Chapter 12 #2
“Seductive—appropriate given I’m a lust demon.”
My concentration fractures, and my eyelids snap open.
“A what?”
Huxley smirks. “A lust demon. This sex appeal goes right down to the very core of my being.”
A snort of laughter bursts from me. Only Hux could take the profound experience I just had and make a dirty joke of it.
“Wait, does that mean you can guess the type of demon I am now based on how connecting with my power felt?”
His expression turns regretful in an instant. “It’s not that simple. Even a soul eater’s magic will feel pleasant to them, but that type of demon can make the process extremely painful for the being on the receiving end of their power if they desire.”
Hold the fucking phone.
“You’re saying I could eat someone’s soul?” Horror pushes bile up my throat at the thought. Maybe this was a mistake. What if I really am a monster?
“Probably not. Soul eaters are incredibly rare.” Realising I’m still freaked out beyond measure, he continues, “Sorry, I didn’t think how scary that gift would sound to someone raised human.
I promise you have nothing to worry about.
Even if by some miracle you are a soul eater, remember what I told you—no gift is inherently evil—it’s all about the one wielding it. ”
“Right.” Selene said that too. Still not sure I ever want to run into someone capable of ingesting my fucking soul.
But I told myself I’d keep an open mind while learning about the supernatural.
Frankly, most of it sounds terrifying, but it’s unfair of me to judge based on my human biases. I exhale slowly. “Right. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. I’d be more concerned if you didn’t have a moment of human panic.”
“Probably not going to be the last one,” I warn.
“You have friends here, Jared. We’re here to walk alongside you until you’re not afraid anymore.”
Grateful, I nod. “What’s next?”
“Well, you connected to your inner magic much faster than I expected—it makes me wonder if you’ve been subconsciously accessing some of your abilities without realising.
Have you experienced anything unusual over the years?
People suddenly changing their attitude towards you, like doing a one-eighty in the middle of an argument, or being afraid of you even when you’ve done nothing to provoke the feeling? ”
“No, nothing like that.” But… “What about having good instincts? Is that a demonic trait?”
Huxley cocks his head. “How so?”
“I get these… gut feelings about situations and people. They’ve never been wrong.
” Sometimes it’s come too late, like with The Raven.
I sensed danger only a moment before the incapacitating blow to the back of my head.
Shaking off the memory, I continue, “Honestly, I don’t think I’d be handling the supernatural surprise anywhere near this well without it.
My gut tells me I can trust you. And Selene…
it’s beyond that with her. I’ve never felt so sure of anyone. ”
“Interesting…” He slaps his hands on the tops of his thighs, having come to a decision. “That definitely sounds like magic, but it’s still not enough for me to guess what kind of demon you are.”
Hux springs to his feet. “I’d like to try something, if you’re willing?”
“What is it?” I ask cautiously, rising to join him.
“Can you access your magic again and hold the image of the calm lake in your mind?”
“Yeah.” I close my eyes and do just that.
“Alright, now keep that image steady. No matter what happens, don’t let it go.”
Fingertips brush the back of my neck, and the familiar weight of my necklace disappears.
Power. Unlike anything I’ve felt before. It swallows me whole. The lake in my mind morphs into a body of water deeper than I can comprehend.
I feel incredible. It’s like I’ve been weighed down, pinned to the lakebed my whole life, and now I’m finally surfacing. It all happens so quickly that if I really were a diver, I’d end up with decompression sickness for certain, but this… This feels incredible. Life changing.
“Bloody hell,” Hux whispers reverently.
Something tugs at the centre of my chest. Instinctively I know I have to follow the sensation. Nothing has ever been more important than finding my m—
Pain ignites a fire in my veins, and I scream. My muscles ripple beneath my skin. It’s like I’m being torn open. Eyes wide, I look to Hux for help.
“Shit!” He scrambles forward, fumbling with the clasp of the amulet. My entire body shudders in agony. What’s happening to me? “Got it!” Huxley crows triumphantly, kneeling in front of me. How did I end up on the floor? The pain vanishes as quickly as it arrived, my magic disappearing with it.
I glance down to see the amber stone of the amulet glinting against my chest.
