2

~Tove

I couldn't run fast enough from the restaurant.

I'm usually only grateful for my magic, that allows me to transport small distances, in moments when I don't feel like walking home from work in the rain, or when I want to remove myself from awkward situations quickly.

I've never needed it to run from a murderer.

My apartment materialises in front of me, my magic dissipating as I launch into a run up the stairs, not stopping until I'm on the fourth floor, in front of my friend's door.

She opens it after only seconds of my incessant pounding.

"Woah, Tove..." She stumbles back as I barge inside, gesturing wildly for her to lock the door behind me while I try to catch my breath.

"He's a murderer," I gasp out.

She tucks her bathrobe tighter around herself, yawning. "Who?"

"That guy you set me up with. He told me he's a murderer," I tell her frantically, raking my hands through my damp hair.

She wanders over to her kitchen counter, filling her kettle with water. "Like actually?"

"Yes actually!"

"Sit down, you're going to have a panic attack." She gestures over her shoulder for me to sit down on her couch while she flicks the stovetop on, heating her water.

She sounds bored, tired. She doesn't believe me, and why would she?

"You sent me on a date with a murderer." I flop onto the couch, sinking deeper into the cushions.

Keo's striking eyes flash through my mind. I should have known someone that beautiful couldn't look like that and be entirely sane. It wouldn't be fair if he were.

Mary turns, resting her back against the counter, regarding me with a judgmental raised brow.

"He's not a murderer, Tove. I met him, he was very gracious and sweet with me, so I assumed you would enjoy a date with him."

"He's a murderer, I mean it. He told me himself!" I insist.

The way he had sounded…He’s revelling in it, taunting his next victim to fulfil some sick fantasy in his head?

Mary waves her hand through the steam wafting from the kettle. "Was he not just joking?"

"He whispered it in my ear, no hint of amusement or anything." I shudder, as if I can still feel the ghost touch of his breath against my skin.

"I don't think Keo is a murderer."

I watch Mary pour the hot water into two cups, dunking the teabags. She’s always reasonable, always pragmatic. Of course she doesn’t believe me; I sound unhinged.

"How did you meet him again?" I ask, twisting the damp ends of my dark curled hair.

She hands me the tea. "I met him at the library. We were reading the same book, and a conversation got struck up."

"Which he encouraged."

"Well yes, you know how shy I can be..." she breaks off, turning away.

I stare at her back. Perhaps it's just a coincidence, but Keo knew about my magic, and didn't seem overly interested in actually dating me.

What...what if he set this date up purposefully?

"He's going to kill us. Did you tell him where we live?" I glance at the door, as if he may burst through with a knife at any moment.

Mary rolls her eyes, shaking her head. "No, of course not."

I stare into the dark tea, as if I can see his eyes in it, staring back at me. He let me run. Why? He knows something that I don't, clearly.

"I can't believe that just happened,” I mumble.

"If you don't want to see him again, you don't have to,” she reminds me, coming to sit down on the couch beside me.

I take the blanket she hands me, draping it over my legs. "There was something seriously off with him."

How am I supposed to sleep tonight? How am I supposed to go out tomorrow without fear of him coming after me?

"Fine. Say he is a murderer, why would he just tell you that?" Mary presses, entertaining my foolishness.

"Maybe that's part of the fun for him. Scaring his victims before stalking and killing them." I sip at my tea, ignoring the sting of heat.

"Tomorrow we will go to the authorities. Will that make you feel better?"

I summon a deep breath. "Much better."

I doubt there is much they can do, but perhaps they have heard his name before and suspect him of others crimes.

"Sleep here tonight."

"Why do I have such bad luck with relationships? Even a blind date goes terribly for me,” I grumble pitifully.

He was meant to be perfect. I was meant to bring him back to my apartment, into my bed.

With Keo, I definitely imagined doing so…

"This one date doesn't mean others will go bad in the future,” she assures me.

"You know what he said to me? He said he thought I had a bad mentor in my past and insisted I may have more powers than I think."

No one has ever told me that. Angel-blood’s are rare, but there are more like me, with trace amounts of magic, then those like the Noble’s, who are almost all powerful.

Mary startles. "You told him you are Angel-blooded?"

"No, of course not. He said he saw it in my eyes." I touch my face, wondering if it's obvious. Mary never guessed it when we first met, and no one else has since.

