Chapter 9
Síofra skipped a class and hid in the large greenhouse adjoining the botany department.
It was deserted at this time, the only occupants a couple of elves making out behind the lemon tree.
They were oblivious to her presence and even if they noticed her, she didn’t rate any higher than the furniture or the trees.
She distractedly looked out at the mountains in the distance before closing her eyes.
Her phone was switched off. Morgan had been blowing it up and she just needed a moment to think.
Her body felt …not hers. And then, there were those visions.Was she losing her mind?
She needed help…but who could she ask?
The sun was just a sliver on the horizon when she returned to her room alone, her hand trembling as she fit the key into the lock. The door creaked open-
Large rough hands grabbed her just moments from safety.
The sparks that erupted all over every point of contact and the smell of all things warm and safe immediately told her it was Morgan.
One hand covered her mouth as she was lifted off the ground like she weighed nothing.
She struggled as she was yanked into the derelict corner room, the door slamming shut with a boom.
Síofra twisted around, panic flaring in the pit of her stomach, but the moment her gaze met his, the scream died on her lips.
His eyes weren’t Morgan’s anymore.
They shimmered pale gold, sunset spreading across glass, pupils dilating until they devoured the color. His mouth moved, lips twisting as if something else was forcing its way through.
“-Síofra,” the sound dragged, layered with voices that were not his own. “Beautiful. Fragile. Mine.”
Morgan’s jaw locked, his veins standing out in his neck as if locked in an internal struggle she wasn't privy to. His normal voice ripped through as if strangled.
“Get out of my head! She’s not-she’s not yours!”
Then the other voice returned, smoother now, deliberate and terrible in its depth. “Silence, vessel. You breathe because I allow it. She will look at me. Not you.”
Síofra pressed back against the wall, her pulse pounding hard as terror and confusion warred in her chest.
And then Morgan seemed to stiffen, his torso arching unnaturally. Smoke seared the air as a black shape pressed forward from inside him. It was not entirely separate-its jagged form stretched out of Morgan’s chest like fire made flesh.
The creature’s dark visage was too sharp to ever be handsome, all angles and shadow, horns spiraled with embers glowing along their ridges.
His golden eyes burned as if they could see through skin to bone and they were focused on her.
The air filled with the scorched tang of woodsmoke and ash.Black lips pulled apart in a macabre smile displaying the sharp teeth of a predator.
“Yes, my pretty little morsel, let me introduce myself.” Ashmedai said, his voice resonant now, clearer.
“I am Ashmedai, Lord of Demons. This boy was ordained to be my host even before he was born-marked with runes by my minion while in the womb. He is but a vessel for my return.” His clawed hand pressed into Morgan’s skin as if to prove ownership.
“Through him, I will gather my artefacts, and walk again in the Undercroft as its king.Only then ,can I give you your due as my queen.”
Morgan gritted his teeth, fighting for words. “You are terrifying and confusing her, grandpa. Just let me do the talking. And what happened to ‘I give you my word that I will stay concealed’?”
The demon seemed to consider that and both of their surprise,began to subside back into Morgan’s body.
Morgan sighed and turned to Síofra again.
Morgan dragged a hand through his hair, fingers scraping his stubble, eyes darting as if the walls themselves were closing in.
“Síofra-just… just listen, yeah? I’m not-I’m not trying to hurt you.I would never hurt you.” His words stumbled out, broken, rushed. “There’s this…this thing, this creature, he’s in me. Won’t leave. Says he’s the bloody king of demons, trapped by some human king centuries ago.”
“That pathetic king Sol” supplied the creature helpfully.
“ And I swear, yesterday’s conjuring-”,Morgan continued as if he didnt hear him.He shook his head hard, breath ragged.“It wasn’t random. It was set up. For you and me.”
His voice cracked, frustration lacing every syllable.
He shoved both hands back through his hair, pacing.
“He-he won’t shut up, won’t leave me alone unless I help him.
Says he needs these… artefacts. That’s the only way he gets back to the Undercroft.
And gods, he’s already broken his word about ten times in the last bloody hour, so I don’t even know if-f I can trust him. ”
His chest rose and fell too fast,pale blue eyes desperate as he looked at her.
Síofra carefully backed up, still trying to get her head around what he was trying to tell her.
A shadow peeled itself away from him for long minutes before receding back into him with a hiss of smoke. The room sagged into silence, though the smell of charred wood lingered.
