Word Count: 1852

~Aspen

I am not ready for this.

I've met Noble's before, and yet there is something different about stepping into the Territory One manor they all oversee.

It's likely because Ellard may be here, but in reality, it's the cause of this special person Kastriv has told me I'm meeting today.

He didn't need to tell me I need to make a good impression tonight, but I get the feeling that nothing else will suffice. Whoever this is, they are important to Kastriv in some bizarre way.

I know she practically runs all the Noble's lives, but Kastriv was cagey on telling me why.

"It was a mistake bringing her here, you know," someone says as we walk through the door, making me jump.

It's Larsen, one of the only Noble's I haven't had the chance to meet.

Not that it's a bad thing I haven't met him. In fact, it was by design. Oliver cannot stand him, wary of Larsen's poisonous touch and sardonic attitude.

"Larsen," Kastriv sighs, not seeming pleased to be reunited with his brother either. "I had no idea you were coming."

Larsen smiles. He has a pretty face, but it's all deceptive. Behind those black leather gloves are hands that could touch my skin and kill me right now. And that playful glint to his deep emerald eyes suggest he wouldn't mind scaring me.

"I get a lot of pleasure from watching good things go bad," he says, falling into step beside us.

He looks behind Kastriv at me. "You must be the mate."

"Uh huh," I mutter.

"It's a recent development. Be nice," Kastriv mutters lowly to him, only to receive an amused smirk from Larsen instead.

"I'm only here to observe, not to participate," he says, although I get the sense that he is going to change tact very soon.

Just before we stroll into the dining room, Kastriv grabs my arm, pulling me back as Larsen strides in.

"Stay away from him. His touch is deadly," Kastriv says lowly. I look at Larsen's back, wondering how many people are currently targeting him for those deadly powers.

"He's one of the only Noble's I haven't met," I mumble. And I hate him already.

Kastriv rubs his forehead. "He doesn't do politics, which is why he never knew Oliver."

"Who else is in there?" I question, peering in to get a better look. I can't see much, but I'm anxious to get a feeling for it before I just walk in blind. I'm afraid I'll be torn up by all the Noble's and this mystical woman.

"She will be, and so will Arkyn. He is always near this estate."

"What's her name?" I ask warily.

"Atari. She feels as though she owns us, and therefore our mates," he tells me. I can hear the warning in his tone. "But nothing comes between you and I, okay?"

I nod, although I don't feel convinced. "Yeah. Okay."

He holds my hand tightly as we walk into the room, everyone's eyes immediately turning to us.

I note Arkyn, who I have met before. His face is a comforting one, considering he has always been kind to me, albeit as oblivious as Ellard is.

Larsen, of course, is sitting at the far end of the table with his arms crossed, looking infinitely amused and the conversation hasn't even started yet.

The focal point of the room, is of course the beautiful woman sitting staring at me with absoloutly no expression on her face, and another girl opposite her that I don't recgonise her.

"Ah, you two have finally arrived," the woman says, brushing her sleek, straight brown hair over her shoulder, looking at me with cold black eyes.

"It's good to see you, Atari," Kastriv says, pulling a chair out for me to sit on before sliding into his won.

Her gaze shifts to Kastriv, and she smiles coolly. Something about that doesn't sit right in my stomach, the happiness on her face not reaching her eyes.

"You don't visit nearly enough, darling," she purrs.

"I'm here now, and I brought Aspen. My mate," Kastriv says, gesturing to me.

I go stiff under Atari's gaze as she blatantly scrutinises me.

"Mate? Well, what a surprise. I think we can all agree none of us would suspect you would come to find your mate any time soon, right boys?" Atari says, her laugh shrill, echoing through the room.

From the corner of my eye, I see Larsen bite down on his lower lip. "Oh yeah."

"Why do you say that?" Arkyn presses.

"So obsessed with his little spirits. Didn't know he had time for anyone else," she says, waving her hand around.

I blink, stunned by her reaction.

"You would find it difficult to concentrate if you were dealing with haunted energy sources that feed off you as well, Atari," Kastriv responds flatly.

I can feel his whole body go ridged next to me. I get the feeling this is going exactly how he thought it would.

"Take the bite out of your voice. We have a guest," Atari scolds, before turning to motion to the meek girl that hasn't said a word this entire time. "This is Daisy."

"Hello," she greets.

She has awfully wide eyes, clearly not enjoying the tension in the room. I can't blame her, this is terrible. Were this Atari woman not so important to Kastriv I would be gone by now.

Kastriv frowns. "I thought this was a private affair."

