Dealing the Facts

Rubbing the warm towel across her jaw Harper sighed. "I hope you're done smearing blood all over me."

"No more blood." Kiev chuckled from behind her.

  Turning her attention to his lean figure sitting causally on her bed, his legs dangling off the side of the mattress as he propped himself up on an elbow. Staring at his reflection through the mirror Harper couldn't help but notice his relaxed demeanor. The way he sat on the bed with such calmness and serenity brought a soft smile to her lips. He even laughed, she thought causing her smile to stretch further.

  After what felt like hours Harper managed to soothe Kiev long enough for both of them to collect themselves, dry their tears and start forward with whatever this was. Despite his heart wrenching sobs Harper was concerned Kiev would bounce back into his closed off self again but as he stood onto his feet he leant forward and placed a chaste kiss on the crown of her head. Although he whispered the words Harper heard him thank her once again just as he pulled away. Instead of clarifying that she didn't exactly agree to anything just yet she decided to remain silent on the matter and change her clothing since Kiev had once again covered her in blood. She didn't have the energy to argue at the moment or worse if he dropped to his knees again. She didn't have it in her to fight him so soon.

  Now dressed in plaid pajama bottoms and a plain grey T-shirt Harper stood before her mirror trying to clean the blood off of her cheek and neck. The task was proving to be more difficult than she thought. The dark liquid was sticky like molasses and thick like cooled wax.

"What the hell is this?" She grumbled angrily as she applied more force. "Your blood was red when I stabbed you five days ago and not nearly this sticky."

The corners of his mouth twitched. "I've changed since then."

Arching a brow she sent him a quizzical look and earned another throaty laugh that sent butterflies to flutter in her belly. Averting her eyes she told herself not to lower her guard, just because they weren't fighting didn't mean they could go back to how they were before he attacked her.

"Here, let me."

Startled by his sudden presence behind her Harper jerked forward, gripping the eggshell colored vanity causing the attached mirror to shake violently. Kiev's hurt expression reflected in the mirror before her, his round eyes finding her fear filled gaze.

Gritting her teeth in frustration she released the breath she didn't realized she was holding. You're okay, you're okay. Loosening her death grip on the edge of the vanity Harper straightened her posture and with her gaze glued to his reflection she lifted the warm towel up for him to take. Kiev hesitated, giving her a moment to reconsider and for a moment she thought about lowering her hand but that meant succumbing to her fear. Instead Harper steeled herself and motioned with her eyes for him to take the towel.

Nodding Kiev took the towel. With his brows pulled downwards Kiev pushed her semi wet hair over one shoulder and very gently wiped at the sticky blood on her jaw first. Swallowing hard Harper felt a heavy weight settle across her chest reminding her of her fear and it upset her. She hated feeling this weak and vulnerable, it reminded her of when she was in the Hunters. After her mother's death it became much more difficult for her to adapt into her everyday life again. Every practice brought her back to that moment, looking into her father's disappointed gaze when she left a class early because she couldn't keep her fear at bay made her feel helpless and trapped in her anxiety. The memories haunted her, they chased her even after she left the Hunters and they haunted her now.

Looking up through a dark row of lashes Harper couldn't ignore just how much Kiev resembled his father especially with the sickly grey tint in his face. It wasn't just the attack that brought this sudden fear, it was the eerie resemblance Kiev had to his father. The darkness that surround her as he strangled her was the same pitch black cloud that his father created around them after he killed her mother, on his knees, staring up at her with those coal like eyes, the ashen tint of his skin, the hollowness of his cheeks and the desperation in his voice. Kiev didn't look as worn as his father had the night of his death but he seemed to have the same, if not milder traits and that was terrifying. That the monster from her dreams was living, breathing and very much in her life.

"You look like him." She whispered softly. "Your father, I mean."

  Kiev stiffened, his features hardening as his hand stilled momentarily. Clenching his jaw he continued to wipe away the blood with his eyes trained on her neck. "But I have my mother's eyes." He murmured quietly.

  A sad smile stretched across her lips as she pictured a woman with the same large emerald orbs. "What was she like?"

  When Kiev didn't respond immediately Harper thought she might have imposed on his sudden kindness and considered taking back her question when Kiev spoke in a low voice barely audible even with their close proximity.

"My mom was very different from the other demons or for as far as I knew her anyway. She didn't thrive on the same cheap thrills that our lifestyle provided. She didn't care for fancy things nor did she wish to travel constantly, she preferred to remain in the castle or visiting the demon schools." He paused to smile to himself. "She liked to see the new generation of demons as they learn of their heritage and capabilities. I remember when I first started school, she barged into my classroom and without a word to the teacher or even an explanation she just stood there by the door and watched my class. I remember going home and crying to my father to forbid her from ever stepping foot in my class again."

"And did he?"

"No." Kiev chuckled, his features softening as he lost himself in the sweet memories of his childhood. "He told me to be grateful I had a mother and queen who cared so much about the education of her people. There was nothing my father would deny my mother, even if it meant disappointing his six year old son."

