ALLURING

THE PAST

...she squirmed and struggled under the pressure of these strange men,alot of thoughts running through her mind,they seem to obviously want to r**e her,what if they murdered her afterwards? wil her naked body be all over the news the horror of that thought alone made her scream again, and this time it seemed to work the both stood up abruptly looking around as if trying to see someone or something, it was odd even the happy Demons face was masked with terror and just like the came they left her. still on the ground with dampen clothes and bruise. Sophia wondered what scared them off what made them run into the dark,she was more worried about her own safety now than the motive behind their retreat. "Are you alright?" the familiar voice sounded concerned, Sophia turned around and saw Keith,was he always this tall or was it because she was on the floor? "I am fine I think," she straightened her coat, picked her purse and composed herself, standing now she realized he was quite tall,an unusual height but not unnatural, just unusual,she felt small,she felt timid,she wrapped her arms around her to get warmth,that seemed to make her skin have goosebumps "I thought you left already,are you following me" she looked at him but his face was devoid of emotions,where was the concerned face earlier on, he looked cold,he golden eyes were much darker than usual, he has Black hair too, darker than hers,she also noticed he was dressed in all black.

" yeah I was about to then I thought it's quite late for a lady to walk home, I tried to keep a safe distance,I should have been closer" she could hear him gritting his teeth, like he was blaming himself

" don't worry " she grinned trying to sound light "I am fine, see?" she twirled

"mmmmm, I will walk you home,and don't even try to say otherwise" stretching his hands forward indicating for her to take the lead.

"ow yes," she started walking while he followed,she had absolutely no intentions of walking home alone tonight

They got to her place "want to come in?" she offered feeling awkward.

"No,it's late already" if he went in he would stay forever. "it will be best if I come here some other time on a more pleasant occasion" he smiled, she noticed his incisors were a bit longer

he frowned,she noticed it, o my God he seemed to have heard her thoughts.

"Sorry?" she whispered. "What for?" he didn't allow her answer before saying "go in and lock your doors". it felt awkward after that "alright, thank you and good night" she turned and went in,he made sure he heard her locking the doors, Demons don't break into houses unless it was important, those Demons won't be back after seeing him in the alley,but you can't be too careful.

his golden eyes burned like hot coals in the dark another being began to manifest beside him. "My Lord" bowing briefly a demon stood next to him. "Avil, keep an eye on this one and the house, nothing cross this threshold, anything that does kill it" he soared into the night and vanished. the darkness delighted by and additional darkness, the soft winds blew over the plants in the garden, creating a soothing comfort. He hoped Sophia would be able to get some sleep. he reappeared in a mansion.the interior exquisite Rich furniture, curtains and antiques the room smelled of lavender he walked past few servants without being noticed, Adrian had good taste, always has,in material,food, art, women....all top-notch, perhaps you get that from living hundreds of years, the experience and desire for quality ......

"look who decided to drop by" Adrian was writing in a book unsurprised by his friends appearance "What ever you are writing in that book must be quite important since you can't look up" Keith sounded amused. "not really, I don't think you have anything interesting to tell me" Adrian grinned still not looking up. "I would have said you look good but you have looked like this for as long as I can remember" Adrian teased Keith,he dropped his pen as if satisfied from whatever he was writing closed the book and kept it aside "no women tonight?" Keith asked smirking "you want some? I can have that arranged, the warmth of the human flesh can't be described no matter how disgustingly sexy the are, but you get bored with those too" Adrian said looking into space, Keith could relate,the curse of immortality,you live so long nothing makes sense and the little that intrigues you is always worth dying for,like Sophia " I don't think I have the luxury of trying to make her fall in love with me,you should have let me cast the spell" Keith sounded grim "And then what? you take her back to the underworld with all those vile creatures wanting a taste of her? what if the spell breaks in hell and she tries to leave you? what if she gets hurt in th process, for someone who has been there before I will tell you no human will want to stay there not even the ones in love" getting up he went to the bar and poured two glasses of vodka " I would have made it strong but it won't work on you anyways,here" he handed Keith a glass and sat down. "Love my friend is just not for people like us,I mean not always but when we find it it takes alot to keep it, I know you Demons are straight forward but humans have procedures with everything,even emotions" he sipped the vodka and grimaced " that one hit the spot" he grinned looking at Keith who hardly took a sip "lemme get you a room, send a woman your way, tell me what you prefer blonde, brunette,red head, Ebony u name it I will send her right up to you, she won't take your pains or problems away but for the moment you can forget" Adrian took another sip and grimaced, pursed his lips and looked closely at the glass as if trying to figure out the content.

"if I didn't know better I would say you are enjoying your day,but you look like crap,what's up?" Keith asked raising his perfectly carved brows

Adrian sighed "do you ever just wanna die?,like quit it all" Adrian's eyes dimmed, he was exhausted. he was once a human being after all "story of my life, but the reality remains, you shook hands with a demon and it left its mark on you" Keith leaned into the couch "your were young and naive he took advantage of that, forgive yourself" Keith gulped down the vodka without grimacing "thats cold,never gets old. the way you just swallow all that with your eyes open is why I still drink with you, Care for more?" Adrian took the glass from him and poured more vodka. " we are doomed men,but we can still find the pleasures of life, sometimes when we are not evening looking" he stared at Keith " your teeth, rough night?"

"sort of. I just want to have Sophia" Keith pulled his hair backwards exposing his magnificent forehead "this dimension is just an illusion of what we are,what we could be and what will never be. it's sickening" . "I didn't know you hated the human dimension this much, but like I said you can't just swoop her away because she looks like....." he was cut short by Keith "don't say it".

Adrian respected boundaries, if anything he has studied the underworld, the creatures in it, the hierarchy and its treachery and greed. he knew how Keith's mate was murdered by a Duke of hell,Koh, he made an example of the lesser demon who not only challenged him but also subjected him to centuries of pain,loneliness,and regret. she was murdered with their unborn child,he didn't forgive himself since. Adrian wondered if Keith really loved Sophia or if she was just a reflection of Valerie,his late mate. Sophia is everything like Valerie, probably more or less. and if that was the only reason Keith was drawn to her and letting his grief and desire to have what he had cloud his judgement then either of them was going to get hurt or both, unfortunately he will live to see it.