Mary scrunches her nose up. "What a creep."

A firm knock on the apartment door has both of us flinching.

Mary and I both exchange glances before she gets to her feet, making toward the door, but I step in front of her, blocking her.

"Don't answer it," I whisper, looking toward the door. There is a good chance Keo has found out where Mary lives and has come to silence me forever.

Rolling her eyes, Mary shoulders past me, standing on her tiptoes to look through her door's peephole.

"It's probably our-"

She breaks off, stumbling back from the door.

"What is it Mary?" I can hear my voice shaking.

Slowly, she turns, eyes so wide, I think she is close to fainting.

"Nobles," she whispers.

That was the last thing I expected her to say.

"What?"

"I'm not kidding. There are literally two Noble's standing in the hallway," she breathes, pressing her back flat against the door, as if to block them from entering.

There are seven Noble's who rule here, in Territory One. Each have strong magic that far rivals mine. It's why they have been entrusted to rule here.

"Why would there be Noble's here?"

Mary brings her hand to her mouth, chewing on her already worn down nails. "I should open the door and find out."

I grab her arm. "No, that could be dangerous."

"They are Noble's, they run this Pack. I'm sure it will be fine." Her hushed voice sounds both terrified and irritated. Her fear of authority is going to get us killed one day.

Tentatively, she opens the door a crack, peering out.

"I apologise for the late hour. Is Toven here?" I hear one of them ask. Their voice is soft, mellow, sounding a lot like Ellard.

"We need to speak to her," another reiterates. I'm unsure of that voice.

Mary's knuckles are white as they clench the edge of the door. I'm sheltered from view, but just knowing these Noble's are here for me is enough to leave me feeling vulnerable.

"Why?"

"It's in regards to a man she conversed with tonight,” Ellard says.

This is about Keo.

Mary looks back inside, looking for confirmation. I nod once. I’m far safer in the company of Noble’s than an admitted murderer. And if they are visiting, something must be going on…

Mary holds the door open. "Come in."

Two men stalk into the room, dwarfing the size of the apartment with their towering height.

My mouth dries at the sight of them, having never seen them in person before.

"Hello Toven. My name is Ellard, and this is Arkyn.” Ellard motions to his side, at the man I now recognise.

They truly are Angel-bloods. It’s evident in their appearance, in the way they carry themselves. Their magic is so much more potent than mine.

"I know your names,” I mumble, folding my arms over my chest.

Arkyn is far more imposing than Ellard. His eyes are a vivid dark blue, that seem to have no problem scrutinising me. Along his cheek bones, are thin silver lines, which I’ve heard turn black when he is using his magic.

"We wanted to talk to you about a man named Keo,” he says, turning my blood cold.

"What about him?"

Ellard’s golden gaze is soft, non-accusatory. "Do you know him personally?"

I swallow, shifting uncomfortably as Arkyn circles around me, falling down onto the couch. I twist so I can see both of them, unnerved with whatever technique they are using to squeeze information from me.

"I met him tonight, on a blind date she set up,” I say, blindly pointing at Mary. She’s the picture of innocence, how could anyone suspect she had done something incriminating?

Arkyn’s gloved fingertips tap rhythmically against the couch arm. "What was the manner of your conversation?"

"What's this about?"

I’ve stepped into something dark, something dangerous. Keo isn’t a good man, it’s clear to me now more than ever.

"Just answer the question,” Arkyn demands.

"I don't know...It was strange,” I blurt out. How else could I possibly describe it?

"He told her he was a murderer,” Mary adds. Her face is stark, horrified of what she has been dragged into.

Ellard frowns. "Did he?"

"Yes,” I admit sheepishly. This entire thing is embarrassing.

"And what did he say after that?" Arkyn presses. He clears thinks I’m deranged or foolish for going on the date, as if I knew what I was walking into.

"Nothing. I left straight away,” I clarify.

Ellard looks toward Arkyn, however his friend is still staring at me as if he can open my mind and investigate it himself.

He can subject anyone to his illusions, which if I think too deeply into, I’ll freak myself out.

"Toven, I regret to tell you this, but tonight you went on a date with the most dangerous person in this Territory," Ellard says quietly, as if fearful someone else may be listening in.

Arkyn clears his throat. "And you might still be in danger."