"Sounds like they were in love." Harper added with a smile of her own.

  Nodding Kiev slowed his strokes. "They were the perfect example of soulmates."

"How did they meet?" Harper asked, curious on how these mates were united. Did it just happen out of the blue? Were they assigned to each other? Did this bond began at first sight or did it take time much like love for humans? 

  Sighing, Kiev ran the warm towel down along the column of her throat. His gaze followed the towel as it slowly cleared the sticky streaks of blood. Her skin erupted in goosebumps as he slid his knuckles over the clean streaks. Harper ignored the warm sensations that traveled up and down her spine. Instead she focused on the tender look in his soft green eyes, fascinated by the candid emotions crossing his features. The mask that Kiev frequently wore to keep his emotions and thoughts concealed remained off as he allowed her a moment, even if it was brief, into his heart.

"My parents were both royals, my father being the next heir and my mother a descendant of the five ancient families."

Harper nodded, recalling her early studies on the first royal families. The witches, demons, shape-shifters, fire breathers, and the creatures of the forest. The original families were the first of their kind and of human kind as well. With the help of the witches the five families created rules which each family had to abide by. For centuries the peace lasted between the five and their families grew but with growth came trouble. Although the five respected each other they didn't hold the same regard for the humans, which most of the supernaturally considered as the weaker species. Some members of the five began slaughtering humans for no reason other than sport. The killings lasted only a few weeks before the witches stepped in. They claimed nature was being polluted with the darkness some members of the five were spewing out into the world, that the humans were left at the mercy of the supernatural creatures so the witches choose human families from across the globe to be blessed with special abilities. A boost of strength, quick healing, speed that no human could ever have and a slightly longer lifespan. These families would act as the guardians to humans, to protect them from any supernatural beings who abused their power, they were named the Hunters. But like the five families the Hunters were given rules to follow as well, in order to keep the balance of powers between the many different species that had been created over time. Although the witches continued to watch over the balance of power there were occasional slip ups from different creatures and that's what the counsels were for, to settle small disputes.

The five families were a subject Harper enjoyed studying especially since the Hunters were given their powers by the witches unlike the other species which were either created that way or evolved as different species mixed. Harper loved bringing that up to her father when she was younger, it irked him and she loved it.

"They met in school when they were ten when my mother called him an obnoxious fool for teasing a lower ranking demon. Of course my father demanded she apologize for speaking to the heir to the throne that way in which my mother replied with a string of curses and insults, according to my father. Entranced by her lack of adoration my father found himself apologizing to my mother and the other boy. After that moment they became friends and remained so even through my father's training to be king, the wars, many children and countless women."

Harper frowned. "You said they were soulmates."

Kiev replied to her question with a soft smile. "They were but the bond didn't show until one day nearly two centuries ago. The practice camp where my parents was under siege, they fought side by side with only a handful of guards left. During the fighting my mother was shot with a poison infused bullet. Watching her bleed out forced him to acknowledge the bond that existed beneath the surface."

"Does that mean the bond was always there but needed to be activated?"

  Nodding in agreement, Kiev lowered the towel from her neck and stared aimlessly at her semi cleaned neck.

"When my father use to tell me the story he would tear up as if the mere thought of losing her was too much to bare."

   A silence fell over them as Kiev remained in the shadows of the past. Watching his reflection Harper wondered where his thoughts had shifted to cause the underlying sadness to resurface as he stared blankly at her neck. His Adam's apple bobbled, his nostrils flaring as a sheen of tears filled his unfocused gaze. Harper felt helpless as she stared at the sudden emotional Kiev standing behind her. With his mask gone his reaction to speaking about his parents spoke volumes about how he missed them.

  Despite the fact that she wasn't responsible for the death of his parents Harper felt guilty that he lost them so cruelly. Her mother had done this to him. Swallowing past the lump in her throat she found herself questioning her mother's motives. How could she ignore her mother's involvement while Kiev still mourned his parents? They were murdered. Harper understood there was no sugar coating their death and no denying her parents involvement. But that didn't mean she should allow him to wallow in self pity.

"Well that's a more romantic story than my parents'. They met on the training field, my father apparently took one look at my mother's fighting stance and said that's the one."

  Her heart constricted when Kiev shook his head, as the corners of his mouth twitched upwards. "You Hunters suck at love."

"I can't argue with you there." She shrugged. "I knew a couple in the organization that only saw each other twice a year."

  Kiev's brows furrowed. "Seriously?"

  Raising her right hand Harper nodded. "I am completely serious and you know they didn't even mind being apart."

  Scoffing in response Kiev shook his head. The way his eyes glimmered with mirth at the random fact caused a warmth of satisfaction to fill her heart. Although her recent discovery about her newfound love for Kiev should have startled her Harper refused to think past this moment right here. Being with Kiev and watching him smile was all she wanted to think about because she knew this wouldn't last. Eventually she'd have to face reality, the fact that their future was uncertain and the possibility that Kiev might not return her feelings still lingered in her mind.

