To Seduce a Mortal |18+✔

Book 8⌇32. Temporary

Chapter 32 ∣  Temporary

-Eris

So much pain.

Not only was the control from the demon becoming unbearable, but when she relinquished that control the moment Maverick took the upper hand, I'd never felt like this before. I genuinely thought I was going to die, the veins in my body lifting to the surface, the pressure flooding my body, and the very real feeling of the blood vessels in my lungs ready to give at any second had a new fear coursing through me.

I begged him to stop, the demon receding and for all I know, allowing me to take the brunt of the pain being inflicted while she took a backseat. I finally understood exactly why blood magic is so powerful and dangerous. He hardly had to lift a finger and I was on my knees, my heart ready to give out.

This was true power.

This was the true power that everyone feared.

I was afraid...only because he truly didn't believe it was me behind those words. But the moment I heard that familiar voice fill the room, a small light emitted from my almost collapsed heart.

"Harlan."

His name...but it was his demon speaking. He'd come back to check in with me, although he made a point of stating that it would be from afar...it wasn't. He was here and hopefully...Maverick wouldn't kill him...maybe he could help...

"I don't know who you are, I can't trust you," my eyes lifted to see Maverick's suspicious and questioning look, and considering Harlan's demonic features were revealed, I would second guess trusting him as well. After all, he was already dealing with one demon...how could another be of any sort of help?

"Take it down a notch pretty boy," Harlan rolled his eyes and stepped out from his space behind me, Lucca still recovering on the floor nearby where I was kneeling.

Lucca's gaze met mine and so much hate filled those black rose irises. The only saving grace for me, he was still far too weak to even stand up, let alone come after me. But, who's to say that wouldn't stop him in the future if Maverick didn't decide to kill me now.

After everything, I've done...even though the demon was behind it...

...I feel alone, I truly feel scared and alone.

I killed their only lead...but, at least I held the information as to where Alpha King Chase resides, so it wasn't a complete loss for them. Hendrix deserved to die...there's no other way that would have ended, the outcome would have been the same whether or not I was possessed. He took my life, so why shouldn't I be allowed to take his?

"You're familiar," Maverick ever so slightly let the tension up from the control he had on my blood, allowing me to breathe without practically gasping for air.

"That's because I was there when you came to get her," Harlan's electric blue irises flickered to my pained expression, but he soon resumed his attention to my vampire and stated, "In fact, if it wasn't for me, she wouldn't even be here right now. I had the chance to end her life in Hell, but I couldn't..."

"You have a little soft spot for an abused succubus? How wonderful to see your caring nature come to light," Maverick glowered at Harlan, whatever was going through his mind was plagued with conflict.

He wasn't speaking like he normally did; some emotions were cut off and felt void. There was a difference and maybe that difference was the love he no longer held for me. Maybe he really did just see me as the demon...

It looks like I'm the monster now...

"Would you rather kill your beloved? Or would you like me to assist?" Harlan appeared bored now with Maverick's tone, his stance changing when Lucca growled with disapproval. Harlan chuckled, "Oh, I wasn't asking you, because I know you'd end her life in a heartbeat."