Engaged to The Duke of Death

The Duke's Perception

I stared at Elis and swallowed nervously.

The palms of my hands started to become sweaty and I realized that I needed to approach this situation somewhat vigilantly. I couldn't exactly be forthcoming and demand him to release Demetri – I needed to disarm him mentally and get him comfortable. This was a crucial conversation that I wasn't prepared to have...I wasn't a hostage negotiator.

"Elis," I spoke his name, causing the smile to widen minimally on his face for a split second.

It returned to its barely noticeable position as he further walked inside, leaving the door open. He snuck one hand into the pocket of his pants as he looked around the waiting room that we were in with vague interest. He was clearly waiting for me to continue with a speech, and I couldn't help it when I bent one of my fingers back until I heard the cracking of the joint. It caused him to look over at me from the small, audible noise that had been released.

"I heard that my brother is here," I stated, looking into his green, piercing eyes.

The smile still stayed on his face, a ghost of it now residing. It didn't give anything away – it didn't confirm my words. I blinked my eyes a few times, still struggling to say what I wanted in a way that wouldn't tip him over the edge – I was way out of my depth.

I felt as if I were drowning and suffocating at the same time.

"He is a visitor here, much the same as you are," Elis informed, taking a few steps toward me.

I stared up at him, trying to not be intimidated by the height difference.

He would make one hell of a basketball player.

At having that thought, it made my shoulders become less tense and I felt that I could breathe again. I hadn't even been aware that I was holding my breath since the moment he started to walk to me. I was about to open my mouth to ask if I could see him when his gloved hand reached up to my face. The knuckle of his index finger lightly stroked against my cheek and I took a step back immediately once I realized what was happening.

My heart was beating out of my chest – personal space, buddy.

He let out a small exhale from under his breath, evidently amused by my reaction.

"Are you your brother's keeper?" He asked, bringing his other hand from out of his pocket. "You do not need to babysit him. He consciously made the decisions to end up here."

"Can I see him?" I asked suddenly, ignoring everything that he said and getting straight to the point.

He looked at me for a few seconds, regarding my question with some interest before he tilted his head back at a small angle.

"Of course," he easily spoke without any resistance.

I waited on him to lead the way and take me to him. When I found that we were still standing in the waiting room, staring at each other, I found my eyes narrowing at the word play that he used, and he seemed to realize this, too.

"It does not mean that I will let you see him," he added lightly, a full smile returning to his face.

"He told me about your aura," I mentioned, and Elis tilted his head to the side this time, curious in what I had to say, his full attention was back on me. "Did you already kill him?"

Elis paused briefly -- "Why would I kill him?" He asked, crossing his arms.

I stared at him, as though the obvious did not need to be said – death aura only leads to death.