Black Avatare

21 | PRINCE

Binara held her breath, completely stumped. Of all the horrifying scenarios she imagined in the enemy's lair, this was a development that she had never anticipated. The demon was so close that her eyes fluttered over his features—from the low eyebrows and curving lashes all the way down to the jaw, where a sliver of a scar was visible. There was no ectoplasm misting from his form now—he was disconcertingly solid.

She waited for a sadistic smile or his hand to dig into her until it crushed her very bones. Instead, the Black Prince slackened his grip. His eyes watched on—pools of liquid silver that held hers with laser focus. It was almost as if he was wary.

Suddenly aware that she was free, Binara backed away, crawling rapidly to put some distance between them. She eyed him, chest heaving, while pain pulsated from every inch of her—from her bruised back to her burned hand. What the heck is the demon beastie playing at?

"I'm not going to hurt you," he said again, as still as a statue.

Binara surveyed his crouched form against the backdrop of a disaster zone that was his throne room. Entropy glared at her—broken statues, empty alcoves, uprooted plants and the glittering wreck of a chandelier on the pedestal. A charred vine disengaged from a trellis and fell to the floor with a thump that carried in the stillness.

Something in her snapped. This was the monster responsible for everything that had happened. This was some sick game—whatever he had going on with his victims. Fire surged in her veins. However, she couldn't switch back to attack mode. Her entire body protested. Other than the broken arm, her feet were bleeding as well as her cheek. Fresh bruises clamored for her attention.

The Black Prince said something in his ancient language and moved, his hand reaching for something at his belt.

"What did you do to all those girls, you psycho?" she screamed, making him pause. "Are you going to destroy Hevana and kill everyone?"

He took a moment to reply, though she couldn't decide if it was due to the language barrier or her screaming. "No."

"No?" She blasted him with a death glare. "No what?"

"I haven't attacked anyone in Hevana." His words were yet again old Sinhalese, reminding her of literary works from the past. "Nor do I intend to."

"You haunt girls! You—"

"I've only been haunting you, and Raya has helped me do that."

As if on cue, the big cat slunk into view from behind a toppled statue and rubbed against the demon. He stroked the animal, murmuring words too quiet to hear.

Binara's eyes widened, and she backed away another inch. "Liar! What I don't get is why. What game are you playing?"

The Black Prince just watched her. Then he opened a pouch at his belt, producing a vial and what looked like puffy cotton. The next second, he approached her, making her flinch. No, no, get away from me, you freak! She almost swiped at him before she realized that her claw ring was gone. Her eyes shut, and muscles tensed. Her whole being was as taut as a bow pulled to its limits.

A wet softness dabbed at her skin. Her cheek stung, and the strong scent of a spirit filled her nose. She blinked rapidly, too stunned to react.

"This will work for now," the Black Prince said, too close for comfort.

She sat stock still, brain whirring. Through everything raging within, one fact sank in. There was no way out of this mess, and aggression would serve no purpose other than get herself locked up or even chained. If she played along, a chance to escape would most likely present itself. Reason didn't stem the fear and confusion, however. Her heart pounded faster, and she swallowed against her dry throat.