Morgan dragged a hand through his hair, chest heaving. “You see what I mean? He’s ruining my life already. Barges in, claws through my ribs, demands quests, relics… and now-” he gestured helplessly toward her “-he wants you too.”
Síofra stared, stunned. Then her voice came sharp. “Wait. What do you mean he wants me? Why me?”
Morgan hesitated, eyes flicking away, guilt hardening his jaw.
“Tell her,” Ashmedai crooned from somewhere inside him, the words resonant and smug.
“Because-” Morgan muttered, “because my wolf imprinted on you. You’re my mate.And somehow he thinks you are his as well.”
Her breath froze in her lungs before fury flooded her along with an equal measure of disbelief. “Mate? Mate? You mean all this time you’ve been stalking me, watching me, letting me be humiliated-while you knew?”
Morgan winced. “I wasn't sure until yesterday.It’s not that simple-”
“Not that simple?” Her voice climbed. “NOT THAT SIMPLE? You just humiliated me. Everyone on campus has seen my boobs! I really enjoyed being called miss saggy udders and boobzilla! You must think I am stupid if you think I ever want to see your slimy face ever again.”
“I agree,” Ashmedai cut in smoothly. “He is average looking and mentally challenged… While you,my queen, are perfect. And your breasts are the best I have ever seen and I have existed a very long time. I shall make it my job to worship them when you take your place by my side. Or under me.”
“Shut up,” Morgan snapped.
“Yes, please shut up,” Síofra spat. Her eyes glittered with rage. “How could you humiliate me with those pictures, Morgan? That was you, wasn’t it?”
“No!” He surged forward as if to grab her, then stopped himself, running both hands down his face.
“I was careless, okay? I left my phone in my room and... Debbie-she can wear anyone’s face.
She could’ve taken my form and used my face to unlock my phone.
I swear, it wasn’t me. I wouldn't do that to you.I would never do anything to hurt you.”
Ashmedai’s laugh was a low, rolling crack through his chest. “Truly, vessel, you are a fool. You lose your mate to a phone. She should choose me instead. I am at least… competent.”
“Gods, you’re insufferable,” Morgan growled.
“Yes,” the demon purred. “But charming and the king of my domain. Unlike you, youngling. I am an ancient with vast experience. You don't want this fumbling midget.”
Síofra folded her arms, glaring between them both. “This is insane. A cursed wolf and a demon king who have become siamese twins by accident, and a walking disaster of a mate who can’t even lock his phone.”
Morgan flinched. “I made a mistake, okay? I didn’t ask for him. I didn’t ask for any of this. But I-” He swallowed hard. “I’d never do that to you. Not ever.”
Her lips parted, but she couldn’t form an answer. Ashmedai’s ebony presence rippled faintly, smug as ever. He emerged from behind Morgan, towering over him like a giant shadow.
“Think carefully, flame-haired goddess of mine,” the demon murmured. “He loses phones and humiliates you. I command kingdoms. I can just consume him and we never have to think of him again.”
A thought struck Síofra. She whispered, hesitant, “It was you, wasn’t it? During the séance… You touched me?”
Heat rolled through her body again just thinking of that phantom touch, her skin turning damp and pink, her breath catching as the memory slashed across her nerves- phantom claws teasing her, a tongue against the hollow of her throat.
Suddenly her hand trembled with an almost uncontrollable urge to reach out, to know if his skin was scaled and rough or slick and smooth.
Morgan turned his head to look up at the demon, his voice raw. “You did what?”
The demon tilted his horned head, utterly unfazed. “Perhaps. A taste.” His grin widened. “She burns now, vessel. Her body enters heat. I can smell it in the air. You will share.”
“I will not!” Morgan snapped, his teeth bared, fists trembling.
“Yes, you will,” Ashmedai countered coolly. “Your puny cock will not satisfy her. You do not know what she is.”
They squabbled like toddlers, the argument escalating until Síofra threw up her hands. “Enough!”
Her cheeks flushed hot as she demanded, “What do you need, Ashmedai? What will it take to send you back where you came from?”
The demon’s smile disappeared “I would like you naked and bound to my bed in the Undercroft. That would suffice.”
Morgan growled claws breaking through skin. “Over my dead body!”
Ashmedai’s laughter shook the walls. “A jest. Mostly. In truth, I would disband my harem once you were mine. I am certain you would be my equal. My match.”
Síofra recoiled, disgust flitting across her face. “You have a harem?”
Morgan muttered, “‘Had’ being the operative word. He has been gone so long, they have all probably died from old age. Explains why he’s so grumpy-probably been making do with his right hand for centuries.”