Soul Ties

Chapter 65: Twenty Deadly Questions

The guards exit the room, leaving the rest of us alone with Demien who still sits at his throne. No one speaks, the shock of Thoon's death still looming over us. Seren has finally awakened, leaning against the wall with her bruised eyes watching Demien. She's been avoiding making eye contact with me ever since she sat up. The only time her eyes fell on me was when she scanned her surroundings.

Watching her inhale has me worried. Every time she takes a breath in, I see her wince. Had they broken something in her? Was one of her bones puncturing something with every breath she took?

Even though I pleaded with Demien to let everyone go and get them some help, he wouldn't listen. The only reason I wasn't on my knees begging him once more was because he threatened to do what he had done to Thoon to them. That's why I bit my tongue now, even though my brain was screaming at me to free them. The worry on Estella's face didn't help either.

"Before I begin answering your questions, would you mind if I inquire about something myself? I fear if I don't ask now, I'll be too distracted to give you my full attention, and that wouldn't satisfy either of us," Demien explains. I nod in agreement, but he turns up his lip in disgust.

"Use your words, Ms. Corai."

"Yes, that seems fair."

Demien pushes himself to his feet, and I hear everyone take in a sharp inhale. Every move he makes has us all on edge. Even him just standing makes my neck prickle with fear. He saunters towards where I have my back pressed against the wall. The more he closes the distance between us, the more I lean myself into the cool tiles. Estella tries to sidle away from me and I can't blame her. I wouldn't want to be near me either.

He squats down in front of me, his long skirt hiking up enough to expose his calves. Deep pink raised flesh is slashed across his skin, lightning shaped scars that start to dry my mouth. He follows my eyes and grins, fixing the material so his calves are no longer shown.

"That's a story for another time." He points to the chain attached to the wall. "May I?"

I give him a confused look and he gently picks up the metal in his large hands. His tongue darts out of his mouth, coiling around the chain until it's covering the cuff around my ankle. A low hissing sound starts, steam rising around us. The metal crumbles as he releases his tongue and pulls it back into his mouth. The oil colored saliva melts the metal to nothing more than dust.

"Lynx!" Scorpius shouts from the other side of the room. His chains clatter as he tugs and pulls trying to escape. "Get the fuck away from her!"

"I'm fine," I call back, fighting the wetness building in my mouth from Scorpius saying my name. The magic feels weaker this time, or maybe I was too overwhelmed to let the lust overtake me.

Demien lifts his chin to look at me, one of his hands extending to me.

"Why did you let me go?"

"Because we have a lot to discuss. I felt it was only right to do it where we're both comfortable enough. Besides," he eyes Seren. "I know you wouldn't dare think of disrespecting me in any way. Isn't that right?"

"I won't."

He stands, his hand still reaching for me. I have to swallow the scream that settles in the base of my throat when I gingerly place my fingers on his palm. I let him help me up, peering over at Estella who's eyes are gaping open.

Demien places my arm through his, letting my hand rest on his forearm as he escorts us back to his throne. His palms feel rough, his calluses scratching at the back of my hand where he rests his. His arms, however, are oddly smooth and the temperature of his skin is too much to handle. I thought Scorpius was warm, but compared to Demien, his skin was like ice. I feel like my hand might burn if I continue to allow myself to touch him.