The Half of It

Chapter Eleven

''But why, though?'' Lance inquired, worry dampening his scared expression as he caught Keith's sigh softly echoing through the air.

''I don't think we have enough of time on our hands to discuss this, but even the place like Hell has its hierarchy and history that still influence the subsistence above.'' Keith attempted to explain, but the tan boy's face didn't seem to shift out of the previously formed confusion. 

The demon released another sigh and then continued. ''He came to eliminate me as a possible threat for a throne candidate.''

Lance paused for a moment, trying to process the information in a form that didn't shoot up his insides with a fiery worry which reminded him that his sister was downstairs with a demon that had murder on his mind, as he curtly nodded in reply.

He tapped his chin. ''Well if you die, I die. So the plan is kinda...''

''-Not to die?'' Keith finished sardonically.

Lance shrugged. ''Kinda.'' The demon could feel the tension dripping off the boy's shoulders. ''I am so stressed out at this point that I feel calm. Okay, the scheme, boss?''

''Make sure your sibling is safe and I'll talk to him. I don't think there will be any reason to make a mess. I know James.'' Keith said with a decisive tone, as his shadow form plumped on the bed next to Lance, catching the other by surprise. However, the tan boy saw where the material sank under the weight of the demon's body, turning his head to the right before he spoke through a whisper. ''I'll tell him the truth.''

''The truth?'' Lance asked softly, his bubble-gum breath ghosting across Keith's invisible lips. 

''About us.'' The demon blurted out.

Lance's cheeks involuntarily flamed crimson. ''Which us? There's no us, Keith.''

''The bond, Lance.'' Keith retorted. ''I can't be a competitor for the throne if I am going to become human. I didn't even want it when I was there.'' He jumped to his feet. ''Eat first, then we will find a way to stay alone with James. You think of the way to distract your sister. ''

Lance looked around the room, his ears perking up to catch any distant chatter or faint sounds from downstairs, only receiving a loud buzz of silence that seemed to be glad to serve him. He thought about the guilt he felt growing inside of him at the possibility of his sister in danger.

He took a deep breath, motioned with his head toward where he guessed Keith was standing and shot. ''Okay, let's hurry.''

-

''It was such a great time. Lance, remember the summer when we went to Cuba-''

''-Why don't you go get the album?'' The tan boy suddenly prompted, directing his sister a small smile. Keith was standing behind him in his shadow form, arms crossed over his chests, his gaze sending daggers to the polished demon that could sense him across the table.

''Great idea Lance!'' She rose from her seat, fixing up her curls by running a hand through them too careful not to ruin their design, as she gave them both a glance before she dashed out the door. ''I'll be back in a minute.''

As soon as she disappeared, the time bomb went off.

James surged forward, his palms digging into the tablecloth, his claws popping out alongside with his unnatural looking and flashy fangs, and he glared at Lance with the intensity that could send off a parachute into an open ocean. 

''Give me the demon.'' He spoke slowly through his teeth with an eerie glint in his eyes and he saw red.

Lance thought about how it was obvious when someone wanted to empty you like a Capri sun. He felt a gentle press grounding on his shoulder, nonchalantly soothing his tensed up nerves that were knotting under the immense pressure.

''I'm here, James,'' Keith spoke up clear and loud, surprising the demon that was glowering across the dining table. ''I know why you're here.''

Demon felt James' anger spreading throughout his vessel with a rabbit-speed, and the sophisticated demon replied with a fake containment. ''I don't know why you are, Keith.'' He gruffed. ''And why are you hiding? Your father would be ashamed to see you like that, hiding among humans.''

Keith released a sincere chuckle. ''Actually, I came here to turn human.'' Keith cautiously rattled the chain that connected him with the boy that sat silent under his hands. ''See? No threat to your lover's ambition. Don't you feel ashamed for being Kinkade's footstool?''

James was glowing with fury. ''Say that again, and I-''

''Go back home, James. I have no plan of returning there and I am serious about my intentions, and you should tell my father dear that I wish him all the best in an upcoming era of rotting.'' Keith spat. ''The one you should be worried about is Lotor. If that snake takes up the throne, hell will break loose.''

James' shoulders relaxed, his claws retreating together with his pointy fangs. He had carefully fixed the tablecloth before he returned to his seat. ''That fucking viper.'' He scoffed. ''Even in the place made of destruction, he ruins everything.''

Keith emitted a throaty laugh, now both of his palms absentmindedly rubbing Lance's shoulders. Lance was very, very much aware of every press, every trail of the demon's fingers that skimmed across his skin, and it felt as if Keith was opening and closing the wounds simultaneously whenever he would repeat the movement. 

He was trying to remain collected during the dialogue that took another direction, and Keith all that he could to soothe Lance throughout the chain connection.

''Do what you have to do, just don't let him have his way with what is not meant to be his,'' Keith commented. 

James' lips formed a tight line. ''I dedicated my life to Ryan, and everyone knows that. I would rather burn than to watch him fall, Keith. I'm serious.'' 

''You become the slave of love, you know what they say.'' Keith grinned.

''True. I guess I can see now why are you so hung up on turning human.'' He wiggled his thin, chestnut eyebrows. ''He's a looker, dare I say.''

Lance felt the color draining from his face at the demon's statement and Keith coughed, immediately releasing Lance's shoulders. He saw James' toothy grin shining with genuine amusement.

''It's always easy to fluster you, my oh my.'' James ridiculed. ''Though, instead of thanking you for not making me kill you, I will give you something.''

Keith leaned forward as his hands found Lance's shoulders again. The tan boy jolted.

''Your friend is back in town.''

Keith paused. ''My friend?''

Griffin shrugged. ''Shiro.''

''What is he doing here?''

''He fell into the portal after you. Gossips travel fast. It was an accident.'' James waved him off as he trailed on. ''He came to look for him.''

Keith's face was scrunched under perplexity.

''Anything else?''

''Find a person named Coran. He has your mother's things.''