Kissing the Demon (Seoksoo)

Seokmin

I spun around to see the man from outside the bookshop leaning against the doorframe.

Blaise.

He didn't look like a powerful supernatural being in his jeans and T-shirt, but there was an aura about him that hinted at danger. Despite that, he was the picture of casual as he leaned there, chestnut hair flopping over his forehead and hands shoved deep in his pockets. "I'll give Joshua credit. You're even hotter up close."

"What do you want?" I said, holding my ground even as I racked my brains for a way out of this situation. We were on the second floor, and he was blocking the only exit. Shua and Vernon hadn't held back when telling me how dangerous Blaise was. Even if I hadn't known that I would've thought twice before barging past him. The guy was built like a brick shithouse, and despite my stature nearly matching his, I was definitely a lover, not a fighter.

"Well, I'm in a bit of a pickle, you see," he drawled. "Your mate has something I need, but he's reluctant to part with it. So it seems I'm in need of a...bargaining chip."

"You're out of luck with me," I bluffed. "Joshua isn't my mate. I'm just a guy he fucks around with, one of many. He won't care what you do to me."

The lies tasted foul in my mouth. But if they saved Joshua from getting dragged into this, it'd be worth it.

I'd tell any lie, deny him until my last breath if it meant keeping him safe.

Blaise pushed off the doorframe, clucking. "See, that might've been convincing if you didn't reek of his scent. Or if his wards weren't surrounding your house and most of the school. How lucky for me that you were pulled into a different classroom this afternoon. What a shame that poor maths teacher had such an unexpected...fall."

He was toe to toe with me, his narrowed eyes boring into mine. I gulped but didn't step back, refusing to let the bastard know he was intimidating me. "The wards are for Seungkwan," I said. "Surely you know he's Vernon's mate. They've warded everywhere he spends time."

He picked a bit of lint from my collar with a tut. "Didn't your mother raise you to not tell lies?"

"I'm not lying."

He gave me an indulgent grin. "Oh, but you are. Those demons only reveal their true nature to other supes. The only time they make an exception is for their...mates."

I prepared to argue the toss, it likely wouldn't get me anywhere, but maybe it would give me some time to come up with a plan. Unfortunately, he didn't give me the opportunity.

"Let me save you some breath. They didn't let you in on the secret because you're best friends with Vernon's mate, but because you're Joshua's."

He leaned forward, and I fought to keep my face neutral as I felt his hot breath on my ear. The only thing I shifted slightly was my right foot. I moved it back a few inches, settling my weight onto it in readiness. "Not only that, but you might want to tell Joshua he needs a compulsion net over his conservatory. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy seeing him use your throat as a fucktoy, but the way you were snuggling the other day really gave the game away."

Ice coursed through me at the thought that he'd seen those intimate moments between us. Those were ours. Mine. Joshua's.

He had no place there.

Taking my chance, I launched into his middle in a tackle. Thanking every rain-sodden second I'd spent on a rugby field, I didn't let go as we went down. We crashed back across tables, sending chairs flying.

Blaise's eyes were wide as the wind shot out of him with a whoosh. Not giving him time to recover, I scrambled to my feet, my heart racing as I ran for the open door.

So close.

Nearly there.

Keep going.

I was almost at the threshold when something grabbed my ankle and yanked hard. I stumbled back, my leg going from under me. My arms cartwheeled as I tried to regain my balance, but it was no good.

I was heading for the floor.

But there was something in the way. My eyes widened in horror as I realised I was about to hit the jagged edge of the metal shelf.

I heard two things simultaneously.

First was the sound of Seungkwan shouting as he ran down the corridor.

The second was a sickening thud.

There was no pain.

Only darkness.