My Demon

Inheritance of a Dead Man - 16

Claudis can get as furious as he wants, but he will not receive the answer he desires from me. It wasn't something I want to talk about. He can press me until I break, but this isn't the same as it was when I was that naive.

"Claudis, I will only say this once." I said unfurling my wings wide enough to capture his attention. "Stay out of my way or you'll end up regretting such a promise. I know the price I am going to pay for vengeance so let me have this selfish wish."

The bright red of his eyes remained brilliant as his gaze penetrated to my heart. "I can help you, so why are shutting me out as did with Ryu?!"

I lowered my crossed arms from my belly and a part of me fell away, the part that masked the lies. "You can't protect me because neither you or Ryu can do what I can. I spent several years with one goal on my mind, Claudis and I am not going to let anyone take that away. Not you, the queen of angels, or those damned demon lords!" I felt a tear race down to my right jaw. The ache in my heart finally erupted as I watched Claudis glare back at me. "Stop treating me like I still need you! I don't."

He stood there, but the dark aura around him appeared like black smoke radiating from his body. "Yes you do, Ryoma. The look in your eyes right now says save me. Is there really an argument? I know you are afraid to tell me something, but hiding it creates more disaster." He said beginning to cross the boards over to me. "The more you hide it from me, the more I will do something I regret. Tell me how is hiding any different, then running away from me?"

What's up with this aura of his? It grew out of nowhere. I took a step back and glared back at him. "What're you going to do if I don't tell you, Claudis? Fine, I lied. What's it to you anyway? Fallen don't play according to your rules and they sure as hell don't," I said but my words fell short.

Claudis stood so close that even an inch was nothing for him to reach me. He loomed over me as if I were still a little babe. "I know that. I want to know what has you so afraid to not confide in me like old times," he said as he gripped the wrist of my left arm and he pressed me against wall by pinning my shoulder into the wood. "Tell me, Ryoma or I will hurt you."

I stayed there pinned to the wall like a mantle hung for decoration. I couldn't say it. I won't. I shut my eyes so afraid I would crack against his need for the truth behind my lies.

"Enough, Macyren." A voice called out for him and I opened my eyes to see a woman I had seen once before.

"You're the one who," I said as her eyes landed on me.

"Let me handle this," she said as I could see the long black hair flowing down from her head. She was wearing a sapphire gown that accentuated her slim frame. Her red eyes fell on Claudis and his widened in surprise. "You should refrain from asking him such a question, my friend."

"Almaya, why are you here?" He asked her, but she wandered over to me and pulled his touch off my shoulder and wrist.

"That was my name when I was still a demon, but now I am just the soul that resides in the sword that this boy carries with him." She said smiling at me and her hands cupped my face. "Ryoma, I will aide you whenever you have need of me. I must tell you that Ryu does worry quite a bit considering he used my power to attempt to protect you. His soul remains safe within the sword and no demon can claim him."

"Ryu's still," I said looking at her astonished.

"He is dead, but he could not leave your side as I could not either."

"Almaya should you even be here? What about your husband?" Claudis asked her.

She sighed and her eyes turned to Claudis. "I believe I do not have to tell you. That jealous lout attempted to use my lover's power and he is still out there waiting for the next opportunity. My dear lover is still missing ever since that night the two of you fought that wretched excuse for a demon lord."