The Darkest Temptation

~Tove

I never do this.

Ever.

Dating doesn't exactly come naturally. Not when my luck has been abysmal, and my only companion recently is my talented fingers.

Tonight, that changes.

I'm unsure what to expect. My friend Mary practically begged me to come on a date with this stranger after she met him at her work.

She wouldn't tell me much, although insisted I wouldn't regret it.

We'll see.

The restaurant it quiet tonight, the storm gathering outside having chased off most of the potential patrons. The gentle glow the fireplace on the far side of the room emits is alluring warm, as I shrug off my wet coat.

And then I see him.

He sits at a table tucked into the far corner, watching me.

My mouth dries.

If that's him, I'm in trouble.

He leans back in his chair, amidst the shadows, a dark, almost cruel look about him. It should frighten me back out the door, and yet, I'm compelled to stare back at him.

Slowly, the corner of his sensuous mouth tilts up in a knowing smile.

Fuck.

Cautious steps lead me toward him. Men like him don't exist in this part of the city, nor do they agree to go on blind dates.

They don't exactly need them.

"You're not Keo, are you?" I ask breathlessly. I half expect him to say no, to brush me off to summon his beautiful wife over.

"Surprised?"

He's not a Territory One native, I can hear it in his strange accent. His voice is like a silken caress, as if it should only be reserved for nights of raw passion.

One's I'm sure he is very familiar with.

"Kind of."

Mary. What have you done?

He stands swiftly, making me painfully aware of his towering height, rounding the table to pull my chair out for me.

I shift as his shoulder brushes against mine, his mouth coming close to my ear.

"Sit down, Toven," he murmurs.

Elegance be damned, I sink unceremoniously into the chair, unsure I'll ever regain the ability to control my legs again.

"You can call me Tove." I let my coat slip to the floor, surveying him as he sits back down.

His eyes are the most striking aspect of him. They are a dark green, like what I imagine Territory Four forests to look like.

And his face. Well, the shadows accent his cruel beauty, settling beneath his sharp cheekbones, under his eyes.

I feel like I'm staring at a painting. He can't be real.

"Beautiful name." His voice pulls me back to reality.

The way he says beautiful...It's as if I can feel him murmuring it against my skin.

"So, you know Mary?" I clear my throat, shifting my gaze down to the menu's, absently skimming over it.

He takes a long drink, eyes never straying from my face. "Somewhat. I've only spoken to her that one time, at the library."

"She's my best friend."

"She told me you don't date often. What changed your mind?"

How do I tell him my past lover cheated on me, and semi-casual sex with some man in my apartment complex has had to suffice until I gave up on that too?

"It's just because of bad past experiences. Thought I better move on from it, and try again."

A faint smile plays at his lips. "I'm glad you agreed."

"What enticed you into a blind date?" I ask. Why not just walk into any establishment and seduce the first beautiful person you see?

I swear his gaze dips down to my lips. "The mystery."

It's as if no one else in the room exists. His attention never strays from me, compelling me to subconsciously lean closer.

"Are you satisfied?" I whisper.

His gaze is cold, even as he smiles. "We'll see."

How much will we see? Am I going to invite him back to my apartment for the night? I'm tempted, although the fear of rejection plays in the back of my mind.

I get the feeling being fucked by Keo is a spiritual experience.

"Are you from this Territory?" I already know he's not, but I need to say something that will distract me from the thoughts which cause my cheeks to flush.

"Not originally. Territory Eleven, actually."

I knew there was something unfamiliar about him. I've never met someone who grew up in Eleven.

"Woah, really? I thought it was mostly uninhabited."

"For the most part, it is."

The waitress passes by and I order a drink. I feel the need to loosen up a bit, to get up the courage to ask him to come home with me by the time the night is up.

What is wrong with me? Usually I don't make the decision to leave with a man until I've done more than just glance at his face.

Although none have had a face quite like this man's.

"What made you move here?"

Keo sighs, tapping his fingers against the surface of the table. "It wasn't exactly a choice."

"Why not?"

He doesn't look uncomfortable with my prying, although he tenses, an unreadable look passing over his eyes.

"What do you do? Do you work?"

Odd change of subject, but I brush it off.

"I'm studying and working. I'm hoping to get out of this Territory," I tell him. I came here a few years ago with the intention of leaving after the first, although my lack of money has unfortunately pinned me down.