"Daisy is the daughter of a close friend of mine. She came to meet you, Kastriv," Atari says. Her tone sounds sweet, but what she is implying has chills skating down my spine.

"Why?"

"I thought you two would hit it off." She isn't even looking at me, like I don't exist. As if the mate bond means absoloutly nothing to her.

"I have a mate. Evidently," Kastriv growls, reaching out to grab my hand as a quiet reassurance that there is no chance has any interest in being set up with this stranger Atari has brought in.

"My apologies," Atari grits out, before finally bothering to address me. "Aspen. You're a Demon."

I straighten. I figure this was coming, since everyone with a hint of Angel-blood seems to be able to sniff it on me or something.

"Oh...yes."

Daisy flinches away a little, whereas all the Noble's stare.

"That's such a shame, isn't it?" Atari look sad, tilting her head to the side, looking over me as if I'm wasted potential. Being around Kastriv made me forget how much most people hate Demon's.

"I disagree. I'm proud of who I am," I tell her, sick of hiding away that part of myself.

"It is quite rare, isn't it? To be blessed with so much power like Kastriv is. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to be paired with someone so impressive, when you're...well, a Demon," she croons.

I release a long, slow breath.

The way she says it, as if she genuinely feels bad for me and isn't trying to insult me is frankly disturbing. I'm not the first person she has tried to manipulate, and I will not be her last.

"I'm managing fine," I choke out.

Atari smiles, ice cold and cruel. "Ah, so you've slept together?"

Larsen, who happened to be take a bite out his dinner, practically chokes right in front of us.

"Atari, don't," Kastriv snaps.

"I'm sorry, I don't know why I ask," she laughs, looking right at Daisy. "it's quite obvious you haven't."

I open my mouth to bite back, but there is nothing that comes to mind that would suffice. I could tell her that I just came out of an abusive relationship and I'm still struggling, or that Kastriv and I barely even know each other, but none of it would matter to her.

Kastriv slowly shakes his head. "What do you gain from this?"

"Are you certain, Aspen, Kastriv even wants you?" Atari questions, suddenly dropping the fake sweetness. "How could someone be attracted to a Demon?"

"This bond is forged in nature. It is unbreakable, at least by you. It should be respected," Arkyn pipes in. I almost forget the others were here, watching this embarressing moment happen.

Atari ignores him. "Aspen, I forbid you from being with Kastriv."

I gape ay her. "What?"

"You can't do that, Atari," Kastriv insists. I can see the desperation in his eyes, and in this moment, I realise that whatever Atari has over all the Noble's must be incredible, because Kastriv would have killed her by now.

"But I just did. Unless..." she drifts off, looking at Daisy.

"Aspen is my mate. You cannot fault destiny," Kastriv snaps. Even Larsen looks shocked at what Atari is saying.

"Daisy will be a suitable substitute for now."

Daisy blinks, looking between Atari, me and Kastriv. She must have known why she was brought here, but I bet she didn't suspect Kastriv would show up with a mate.

"Is this because I'm a Demon?" I question. What else is so wrong with me that I cannot be with my true mate?

"That, and I can smell that Keo man all over you," she growls, scrunching her nose up in disgust. "Who is to say you haven't been compromised by him already?"

"Keo was only trying to reunite me with others like me. Him and I aren't...involved," I tell her. I shudder at the thought. How could anyone want to be sexually involved with such a dangerous, unpredictable man?

"Kastriv, this is your reputation we are talking about," Atari mentions. "I have asked each of you to kill that man, and bring his head to me. And yet none of you have been successful. Why is that?"

Larsen holds his hands up defensively. "In our defence, he isn't exactly an easy man to find."

"Do better. And maybe then I will accept Aspen as Kastriv's mate," she says.

The ultimatum hangs in the air.

Kastriv won't be able to pursue Keo without putting his own life at risk. Not to mention it will tart my chances of ever coming to know another Demon, but if it's Keo's life over my mates, I know who I am choosing.

Atari eventually sighs when no one is willing to entertain her. "Go to bed. I will have Daisy sent up in your room."

"Then I am not sleeping there," Kastriv hisses. I can tell he's on the brink of exploding.

Atari's smile falters. "And disobey me?"

Kastriv goes quiet as the two stare each other down. It's as though they are having a silent conversation through their gazes alone.

"Of course not," he eventually concedes.

"Well then. Goodnight to you all." Atari stands, triumphant, leaving the room swiftly.

I look at Kastriv. There is only one thing that can be done, and that is to find out what she is holding over his head.

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