Page 124 of A Soul to Embrace

That was until a female Demon stormed into the store from a back area. She looked similar to Rook in that she was feline in nature and had black fur, but a patch of light-brown skin had formed across a humanoid appearing cheek, chin, and jaw. Like him, she also wore some kind of suit, but it was a dark green and more feminine in design.

With her furry, pointed ears back in irritation, she placed her hands on her hips with her legs parted wide. “You,” she hissed with her eyes narrowing at Rook.

“Eliora,” Rook muttered quietly, his ears flattening. “I can explain.”

The lightest scent offearcascaded from him. Not enough to stir true hunger, but enough to make Zylah’s gut twist and her orbs flare red.

“Explain nothing!” Eliora stated, while throwing her hands up. “You’re supposed to close at dawn.”

He quickly stood and gestured towards Zylah. “But I have customers.”

“Then tell them to lea–” her words cut short when she finally looked upon Zylah. She stepped back with a gasp. “It’s a Mavka.”

“Yes, see? This is important,” he said, walking over to her.

Her lips turned inwards as she thought deeply, while Zylah rose to stand. Eliora’s hands fell from her hips when her irritation waned.

“I’m sorry,” Zylah said, putting space between them. “I didn’t mean for him to be in trouble.”

“That’s not your fault,” Eliora grumbled, before cutting Rook a mean glare. “You should know better. You always find an excuse to hole up with your books.”

“You do know me, my dear,” he answered with a chuckle.

He continued to laugh even when she yanked on his ear in annoyance. Zylah could tell Eliora was upset, but there was affection in her tugs. Standing side by side, Eliora was much taller than Rook, but their relationship was playful and friendly.

“I’m really sorry, but I must ask that you leave,” Eliora said. “It’s bedtime and I’d like my mate back.”

“That’s fine,” Zylah said, turning to wake Jabez.

He was already rising, likely awoken by the sudden commotion. Steadying himself against the wall for support, his movements were slow and lethargic.

“Shit. I can’t believe I fell asleep,” he muttered, rubbing his face before adjusting his hood so he could see properly. His drowsy gaze found Zylah when she neared. “Have you had fun to your heart’s content?” he whispered, keeping his voice low.

“Wait,” Zylah rasped, reaching for his hood.

It was too late. He’d pushed it off before she could stop him, and she inwardly cringed.

“Ohshit,” Eliora grated out under her breath. “It’s King Jabez.”

Jabez froze, then his eyes darted up to them. “What did you just say?” he stated, before he looked at his hands in disbelief. “Shit. Did my mana run so low that the glamour gave out?”

Then his disorientated, softened gaze instantly hardened, before it slowly lifted to the pair of Demons behind her once more. There was a dangerous glint to it, one that even had Zylah’s fur puffing.

“Y-your highness,” Rook stuttered out, retreating to Eliora’s side to grab her wrist. “You’re alive? Had I known it was you, I would have better attended to you.”

King...? Your highness?A horrible realisation began to settle over her entire being like a heavy, cold blanket, and Zylah stumbled back andawayfrom him.No. Don’t tell me he’s...

“How could you not know he was here?!” Eliora quietly hissed at Rook, who instantly shot back his ears even further.

“He was hidden, and their glamours made it hard to scent them properly.”

Jabez’s eyes flicked towards Zylah, who continued to put space between them, and the chill she saw in his glare was frosty and harsh.

“You should have woken me,” he growled out.

Before Zylah could say anything, he disappeared in an instant. She spun around when both Eliora and Rook let out a sharp gasp, and found he’d materialised behind them with both their small necks in his grasp. He didn’t appear to be strangling them, but his nails were threatening with the way they dug into their jugulars.

“Vow that you will never speak of my return, or this will be your last day.”

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