Kevin nods. “Three bottles.” He pulls out a bag from the top drawer of the night stand. “Two black and a red.”
Kimberly stands up straight and brushes the hair out of her face. “I always wanted to be a red head.”
“She’s never going to agree to this,” Kevin sighs. “She’ll hate us.”
“Maybe at first, but I can live with that. It’s better than the alternative.”
“They may decide to help her. That woman said she was special. A leader.”
“What our daughter can do… She is too powerful. They can’t take the chance that she could one day turn against them. They will never allow someone with this much control to live.”
Kevin looks out the window, unable to look at his wife. “I hate what you’ve done to this family.”
Kimberly stares at his back. The way his head sags. “I’m trying to fix it.”
“No, you’re not. You’re dictating it. Just like before.”
“Do you want her to die?”
Kevin curls his hands into fists. It takes everything inside of him not to scream. He punches the wall once as hard as he can. Glares at his wife as she flinches at his outburst. “What the hell is wrong with you? How can those words leave your mouth? I love her. I almost wonder if I love her more than you do. I want what is best for her. And I’m struggling with this. I don’t know if running is best. What if they were going to help her, but we leave? What if that Demon gets to her? Or that Demon King? You and I alone can’t protect her! And not one time through this have you stopped to ask me what I thought. What I want. What Keely wants. Well, I can guarantee you this, darling, she doesn’t want to leave her friends and run away with you.” He waits several seconds for her to respond.
Kimberly turns back to the suitcase and continues filling it. Pretends as though he never spoke a word. Kevin walks out of the room slamming the door behind him.
***
Asmoday watches Keely sleep as he listens to her parents’ argument. She has no idea how vulnerable she is. So small. So soft. She is potentially the most powerful person he has ever known. Even more so than the Demon King. Yet she lies here, delicately sleeping like a child. He could take her right now. Hide her from everyone in another realm. She wouldn’t know for hours. It could take an eternity for anyone to find them. She could be his.
He tries out his newly learned empathy. It’s his favorite trick. He knows he doesn’t do it correctly. He is supposed to place himself in her position, imagine these things are happening to him. But when he does, he just doesn’t care. His whole life has been someone else making his decisions. Someone else telling him what to do. When to do it. How to do it. Telling him what he should think. Where his loyalty lies. This is nothing new to him. So instead, Asmoday imagines what Keely’s reaction would be. How it would make her feel. It is almost always the opposite of what he would do.
She is purely and simply good. He has never known anyone like her. He believes this is how his mother must have been. The Demon King has always spoken of how weak she was for her kindness and humanity. Asmoday doesn’t see it as a weakness. It has taken him more strength to do right than it ever did to do wrong.
And wrong may be fun at times, but good, it does something inside of him. A feeling more pleasurable than any other. And the more time he spends with Keely, the more the feeling consumes him. She is his addiction. She has no idea what she is doing to him. Has no clue that if this had been three days ago, it would have been the worst choice of her life to allow him into her room. The fact that he can control himself now for fear of harming her is proof of how powerful she is. No one must ever hurt her. Especially not him.
So he watches her and he thinks. What will Keely do when her mother steals her away in the middle of the night? When she takes her from her home. From her friends. From Nick. She will fight. She will cry. She will be scared and lonely. He knows scared. He knows loneliness. How far can she go before the tie that binds them breaks? He couldn’t bare that again. Neither could she, he’s sure.
It pains him to know who she will turn to when he wakes her. Because he must wake her. He cannot hide her. Not without her permission. And she will never give it. She will go to Nick. He will be her hero. Never him. Never. Him.
Asmoday runs his hand over her cheek moving the soft hair covering her face. Smoothes his fingers over her jaw line. He struggles against the desire to kiss her. She doesn’t want that yet, though sometimes he believes she is fooling herself. But he must respect what she says.
“Keely, you must wake.” He shakes her shoulder gently.
She mumbles something incoherent and turns on her side. Asmoday pulls the covers off of her and shakes her again. “You must awaken.” He sits beside her on the bed. This would be humorous if he knew how much time they had before her mother comes barging in. He nudges her arm. “Keely.”
Disoriented and still half asleep, Keely stretches and tries to focus on Asmoday. “What are you doing?”
“Your mother wants to take you away. Tonight. I thought you would not like to go.”
Keely props herself up. “What the—she can’t make me go. What’s she going to do? Carry me?” She rubs her face. “Who does she think she is? I am an adult. How do you know this anyway?”
“I heard her. She thinks the Hierarchy is going to kill you. She is your mother and she needs to protect you. And yes, I do think she will carry you if it comes to that.”
“It won’t. I won’t be here.” Keely gets up. Puts on a pair of jean shorts over her pajamas. Grabs a tee shirt and hoodie. Slips on her shoes. “Can you, you know? Poof me out of here?”
“Where to?” He holds out his hand for her to take though he doesn’t need physical contact to travel with her.
She grips his fingers. “Anywhere but here.”
Twenty-Nine:
He takes her to the field. Holds onto her until the disorientation wears off. Watches her as she puts on her tee shirt and hoodie.
