Eternal Beloved

Chapter 10

Their arrival at the Gao’s compound looks every bit out of a horror movie as the sky darkened ominously, momentarily lighten up the moment she steps out of the car when thunder strikes the nearest hilltop. Or maybe its merely the monsoon season hitting the coast. One way or another the atmosphere offer her no comfort, considering the upcoming raging storm that evidence on Deming’s darkened face.

Aside from the reminder to stick close to him the whole time, he didn’t say anything else to her, which is awkward as hell. She’s used to the flirtatious and sleepy Deming and not so fond of his angry counterpart. She can’t help but wonder if he’s angry with her for causing this mess but in her defence, she’s not the one to force him to take her as his shadow, it’s the other way around.

Yuan drove them straight to the main quarter. Curious glances from the servant greet them as Deming towed her by her elbow through multiple hallways before they reach the brightly lit room, filled with people surrounding the huge mahogany desk at the centre of the room.   

She had to say she’s impressed by the welcome they received, it’s almost comical when everyone’s expression turn furious the moment she saw her. Comical in a scary way. Unconsciously, she cowered into Deming’s side, hiding from the predatory gaze. She’s quite unsure how her hand end up in his grasp but the familiar warmth effectively calmed her down.

Deming’s stance turns defensive when a man around her age, physically at least, approaches them, reaching toward her as if he can’t believe his own eyes.

“This going to need a hell of an explanation.” he whistles softly, still oblivious to Deming menacing glare toward his arm as he attempted to touch her face as if he can’t stop himself from confirming her presence.

“She’s not who you think.” he hissed back, grabbing the bigger guy by the wrist. Though the new guy has a bigger build, all pure muscle compared to Deming’s leaner built, he immediately cower under his scrutinize and step back.

“So you are saying she’s not Mingyu though she looks like her?” asked a ringing voice. Striding up through the small crowd was a tall woman, the black dress draped around her frame flatteringly. Her deep brown eyes narrowed on her, hatred marring her beautiful features that bear a strong resemblance to Deming’s.

“And you just happen to make the stray spirit as your shadow for no reason? Do you really expect us to believe that?” she spat, which actually hurt her feeling. Great, now she is nothing but a stray dog in the eyes of the Gao, and who the hell is this Mingyu?

Their enemy? But why would they thought Deming would associate with a family’s enemy. Did star-cross lover? She slapped herself mentally on that thought. Talk about being influenced by drama. She ain’t living in Shakespeare’s play.

“She’s not Mingyu, that’s all that matter isn’t it. On why I took her as my spirit shadow is none of anyone business. I don’t recall having to explain my choice to anyone.” Deming replied firmly, keeping a suspicious eye on the woman as she approaches closer. The room falls into a deadly silence.

Instinctively Yu Qi somersault toward the door, avoiding the whip that strikes the floor with a sickening crack, leaving a dent on the linoleum where she stands a second ago. She eyed the sizzling whip in the woman hand, immediately recognizing it as a sacred weapon that could easily diminish a spirit from existence. Of course, the whip only affected the evil spirit though she is unsure of the effect on a normal spirit nor is she interested in finding out, not with her own life on the line.

Deming slides across the floor, tackling the woman down in one swift movement before pinning her to the ground as he flung the whip away angrily. “Stop it Aunt Zhilan.” he hissed through gritted teeth, as the other woman struggled in his grasp.

A loud thunk distracted her from the struggling duo as a small silver blade with incantation carved into the hilt, embedded in the wooden door, inches away from her head. Glancing up, she saw the beefy guy from earlier is readied to chuck another identical blade in her way, a devilish smile hanging on his lips. In any other situation, she will think of him as hot but not when he’s all geared up to kill her.

 She runs for the door to escape the hell hole only to crash into several hunters guarding the entrance, forming a human fortress against her. She just barely dodged their attacks by quickly jumping back, nearly losing her footing as a silver blade landed right next to her feet. Desperate, she dove behind the nearest couch when she felt a sharp pain radiated from her leg, and sure enough, there’s a blade sticking out of her shin. The silver felt like a fire inside her flesh, gnawing away toward her bones.

The pain intensified as she reaches for the hilt, yanking it out in one swift movement. She winced at the rush of pain, slamming the back of her head to the couch, trying to distract herself from making any sound.

A small part of her knew her body is used to this kind of abuse but the pain inflicted by the blade is different, reminding her of the pain that once ended her life. The burning pain that tore through her heart.

Her head spun at the memory, or maybe from the pain when she felt her body slowly lifted, the gentle pressure avoiding the burning pain in her leg. “Are you okay?” a frantic voice asked followed by a gentle slap on her face, forcing her eyelids to flew open. Deming’s anxious face peered into her view, his hair dishevelled from the previous fight.

“I’m fin…” her words trail off when she realized every eye in the room were on them, a clear mixture of confusion and bewilderment.

She frantically squirmed against Deming, forcing him to put her down ignoring the throbbing pain along her shin with each movement. Dismissing her attempt, he tightens his hold on her as he turns to face his family, staring icily toward his aunt.

“Are you satisfied? Or do you need to stab her again just for a good measure?” he asked sharply, kicking the bloodied blade across the floor that ended up at Zhilan’s feet. She can’t help but flinching at his offer though she knows it’s rather a rhetorical suggestion.

“I won’t tolerate anything like this again. No one else shall deal with my shadow, and I mean it when I said no one.” he continued, glancing meaningfully toward the woman standing closest to them. Despite her youthful appearance, her long, snowy hair give her identity away - the elder of the Gao family.  

“But.” Zhilan started, her brows furrow with dissatisfaction but she was immediately silenced by a look from the elder.

“If you will excuse us,” Deming said, bowing awkwardly toward Elder Fan with Yu Qi still in his arm as he stormed out of the room.