"Where do you want to go?"

"Territory Six, I hope. Everything sounds so idyllic there."

All the good romance books I read are always based in Six. It sounds so wonderful, to be amidst the pink trees, to sail down the endless rivers and to meet the kind citizens there.

Keo let's out a long breath, recalling a memory. "It is."

"You've been?"

He looks away, toward a window berrated by miserable weather. With every question I ask him, he seems to grow colder, more distant.

His sudden turn of attention back to me leaves me breathless. "Do you study your own magic?"

My blood chills, my fingers instinctively rolling up into fists against my lap.

I keep my mouth tightly closed as the waitress delivers my drink, never releasing Keo from my gaze.

"I...You know?"

I don't exactly advertise that I have Angel blood. Most of the time it's not enough to bother anyone about, and some are wary of those with magic, even if it's a small amount.

"I can see it in your eyes," Keo murmurs, watching me take a long sip from my overly sweet drink.

"My powers are weak. My Angel blood is limited enough that I've never qualified to become a Noble, or even been offered a place in a protected institute," I tell him curtly.

Honestly it's embarrassing.

He tilts his head, a stray black wave of hair falling down over his eye. "Why not?"

"My powers aren't dangerous," I shrug, stabbing at a mint leaf amongst my ice with my straw.

"Why do you assume you don't have strong abilities?" He presses.

I sigh through my nose, irritated that this is even a conversation he wants to have with me. "When I was a child I tried hard to increase my powers, but eventually I hit a wall."

Keo doesn't look convinced.

"You were a child. Perhaps things have changed."

"They haven't. I had a mentor, and they confirmed I had reached the end of my abilities, and that I should be grateful I don't have enough to become a Noble," I growl, trying to keep my voice low.

"You may have not had an appropriate mentor."

I close my eyes, willing myself to be calm before I open them again "You haven't told me anything about yourself."

"I would like to see you again, after this."

I blink, surprised. By his interrogation, I figured he had no interest in a second date.

I'm tempted to tell him to come back to mine tonight, although I quietly calm myself. "I'm free in a couple of days."

He smiles tightly. "Excellent."

I clear my throat, wanting to know more about this enigmatic man. "Do you work?"

"No, not exactly."

"Do you have any friends? Maybe we could get all our friends together," I offer. Mary would love to be privy to a date between Keo and I, and perhaps it would ease the tension.

Not to mention it makes me less inclined to embarrass myself by physically pursuing him.

"I don't have any interest in acquiring friends." His brows crease, jaw clenching slightly.

"But you want a lover?" I almost laugh.

He draws his finger over his lower lip, captivating me. "Who said I wanted a lover?"

"You're on a date with me, aren't you?"

Unless of course, Keo, you're only interested in fucking and being done with me.

I wish I had the dignity to feel bad about it, but I don't think I would have any complaints about that.

He sighs. "Do you live close?"

"Why?"

He gestured to the window. "This storm doesn't appear to have any interest in stopping. I was wondering if you need accompanying back to your home?"

I follow his gaze, watching a streak of lightening illuminate the sky. Unbeknownst to him, my minor magical ability allows me to transport myself from place to place, meaning I don't need to get a strand of hair wet if I don't desire to.

"No, I should be fine." I wave him off.

He goes quiet for a long moment, staring at me with that intense gaze, causing me to shift uneasily in my chair. The buzz from my drink is taking far too long to get here.

"Have I upset you?" He asks lowly.

My throat dries, as I force myself to straighten. "You unnerve me. And confuse me."

"What about me confuses you?"

"You act as though you don't have a past. You've told me nothing about yourself, and yet you want to see me again," I explain.

Is he hiding something? I know all about dark pasts, and I get the sense Keo's was no fairytale.

"Perhaps we can talk about me more on our next date," he muses.

I rest both my hands against the table. "I'll go on another date with you, if you tell me one thing about yourself that no one else knows."

He's silent for a long moment, pondering my offer.

Eventually he quirks his fingers at me. "Lean closer."

Bracing myself against the table, I lean over it toward him, noting every detail about his face as I get closer. Every hair, every freckle. His beautiful is unimaginable.

