"And we still cannot allow you to bring it into the crimson garden." The guard did not care so I grinded my teeth as I unstrapped all my weapons. The guard's eyes widened as he watched me continue to pack the table with my weapons and then he blushed when I raised my dress over my thighs to unstrap the blades there. Imighthave gone overboard.
A deep velvet chuckle came from behind me and the hairs on my arm rose. My body shivered at the sound and immediately froze in its place.
Him.
His luminescent emerald eyes studied me, seemingly admiring my tanned thigh that was on display while I unstrapped the blade. He then nodded to the guard. "I would be careful if I were you. I am certain she is more dangerous than those blades." The demon then gave me a sharp smile. Sharp—because his canines shone in ethereal beauty. Lethal... that's what he was. Beautiful and dangerous were the words my body kept repeating into my mind. I took my eyes off the demon's lovely face and walked past him. Trying to be free of his eyes, his scent and his aura. Not needing to attract his attention any more than I already had.
"The dress Lorian made looks exquisite...on you," he spoke up from behind me, his breath tingling my skin. I turned around and from the corner of my eye I immediately spotted the prince seated upon his own couch, surrounded by young women whobatted their eyes at him. He paid them no attention when he was now staring at me and this demon.
"You know Lorian?" I asked sceptically, not meeting the demon's eyes.
A soft amused chuckle came from the demon as he answered. "Know him? He's my third in command." My eyes widened in shock, and I finally looked at the demon, trying to spot any lies.
"But...he makes clothing for the Apollons." I felt incredibly confused and touched the dress I was wearing. The demon watched my every movement.
"Yes, he dabbles here and there. Very difficult to keep him occupied. Your confusion is understandable, however he glamour’s his power to not—how would you say it? Alarm the humans. He likes to be approachable." The demon shrugged with a smile. That very shrug nearly stilled a red leaf from falling to the floor.
Power.
Everything around him seemed to pant the words. "Yes, I seem to understand now." I was a fool to not understand the hostility of the prince towards Lorian when I had met him and an even bigger fool to not fully understand the familiarity of Lorian's scent. He was a demon... just like them.
"Well. It wasinterestingto meet you."I wouldn't have called it a pleasure...
I quickly turned until his cold hand touched my elbow softly. Even though it was a feather light touch, I couldn't help the shiver that went over my body—the unexplainable electricity that had made my shadows quiet down and become still.
"I would barely call that a meeting. There were no introductions," the demon said teasingly, his eyes darted to where he gently touched my elbow. His cool hands went off to the small part of my back to guide me out of the way of moving people and to a secluded part of the garden. I was too nervous tofeel scared. As if he felt it, his fingers gently caressed the place of my back where his hand now settled.
"Excuse my abruptness. It is much quieter here." His voice was more soothing and gentle, different than his predatory gaze and voice in public. If trying to ignore this demon and trying to look small in front of him was not going to work, then being myself shouldn't be too much of an issue.
"It seems Lorian must have already told you much about me. Considering he is your third in command. And you—I know who you are." I steeled my voice and narrowed my eyes up at him. He was tall... and his muscles were sculpted beautifully against his clothing. He wore exceptionally well crafted fighting leathers that seemed fit for a war god. His sable dark hair and luminescent eyes had made him look all the more attractive to the darkness of the night, women around watched his every move. He was the devil incarnate, and everyone was tempted to sin upon gazing at him.
The demon raised his eyebrow in amusement. "And who am I?" he asked, his voice like midnight silk.
"Their leader. The leader of the demons here," I answered, knowing I was right.
The demon lightly smiled and said, "Yes, that is my status, but that's not my name. You can call me Diavelo."
"Diavelo?"I tasted his name on my tongue. It was different—not of this world.
His emerald eyes darkened at the sound of his name. "Yes," he murmured, looking down at me.
"It's too bad because I doubt I'll be needing to know it." I meant for it to sound emotionless, but it sounded as if I was trying to tease.
"I don't think that's true, angel. I could easily give you a reason to be chanting my name." The demon—no—Diavelostepped closer and lightly caressed my jaw, smirking with sinful intent.The coolness of his fingers nearly had my eyes dipping shut but I held his stare. My body had thoughts of its own, it ignited and seemed to breathe his scent in more deeply. My body trembled in need, and this shocked me to my core.
"Do not call me that." I didn't answer his filthy statement. There was nothing angelic or pure about me in that sense. He smirked and stepped closer—his canines peeking out.
"Do I make you nervous?” And as soon as the question came out, my skin erupted with goosebumps. My heart was beating so fast that I wondered if the demon could hear the harsh pounding of it. He caressed my neck, near my pulse point. Rubbing over with his thumb, as if to soothe the pounding pulse.
"No. You don't," I lied to him and curved into his touch. I could not comprehend why I was letting him touch me this way, standing so close to him. How his presence had made my shadows go quiet. "You're using your powers to make me feel these...things,"I accused the demon and took a hesitant step back where the moonlight caught onto me, providing more light. Diavelo's eyes were back to being predatory as he glanced to the moon and then back to myself.
"The moon watches you carefully, so jealous of the way you outshine it." Diavelo's words caught me off guard, it made me blink up at him. He lets out a slight frown and then just as quick, masks it away.
"Trust me, angel, if I wanted to make you feelthingswith my powers, you'd be begging for more of it right now." Just as he finished his sinful sentence, a looming figure came into view.
Fuming.
"Get your undead hands off my bodyguard," the prince growled. Diavelo chuckled and put his hands up in defence.
