Chapter 19 - Kain
Kain
The woman next to him seemed surprisingly relaxed, considering how close the demon she’d shared a room with had come to losing control.
Kain knew she’d realized what her scent was doing to him, her small breaths and the sound of the scratchy motel sheets as she looked at him betraying her anxiety that he might react like his instincts had been screaming for him to.
It had taken all his considerable willpower not to pin her down, rip the fabric clean off her body, and fuck her into oblivion once that sweet, heady smell of her arousal hit his nostrils and made every cell in his body ache.
He shot her an ungrateful glare out the corner of his eye.
The little Breeder was contentedly humming in the passenger seat as he maneuvered the car through the busy city, watching the world go by as if she had not a care in the world.
How was she so fucking calm? Kain himself felt every nerve stand at attention, his senses hyper alert as he watched for other demons.
Yet Selma… Selma had been calm ever since he woke her up, all traces of fear and anxiety gone for reasons unbeknownst to him.
Perhaps it was just the result of a good night's sleep, because while he had sat awake, staring at her passed out form and struggling with the onslaught of mixed emotions and raw desire her presence brought up in him, she had slept peacefully.
And through it all, his instincts were practically purring with contentment that the Breeder in his care finally trusted him to protect her. It was maddening.
“Are we close?” She looked out of the passenger side window as if searching for the demons she could no longer see while he pulled into a parking lot. “And is it demon-free?”
“Yes and yes, as far as I can tell.” Kain turned off the engine and looked over at her. “Listen, if things go wrong, I want you to stay calm and close, okay? I will talk us out of any trouble if I can, and if not, I will fight. Most likely, things will run smoothly. Just be prepared.”
She nodded obediently, and slid out of the car.
Her newfound calm remained as he guided them through the crowd, one arm securely wrapped around her shoulders as he scouted for potential trouble.
“No demons around then?” she asked again, offering him a smile that would have distracted him from his vigilance if he’d let it.
“Over there,” he murmured, indicating a couple of demons who were watching them from a distance. “They don’t look like trouble, though. Just keeping an eye on me.”
As much as he’d dampened his natural power, there was a limit to what he could do. Demons didn’t get fooled by human disguises, after all, and anyone who saw him would have no doubt he was a Lord—a Lord who didn’t belong in this territory.
He shot the two a hard look, silently reminding them that he could end them if he wanted to, before shifting his focus back to the crowd.
With any luck, they’d not want to get involved in a potential dispute between him and the Lord residing over this territory, and would keep their mouths shut, at least until he had Selma safely out of there.
“You know, this is the first time I’ve been able to walk among this many people and not worry,” she hummed.
Kain shot her an incredulous look. He’d been very clear how dangerous this step of the plan was.
“When I was on the run, I’d never know if I was being stalked by a demon disguised as a human. And before that, I never knew if I’d see one. And if I’d stare too long—get his attention,” she explained, leaning her head against his arm as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Hot, heavy need coiled low in his belly at the little Breeder’s obvious display of trust, his mind fogging with urges to show her how else he could please her.
He knew her own instincts were likely being lulled by his presence, that she was predisposed to his pheromones.
They’d been in each other’s company for long enough now that his magic would be messing with the mark she’d been branded with.
But that knowledge did little to help him concentrate while she was snuggled up to him.
“Stop that,” he hissed through gritted teeth. “I need my head clear.”
She looked up at him, startled by his tone, but understanding broke behind her pretty eyes at the look of hunger in his.
“Oh.” A hefty blush spread across her cheeks and she pulled her head back with a jerk. “Sorry!”
Kain breathed deeply next to her, trying to get his body back under control. This was too important for him to let himself get distracted—one moment’s inattentiveness and he risked being snuck up on.
“Fucking Breeders,” he muttered under his breath.
“Well, 'fucking demons' right back,” she snapped. “It’s not like I choose for my body to get all screwy around you!”
He barked a hoarse laugh and constricted his arm tighter around her for the briefest moment. He liked this version of her—unafraid and confident in his presence, a feat not even many fully grown demons managed.
“All right, little smart-mouth, we’re almost there.” Kain gave her a tight smile, nodding for her to turn her attention up the street.
He’d been here once before, and the memory of that time made his mood sour instantly. It was a small and dingy shop, currently empty of customers as he pulled Selma through the door, the little bell jingling merrily upon their entry.
Kain headed straight for the counter, where a slender man with bad skin was too busy fiddling with a magazine to look up at them.
“Fred.”
The man gave an odd sort of jolt at Kain’s near-growled greeting, his head bobbing up with a snap.
“Oh god, you!” He flinched and backed up as if searching for an exit, but only managed to hit the back wall, knocking off a couple of bags of candy in the process.
“Indeed.” Kain stopped in front of the counter, placing both of his massive hands on it so he could lean in. “I'm pleased you remember me. That should save us the trouble of you pretending like you can't answer my questions, shouldn't it?”
The man, now sickly pale behind his adult acne, nodded. “W-What do you want?”
“Precise directions to the place I asked you about last time.”
Fred swallowed. “Man, you know I can't.” Kain growled again, making the slender man shake harder. “It's a spell! I can't!”
Kain scoffed. “Oh, really? I suppose we'll just have to see if a little of my magic will help, then.”