His breath warms my skin, dancing over my ear as I dip my head toward him. Will he kiss me, and make good on my sinful thoughts?

His voice is like an erotic caress as he murmurs in my ear, "I'm a murderer."

~Tove

I couldn't run fast enough from the restaurant.

I'm usually only grateful for my magic, that allows me to transport small distances, in moments when I don't feel like walking home from work in the rain, or when I want to remove myself from awkward situations quickly.

I've never needed it to run from a murderer.

My apartment materialises in front of me, my magic dissipating as I launch into a run up the stairs, not stopping until I'm on the fourth floor, in front of my friend's door.

She opens it after only seconds of my incessant pounding.

"Woah, Tove..." She stumbles back as I barge inside, gesturing wildly for her to lock the door behind me while I try to catch my breath.

"He's a murderer," I gasp out.

She tucks her bathrobe tighter around herself, yawning. "Who?"

"That guy you set me up with. He told me he's a murderer," I tell her frantically, raking my hands through my damp hair.

She wanders over to her kitchen counter, filling her kettle with water. "Like actually?"

"Yes actually!"

"Sit down, you're going to have a panic attack." She gestures over her shoulder for me to sit down on her couch while she flicks the stovetop on, heating her water.

She sounds bored, tired. She doesn't believe me, and why would she?

"You sent me on a date with a murderer." I flop onto the couch, sinking deeper into the cushions.

Keo's striking eyes flash through my mind. I should have known someone that beautiful couldn't look like that and be entirely sane. It wouldn't be fair if he were.

Mary turns, resting her back against the counter, regarding me with a judgmental raised brow.

"He's not a murderer, Tove. I met him, he was very gracious and sweet with me, so I assumed you would enjoy a date with him."

"He's a murderer, I mean it. He told me himself!" I insist.

The way he had sounded...He's revelling in it, taunting his next victim to fulfil some sick fantasy in his head?

Mary waves her hand through the steam wafting from the kettle. "Was he not just joking?"

"He whispered it in my ear, no hint of amusement or anything." I shudder, as if I can still feel the ghost touch of his breath against my skin.

"I don't think Keo is a murderer."

I watch Mary pour the hot water into two cups, dunking the teabags. She's always reasonable, always pragmatic. Of course she doesn't believe me; I sound unhinged.

"How did you meet him again?" I ask, twisting the damp ends of my dark curled hair.

She hands me the tea. "I met him at the library. We were reading the same book, and a conversation got struck up."

"Which he encouraged."

"Well yes, you know how shy I can be..." she breaks off, turning away.

I stare at her back. Perhaps it's just a coincidence, but Keo knew about my magic, and didn't seem overly interested in actually dating me.

What...what if he set this date up purposefully?

"He's going to kill us. Did you tell him where we live?" I glance at the door, as if he may burst through with a knife at any moment.

Mary rolls her eyes, shaking her head. "No, of course not."

I stare into the dark tea, as if I can see his eyes in it, staring back at me. He let me run. Why? He knows something that I don't, clearly.

"I can't believe that just happened," I mumble.

"If you don't want to see him again, you don't have to," she reminds me, coming to sit down on the couch beside me.

I take the blanket she hands me, draping it over my legs. "There was something seriously off with him."

How am I supposed to sleep tonight? How am I supposed to go out tomorrow without fear of him coming after me?

"Fine. Say he is a murderer, why would he just tell you that?" Mary presses, entertaining my foolishness.

"Maybe that's part of the fun for him. Scaring his victims before stalking and killing them." I sip at my tea, ignoring the sting of heat.

"Tomorrow we will go to the authorities. Will that make you feel better?"

I summon a deep breath. "Much better."

I doubt there is much they can do, but perhaps they have heard his name before and suspect him of others crimes.

"Sleep here tonight."

"Why do I have such bad luck with relationships? Even a blind date goes terribly for me," I grumble pitifully.

He was meant to be perfect. I was meant to bring him back to my apartment, into my bed.

With Keo, I definitely imagined doing so...

"This one date doesn't mean others will go bad in the future," she assures me.

"You know what he said to me? He said he thought I had a bad mentor in my past and insisted I may have more powers than I think."

No one has ever told me that. Angel-blood's are rare, but there are more like me, with trace amounts of magic, then those like the Noble's, who are almost all powerful.

