The Exiled Angel

CHAPTER 3

SEPHANIE

I could breathe again. The pain weakened and diminished. The haziness ebbed away. I speculated with awe-filled eyes. "Did he really just breathe life into me?" His face was beguilingly close, almost tempting, enticing. I had felt his cool breath on my lips and for a moment, I could swear I thought he was gonna kiss me. I wouldn't have minded, though. His gaze remained lowered as he placed his hand on my back and pushed me cautiously to a sitting position. He picked up the glass of water on the table and brought it closer to his lips, muttering some syllables under his breath then taking a small sip. Then he stood up and touched it to my lips. I drank. The glass contained cool water tinged with the sweet scent of roses. After a few sips, I felt a rejuvenating sensation pass through me. Devian sat back on the adjacent sofa, his gaze still lowered. Now that the excitement of being alive and actually experiencing magic tapered, the horror and dread of the past ordeal edged in. I looked around frantically, searching for any signs of the monster's return but everything seemed in place. Except for the remnants of ashes near the front door. I shivered and feared to imagine what was obvious; the ashes were the last of the goat man. I began trembling as I found my voice.

"W-what was t-that-?"

"The danger that I spoke to you of." There was no emotion in his voice. I was overcome with anxiety almost immediately and began stammering.

"Y-you think that's e-e-explanation e-enough-? W-what was that damn thing?! Why- why was it trying to k-kill me?! Who- w-what are you!?! Who-"

With a curt gesture of his hand, Devian cut me off and sprang from his place, towering over me. One hand gripping the couch right next to my head, the other clenched tightly in a fist.

"If you'd remain silent, perhaps I might be in the mood to explain what you need to know."

The proximity this time was threatening. I instantly shut up and gulped, staring up into his eyes, the black holes that appeared as if they might suck me in any moment. Probably seeing the expression of naked fear and perplexity on my face, Devian straightened up and sat back on the couch. My hands kept trembling.

"I apologize for my conduct, lady."

What the hell was he? One moment, he seemed ready to devour my very brains and the next he was apologizing with such high-value and dutiful words. I merely looked down at my hands and tried to calm my breathing pace. He repeated his apology, perhaps because he meant it.

"I presume you find it arduous to excuse my indecorous bearings. I assure you I shan't provide you with another chance to complain."

Complain. Wow. He thinks I complained about his conduct. A human protesting against whatever being he was! And did he say "shan't provide you with another chance to complain"? Did that mean...? Was he going to....?

"I-It's fine. You- You don't need to a-apologize."

His gaze remained on me this time. Unmoving and icy. He gazed at me as if calculating and observing. I shifted a little, then forced myself to speak up abruptly.

"Are you going to eat me now-!?"

His brow instantly furrowed and his mouth tugged upwards at one end, a look of shock and amusement synchronously. I gulped.

"I beg your pardon? Did you say 'eat you'?"

I gulped again.

"Well... Yes. I- did. A-are you?"

The shock receded, only amusement remained as he eased back on the couch, his dead eyes staring right at me.

"Why do you say that?"