Total pages in book: 171
Estimated words: 159050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 795(@200wpm)___ 636(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 159050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 795(@200wpm)___ 636(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
Knight was already imagining Laurent getting pulled back into the void inside of the frame, but the demon’s fingers spread, letting go of him. Its horns appeared next, piercing the tar-like surface of what used to be a mirror until the face pressed against it too, and the towering presence revealed more of its steaming body.
Laurent all but fell into Beast’s arms, and the two of them stepped back, their eyes wide and oddly bright among all the muted colors.
Knight’s heart thumped faster as he took in the tall form of the monster, with its spiraling horns that were as long as his arms, and the angular, sexless body that was pitch black where the skin wasn’t cracked open to reveal the burning lava of the demon’s flesh
“Travis Mercier,” the monster hummed, turning its head toward him.
Knight swallowed hard, for a moment wondering how the demon even knew his given name. Facing him like this was entirely different from the brief reveal when all the patched members of the club were present.
Unlike that time when the creature’s attention had been dispersed, having it all focus on him had Knight experience it as a physical weight on his shoulders.
“Yes.”
“There’s someone you want gone, isn’t there?” The creature’s lips widened in a mockery of a smile that revealed sharp black teeth. “Someone who is bound to this territory. To me.”
For several moments that felt like eternity, Knight couldn’t find his voice. It was as if the heat the creature emitted wouldn’t let him breathe. “I want him to feel the things he made his victims feel. I want him gone,” he said in the end, so focused on the demon it felt like the two of them were alone.
The demon had to slouch for his form to fit into the room, but that only made him look more menacing. “I made him a promise, Travis. I cannot just dispose of him on your whim.” And yet the words had an underlying tone of humor, as if the demon knew he was playing a game with Knight. He had the power to give Knight what he wanted, but was gauging how much he could gain in return.
Knight licked his lips to remedy the parched sensation. “Then you chose the wrong fucking man. He’s had his chance, and now he’s tormenting people even after death!”
The demon nodded. “Yes. That is unfortunate.”
“So... what are you gonna do about it, huh? I doubt you planned this, so he is going against your wishes!”
The demon exhaled so deeply a wave of hot air rippled through the room. “I don’t have enough power in your world. But if you were willing to change that, I could help.” His eyes were like two black holes, and yet they seemed attentive. “Would you like to negotiate an exchange, Travis?”
“You don’t have to do this, Knight,” Laurent whispered, but the demon hissed at him so abruptly sparks flew from his mouth.
In the corner of his eye, Knight saw Beast pull Laurent away, but he forgot of their presence and stepped closer to the fire burning within the creature. “I need to hear what you want first.”
The demon’s lips widened so much their edges cracked open and liquid fire dripped down his face, burning holes in the carpet where they fell.
*
Knight exhaled several times as the door closed behind him. It was fairly dark in the corridor outside of Beast’s, but even the dusky atmosphere was bright as midday in comparison to the dull shades the creature had brought with him. Its absence was a physical relief, and yet Knight could still feel the burning presence underneath his skin. As if the inhuman eyes were following his every move. Did Beast experience this the same way?
Absentmindedly, Knight pulled on the fingerless leather gloves Beast gave him. The fit wasn’t quite right, with Beast being a larger man than him, but they would do. His hands still ached, and the tension in his body was like a nail screwed in too far. Before facing Elliot, before taking advantage of what the devil had given him, he needed to unwind or everything could go to shit.
The worst thing was that his brain was telling him to go back home and spend some time with Elliot. It would have made lots of sense if Elliot hadn’t broken up with him earlier tonight, but as it was, no quality time together would be had.
Knight kicked the air, rolling his boot over the laminate floor as he slowly made his way to the nearest staircase. There were few mirrors in public spaces around the clubhouse, but now that he’d seen the demon emerge out of one, he would gladly only check his hair in the rearview mirror of his car from now on. And if Beast was to be believed, the pact meant that the creature would forever have his eyes on Knight. From this night on, Knight would be forever bound to these grounds.