DEVIL'S HIGH

CHAPTER 23

KIARA’S POINT OF VIEW

I rushed to the stairways, wondering how in the world Keres found Asher. But I couldn’t reach my destination as I was stumbled down by a wild woman who was screaming like someone was going to kill her.

”Kiara, run! I don’t think this a prank. What are you lying there for, girl. Get out of here. Go! Go! Go!”

If it wasn’t for the situation, I would have laughed my head off seeing her reaction. No wonder everyone took advantage of her. Keres was literally going crazy after what she have seen and before she got to her feet to run outside, I pulled her down by tucking on the hem of her dress and tried to grab her attention.

“Keres, it’s fine. That’s my pet.”

It took her few seconds for my words to sink in and once it was registered; she looked at me with open mouth and chest falling up and down unrhythmically.

“You have a pet? What kind of creature is that? I didn’t see it properly, but it definitely wasn’t a normal animal.”

I shook my head and waited for her to catch her breath before leading her to my bedroom. Right now I was certain that she hadn’t seen a unicorn before, but that doesn’t mean she was unaware of its specialties. They might have been taught of it when they were little and although Keres did not belong to the studious category, she must have some memory of it.

On entering the attic, I found my baby taking small steps towards the exit door. I can’t believe he climbed out of the box on his second day. He is indeed growing faster than I liked.

”Look, who’s a bad boy.”

I didn’t force Keres to join me, as I wanted to show her that Ashy was a harmless foal. Upon hearing my voice, he stopped moving his tiny feet and turned his neck to look directly at me. I approached him and took him in for hugs and cuddles, which he was enjoying thoroughly. He was making small snorts and moans which indicate that he liked what I am doing to him.

“Oohh… He loves you so much. Can I touch him too?”

I gestured her to come near and pointed at the back of his ears for her to massage. Even though Ashy flinched at first on having a foreign hand on him, he adjusted soon and jumped onto her lap, making Keres squeal in excitement.

”You are so full of surprises, Kia. By the way, what kind of animal is it? Did you bring it from heaven?”

I gulped down in nervousness and smiled at her awkwardly prior to mumbling ‘Unicorn’.

Her laughing face morphed into pure horror, and she let out a gasp. Her eyes shifted to the furless baby playing on her lap and she wet her lips multiple times. I understood that she was trying not to freak out and scare Ashy and appreciate her for considering him first. It’s a good sign, right?

“A unicorn in hell? I thought it was impossible. They are legends, for hell’s sake.”

I nodded my head, glad that she knows its importance.

“This breed is rare even in heaven and I have never seen one before. I found it accidentally and took it in to protect him from others. I was afraid he would be used for bad purposes.”

Keres listened to my entire story, and she was amazed to know that Leviathan could touch me. We spend the rest of the evening discussing everything and making speculations. Keres promised to keep Asher’s existence as a secret and even assured that she would help me look after him. I am glad I took the courage to open up to her.

She took off before sunset and told me she would drop by in the morning and leave for school together. I realized that the poor girl was still afraid of her old acquaintances and accepted her proposal immediately. It was better to stay with each other than to face problems alone.

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I am so proud of myself, because I have successfully completed one whole week in Devil’s High without actually running back. The students have never bothered us after that, and I could actually sense some of the weaker ones trying to know me more. I have talked to a few of them but drew a border between us so that I can save ourselves before they plot something against us.

I was also getting familiar with the syllabus, thanks to Mr. Zekiel and his guide books. During every lunch break and free periods, me and Keres head to my house and play with Asher, who has already reached till my knees, or do housework.

We have decided to buy an extra bed for the other bedroom, as I asked Keres to spend the nights when her mother’s boyfriend visits their house. She confessed to me that he was trying to take s****l advantage of her and she hated her mother for turning a blind eye just because she could date a younger guy.

Sharing a bed was not an option since we were afraid of accidental touches and jolting from the bed in intense pain.

In school, Asmodeus approached her several times, but she would avoid any space for conversations and just hide behind me. She told me she was busy chasing boys that she forgot how to love herself. However, she is adamant to focus on her career and mental health from now on and I must say she was doing a pretty good job.

As for the other three guys, I still can’t figure out what their true intention is. I get occasional stares and greetings, but that was it. Once Damien even asked me if my hair was original or dyed and looked puzzled when I told him that it was natural.

Their auras, too, have shifted consistently, especially Leviathan’s. I know that my touch could heal a few weaker ones, but with Leviathan it was not possible. So why was he acting all weird? And Samael; every time our eyes lock he smirked as if he knew something about me that I don’t. Did they already give up on sending me away?

The bell rang, indicating the beginning of my very first weekend in the underworld, and Keres grinned widely at me.

“Kia, what about we go to the mall today? We can get the bed, other necessities and some toys for Asher.”

She waved a black card in front of me and wiggled her eyebrows. I was surprised to know that everything was not free in hell like heaven, but we will have to pay for all our purchases. Azazel gave me a similar looking card too, but I have never used it, afraid that I would spend too much and cause him trouble.

“To keep my mouth shut about her loving boyfriend, my mummy dearest spoils me with money. So why not use it?”

I could see the sadness behind her fake smile and just nodded my head. I now know how blessed I am for having such a great family; who would do anything for me. I received a letter from my father yesterday through Azazel and I nearly broke down in tears. He informed me that he was keeping a constant check on me and that he was happy to learn about my new friend. He also asked me to trust Azazel and that he was not an enemy, but an old friend. That explains his behavior towards me. My brothers and Rachel were waiting for my letters and instructed me that Azazel would help me post them.

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The mall was packed with teenagers and other young people who were out to enjoy their free days. We headed to the furniture section, which looked less crowded and easy for me to walk without hugging myself.

Keres selected a single wooden bed and two large wardrobes. When I asked her why she was buying those, she told me that mine was small and that I needed an upgrade. She didn’t even listen to any of my denials and just dragged me to the clothing section by my hair. This girl really knew how to be lavish.

“Kia, try these on. I will wait for you here.”

It has already been thirty minutes with her assessing each and every dress and picking one only when she is satisfied. She handed me different types of clothing and pointed at the secluded area. Her eyes meant business, and I knew that I had no way out of it.

I realized that there was no gender separation for using the dressing rooms and ran into a group of guys who whistled on seeing me entering.

I jumped inside the nearest open cabin and locked the door immediately, hoping that they would leave soon.

“Didn’t peg you for a pervert.”

I was startled to hear the familiar voice from behind me and swirled in horror only to see Samael; shirtless!

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