“No! Please, no!” Fred huddled in on himself as darkness suddenly filled the room, solidifying in tendrils that snaked toward the quivering man.
The Demon Lord hadn’t gone this far the last time he visited—but the stakes hadn’t been as high as they were now.
Using his magic in another’s territory? That was bound to draw attention from the residing Lord Protector.
But if he was quick enough, he and Selma would be gone by the time anyone came to investigate.
“Kain!” Out of nowhere, a small hand slapped hard against his back, breaking his single-minded focus. “Stop that! Right now!”
Kain blinked, his dark magic receding as he snapped his head around to stare down at Selma. “What?”
“What do you mean, 'what'?” she stuttered, some of the unease she’d displayed their first morning together flickering in her gaze despite the stubborn jut of her chin. “Stop attacking the poor guy! You can't just… bully someone like that!”
He cocked an eyebrow at her. “I gave him ample opportunity to speak of his own accord. He chose not to.”
Selma blinked. “He said it was a spell. I'm not entirely sure how magic works for y’all, but that doesn't sound like he could just choose to tell you. How about you ask the man?”
“What, ask him nicely and see if he'll comply? Look, I know you're a Breeder and therefore predisposed to being overly kind, but that's just not how the world works, sweetheart.”
The fear on Selma’s pretty face was swiftly replaced by anger at his patronizing tone, but before she could lay into him, the clerk interrupted.
“If the girl is a Breeder, I can tell her,” he croaked, slowly straightening behind the counter.
Kain flicked his black gaze back to Fred, pinning him in place. “Explain.”
He gulped. “Well… the spell ensures we only tell Breeders of the location. If she’s a Breeder, I will be able to tell her. Though… you should leave the room while we…”
Kain's raised eyebrows made Fred falter.
“Uh, but I suppose we can ignore that.” He fidgeted nervously. “She'll have to ask me directly.”
Selma glanced up at Kain, likely to ensure that he was once again safe to be around before she walked closer to the counter so the man could look at her without also getting an eyeful of the threatening demon.
“Where is the place that demons can't go?”
Fred exhaled, undoubtedly from relief. “Colorado, in the mountains. Here, let me show you on a map.”
While he bent to fish the map out from under the counter, Selma side-eyed her companion. “Yes, I see how much easier threatening people is. Why does anyone waste their time talking?”
Kain narrowed his eyes at her, but couldn’t quite suppress a flicker of amusement at her lip. “You should watch that smart mouth of yours.”
She didn’t retaliate, choosing instead to focus on Fred as his head reappeared and he slapped a map of Colorado in front of them.
“Here it is, just west of Routt National Forest off Route 40.” He pointed at the map. “But if you bring him, he won't be able to take you closer than three miles.”
“What's there?” She eyed the area that looked to be just a stretch of mountainous terrain. “Why can't demons enter?”
Fred's fingers twitched around the edge of the map. “I… I'm not sure.” He quickly glanced at Kain. “B-But it's a sanctuary. They take in Breeders who find their way there. The ones who can't accept their lot in life.”
Kain sighed. “Fred, don't make me do unpleasant things to you in front of the lady. She doesn't want to see that.”
The clerk swallowed nervously, his Adam's apple bobbing in the process. “Right, it's just… I really, really shouldn't, and… this will not make you any less pissed off, and I can't afford to have you trash my store, okay?”
Selma frowned. “So it isn't a sanctuary?”
“Yeah, yeah, it is.” Sweat shone on his temples, the glances he kept casting at Kain resembling a nervous twitch more and more.
“He won't harm you or your shop,” Selma said, casting a stern look at Kain. “I promise.”
Kain arched an eyebrow at her. How she thought it safe to presume he’d honor her promises, he didn’t know.
“It's protected by a goddess,” Fred whispered.
Kain’s snarl came unbidden from the depths of his chest. He fucking knew it! Some nosy bitch of a goddess was hiding away their precious Breeders, and here he was, prepared to voluntarily hand one over to an enemy!
Without turning her attention from Fred, Selma reached back to place a calming hand on Kain’s chest, anchoring his aggression with the light touch as easily as if she’d cast a spell. “A… A goddess? But why?”
“I don't know, honestly. I swear. I just know that she is the only one who will protect you from the demons, and I'm one of her Secret Keepers. My only job is to tell Breeders about this place if they find me. And keep it safe from them.” He made a vague gesture toward Kain.
“So you're a supernatural being, too?”
“Nah, man, I just owed her a debt. Fell in with the wrong crowd, was about to lose my goddamn soul, and she got me out of the pinch after I swore an oath to do this gig for her.”
“Lose… your soul?”
“Made a deal with a demon.” Fred shook his head. “I was young and stupid and wanted a new car.”
Kain put his hand on her shoulder, interrupting what was undoubtedly going to be more questions. “That's fascinating. Selma, we need to get moving before Lord Harisham shows up.”
Selma jolted at the reminder. “Yes, right. Thank you, Fred.”
The clerk nodded and gave her a half-wave, only offering Kain a grimace. “Good luck.”
The moment they exited the shop, a wholly familiar sense dug in between Kain’s shoulder-blades and he growled, jerking his head in the direction of the threat.
“What is it?” Selma pressed in against his side, an automatic reaction to his tension.
Kain wrapped his arm tighter around her shoulders and hurried her along the pavement in the direction of their parked car. “We're being watched.”