DEVIL'S HIGH

CHAPTER 15

KIARA’S POINT OF VIEW

“He said that he wouldn’t date me even if I was the last devil in hell. Am I that bad looking?”

I and Keres were still inside the janitor’s closet, leaving enough space between us so that we don’t even accidentally touch. She didn’t even ask me why we couldn’t make body contact, and I figured out that she can only focus on one thing at a time. Right now, her brain was filled with Damien’s rejection.

“You are beautiful Keres. Your value doesn’t depend on a single person’s opinion.”

I repeated for the thousandth time in the past fifteen minutes, and the words sounded robotic by now. However, Keres seems to be in her own world of depression. I knew my arrival to the Devil’s High has caused lots of changes to the school and to the students, but I never knew it would even result in a breakup. She has been rambling on about how much disgust was there in Damien’s eyes and that she will never forget the humiliation she faced in front of the boys. Even then, she wasn’t addressing the real problem, and I wondered if she actually realized what exactly was hurting her.

I just hummed to her non stop miseries and checked my watch to see that we only had ten more minutes for the bell. I will have to wrap up this situation before the next class starts.

“Keres, tell me what is really bothering you and I know it doesn’t involve Damien.”

I was waiting for her to bring up the topic first, but it seems like she is trying to bury it inside her heart. Keres was so obvious and reading her emotions was a piece of cake.

“Damien is the only one that’s troubling me.”

She said defensively, but I kept on staring at her. It was a psychological trick to make the other person aware of her lies and to come clean without asking any further questions. And it was working on her as she shifted in her seat and avoided eye contact with me at all costs.

“I told you, b***h, Damien is my everything; and I don’t care what Asmodeus thinks. I was never in love with him in the first place. He was just a use and throw item for me. I am not even affected by the hurt in his eyes. All I need is to be Damien’s girl friend and I don’t mind stooping so low as to betraying his friend, you understand. I am a demon for hell’s sake and I indeed don’t feel guilty for my actions”

Keres whisper shouted at me and I just smiled.

“I didn’t mention anything about Asmodeus, Keres.”

Initially, her face changed from anger to confusion, but on realizing what she actually blurted out, the so called ‘demon’ burst into tears and this time she really meant it as the water works kept on coming with twice the power than before. She was dodging from anything related to Asmodeus, but I could see the artificiality in her eyes when she talked about Damien. She has unintentionally fallen for her boyfriend while trying to get his best friend. And it seems like she grasped it too, as she was struggling to breathe properly with all the weight in her heart.

“Think about whom you really want, Keres. You can fool others, but not your own soul. It always cries for the one it lost. So please, listen to it.”

My words soothed her a little as the wailing gradually turned into sobs; and she hung her head in devastation.

I patted her hair ever so lightly and left the small room, giving her enough space to gather her thoughts. I have done what I could and now it was she who should do her part.

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I only had one more class in the afternoon and it went without much drama. The young teacher pretended that I was not in his class, and just carried on with his portions like a normal teacher. What he taught was Geography, so I simply studied the map of the human world, which I was already familiar with. I was literally thrilled to see a similar workbook from Angel’s High, and I sniffed the inner pages in delight. The smell was just the same, briefly taking me back to my beloved school.

I studied each of the unfamiliar faces in my class and looked back down after sensing a few of their eyes on me. There was no sign of Samael and his friends, and I assumed it was because of the episode with Keres. Maybe Asmodeus is upset. Or Samael might have actually fallen for my act and now consider me as an easy target that doesn’t need constant attention.

Whatever the reason was, I was happy to spend at least one class without having to be self conscious and scared.

After the bell, I waited for all the students to leave first, so that I do not have to hear anymore of their shameful comments, and swiftly made my way out of the building. Some of the juniors were still near the parking lot, hence I stuck around for another five minutes for them to move.

I didn’t want anyone to know where I stayed, which will not be permanent, since it was near to the school. But I would like to experience my privacy as much as long as I could. Besides, the guys were smoking something really awful, and the smell made me gag. So it would be better if I just wait for the pungent stink to dissipate in the air.

Once I assured that the coast was clear, I made a bee line to the gate, constantly checking for any strange energies.