Huxley’s lips move, but I can’t hear anything beyond the ringing in my ears. Black spots cloud my vision. The last thing I see is him reaching towards me as the world tilts on its axis.
“Why isn’t he awake yet? We should take him to a healer.”
That voice. She’s important. Selene. I have to get to Selene.
“It’s only been five minutes. Give him a chance. You’d know if he were still in danger.”
“Fine.”
For the second time since moving to Crystal Lake, I find myself lying on the ground, head pounding.
“What happened?” I croak, my mouth drier than a desert.
Gentle hands sweep the hair from my clammy forehead. “Your power surged and almost forced you to shift into your demon form,” Selene explains, shooting a glare at Hux.
“Demon form?”
“You didn’t tell him?” she snaps.
“Tell me what?” I struggle to sit up, looking between them. Selene rests a reassuring hand on my back, stroking in slow circles—I’m not sure she’s aware she’s touching me. Her blue eyes, bright with anger, are still firmly fixed on Hux.
“I didn’t want him to panic about it. If I’d known how powerful he was, I’d have warned him of the possibility. Now the strength of the amulet makes sense.” He looks at me. “Whoever your parents were, they must have been incredibly strong.”
“Back up,” I say, doing my best to follow the conversation, but everything’s drifting by me like leaves on the wind. “I passed out?”
“Yes,” Huxley confirms. “I’m sorry, Jared. After you connected to your magic so quickly I suspected you’d be powerful, but I never imagined your magic would try to force the shift on you.”
I latch onto that. “Demons can change forms too?”
“Not in the same way shifters do, but yes, demons have an alternate form,” Selene explains.
“It’s not one size fits all though,” Hux adds.
“The characteristics of demon shifted forms vary. Horns, wings, a tail, a change in your colouring, claws—it’s all possible.
Some features pass down through family members, but even then, there are still anomalies.
Since you’re adopted, we won’t know what changes you’ll experience until you shift. ”
The image of a red cartoon devil, complete with horns and tail, floats across my mind, making me chuckle. The sound is only a little unhinged. “Let’s add that to the list of wild shit I’ve had to deal with since coming here.”
Selene and Hux share a look of concern. “How are you feeling?” Selene asks.
“Like I’ve been hit by a truck and my brain’s turned to scrambled egg.” Her hand is still on my back, and I lean into her side, letting my head fall onto her shoulder. I can’t help it. Boundaries have lost all meaning to me. All that matters is being close to her.
That reminds me. “Before I blacked out… I felt something. A pull like I needed to find you. What was that?” I tilt my head to look up at Selene only to be hit with the realisation of how close we are. If I weren’t already sitting, her ruby lips being this close to mine would be enough to floor me.
I’m close enough to hear her breath catch and watch her electric-blue eyes widen before she darts a panicked glance over to Hux.
“Nothing.” The pink tip of her tongue darts out to wet her lower lip, and she clears her throat, pulling back.
The distance between us feels wrong. My breaths saw in and out in short, shallow gasps.
God, what is wrong with me? I’ve all but admitted to wanting to find her the moment something went wrong, and now I’m panicking because she’s not comfortable with me invading her personal space.
A soft palm cups my jaw, Selene’s thumb stroking over my stubble in a soothing rhythm.
My lungs instantly expand. Why do I need this woman like I need air?
Maybe I’m not handling the supernatural revelation as well as I thought—not if I’m latching on this hard to the first person in town to show me kindness.
“Sorry.” Embarrassed, I go to move away, but she holds me in place. I’m not too proud to let her keep me there, wrapped in her comforting orange blossom scent.
“It’s alright, Jared. This has all been a lot.
” She moves to kneel directly in front of me, blocking everything else from view.
She’s so close the hem of her burnt-orange skirt brushes the tops of my thighs as she settles.
Her delicate hands rest on my shoulders, and I wish I could reach up to hold them in mine, but I haven’t regained control of my limbs yet.
“I’ve got you. We’ll sit here, just like this, until you’re ready to go home, OK? ”
I nod. “Think I’m going to need a little time to recover before that dinner.”
Her laugh is beautiful. “I’ll bet. Power surges are no joke, and I felt yours all the way from the shop.”
“Felt it?”
