know what he is doing. Now is not the time for him to push me, and yet nothing is a serious problem for Keo, and every time is perfect to irritate me.

"Oh yes you are," Keo exclaims, pulling me tighter against him, causing Dax to shift uncomfortably. "You belong to me now, under my control."

I jab him in the ribs, but he doesn't flinch.

"Don't let him treat you like this." Dax holds his hand out further to me.

As I stare down at it, I realise it's not even tempting. If I took his hand, I would see Mary again, but I would have to look her in the eye and know I failed her.

I look up at Keo. "Take me away."

He smiles, triumphant as he looks back at Dax. "As you wish."

He doesn't wait around to taunt Dax anymore. Territory One vanishes from around us, and soon enough, we are back in Territory Two, the smell of the sea greeting me immediately.

As soon as my feet touch the ground, I push away from Keo.

"You were testing me," I growl.

Keo shrugs his jacket off, strolling through the foyer. "Says who?"

"You purposefully stayed around until Dax was there to taunt him and test me. You haven't seen him in years." I follow after him, wanting him to admit it.

Keo pauses in the hallway, and when he turns to me, I take a little step back. Getting too close to him isn't a good idea.

He shrugs a little. "So what if I were testing you?"

"You said all that crap to get to me, to see if I would have taken Dax's hand. But you would never have let me go with him." I'm sure I'm right.

Keo may act casual about why I am here, but I know he wouldn't have brought me into his life were it not for a very important reason.

I just need him to admit it...

"Had you touched him, he would have instantly taken you away," Keo mutters, sweeping a hand through his hair. "There would be nothing I could do."

I shake my head. Why does he bother lying?

"I should have taken his hand..."

Keo laughs, like my resistance amuses him. "You don't mean that. How could you, I'm perfect?"

My hands roll up into fists. I could explode in anger, but that's exactly what he wants. He wants me to feel my magic, but right now, I don't want to appease him.

"When will you drop the act?" I snap. Will I ever see the real Keo? I doubt it, but this version of him is endlessly frustrating.

He angles his head. "What act?"

"You're not who you pretend to be. No one can be that annoying." I refuse to believe that his long stares and irritating smirks exist for any other reason then to bother me.

Keo breathes in deeply, considering my words. It's not like I expect him to reveal his true self now, but I want some kind of confirmation that I'm right, so when I leave here, I can put Keo behind me without any further thought about it.

"He wants to fuck you, you know."

I sigh, leaning my back against the wall. "I'm not falling for your game"

"I mean it. The way he looks at you..." He frowns a little. I stand up a little straighter, studying his face, wondering if I'm seeing things.

"You look angry," I note.

Keo swallows, before painting a smile onto his face. "Not angry. Jealous."

I breathe out sharply. There is no winning with Keo. He will never be truthful, never be genuine. I shouldn't care so much, but who knows how long I'll be stuck with him.

"Stop messing around," I grit out.

Keo watches me quietly, letting silence stretch out between us. His gaze becomes so intense I'm forced to shift uncomfortably, not sure what is going through his head.

"You really don't think I haven't thought about it?" He asks gently.

I blink. "About what?"

Something otherworldly burns in his gaze. It's the first real look I've gotten from him in a while, and for a second it strikes me.

Seeing true feelings coming from the wall of stoicism that is Keo is a little frightening. I wanted this, but not these exact emotions...not that I know what he is feeling exactly.

"About what it would feel like to have my way with you," he breathes.

I narrow my eyes, wondering if all this is another test. "You're lying."

He swallows tightly, a frown dipping between his brows. Then, he seems to come to his senses, shaking his head a little as he straightens, that wicked smile returning.

"I'm not sure how I would want you first. Maybe bent over that balcony I threw you off. Maybe against that wall." He motions to the one I'm leaning against. "Or maybe, I want you sprawled out over my bed looking all pretty."

My heart skips a beat, my cheeks heating. He's probably teasing me, but just hearing him talk like that has a thrill shuddering through me.

"You haven't taken a lover in years, I heard. What's to say you're any good?" I say, folding my arms over my chest.

His words may have tripped me up a little, but I won't let him see how he has affected me.

Keo stalks forward suddenly, looking ready to trap me against the wall.

"Seconds," he breathes. "That would be all it would take for you to be begging on your knees for me."

I tip my head forward, looking up at him through my lashes. "Pretty faces like yours are always just talk."

His gaze flutters down to my lips, his entire demeanour shifting.

One moment, I'm convinced he's going to go through with his sensual promise, and the next moment he's frowning, turning away from me like he's in physical pain. I watch him delve his fingers into his hair, looking like he's about to pull the dark strands out.

I laugh breathlessly, although I can only muster a little humour. "Assssssssnd you said I couldn't handle it."

"Sit against that wall, and work on summoning your power. I'll be back in a week," he says abruptly, stepping away.

I frown. "A week?"

He says no more, vanishing into the air, leaving me to stand in this empty hallway and wonder what just happened.

💚••💚

~Midika 💜🐼