Karin: The Demon Sleeping Within

Chapter 19: "I don't want it to be."

Our legs tangled in the sheets, I smiled waking up to Satania snuggled into me, her head pressed against my chest and an arm wrapped around my waist, holding me close. I raked my fingers through her hair, before planting a lingering kiss on her lips.

Satania slowly smiled into it, reciprocating. Her eyes lifted as we pulled apart an inch. Her eyes lost in mine, she bit her lip.

"I'm really glad you're not her."

I sighed at her relief.

"Because she put you in so much pain?"

She nodded, though she didn't display any look of sorrow. It was as though she had already dealt with that pain and it no longer dragged her down.

"Yea, but I guess in a way, I am grateful, because my experience with the queen had lead me to you."

I smiled as I pulled her close, her head returning to its original position.

"Me too."

Her hands gently drew a pattern on my upper back before traveling downward, stopping at the hem of my underwear. I shivered at the contact of her hand on my bare skin, inhaling softly.

"Karin."

"Y-yes?" I stuttered, becoming flustered as I felt my body awaken from a certain kind of slumber.

"I've been thinking... well, I was wondering if maybe you would..." She was lost for words, her hand now outlining the hem, as if doing so would help her communicate her thoughts. I think I can tell what she wants. But, the question was, were we ready? Was now a good time to go further?

I wanted it too. I wanted to deepen my bond with her, and, not only tell her, but show her just how much.

"What if I do something wrong? What if I am not as good as-"

"Stop," Satania cued, cutting me off with her lips against mine. She then spoke between kisses. "I love you, and when you love someone, everything becomes perfect."

I smiled as I slipped my tongue into her mouth. She made a small sound, a whimper in surprise, but soon melted into it, massaging my tongue with hers.

Swiftly, she pushed me onto my back and hovered over me, her legs resting comfortably in between mine. We continued to kiss as her fingers began mapping out the distance between my shoulder and my hip, caressing everything in between. I shivered, my skin prickling with the memory of each gentle touch, a heated sensation rushing through me.

She then guided my hand towards her, and I followed her, folding myself into her embrace and letting momentum guide my lips with hers.

A soft moan accidentally escaped my mouth, and Satania pulled back. I caught my breath, the tingle of my lips still present though her lips were now absent.

"Is this too much?" She questioned.

My cheeks reddened as I smiled sheepishly.

"I don't want it to be."

I watched as Satania then bit her lip, looking down at me and my position, her gaze swallowing me whole.

"But, it is..." she confirmed.

How she was looking at me... I felt bad denying her. How could I deny her? How could anyone? But, she was right. It was a little too much for me. In that moment, it was. Though my body screamed to be touched by her, my mind was still recovering and healing.

Though we weren't going to go all the way, it didn't mean we couldn't have fun doing other things, right?

A smirk became plastered on my lips as I shifted my body and reached for her, my hands resolved from behind Satania's neck, pulling her lips to meet mine again. The heat slowly built, and I became more and more intoxicated by our position and by her as we deepened the kiss and as our bodies fit perfectly into one another.

"I love you..." She panted, her smile growing. "But, we should probably stop making out now before things could escalate. Because, at this point, I am feeling..."

"I agree," I smiled, my cheeks deepening its shade of red. "Besides, if we're making out all morning, Gabriel and Leone may wonder what we're up to."

Oh god, how awkward would that be if they knew what we were up to. Of course, my step-dad, Leone, knew we were together, but for him to insinuate things that we could be doing in the bedroom... that would be left for a conversation I'd like to avoid as long as possible.

With one last peck, Satania climbed off of me and shuffled through the dresser to pick out an outfit for the both of us. Satisfied, she then tossed me a pair of pants and a sweater.

Getting dressed, I watched as Satania just simply pulled her coat over her. I arched a brow.

"Is that all you're wearing?"

She smirked, buttoning the coat up.

"Yes. It would make things a lot easier for when we continue where we left off later tonight."

Her voice held suggestion, and I could feel heat rush through me again, reaching my core. I blushed, turning away, unable to meet her gaze. Not after she just said that. She smiled, satisfied with that as she then opened the door and headed towards the kitchen. I soon followed close behind her, grabbing a brush on the way out of the door.

***

Another day filled with testing new alterations of the potion, it was now dawn.

"We've made some great progress today, everyone," Leone voiced, followed with the nods of heads.

"Satania, if I can have a word with you in private?" Satania agreed, and Gabriel linked arms with her, leading her to another room.

It was now just Leone and I.

I walked into the kitchen and reached for the pitcher, filling my cup with water. Taking a couple of sips, I could hear Leone clearing his throat. He was now right behind me.

"Can you pour me a glass as well?" Leone asked, his lips curving into a soft smile.

I nodded before opening the cabinet and picking out a glass to pour water in for him. Handing him the cup, he thanked me and then stood in front of me. We stayed in awkward silence, neither one of us daring to break it, though he looked as though he was battling with choosing the right words to say. He was clearly biting his tongue, his mind wandering.

"So, Karin, we never really had a chance to discuss everything that's happened between you and I... and the family."

I extended my free hand out in front of me, signaling for him to not continue.

"I don't know if I am ready to talk about this right now. Let's just focus on finding the cure for now."

He nodded in agreement though his eyes narrowed downward at his glass, seemingly contemplating.

Not too long after, Gabriel and Satania entered the room, Satania's expression filled with excitement, though Gabriel's with... wariness?

Satania nearly knocked me over as she jumped into my arms. I instinctively placed my glass of water on the counter behind me before returning the embrace.

"You found the cure?" I joked, not expecting for that to be the answer. But, surprisingly, that joke was not too far off from the truth.

"We found hope."

"I think I may have uncovered a way to not exactly kill the queen but to remove her from you." Gabriel articulated. "We still don't know if killing the queen would also kill you, so it would be in our best interest to avoid that if we can. This may be our best option."

"What?" My eyes widened as Gabriel's words ran through my ears, my mind running on all the possible outcomes. "How?"

"Well, if the connection between Keres and you, Karin, is only physical and not spiritual, then this may work."

Leone sighed.

"And, unfortunately, I have no idea, though I've cast the spell. I don't know the true nature of this kind of magic. This is out of my wheelhouse. I am no mage."

Gabriel's lips curved into a wide smile, and he looked at the three of us as if a light bulb had lit in his head.

"But, I know someone who is capable."