“Because she warded the gazebo for us,” Huxley blurts out eagerly. Huh. I forgot he was still here.
Selene’s hands drop to her lap, and she sits back on her heels. I already miss the contact. “Right. Yes. The ward.” Her voice has shot up an octave.
“Are you OK? The surge didn’t hurt you through the ward, did it?” I have no idea if that’s possible.
“I’m fine.” She reaches for my hand, the black paint on her nails a stark contrast to my fair, golden skin. “You could never hurt me, Jared.” Sighing with relief at both the contact and the reassurance she’s alright, my muscles unknot and I gently squeeze her hand in reply.
We sit quietly until I feel like I can let go of Selene without spiralling.
Not that I want to release her at all, but I won’t take advantage of the situation or her kindness.
The next time Selene’s in my arms will be because she doesn’t want to be anywhere else—not because she feels obliged to comfort me.
“Hux,” I begin, and the demon in question looks up from his phone. “Before you put the amulet back on, did you figure out what kind of demon I am?”
His entire expression brightens as he leans forward eagerly. “Yes.” Please don’t let me be a soul eater. “You’re an insight demon.”
“He is?” Selene asks, excited.
“Yep.” Huxley grins. “A good fit, wouldn’t you say?” A look I don’t understand passes between them. “Selene will be a great help in teaching you to master your powers.”
“What do you mean?” Selene’s a witch, not a demon.
“She’s a moon witch, meaning she specialises in divination and insight.” He looks downright giddy, and I can’t help but feel I’m missing something important.
“Really?”
Selene can’t quite meet my eyes. “Yes.” She fiddles with the zipper on her black leather jacket. “Our gifts won’t be the same, but they complement each other.”
“It’s perfect. Almost like fate.” If looks could kill, Huxley’s heart would no longer be beating.
I don’t know why Selene’s giving him a death-stare, but given what I know of them, I’m inclined to take her side.
Hux is proving to be quite the wind-up merchant.
“Between the two of us teaching you, you’ll have your powers under control in no time. ”
“You don’t have to do that,” I tell Selene. I’m not sure what’s going on, but her discomfort is plain to see.
“No, I want to help.” She finally meets my gaze. “We’re in this together, Jared.” Her statement hangs heavy in the air between us.
“Well.” Hux claps his hands together. “I think that’s enough for today. Selene, you should help Jared get home—he’s still looking a little pale.”
“And what are you going to be doing?” She asks, voice tight.
“I have a date.” He winks. “You two have a good night.” He jauntily exits the gazebo before either of us can utter another word.
“I can make it home myself—you don’t have to worry.” At least I think I can.
Selene raises one dark eyebrow, unamused. “Stand up on your own and we’ll see.”
Right. Standing. I’ve got this.
Cautiously, I shift from kneeling to a crouch, then slowly get to my feet. The gazebo swirls like I’m in a fun house. I haven’t got this.
Warm hands grip my shoulders, steadying me. “Easy, Golden Boy. I’ve got you.”
Selene loops her arm around my waist, propping me up while we wait for my head to settle. Wait.
“What did you call me?”
“Nothing. Come on, let’s get you home.”
She reaches down with her free hand to scoop Hux’s blanket from the floor and drapes it over my shoulders. My chest tightens at the thoughtful gesture.
Luckily nothing’s exactly far away in a town this size, but what should be a twenty minute walk still takes thirty thanks to my legs doing their best imitation of a newborn foal. Eventually, Selene sees me safely inside my front door and helps me settle on the sofa.
Gentle hands pull the blanket off the back of the couch on top of me—between it and the one round my shoulders I feel like a human burrito. It’s nice.
Before she can leave, my hand shoots out, lightly gripping her delicate wrist. “Why are you taking care of me?” I’ve been on my own so long I almost forgot what it was like to be looked after.
Her beautiful face softens, and my heart stutters. God, she’s stunning. “Get some rest, Jared. I’ll see you soon.” My hand drops, and hope shrivels in my chest as I watch her leave.
Right. Just because I feel like an exposed nerve ending after my power surge doesn’t mean I should read too much into Selene’s kindness.
Sure, she agreed to dinner, but all that means is she’s interested in getting to know me.
I need to nip my growing feelings in the bud before I scare her off by being too eager.