The Unshadowed | Book 1 |

Chapter 19 ~ A New Ally

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~ The Rose complex
in Wachstyen Forest

Mondlicht, Germany ~

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Demian waited until it was late at night before sneaking into the Rose complex. He made his way undetected, his natural assassin skills coming to use in terms of stealth and silent movement. Everyone was asleep, to his relief.

He slowly made his way in the hallway, stopping at Ariel's door. Though it was locked, Demian used a pen to unlock it by twisting it open and removing the ink cartridge part of the pen, using it to unlock the door. A hairpin was able to unlock the door, but Demian liked to use pens. He put the ink cartridge back in the pen before closing it and putting it back in his pocket.

Demian silently entered Ariel's room, carefully closing the door behind him and locking it. It was very dark, his figure even darker as it crossed over to the bed where Ariel was sleeping. Demian kept his wings dematerialized, having no need for them indoors. He wore his original signature peppermint scented black leather jacket and dark Levi jeans, wearing the same outfit he wore when he turned Valerie. He had worn it each time he went out in search of a human to turn into an irangel. He wanted to appear to Ariel as the figure who knocked her out, the figure who was the mysterious creator of the irangels.

He stood by her bed, quietly watching her as she slept. Ariel's back was facing Demian, the cotton turquoise bedcovers halfway covering her body. Her red hair was just as beautiful as Valerie's, though Valerie's was dark red while Ariel's was warm sunset orange. Ariel's hair reached all the way to her knees while Valerie's hair reached her waist.

Ariel had curves while Valerie was slim. Ariel had a certain vivaciousness about her that seemed to captivate any man who sought an interest in her while Valerie was very quiet and the exact opposite of Ariel. Demian was committed to loving Valerie, but since things had fallen apart between them, he found himself thinking about Ariel more often and was drawn to her, anxious to escape the hurt and pain he felt.

Demian's eyes ran over the lacey camisole top and satin sleep shorts Ariel wore, his gaze moving up to where her chest softly rose and fell with each peaceful breath she took and exhaled. He was looking at her lips when Ariel moved in her sleep. Demian put a hand on her bare arm, making her instantly wake up.

Ariel gasped and half-sat up in bed as she stared at Demian. "Y-you're – you're him," she said in astonishment.

"Yes, I'm the one who turned you," Demian told her quietly. He turned on the small light on the wall and allowed her to fully look at him.

Now Ariel was confused. "Demian? What the?" Her eyes got wide. "Luciu and Amanda....they were the ones who suspected it was you. After all this time, it turned out to be you? Why didn't you just admit it? They were the ones dying to know. I mean, I was too, but I kind of got over it while they kept trying hard and got really hurt and upset when you wouldn't tell them."

"I know and I am well aware," Demian said ruefully. "I wanted so much to tell, but I couldn't." He came over and sat on the edge of the bed. "I've had to keep the truth for so long. But I'm just so hurt by everything that's been going on. I can't keep this from you any longer, Ariel. I need to tell you."

Ariel's eyes were fixed on Demian as she hung on to his every word. Demian sighed, a hint of sadness appearing in his eyes. He carefully placed his hand on her hand, about to start the mental connection. Don't let anyone, not even Orion, know what I'm about to show you, Demian asked of Ariel, his eyes silently pleading.