Chapter 4 Meeting the Demon - Adele's POV
My head pounded as my eyes fluttered open. A bright light shone in the room around me. Everything was blurry and light except for a few dark shapes at the edges of my vision.
I pushed myself up and glanced at where I was. “Oh, my head.”
“Maybe next time, you should try not to pass out,” a warm voice said.
It was entirely too close, making me flinch, which made my head hurt worse. “Who are you?”
I turned in the direction of the laughter, trying to find him as my vision cleared. Sitting in the corner of the room, in a chair I didn’t notice last time I woke up, sat a tall man with broad shoulders and a grim smile.
“And which one are you?” I asked, my voice hesitant and hoarse. Then I realized how harsh it sounded. “Sorry, I just—”
“Yes, I know. You only met Tyler and probably heard Craven’s name mentioned before you dropped,” he said coldly. “Such a shame that you didn’t even meet the rest of us before taking a nap.”
“It wasn’t a nap,” I bit out sharply. “Something came over me and I fainted.”
“Call it what you will,” he murmured as he stood. “You were still out cold for another day and missed all the fun. But that’s okay. They’re all gone and I can take you outside.”
I scooted to the edge of the bed, unsure of anything at the moment other than moving a little. “Outside sounds wonderful, but it would be nicer if I knew your name first.”
“Darren.” His voice was so low I barely heard him.
“Did you say Darren?”
He nodded as he held out his hand. I assumed he wanted a formal handshake, though I found it odd. I offered him my hand, and he took it, a spark of something warm shooting up my arm.
Without thinking, I flinched. “What was that?”
“So our powers do affect you.”
“What are you talking about?” I snapped, my gaze finding his.
Craven’s had been blood red, but Darren’s were something darker. The whites of his eyes were black with two burning flames replacing the color.
“What are you?”
“Demon,” he commented smoothly. “Specifically, a succubus.”
Though I used to live in a witch colony, we heard about others and sometimes even had them visit. However, succubi were a rare breed of demon that no one knew much about. At least, from what I knew.
“You’re…”
“Do I need to spell it out for you?” He asked, tilting his head to the side. “Or did that clear everything up?”
I shook my head. “No, I understand what you are and what you can do. I think.”
“You don’t sound very confident,” he remarked. “I’m always up to show you again.”
His hand didn’t shake as he held it out to take mine again. This time, I wouldn’t dare touch him. The spark was only the start of his powers. That was one thing I knew about all demons.
Whatever their power was, it began as a small little thing that you think nothing of until it grew to consume you.
“At least you have the common sense to fear me a little,” he said, pulling his hand away. “The powers can be a bit…overwhelming.”
I swallowed hard, my mind reeling. He was a demon and I was alone with him, but he was offering me to go outside.
“Is your…offer still good? I’d like some fresh air.”
He didn’t offer me his hand this time, but watched me intently as I stood. My legs were shaky and it took me a moment to stand fully. Once I was upright, I headed for the door without waiting for him.
I made it to the door, my hand clutching the frame. Behind me, he was still standing at the bed, staring at the rumpled quilt.
“Are you coming?”
He glanced up at my words, his expression softening slightly as his eyes dimmed to something darker, more human. “Yes.”
I headed to the front door, still wobbling slightly. He brushed past me and opened the front door before I reached it.
“Thank you,” I said, barely able to glance at him as I stepped out fully into the light.
I inhaled sharply when I saw what was around me. All my life, I had been told this Isle only contained the dead of the rejected. This was definitely not that, but I also didn’t expect it to be this full.
People were bustling around the houses and shops, going about their daily business without a bit of attention to me. It looked like a small town in the middle of the woods. Trees were sparse through the clearing, but once you got past it, it faded into a darker area, which surrounded it on all sides.
“You really are in the middle of the forest.”
“Are you enjoying the scenery already?” Darren asked, his voice low as he stood behind me. “Isn’t it nice? We have built a new home where all paranormals can blend together without the fear of rejection.”
I glanced behind me, my eyes widening. “This can’t be real. No one gets—”
“Along?” He mused. “No, they don’t. Everyone on the mainland is divided by their own factions, never wishing to interact so they can learn about one another. Here, that changed.”
“No one is cruel to another because of what they are?” I asked, suddenly remembering the mark on my hip.
“Why would we be? We’re all outcasts here,” he said with a laugh. “None of us fit into their little boxes of what the perfect paranormal should be. So who cares about them when we can be free here?”
My hand found the spot on my hip and I almost stopped myself, but the action was so small and subtle I figured he mistook it for shock. Deep down, I was reeling.
Here, no one knew who I was. I wasn’t cursed because of a mark I couldn’t explain. I wasn’t the one they snickered at and called a thief.
Here, I could just…be.
Maybe he’s right and this wouldn’t be so bad.