Hell and Back

Chapter Seventeen

"Alena, I want you to meet the outsider crew." Stacey motions me inside of a room with a round door. Inside the room are 3 others whom I don't recognize. "Guys, we have a visitor,"

One of them sniffs the air and his eyes land on me questioningly. "A human?" He sounds surprised to see me standing here. He has yellow eyes and his hair is a silver color with golden flecks.

"Yes, she is the only human we can't devour, torture, or bother." Stacey grins as she welcomes me to the group. "She's an outsider just like us."

A girl in the corner sighs deeply then snorts, "outsider my ass." She then turns around and I meet her crystal-like eyes. "My name's Aurora, and I'm not here to kiss your ass." She hisses.

"Do you want to get yourself killed, Aurora?" Stacey shoots back. "I'm being kind to her because we all know how it feels to be an outsider. Human or not." Stacey frowns. Aurora simply rolls her eyes and turns around. I've got to give the girl credit for her honesty.

"I hope you can forgive Aurora," mutters Stacey.

"Humans aren't any supernatural beings' favorite creature to deal with." The man with yellow eyes explains. "The name's Kingsley, doll, and I'm probably the only gay shapeshifter you'll ever meet," he grins at me, revealing an unusually long set of teeth.

"Sh-shapeshifter?" I ask.

He nods, "I can change my cellular structure to be anyone I want to be. Anyone I imagine. Usually, shapeshifters change skins every day, but I like this one," he explains.

"I'm Marielle, but everyone calls me Mari. I'm a witch." The other girl speaks up. She snaps her fingers and what appears to be silver flecks float above her fingertips. They then shoot towards me and her eyes turn the same color as the flecks themselves.

"What's she doing?" I ask.

"I'm reading your aura," she responds. "You have a lot going on, huh?"

"Enough with that, Mari," Stacey waves her hand in front of Mari's face and she blinks her way to reality. Her dark hair blows from a draft and finally settles. "Aurora is a vamp too. She's the one that turned me. She's the oldest out of us all."

"I'm the youngest!" Mari pipes up. "I'm 13," she explains. I raise my brows. What the hell is a 13–year-old doing in the palace? "I'm the seamstress," she replies.

"Reading minds isn't permitted, Mari," Stacey frowns at her. She gives me an apologetic look. "Sorry for her."

"No, no, it's okay," I try to laugh it off. "I think that's cool."

"I serve with the King for operations and such. It's helpful to have a shapeshifter on your team," Kingsley grins. "And now that we have a Lycan as a King," he purrs, "and a hot one at that." A giggle escapes my mouth and he gives me a funny look, "what?"

Stacey looks absolutely horrified and she slaps Kingsley's arm. "This is Alena, Kingsley!" Realization flashes across his face and he gets on his knees.

"Oh dear Divine Power, please do not kill me. I am so sorry, Your Majesty!" All of the bowing and titles are making me uncomfortable. Damien said I'll get used to it, but I don't see that happening when it only makes me even more uncomfortable the more I'm addressed and bowed down to. Everyone is kissing my ass simply because I'm Damien's mate.

"It's fine," I scratch the back of my neck awkwardly. "I'm not like Damien," I add.

He exhales deeply. "Good, but I'll still watch my mouth," he frowns and sits next to Aurora who's still sitting at the window gazing out. I can't recall how long it's been since I've met someone who doesn't kiss my ass by default, so I respect the honest feelings. To an extent.

Mari swiftly glides across the room. "It's good that we met, I guess. I'm going to be tailoring all of your dresses that you wear to formal events," she grins innocently.

'Where are you?' A deep voice chimes in my head, and it catches me off guard.

"Where's who?" I ask aloud. Mari, Aurora, and Kingsley all face me in confusion. "S-sorry," I stammer. I realize it's Damien doing the freaky mindchat, which I have no skill in. "It was Damien."

"Oh, Goddess, he's not coming here, is he?" Kingsley gapes and I can't tell if he's doing it out of fear or anticipation for his eye candy.

Just as soon as Aurora opens her mouth, the door opens and my jaw almost hits the ground. Considering how manly and business-like Damien is, I've never considered him in other styles. The dark purple t-shirt and loose fitted jeans and dirty sneakers is definitely a new version of him. He even decided to change up his hair and leave it a little messier as it air dries. It accentuates his gleaming brown eyes and gives me boy next door vibes, and oh boy is he killing it. He smirks at me and shakes his head. He turns to the others and straightens his lips, "what are you all doing in here?"

"Your Highness, we were having an occult meeting," snaps Aurora. Kingsley and Mari's eyes widen in fear.

"Watch your mouth, Aurora," Damien growls back in her direction and I feel a surge of anger rack my body but it doesn't belong to me. Aurora looks down at her feet in submission and Damien calms down. I can't help but feel a hint of jealousy because I can see the desire in Aurora's eyes in her submission. I shake my head and decide to ignore it. "Alena, I need to steal you away," he collects himself and looks at me.

"For?" I raise my brow. It's off that he's dressed so out of character and he wants to "steal" me away as if he hasn't done that already.

"An adventure," a small smile tugs at his lips and he motions toward the door expecting me to go before him. The voice in my head is telling me to stop in my tracks and give him the cold shoulder, but something else inside of me tells me to stick around and see where things go. I willingly leave the room with Damien following behind me and as soon as I step out of the room I can feel my nerves start building up.

"Relax," Damien calmly urges as he catches up to my side and I feel his hand brush against mine. I instantly pull it away as if I've been burned, but upon seeing his reaction, I regret it. He looks hurt but he turns away so that I can't see his eyes, and although I can't see the pain in his expression, I definitely feel it in his energetic field.

"Sorry," I mutter tiredly, yet a tense silence befalls us. I know Damien is being different and trying his best to change, but the stings of the past still haunt me. I've built up a wall around my heart and I'm trying my best to protect it because I don't know what to expect out of him.

It feels like we've been walking endlessly down the hall and Damien stops in his tracks and sighs deeply. "Forgive me," he mutters. I can barely hear it because it's so low and mumbled. It sounds as if he's being forced to say something. "I want us to be normal," he pouts like a child and I can't help but to roll my eyes.

"Where are we going, Damien?" I don't bother to answer his question.

"Answer me first," he immediately shoots back in a commanding tone. By the raise of my brow he softens, "please?"

I gaze at him momentarily. I'm trying to decide if it's worth my time to explain to him in detail how he utterly destroyed my life and heart. "I can't forgive you until I make peace with myself," I finally say. I'm sure it's not what he expected, but it's the truth and he can't change it no matter how hard he tries.

"I understand." He doesn't look the least bit disappointed and even looks more bright and open. "We're going horseback riding," he beams at me suddenly.

"We?" I fold my arms in discomfort.

"Yes, we. You're pretty good at riding if you ask me," he grins and leans in to kiss my forehead. I accept his touch and consider his comment.

"You've never seen me ride a--" As soon as it slips out of my mouth it dawns on me by what he actually means and I playfully slap his arm trying not to laugh.