Mary startles. "You told him you are Angel-blooded?"

"No, of course not. He said he saw it in my eyes." I touch my face, wondering if it's obvious. Mary never guessed it when we first met, and no one else has since.

Mary scrunches her nose up. "What a creep."

A firm knock on the apartment door has both of us flinching.

Mary and I both exchange glances before she gets to her feet, making toward the door, but I step in front of her, blocking her.

"Don't answer it," I whisper, looking toward the door. There is a good chance Keo has found out where Mary lives and has come to silence me forever.

Rolling her eyes, Mary shoulders past me, standing on her tiptoes to look through her door's peephole.

"It's probably our-"

She breaks off, stumbling back from the door.

"What is it Mary?" I can hear my voice shaking.

Slowly, she turns, eyes so wide, I think she is close to fainting.

"Nobles," she whispers.

That was the last thing I expected her to say.

"What?"

"I'm not kidding. There are literally two Noble's standing in the hallway," she breathes, pressing her back flat against the door, as if to block them from entering.

There are seven Noble's who rule here, in Territory One. Each have strong magic that far rivals mine. It's why they have been entrusted to rule here.

"Why would there be Noble's here?"

Mary brings her hand to her mouth, chewing on her already worn down nails. "I should open the door and find out."

I grab her arm. "No, that could be dangerous."

"They are Noble's, they run this Pack. I'm sure it will be fine." Her hushed voice sounds both terrified and irritated. Her fear of authority is going to get us killed one day.

Tentatively, she opens the door a crack, peering out.

"I apologise for the late hour. Is Toven here?" I hear one of them ask. Their voice is soft, mellow, sounding a lot like Ellard.

"We need to speak to her," another reiterates. I'm unsure of that voice.

Mary's knuckles are white as they clench the edge of the door. I'm sheltered from view, but just knowing these Noble's are here for me is enough to leave me feeling vulnerable.

"Why?"

"It's in regards to a man she conversed with tonight," Ellard says.

This is about Keo.

Mary looks back inside, looking for confirmation. I nod once. I'm far safer in the company of Noble's than an admitted murderer. And if they are visiting, something must be going on...

Mary holds the door open. "Come in."

Two men stalk into the room, dwarfing the size of the apartment with their towering height.

My mouth dries at the sight of them, having never seen them in person before.

"Hello Toven. My name is Ellard, and this is Arkyn." Ellard motions to his side, at the man I now recognise.

They truly are Angel-bloods. It's evident in their appearance, in the way they carry themselves. Their magic is so much more potent than mine.

"I know your names," I mumble, folding my arms over my chest.

Arkyn is far more imposing than Ellard. His eyes are a vivid dark blue, that seem to have no problem scrutinising me. Along his cheek bones, are thin silver lines, which I've heard turn black when he is using his magic.

"We wanted to talk to you about a man named Keo," he says, turning my blood cold.

"What about him?"

Ellard's golden gaze is soft, non-accusatory. "Do you know him personally?"

I swallow, shifting uncomfortably as Arkyn circles around me, falling down onto the couch. I twist so I can see both of them, unnerved with whatever technique they are using to squeeze information from me.

"I met him tonight, on a blind date she set up," I say, blindly pointing at Mary. She's the picture of innocence, how could anyone suspect she had done something incriminating?

Arkyn's gloved fingertips tap rhythmically against the couch arm. "What was the manner of your conversation?"

"What's this about?"

I've stepped into something dark, something dangerous. Keo isn't a good man, it's clear to me now more than ever.

"Just answer the question," Arkyn demands.

"I don't know...It was strange," I blurt out. How else could I possibly describe it?

"He told her he was a murderer," Mary adds. Her face is stark, horrified of what she has been dragged into.

Ellard frowns. "Did he?"

"Yes," I admit sheepishly. This entire thing is embarrassing.

"And what did he say after that?" Arkyn presses. He clears thinks I'm deranged or foolish for going on the date, as if I knew what I was walking into.

"Nothing. I left straight away," I clarify.

Ellard looks toward Arkyn, however his friend is still staring at me as if he can open my mind and investigate it himself.

He can subject anyone to his illusions, which if I think too deeply into, I'll freak myself out.

"Toven, I regret to tell you this, but tonight you went on a date with the most dangerous person in this Territory," Ellard says quietly, as if fearful someone else may be listening in.