“I need to think,” Keely says. She is still too tired. Her brain is fuzzy and working slowly. “When she goes to my room and I’m not there she’s going to freak. I don’t want them to think something happened to me. That’s the worst feeling ever. Well, almost.” Her eyes meet his as she tugs her hair trying to concentrate. “I need to call my mom. Let her know that I’m all right.” She looks at Asmoday. He’s standing very still, watching her with his arms crossed in front of his chest. “I need a phone. Can you take me to Nick’s?”
It took longer than he expected. He inclines his head in a bow though he knows she doesn’t like this. He isn’t exactly sure why he does it. To provoke her? To do something, even as childish and petty as it may be, just to irritate her? Because she hurt him. He is fully aware she doesn’t know. She doesn’t mean to. But yet, here he is wishing just once, she would choose him. “Yes, Princess.”
Keely’s eyebrows pucker. “What’s your problem, Asmoday?”
“No problem, Princess.” He holds out his hand. “Your chariot awaits.”
Keely shakes her head. She can feel it through the cord that connects them. He’s mad about something. Sad too. And lying on top of those emotions is bitter jealousy. She does not have the time, or the patience, to deal with this right now. All she wants is a phone and a bed. “Fine. Let’s go.” She takes his hand and in the amount of time it takes her to blink, they are standing in the yard across the street from Nick’s house.
She sways slightly. Inhales the cool night air. “I guess I’ll talk to you later.”
“I’ll walk with you. Escort you safely to his door.” Asmoday keeps pace with her, his hands in his pockets. Acts like he’s out on a leisurely stroll.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I appreciate the, uh, ride? But you and Nick don’t exactly get along and this is his house.”
“I will see you safely to the door before I leave.” He says this wit
h such finality, Keely doesn’t bother to argue. Nick will just have to deal. Asmoday opens the door for her and they go inside the building and down the steps that lead to Nick’s apartment.
She can hear voices inside and sees light from the crack under the door. “He’s home. Thanks again.” She hesitates at the door, waiting for him to leave. He reaches around her and raps on the door. Keely glares at him. “You said to the door.” She runs her hand up and down indicating the door in front of her. “Go.”
Asmoday smiles widely at her. “Shortly, Princess.”
Keely inhales a deep breath, ready to lose her temper, when Bryon opens the door.
“What’s wrong?” He looks past her to Asmoday and doesn’t know how to react. His hand goes to his pocket on reflex, reaching for his throwing stars.
“He’s fine, Bry. He just wanted to make sure I got here o.k.”
“Keely? What’s going on?” Nick stands behind Bryon and gestures for her to come in.
She turns to her brother, her irritation swaying. It melts into a mellow kind of sadness. “Bye, Asmoday.” He bows more dramatically than usual and disappears.
Demons.
“I need to use your phone then I’ll explain.”
Nick smacks his pockets checking for his cell phone. Finds it on the T.V. tray and hands it to her. Turning toward the wall, though it gives her no extra privacy, Keely dials her house. Her dad picks up on the second ring.
“Hello?”
“Dad, it’s Keely.” She plays with the zipper on her hoodie.
“Where are you?”
“I’m with Nick and Bryon. I’m safe. Tell mom I said I am not running away. Problems like mine can’t be outrun. I’ll see you guys tomorrow at the judgment.”
Kevin is quiet for a moment. “She’s not going to be happy.”
“I know.”
“I love you, Keels.”
“Love you too. Good night.”
“She tried to make you skip out?” Bryon sits on the futon and crosses his legs at the ankles.
“Yep.” She hands Nick his phone. He takes it and pulls her in for a hug. “Can I stay here tonight?”
“You don’t even need to ask,” Nick says.
“Well, I can’t stay. Sorry,” Bryon sighs.
“What? No slumber party? I was going to do your hair,” Nick whines.
“Rain check. Besides, you’re terrible at French-braids.”
Keely smiles. They are so dorky. She loves them.
***
Sleep comes quickly for Keely. There is no better sleeping pill than the crook of Nick’s arm. Right here, in this spot, she is home. Where she finds comfort, stability, and security.
So of course, this is when she is forced into a dream visit.
Keely kicks her feet in frustration. Shoves the sheet off her legs and jumps from the bed. She throws back the door and stares at her father. All the rage leaves her as soon as their eyes meet. How can she hate him, but love the sight of him? How does she fear such a beautiful being?
“Sit, my Keely,” he sings. Everything about him is bright. Clean. Pure. His face, his clothes, the sound of his voice.
But Keely saw the prophecy. He was anything but clean and pure then. He was tarnished from his hunger to destroy. His longing for revenge against his own father. And in those moments, he was hideous.
He watches her closely as she pulls out a chair. Follows her movements with his eyes. “How are you my daughter?”
She nearly rolls her eyes. As if he cares at all about how she is. And the ‘my’ thing is on her last nerve. She is not his. “I’m great. How are you?” Keely forces a pleasant smile.
“I am always good when you are near.”
Yeah right. “So, did you need something? Or need to tell me something?”
He sits forward. Runs his finger around the rim of a golden glass that could be nothing else than a goblet. Who drinks from a goblet? She hopes it’s not blood inside. Her stomach just can’t take that again. “Where is Asmoday?”
