Chapter One Hundred Thirteen

I put a hand over my eyes, knowing very well that I could only conceal my face and not my thoughts from the two demons around me. How could I control my thoughts? For us humans, our minds and social media are the only two places to criticize safely.

It was so unfair to have that taken away from you. I wished for the ground beneath to swallow me to save everyone from further embarrassment.

“But I didn’t say anything, mother,” said Desmond. He must be trying to divert her attention from me. My boyfriend was very forgiving of my insulting thoughts. Was his mother the same?

The lady opened her eyes to reveal the most striking golden eyes. The color was similar to Desmond’s siren irises, but they lacked the glow and appeared more natural. Her overall look reminded me of Rose from Titanic. She had red hair with the fairest skin and an elegant fashion sense.

“You know I have a gift for this. You were about to introduce this beautiful human girl to me as your partner,” she spoke with a toothy grin.

Desmond blushed a little and dragged his foot on the ground in a circle with his arms behind his back. “My feelings for her are too strong. I wouldn’t give credit to your gift this time.”

She smiled brightly and moved her attention to me. I could see her judging expression through the spaces between my fingers.

“Why are you hiding, girl? We are demons, not vampires. You don’t have to worry about having your blood sucked,” she spoke with a poker face.

I put my hands down and hung my arms on my sides. “I never meant to offend you. My intention was to make a good impression, and I am a little shy.”

“Are you sure it isn’t because I am an appalling creature with bat-shaped wings, a horn, and a tail?” Her expression grew stern.

“Uh, uh, I d-didn’t,” I stuttered. Oh no, she was on to me! I had no words to defend my thoughts. All I could think about was the shadow demoness, the ones in the mirror, and Desmond’s true face. Dammit, I was thinking poorly of their looks again. What the hell was wrong with my brain?!

Desmond and his mother burst into laughter. “I am just messing with you,” she said. “Humans are so afraid of displeasing others. I find that oddly fascinating. My name is Ophelia, by the way.” She moved her hand forward and hung it in the air.

What did she want me to do with it? Shake it or kiss it? And why didn’t she mention her last name?

Nervous and confused by her sense of humor, I kissed her hand.

“My name is Cassidy Black. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Maam.”

I panicked when she suddenly got up and put her arms around me.

“My son’s partner doesn’t need to be formal with me,” Ophelia spoke in my ear.

“Thanks,” I said. No woman in history had ever approved of his son’s choice within a few minutes of the first meeting.

Ophelia released me from her grip and studied my face. “Seeking your parent’s approval is a human tradition. Demons are free to pick their life partners,” she said.

She was responding to the questions in my thoughts. I felt violated in so many ways.

“Mother, Cassidy doesn’t like it when we pay attention to her thoughts. I request you to only react to what comes out of her mouth,” Desmond said to his mother.

I glared at Desmond. Was he trying to make his mom hate me already?

“When your children are a hundred years old and you at least a thousand, you eventually stop taking offense or the desire to control them. I promise this is the last time I reply to what’s in your head.” Ophelia tapped her fingers on my cheek.

She listened to him and respected his adult child’s decisions. My mom would have found a dozen ways to embarrass me by now.

“Thank you for accepting my request, Mother,” Desmond began. “We have come here with a purpose other than introducing Cassidy to you.”

“There always is,” Ophelia commented. Was it sarcasm? I couldn’t tell. “My children visit at least once every five years to use my psychic abilities. What brings you here today, my son?”

Desmond stepped forward and stood beside me. “My darling Cass and her family are being targeted by witchcraft. These people are her relatives and Satanists with an army of the wickedest demon slaves. I don’t know their exact numbers. One of them is claiming to be innocent. Can you use your gift to bring clarity to these doubts? I would like to know how many demons they have and whether they are keeping a child locked somewhere.”

“Anything for you.” Ophelia smiled, folding her arms. “Demon wars are brutal. I didn’t realize your love for her had grown so much that you are willing to initiate one. Is Cassidy your forever partner?”

“I would love to spend an eternity with her, only if she wants the same,” said Desmond, giving me a passionate look.

Ophelia raised her eyebrows at me. The answer was so clear in my head. How my eyes glittered while looking at Desmond alone showed how I felt about him. Both of them knew what I was going to say. They were only respecting the privacy of my thoughts.

“Your son is the only one I want and need,” I spoke, maintaining steady eye contact with the man in my heart and mind.

My brief answer produced the sweetest smile on Desmond’s mouth. We couldn’t stop looking at each other. Our romantic exchange of words would have turned into a sizzling exchange of saliva and bodily energy if Ophelia wasn’t there. Shit, she must have heard that!

“Excellent,” Ophelia remarked. “You two should consider going through the binding ceremony.”

“What’s that?” I questioned.

“It’s to honor a forever commitment between a demon and a human,” she replied.

In my head, I danced. I was not the only crazy one, as Elaine had made me believe. I couldn’t wait to tell everyone back at home.

“So there are others like us. Can I meet them?” I requested, not being able to contain my excitement.

“An interspecies union is very rare. The ones I have in mind belong to a different century,” she responded, and my face fell.

“Mother, the binding ceremony is marriage. I am not sure if Cassidy is there yet,” said Desmond.

Marriage? My eyes almost popped out of my sockets. Was it obligatory to get married before starting a war? I wasn’t ready for that commitment, and Mom was already not handling the idea of me being with a demon well. The news of my sudden marriage to him would kill her.

“The binding ceremony is more than a commitment, son,” Ophelia continued, ignoring or oblivious to my horror. “It has many other benefits. She is Earth, and you are fire. Something similar must connect you two, and that lies in the essence of your bodies. Her red and your black blood. How would she find you when you suddenly die, vanish, or leave? If she goes through the ceremony, she doesn’t have to worry about that. You also would forever know where she is with no need to follow her.”

The benefits sounded temporary. Not knowing where Desmond had vanished had always killed me from the inside.

“Yes, but once we go through it. The bond can’t be broken. The human always dies if he/she part ways with the demon deliberately,” said Desmond.

My wish to learn about it instantly died. Sometimes, mystery is important in a relationship.

“Think about it. One who wishes an eternity together need not fear its end.” Ophelia returned to her meditative stance in the shadow of the tree. “Now, tell me. What is the name of this town you want me to observe? Or I could learn about it from Cassidy’s brain. I’ll find a clearer image there.” She signaled me to step forward, and so I did. She placed a hand over my head and closed her eyes. “I see Voocrod,” Ophelia spoke. “Demons are everywhere. I see some on the streets, but the majority are in the woods. The mansion has barely five.”

Her ability was impressive. I never once thought about the woods.

“What about the child, then? Did you find a trapped boy somewhere?” I asked.

“No. There are no such children in Voocrod. I can see everything clearly, but nothing like that. The dungeons of the mansion are empty,” Ophelia answered.

Was Aunt Jane lying all along? Or had Benedict moved their son to another location?