Arkyn clears his throat. "And you might still be in danger."

~Tove

My blood goes ice cold.

"He wants to kill me, doesn't he?"

I have no idea what I've done to deserve it. All I really do is go to and from my work, and sometimes go out with Mary.

Not that anyone deserves it, but why am I the target of a murderer?

"We can't be sure. He acted completely out of character tonight by going on a date with you," Ellard explains.

Out of character? What is in his character?

"He hasn't been in contact with anyone we have been able to trace in a very long time," Arkyn says, adjusting his jacket.

"Why is he dangerous?" It's not going to help me fall asleep tonight, but I want to hear examples of everything that he has done in the past to bring him to the attention of Noble's.

"His powers exceed ours, as Noble's." Ellard gestures between himself and Arkyn.

My eyes widen. I've grown up in this Territory hearing that Noble's are peak of power in the whole land. That they choose to rule here, over us, instead of elsewhere.

Now, to hear that there is someone above them? Someone who is not governed by law or policy?

What a disturbing thought...

"But I thought the Noble's were the most powerful people in the world?" Mary says from where she stands in the corner, watching this go down.

"This is a rare case," Ellard tells her grimly.

Arkyn sighs. "Tell us what he said to you on your date."

"He didn't say much. He refused to tell me anything about him." When I think back on what happened only less than an hour ago, not much was really exchanged between us.

Every time I tried to dig more into his past, he ushered me away from it, revealing nothing about himself. I thought he was just strange at the time, maybe guarded even.

I wouldn't have thought it was because any information about him would have turned me onto who he truly is.

And to think, I wanted him in my bed that night...

"Did he tell you anything that may help us?" Ellard pushes. I'm not sure what would help them, since he seemed so interested in me, and not how I would see him.

"He's from Territory Eleven? He's a murderer...I mean, that's all he said to me," I stutter. I'm grateful that I don't know anything else.

I don't want to know what kind of monster dwells beneath that cold, beautiful exterior.

"How long was your date?"

"Half an hour maybe." Time seemed to have slowed down around him, as if everything in existence turned its attention to him, forgetting it must continue in its own vain.

Arkyn looks sceptical, staring at me with that cold, blue gaze. "And that's all you spoke about?"

"Well, no. He was asking me about myself, about my studying, about my powers," I recall. I wonder if it makes the kill more satisfying when he learns more about his victim.

Ellard flinches. "Powers?"

"I have mere scraps of it compared to you all. He made it seem like I should continue working to get my powers better, but I told him they are stuck as they are," I tell them.

I've tried my entire life to connect to my powers, to make them stronger. It's no use, I've reached the edge of my training, and I've accepted that. I'm happy being normal, for the most part.

Arkyn and Ellard exchange glances.

They know something. They are exchanging some kind of information without saying a word. I want to dig, but they are Noble's, and I feel uncomfortable enough conversing with them now.

Ellard turns his attention to me, looking grim. "You may have to come with us for a while, Toven."

"What? Why?"

I can feel the panic starting to rise up inside me. This is clearly serious, but am I in enough danger that I need to go with Noble's in order to save myself?

"Keo is obviously very dangerous. We fear he may return to kill you, or worse," Ellard explains, fidgeting with his gloves.

"Worse? What's worse than death?"

"He may have darker motives. No offense to you, Toven, but it's doubtful he just wanted to have a date with you," Arkyn says flatly.

I narrow my eyes upon him. Keo was using me, and I don't feel bad about that. My luck with dates has never been great, so it's not as if I'm not used to this feeling.

But getting over being the potential prey to a murderer is going to take a little bit longer.

"What are you suggesting then?" If I go with them, will they be able to rid of the threat of Keo? What if he stops at nothing to get what he wants?

"He may desire an aspect of your powers."

"I have barely any. He would have better luck targeting you all," I tell them. Why me? Why not many other Angel-bloods with a hint of more power than me, who still have more room and who have more versatile magic.

I'm certain he has the ability to transport himself around if he is as powerful as the Noble's claim.

"Perhaps he is after your powers because of how small they are. To him, they may be useful, and you're an easy target," Arkyn says.

He really has a way with words.

"Easy?"

Mary cuts in before Arkyn can respond. "Keo doesn't know where we live. I'm sure Tove will be safe here."

