2

~Aspen

I stare up at the house, shuddering.

It's beautiful, for a Territory One home. It's located in an oasis, trees growing all around the building, looking like something you would find in Territory Four, if it weren't for the red sand.

Oliver didn't say anything to me the entire journey here. Not even to warn me.

He's unnerved. Kastriv and his unpredictability makes him uncomfortable. Killing Demon's is worth it though, for him to go through this.

I just wish I knew why Kastriv wants me here, for this meeting.

The Noble answers the door himself as we walk up to the main entrance. There are no staff in sight, so this truly is his private residence.

"Kastriv, thank you so much for having us," Oliver greets warmly.

"Hello Oliver. Hello Aspen."

I dip my head as his gaze flickers to me. He's hard to look out. It's like each time his eyes are on me, they are stripping me bare, exposing my carefully constructed lie. Oliver can see it too, which was why he was so reluctant to bring me here.

He opens the front door wider, motioning into his home. "Come enjoy what remains of this day outside on my deck, where we can have a drink."

Oliver grabs my hand, leading me inside.

Kastriv's home is almost as beautiful as he is. The way it is built is complimentary to the Territory One heat, with wide open spaces and floor to ceiling windows.

I smile, enjoying the warm breeze as it billows in. Everything that furnishes the home seems personal. Kastriv clearly enjoys items representing Territory One culture, with most items, including the flooring, made from native materials.

"You have a beautiful home," Oliver compliments, as we wind past the furniture toward the far doors, made of glass, opening up onto a sprawling deck with an amazing view.

Kastriv takes a seat, gesturing for us to join him. "Thank you, Oliver."

I can't decide what I should look at. The view is awfully compelling, showing off a partial view of the oasis this house is built within, and then a rolling desert, the sand a deep red colour.

Ultimately, I can't keep my eyes from wandering back to Kastriv.

"You know, you don't have to invite both Aspen and I to these talks. She doesn't enjoy politics." Oliver reaches across his chair to hold my hand.

I allow his fingers to wind around mine, trying not to wince as they press purposefully into my charred skin.

Kastriv watches our hands interlock. "She is here now, I suppose."

"Can I ask...Just because I'm curious, what the spirits are that you supposedly see? Are they dead people?"

Oliver usually isn't interested in the type of power the Noble's had, just in how much of it they wield.

"No. Spirits are manifestations of these lands, or aspects of nature. They appear to me as humans merely for communication purposes only. In their true form, they are nothing more than an energy force," he explains.

Oliver frowns. "But they have their own consciousness?"

"Consciousness is not purely human. It may seem that way, but even spirits have their own motivations."

He's explaining in such a way that isn't actually answering Oliver's question. He doesn't want to divulge the true nature of his power, which is fair enough. I'm sure he has been used for his magical inclination before.

"What value is it, to speak to them?"

The Noble sighs, pouring a drink from the tray next to him, offering it to Oliver. "They tell me things. Secrets. They see all."

He raises his gaze, pinning me with it. My breath catches in my throat.

Oliver covers the sound by speaking more. "Perhaps they can tell us where the Demon's are..."

"They do not serve any agenda. They tell me what they desire, I cannot demand information from them. They would not take kindly to that."

Thankfully, Kastriv doesn't offer me a drink of alcohol. Oliver wouldn't be pleased by that, and I'm tired enough. The last thing I need is to go home and be punished by him again.

"What do they tell you, then?" Oliver presses.

Kastriv tilts his head to the side. "What they believe will serve me. Most respect me."

I shiver, instinctively glancing around as if I can see the spirits. Are they here with us? Kastriv gives nothing aware, appearing outwardly normal. Well, as normal as a Noble can appear. 

"Can you bring spirits to life?" Oliver asks.

I frown. He told me not to look to even insinuate such an interest in a question like that, and now he is blatantly asking Kastriv as if we aren't in his home, at his mercy.

Kastriv's expression remains cool, giving away nothing. "No. They are not human."

Oliver studies him. "I heard you can bring people back to life."

"That is untrue."

I wish the sun would melt me into my seat, so I can escape this conversation. Kastriv is visibly uncomfortable, but he's not intimidated by my husband.

He's invited us here for a specific reason, and I'm anxious for it to be revealed.

