The Devil's Liege (The Mathias Saga Book 2) (22 page)

She clasped her hands together in front of her body. “I’m not asking for today. Or even in the near future. I am simply asking for you to consider it. And, allow me to get to know you.”

He didn’t like how strong she was. It made him nervous that she could overpower him so easily. Stuart had even backed away, putting some distance between himself and her.

He swallowed hard.

“What are you?” Mathias asked. She wasn’t vampire. She wasn’t like Azazel.

“Originally?” she asked.

Mathias nodded. Maybe now he could actually get some answers.

“A girl. I was given to a great sorcerer. Sold actually. He is the one who made me into what I am.” She smiled to herself. “His was the first soul I ate.”

Azazel stepped forward and motioned toward Xiao with his hand. “You realize that I am allowing your presence here?”

She bowed her head and kept her eyes on the floor. “Yes, my liege.”

Azazel walked over and patted her on the head. Then, he stepped back from her and glanced around the room before turning his gaze back on his subject. “You may get to know Mathias if you like. But, you are bound forever to never use what you learn about him against him. Also, can you never tell another his secrets beside these in this room.”

“Yes, sire,” she said.

She agreed so easily. Mathias felt uneasy. Anything so simple was always suspect these days.

Azazel turned to Mathias. “You could do worse.”

Mathias shook his head. Azazel disappeared in a puff of red-tinted smoke.

“What is he?” Stuart asked.

“A devil,” Mathias answered.

* * * * *

Mathias knew he didn’t have much choice after that. Azazel wasn’t exactly someone he’d want to reckon with. Besides, all the man said was to try, not that he had to marry her. Now, that was a scary thought.

He didn’t want to be tied down to anyone, let alone a she-demon.

He sat down on his bed and cracked his knuckles. It was time to face facts. He’d dealt with a hell of a lot worse than this. No one was trying to kill him for once. In fact, all she’d asked was that she had the chance to get to know him.

That part was kind of funny because he wasn’t sure if he knew who he was anymore, but whatever. There was a chance that it was just a simple crush. Just because someone was really old, that didn’t mean they couldn’t develop a crush on someone did it?

Mathias shook himself. It was kind of sick, her being hundreds if not thousands of years old and him being seventeen. No matter what they said, he wouldn’t be eighteen until August 4
th
, dammit. But, he had to wonder if a hundred years from now, if he would feel the same way when he lusted after some normal human.

He needed to get it through his head that nothing was ever going to be normal for him again. There was always going to be someone after him for something. But, they still couldn’t make him fuck who he didn’t want to. He’d castrate himself first.

He adjusted his wings. It was time to give it up. He was whining because this was something he didn’t want to do and he was too old for that shit.

So, Xiao wanted to get to know him did she? Nobody said she had to like him.

* * * * *

“A spider will catch anything,” Mathias said. Outside in the garden, the wind didn’t bite through his wing fur quite so bad. The chill in the air had lessened a little. It was February. Azazel still had not returned. No one had any idea if he even would. But, things had been calm, so there hadn’t been a need for the dungeon master. Mathias had even been down to the dungeon. Everything was clean and sparkling, ready for use. But there had been no sign of Azazel at all. His rooms did not even contain a change of clothes.

“I’m not trying to catch everything,” Xiao said.

Granted, it had only been three weeks, but still, Mathias had gotten used to having Azazel around. One thing was different though, he was no longer as lonely. He’d gone in with this grand idea of making Xiao hate him, but he hadn’t been able to go through with it. All it took was for her to come at him meekly with her head down, and he was sunk.

There wasn’t any reason to be pissed at her if Nossy wasn’t.

He was getting used to spending time with her. She was odd, that was a given. But, some of her ideas were entertaining. Besides, he knew if he didn’t, it would be Azazel he had to answer to. That was threat enough alone. He didn’t even want to think about what would happen if he went against the request of a prince of Hell.

Her white hair shone almost blue in the stark sunlight. It was pretty in a bizarrely Christmas-y sort of way.

“So, how did a Chinese girl end up in Siberia?” Mathias asked.

She stopped and looked at him. “You actually want to get to know me too?”

“Fuck it,” Mathias started to walk away. He didn’t have time for this shit. It seemed like every time he tried to reach out, it got all fucked up. He suddenly felt her grab him. She’d stopped him by placing a hand on his shoulder.

“I did not mean for you to take offense,” she said.

Mathias grunted. He wasn’t good at this shit. He was better at fighting things and protecting his friends. “You do not mean to do a lot of things, and yet you still do them.”

He tried to look her in the eye, but she bowed her head. He didn’t have time for this.

“It is my nature,” she said.

Mathias reached out and picked up her head. He couldn’t be irritated at her when she was like this. Tears that looked like diamonds had filled out the corners of her eyes. He was tempted to lick one, but that would be way too forward.

“You can choose not to let it rule you,” he said. She could be a better person. Anyone could be. It just took strength. He wasn’t a street kid anymore. He’d made himself into a king.

She shook her head.

Mathias allowed his hand to drop. “Why not?” If he could do it, why couldn’t she?

She wiped her tears on the sleeves of her gown. The wetness froze almost immediately into small sparkling smears. “If I do not continue as I am, I will have a conscience. Then, how will I feed?”

Blood was one thing, but to eat souls, especially ones that you had to make others give up would be horrible. Even Mathias could admit that. But, many people lived with horrible things they just had to do. She needed to learn how to deal with hers. Mathias held up her chin again with his hand. “Maybe you already have one.”

She blinked and backed away. “What do you mean?”

“You’re here, aren’t you?” He didn’t want to admit it, but he was liking getting to know her. She was hard, like a diamond. And yet, she had this mysterious way of making him care. He knew enough that she wasn’t technically doing anything to him. It was old fashioned pheromones.

She blinked with her strange eyes. “Yes.”

Mathias smiled. “Maybe Azazel was right.”

“Huh?” she asked.

He walked over and took hold of her arms. “Shut up.” He leaned forward and placed his lips against hers and felt his wings wrap around them. It was nice. And cold.

She leaned back. “What will the others say?”

Mathias let his wings fall. “Who cares?” He would even take Nossy’s ribbing. He didn’t mind anymore. He liked her.

She blinked again. “I care.”

He smiled. He’d hidden more of himself from her than he thought. “When will you realize that most of me is just a stupid act?”

She stood on her tip toes and kissed him on the lips, quickly. “Just now. When will you see that I’m right?”

Mathias laughed. “Never.”

She punched him lightly on the arm. Or, at least, lightly for her. He could feel the bruise forming already.

“I think you’re melting,” he said.

“No,” she said. “Azazel is coming back.”

“Why?” What did Azazel have to do with it? He’d been gone. There was no reason for her to worry about Azazel. He’d protect her as much as he could.

She looked into his eyes and traced his cheek with her fingernail. “For you.”

The End

Danielle DeVor spent her early years fantasizing about vampires and watching “Salem’s Lot” way too many times. After living briefly in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she moved back to her hometown, Morgantown, WV, to write.

When not writing and reading about vampires, you will find her hanging out at the nearest coffee shop, enjoying a mocha frappuccino.

Visit her at:
www.danielledevor.wordpress.com

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