I shiver, casting a look out the window.

It still pours with rain out there, the echo of thunder in the distance haunting me. This feels so ominous, knowing he is out there, plotting his next move while we sit here, discussing him like he's some mythical creature.

"I'm afraid we can't take that risk," Ellard exclaims. "As Noble's we must do what we can do protect our citizens. We can help you so you do not fall victim to Keo."

"Will you put me in a prison?" I would rather die at Keo's hand than risk that.

"No. We will put you under protection at our estate," Ellard assures me.

Everyone who lives in Territory One knows about the Noble's estate. It's large, imposing and sits right in the centre of the main city. It's where Noble's come from their own personal residences

"Can't someone just come here and guard me or something?" Going to that manor is essentially a more lavish kind of a prison, but I'll be detained all the same.

"Unfortunately no one's power compares to that of Keo's, other than all the Noble's together. You will be better off there," Ellard tells me softly. Arkyn taps his foot floor, getting impatient.

"What if he hurts Mary?"

My friend stands against the wall, trembling. She doesn't handle these things very well, considering her troubled past. She hates being protected, but I can't just leave her to get hurt.

"As she has also conversed with him, she will have to come also."

I look between the Noble's. "How do you know all of this?"

"We have eyes in the right places. We have to, we've been pursuing Keo for a long time," Arkyn tells me. I imagine he is doing this not because he cares about my safety, but because he wants to catch Keo.

"Why is he so dangerous?"

Ellard swallows tightly, shifting uncomfortably. "It may be safer for you to not know."

"I want to know." I'm not going to sit around and be afraid when I don't even know what I'm afraid of.

"We understand that, but it might only make you feel worse about having been in his presence today," Ellard warns lowly.

I shake my head stubbornly. "Seriously, I can handle it."

He sighs deeply, running a hand through his deep bronze hair, deciding whether he should indulge this information to me or not.

"He has full Demon blood," he eventually admits.

I flinch.

I'll admit, I don't know much about history. It never interested me. However, everyone knows about the Great War that raged on between Angel's and Demon's.

The Angel's eradicated all full-blooded Demon's. A few with some Demon blood survived, and as centuries passed the bloodline ran a lot thinner, to the point where most are barely much more than human.

That's what we were told in school...anything else and hysteria would have erupted.

Demon's are dangerous. They don't have morals. They use, manipulate and kill at will. The Angel's wanted to rid the world of their plague and didn't entirely succeed.

We were told the few Demon-bloods that still exist are such a small amount we are never likely to account one in real life, and now I've just been told by a Noble that I've sat across the table from one.

A full-blooded Demon, even.

"That's impossible...I mean, not impossible, but highly unlikely," I whisper hoarsely, feeling true, horrifying fear course through me.

"I thought most of them were killed in the war?" Mary adds.

"Most of them were, but those who survived still exist today, and are extremely dangerous," Arkyn tells me firmly, a hint of anger flaring in his eyes.

I look down at my hands, stunned. "I was around a Demon..."

"Why don't you grab some things, the both of you, and we will leave now?" Ellard instructs tentatively.

Who am I to deny him?

The true threat of Keo has been revealed, and I need to go into hiding before he can hurt me again.

Numbly, I stand, gesturing for Mary to go to her room to pack. She just nods, watching me slip from her apartment and across the hall to my own.

It's cold in here. I left the window open, hoping for some clear air in the place when I returned with my date.

And now, there's just a growing puddle on the wood floor from where the rain flutters in.

I wrestle it shut, sighing.

I'm not even sure I'll be returning to this small, albeit special apartment that I've spent the last few years at. Once Keo has been caught, I'll return to this life...

But I'll always have that haunting memory of his intense gaze, of those words he whispered in my ear.

Rubbing my arms, I head to my bedroom, but pause.

I can't do this.

A choked sob escapes me. I couldn't bare to appear emotional in front of the Noble's, but I've just experienced something from my nightmares, and now I'm expected to pack and get on with it.

"Get over it," I grumble to myself, straightening.

With hands wet from rubbing my eyes, I open my bedroom door.

Sitting upon my bed, back against my headboard, sits Keo.

I nearly all backwards into the door as it closes behind me.

Keo smirks. "How about a second date?"