ORPHEUS

Chapter 15

Katherine had started to feel a little uneasy. Her heart knew that Orpheus wouldn't hurt her, but her mind said otherwise. She had heard a few myths about paranormal creatures, she had even believed some of the rumours, but she wasn't sure whether he would harm her or not. Considering her past experiences with those creatures, she didn't trust him all that much, or at least shouldn't trust him. She felt a little panic bubbling in her chest as Orpheus held her arms. Was he immortal, as many from the tales she heard? Was he planning to harvest her soul? Did he want her for blood? She was frantic as she contemplated all the outcomes of her situation and all the questions racing through her head.

"Kathy, I vow to the Council that I would never hurt you" he said in a grave voice as her eyes darted back to him. "And if a vow to them is broken, I risk my immortality"

Her eyes widened at his promise. He would risk his immortality. Or was he simply lying? Maybe he had enchanted her somehow. Anything was possible in a realm which she had no knowledge of. Maybe he had done something with his eyes the first night they met. Or maybe Katherine was just a naive, foolish little girl who was going to get her heart broken and her soul eaten.

"Kathy, I can see the panic in your features." He said with a grim face. His hands were on her arms, his thumbs moving across her skin, the slow caresses making it more real. It wasn't just a dream and she had to snap out of it.

"Why were you in that clearing that night?" She asked, trying to mask her overwhelmed expression. She felt compelled to ask him that question. His face went ashen as the words left her mouth. She didn't know he could look worse than he did moments ago, but he had proven her wrong. his brows were drawn as his mouth opened and closed repeatedly until it set in a grim line, she coukd even see the muscle in his jaw tick. Finally he cleared his throat and let go of her arms.

"I was working" he said stoically. " I_um, I am an assassin employed by the Council. They send me targets every couple of days. I was supposed be on the guard for one of the targets, there were reports of spottings in that area as well as suspicious noises. Unfortunately, it got to us before I could hunt it down."

She understood his hesitation and she wished she'd never asked. He was an assassin. A person who's job is to kill people. Orpheus killed people for a living. But that thing wasn't a person. It was a monster, wasn't it? He wouldn't harm innocent people.

"Your profession_ is killing..." she said, her voice breaking in the end, even when she tried to hold on to her strength. She observed him carefully, cautiously. His face had gone emotionless, but she could still see the slight anger in his gaze.

"I have no choice. I am supposed to kill who am ordered to, or else I might not live to see another day." His eyes flashed as he sensed the her mild disgust.

"Do not look at me like that Katherine, I do not enjoy killing or spilling blood. You will do well to understand that I have no choice. I never have and I never will." His glare had intensified as he almost hissed in contempt. He faced away from her as he growled softly at the sudden fear that rushed through Katherine. He was frustrated. She did not know whether his frustration was aimed towards her or what he was forced to do. She could not fathom even hurting someone.

"How do you have no choice?" She asked hesitantly, afraid to increase his ire.

"The Council controls me. They have the power to summon me at their will. If I do not follow orders, I would get executed."

"Do you_ do you kill humans? Innocent people?"

"No" he said plainly. "We kill to protect humans. Innocent or otherwise. As cruel as the Council is, they don't kill humans or allow them to be killed. But they have no objection to killing the likes of us.. the monsters"

He gave out a harsh laugh which sounded more like a short growl. "Monsters. That's what they call us."

"Foul creatures born of demons"

"You aren't demonic, Orpheus" she said softly, some of her fear had deflated. She looked at him with a small smile. "You are mystical. I find you more humane than some of the humans I have encountered"

Orpheus relaxed a little, sensing as she once more felt at ease around him. He gave her a shy grin, his lush lips spreading, parting to display perfect rows of gleaming white teeth. He leaned back into the bed and closed his eyes. The encounter in town had tired him out.

"Do you fear me?" He asked, eyes still closed.

"No, I don't think so" she replied honestly, not facing him as her own eyes closed. "You haven't given me reason to..."