The outside was sunny, and the climate made me sweat a little, but it was pacified by the occasional wind that took extra care to massage my hair. How lovely! I never thought I would say this, but walking alone through the stone-paved path made me like hell a little. I could never do this in heaven as I will always be surrounded by my brothers or Rachel and for the first time, I was enjoying the lonely peace. Don’t take me wrong, I do miss my best friend a lot and I still want to go back, but occasional walks like these were always good to clear your mind and embrace yourself.

I was almost near my house when I heard a shriek and the smell of blood wafted through my nose. At first I thought it was another prank, but then the unique energy reached me like a calming music and it was fading quickly than I liked. I ran to the left narrow road, taking the small pouch from my bag on my way, but there was no one to be seen. The energy kept on diminishing until I couldn’t feel it any longer. What was that? It definitely wasn’t evil, neither positive. I have never experienced something so strange in my life before and it was making me more curious to find the owner of that aura.

I sniffed the air to get a whiff of the metallic smell again; however, it was now replaced by something burning. I didn’t wait any second longer, as I headed in that direction. There was no one in the congested passage other than me and I didn’t hear any flapping of wings or thump of shoes, hence I was confused when I saw the heap of ashes down the side of the wall. Who ignited it?

I stared at the grey mush for a while and decided to return before I put myself in danger anymore, but stopped when I sensed movement under the lump. With a thudding heart, I removed the top portion of the ashes and screeched when I felt something fleshy. It wasn’t entirely ash!

I picked up the baby animal and used the hem of my dress to clean it a little. The skin colour turned a little darker, and I understood that it was black. At first, I thought it was a puppy, but my heart skipped a beat when I touched the pointed end above its nose.

A unicorn? In hell?

“What are you doing here?”

I was totally engrossed by the baby unicorn that I didn’t realize someone was approaching me from behind.

I hid the baby in my bag and tuned to notice Leviathan glaring at me. Why does it have to be one of them always? Aren’t they tired of this mouse and cat game? It’s just been a day and I already feel like it’s been an eternity since I am trying to run away from them.

“Something was burned here, and I came to check what it was.”

It wasn’t a complete lie, though. I was just hiding the rest of the story. A unicorn was rare in hell and they symbolized peace and power, so a demon like Leviathan will definitely try to either kill it or use it for bad purposes and I can never let that happen.

“And what did you find?”

His voice was filled with hate towards me, and the energy wasn’t comforting as well.

“Something that doesn’t concern you.”

I said sharply and spun around to leave the place as quickly as possible. I couldn’t fly as the space was congested and my large wings would definitely get hurt by the rough bricks.

I barely took five steps when Leviathan’s large palm engulfed my slender wrist. I waited for a few seconds for the excruciating pain, but absolutely nothing happened. Why was our energy not colliding? How can he touch me?

“Don’t you feel anything?”

I asked, suddenly curious and surprised. Did something go wrong? I can definitely sense his strong negative aura, but somehow it wasn’t affecting either of us.

“Of course, I feel lots of resentment because of you.”

Leviathan growled, but I wasn’t listening to his silly whinings. I took his hand in mine and interlaced our fingers to check if anything happens. But astonishingly, we were okay.

“What the hell, woman?”

The now confused boy asked, trying to pull his hand away. But I was not done experimenting and my crazy mind didn’t care how awkward the situation was.

“Wait for a few seconds.”

I mumbled and literally started to feel his arms. I wanted to see how far we can go before the pain starts. I have read nowhere about the energies colliding without effect, and this was a discovery.

“Are you insane?”

He pushed me hard, causing me to hit on the wall. I let out a small moan of pain, but it was soon forgotten after I saw him moving backwards, as if trying to get away from me.

"I am sorry, but I really need to do this."

I exclaimed and without thinking much, I took steady steps towards him and hugged him suddenly.

Leviathan was so shocked that he just stood still with wide eyes. I couldn’t even feel him breathing, but that was not important now. I bit my lips, waiting for something, anything.

“What the f**k is happening here?”

I looked at the end of the passage and found Samael with red orbs instead of black. Why is he angry?

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