"The whole Angel-blood thing is so strange to me. I mean, how come you guys get all the magic?" Oliver asks with a laugh.

He's asked me that exact question.

I have no physical magic, that I can use, but being a Demon has minor perks. My senses can be heightened in particular situations, and it's easier to read people.

Except Kastriv. He seems exempt from that ability.

"My ancestors fought in the War. Those Angel's who had populated with humans created those who would go on to breed this generations greatest magic wielders. Most who walk the lands are merely human, though," he tells us.

It's history we should both know, and Oliver probably does. My mother taught me from home, and the history of the Demon's and Angel's is was not included in my education.

"I wish the Angel's had been more thorough after they won, in killing all the Demon's before they fled to whatever sky Kingdom they come from," Oliver says, looking at me. I give him an affirming nod.

Kastriv's gloved finger taps rhythmically on the arm of his chair. "The Angel's are perfectly moral, however they are unopposed to those who do not think like them. Demon's have always been benign creatures of nature."

"But they kill."

"Some were evil, yes, corrupted by their own power. But most within their own creed discourage such acts. The Angel's, however, did not believe creatures with such power should exist in nature, and now, there are so few of them," Kastriv explains.

I blink, impressed. He knows so much about Demon's, when I've been taught so little. And hearing someone talk in such favour to those like me is refreshing.

Oliver and my mother ensure I hear nothing but negative things.

Oliver lets go of my hand, clasping his own together triumphantly. "And soon, there will be none."

Kastriv frowns, but doesn't say anything. "Mmm."

There is silence for a moment, each of us looking out into the desert. It's peaceful out here, and despite the tense conversation, I feel my limbs relaxing.

Eventually, Kastriv speaks up. "May I ask how you two met?"

"We met through-"

He holds his hand up, cutting Oliver off. "I asked Aspen, actually."

Tensing, I glance at Oliver. His expression reveals nothing, but his eyes burn with a quiet warning.

"We met through my mother," I breathe, picking my words carefully.

"How did he know your mother?"

"They worked together. My mother is a very notable figure in politics in this Pack," I tell him. I'm not lying, although it wasn't as though she paired us together for romantic reasons. She knew Oliver and her had similiar thoughts on Demon's. She liked the idea of me being tied to him.

Kastriv sweeps his hand back through his hair, the colour of which is in complete contrast to his pitch black irises. "I would likely know of her. Why did she introduce you two?"

"She believed we had...common goals." Oliver is still looking at me, that faux smile quivering at the edges as his self control starts to melt away.

"And how long have you been together?" the Noble continues to press.

I swallow thickly. "Three years."

"And I'm assuming you are not mates, since Oliver refers to you as his wife." Kastriv takes a long drink from his glass.

I'm not embarrassed that I'm not with my mate, but my cheeks flush regardless. In actuality, I'm glad I haven't found my mate. Oliver would probably kill them, and allow me to suffer in sorrow for the rest of my life.

"No, we are not mates," I murmur, lowering my gaze.

"But being with a mate is very old fashioned..." Oliver cuts in, trying to life the mood with a laugh, but Kastriv's expression remains cool.

"So, Oliver, were you to find your mate, say, tomorrow, you wouldn't leave Aspen for them?"

My husband shrugs. "I'm not sure..."

"Of course. It's okay for you to leave Aspen to find your mate, but were Aspen to find hers, I imagine you would be opposed?" Kastriv is pushing him, tone firm and demanding. Even I can't look at him, the intensity of him too much to handle.

Oliver shifts uncomfortably in his seat. "Shall we get to business, then?"

I almost collapse with relief when Kastriv releases us from his scrutiny, finally deciding to get to the point of our visit.

"Ah yes. I am willing to make a generous offer, in exchange for one thing." He shifts his body to face us, placing his drink down.

Oliver grins. "Name it. I'll give you anything."

"In exchange for a band of Angel-bloods, all well trained, of course, to be deployed immediately to find and detain these Demon's, you shall give me a night with your wife," Kastriv orders calmly.

Oliver and I share the same stunned silence.

My husband adjusts. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

Kastriv's eyes flicker to mine, and then back to Oliver's, accompanying a cruel, dark smile.

"You're going to let me fuck your wife."