Keely swallows down the surprise. Nearly chokes on it. That was the last thing she expected. “I don’t know,” she answers honestly.
He stares at her so long she begins to squirm under the pressure of his gaze. “I haven’t seen him since his last dream visit. Since your last dream visit. Are you certain you have no idea of his whereabouts?”
Keely shakes her head slowly.
“The union should have secured itself by now,” he says distracted.
Eyes wide, Keely asks, “The union? What is that?” She has a pretty good idea already.
“Do you feel an attachment to Asmoday?”
“Yes. What is it? Why do I feel it?”
He smiles showing dazzling white teeth. “Perfect.”
“What is it?” She rubs her sweaty hands together.
“It’s your betrothal. It began the day of the blood sacrifice and it should seal itself soon.”
“My what? What do you mean seal itself? What does that mean?” Her hands shake. She folds them into fists. Betrothal?
“Your promise to marry.”
“Marry Asmoday?”
“Yes, my Keely.”
“Does he know?”
“He has always known he was to be yours.”
He always knew? “Does he know that’s why we feel like we do?”
He tilts his head. Takes a long look at her face. “What is the answer you want to hear?”
Keely is trembling all over now. Shock doesn’t even come close to describing how she feels. “I want the truth.”
He laughs like chimes in the wind. Claps his hands together and sits back. “Free will. I do so love it my child. I do not suspect he could have known. I never spoke of it to him beyond his duty to wed.”
“What did you mean when you said it would seal?”
“When the union is completed it will be as if you are one being. Then you will be ready to wed.”
“I can’t marry Asmoday. I l-love… Nick.”
“Your union has nothing to do with love my child. As two, you are stronger.”
“One, two. I don’t even understand what you’re talking about. And you said the blood sacrifice was needed for my accolades. Do you ever tell the truth?”
He stands. Towers over her. “I do whatever needs to be done. You will learn this quickly. And you will obey me.”
Keely shivers. “I understand. I’m sorry.” She is such a coward. “May I go now please?”
He touches icy cold fingers to her chin. Lifts her head so he can look into her eyes. “Inform Asmoday he is to return home. I do not want to do anything rash.”
Keely sits up soaked in sweat. Nick stirs beside her. Reaches out to touch her shoulder and she jumps.
“What’s wrong?”
She shivers again. “I have to be free of him.”
He sits up. Turns on the light. “Who?”
“My father. I hate him so much.”
Nick pulls her against his chest and rubs her arm. “Dream visiting?”
She nods.
“What happened now?”
“He betrothed me to Asmoday. He wants me to marry my brother. And I think he can force me to do it, too. That thing I feel with him. How I can feel his emotions, this is why. He said that when it’s complete we’ll be like one person. I don’t want that, Nick. I am so sick of not controlling my life. I’m sick of being scared all the time. If the Hierarchy doesn’t decide to help me tomorrow, they better kill me because I won’t marry my brother.”
Nick crushes Keely into him. “Don’t say that. We’ll find a way out of it. We can search the Grimoire. I’ll ask my dad for help. The Hierarchy may know a way. There is always hope.”
“I just feel hopeless at this point. How many times am I going to get knocked down before I can�
�t get back up?”
“It’ll never happen. I’ll always be there to lift you.” He kisses the top of her head while his mind races. “Did he say how long you have until it’s completed?”
She shakes her head against his chest.
“We’ll talk to Asmoday.”
“I don’t think he’ll be helpful,” she says. “I’m pretty sure he doesn’t know anything. And besides, he’s probably all for the marriage. He said it’s different for Demons. They marry their family members.” She shakes her head again. “I can’t do that.”
“You won’t have to. We’ll figure it out.”
***
Asmoday leans his head back and looks at the speckling of stars in between the hazy gray clouds. The moon light drowns his skin in a soft glow. As he feels Keely begin to relax, he closes his eyes. It’s the only thing keeping him in this spot. He recalls the rush of emotions that brought him to stand here in the grass outside of Nick Wallace’s apartment building in the middle of the night. The raw, vicious anger that heated his body with rage. The shock and confusion that made his hands tremble with helplessness. The jolt of excitement that sent his stomach into somersaults. Followed by a feeling of betrayal that resurfaced the confusion. Resting finally on a cold, desolate fear that brought tears to his eyes. He battled this along with his own outrage and alarm for what Keely was going through.
Her overall sense of well being calms him now. This of course makes the jealousy surge within his heart. It should be he with her. He who makes her feel so safe. And not knowing what had her so upset eats at him.
He looks back to the building. Watches the light go out. Feels the heavy weight of sleepiness. Just one quick look. They’ll never know he is there. He will only stay long enough to verify she is unharmed. He won’t even touch her.
Asmoday envisions Keely and his body shakes, vibrating quickly as he loses himself to the jump. He stands over the futon. Regards the two intertwined bodies. He begins to shake again. This time from the fury his resentment produces. He wants to pry Nick’s arm off of Keely’s waist. Break it into pieces. The way their legs are tangled together makes him physically nauseated. This is something he is not accustomed to.
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