  The thought alone shook her to her core because she knew her heart was too invested in Kiev to avoid the oncoming heartbreak.

"No wonder Hunters always act like they have a stick up their ass. They don't get any."

  This time Harper shook her head. "Sëx isn't everything."

  He set her with a dark glare. "Coming from the woman who went to a club for a one night stand."

  The heat the flushed her face was enough for Harper to lower her gaze at the reminder of her recklessness. Tucking a damp hair behind her ear she shook her head.

"It was completely your fault. You're the one who teased me every damn night. What did you expect?"

The throaty laugh that came from behind her caused her to lift her gaze slightly and the sight of Kiev's face lit with mirth caused her heart to trip over itself.

"You've been nothing like what I expected." He said in a soft tone as he proceeded to wipe away what little remained of the sticky blood.

Arching one brow Harper asked in a slightly offended tone. "And what did you expect? A dainty little girl who would just bow to your every command?"

"Yes." He admitted with a simple shrug and a nod of his head. "Instead I got a woman who was determined to drive me crazy at every turn."

Jerking her head to one side to allow him better access to her neck she met his gaze in the mirror.

"And which do you prefer?"

He graced her with a devilish grin. "The woman who stabs me, hands down."

The laugh that bubbled from her lips echoed in the quite room. "Really?"

Kiev lowered his hand and examined her now clean neck and nodded. Lowering the towel onto the vanity he placed both hands on her shoulders, his chin resting on the top of her head.

"When you had the poison tipped dagger pressed against my heart I thought you were going to shove it in, any sane Hunter would have but you hesitated and then pulled away."

"I didn't want to kill you." She admitted in a low voice.

Kiev smiled down at her. "I wouldn't have died. One feeding would have been all I needed but you didn't know that."

Puzzled by his admission Harper asked. "Then why did you try getting me to stab you?"

His fingers tightened on her shoulders as those bright green orbs clashed with hers, awaiting her reaction to his response. "I wanted to see if you could."

A wave of shame washed over her as the same words echoed from years ago but from a different man, her father. When she turned sixteen her father did something similar to what Kiev did. He paid a rogue to attack her during one of the nights she snuck out with Liam and some friends to test her abilities. Harper took the wolf down after a trading a few punches but when Liam tossed her a knife she hesitated over the wolf.

She wanted to claim it had something to do with her mother's death but she'd been struggling with killing anyone even before that. Looking into the wolf's fear filled eyes Harper couldn't lower the knife, no matter how much she tried. When they returned home her father was waiting for them, a look of disappointment in his hardened gaze. That was the moment she realized she didn't belong with the Hunters, she wasn't a killer.

"That's not a bad thing."

Kiev's words brought her out of the past as she focused on his somber expression. "Having mercy and compassion isn't something to be ashamed of, it's a great quality."

  She scoffed at his words. "My father and every member of the Hunters would disagree."

  Harper didn't mention that her own brother thought it was her weakest trait. Hunters were meant to protect and the occasional kill was apart of the job. Lowering her head Harper felt the huntress within arguing her family's point. It was in her blood, imprinted in her soul even before she was born yet she had never been able to do the deed. It just never seemed right in her heart to take a life and for what? A stupid oath her ancestors took centuries ago.

  Hunters were created to protect humans but while Harper was a huntress she had never experienced any threats that didn't start with the Hunters provoking it first. The recent information about Kiev's parents death didn't paint the Hunters in a good light. Harper bit her lip as a thought crossed her mind, the small possibility causing her to doubt her people and their actions.

  The hands on her shoulders twisted her figure around so she was facing Kiev, her wide brown eyes clashed with soft green ones. Lowering his head so he was on eye level Kiev shook his head. "Don't let them take that light from you. I've lived through many different times, I've met millions of creatures but humans might be the best kind of species I've ever encountered. Their greatest attribution is empathy and you embody that quality."

Sinking her teeth into her bottom lip Harper didn't know how to explain that although she couldn't actually kill anyone she had the carnal desire to. Her huntress yearned for a battle where she could spill some blood, cause some pain and bring her enemies to their knees.

One of Kiev's hands cupped the side of her face, ignoring her when she recoiled away from his touch at first. Slowly he settled his warm palm against her cheek while his gaze remained on her. "My mother was like you. She didn't like the bloodshed, she hated the killings. You are both too gentle and kind for this cruel war."

"I'm not." She said in a broken whisper as she shook her head. "I'm not kind or gentle. I like hurting people and that scares me because I don't want to like it."

Kiev stroked the pad of his thumb across her cheekbone, his expression one of understanding and welcoming that Harper forgot about their differences. For one brief moment in time all the reasons against trusting him were shoved to the back burner, her common sense ignored as she allowed her heart to take the reins. She needed comfort because she felt alone and lost. She didn't fit in with her family, she didn't belong in that chaotic world and after years of floating in a 'normal' world Harper knew she didn't belong in the human world. Then where do I belong?

Years of guilt and longing to belong to a community again crashed into her. She missed being with her twin brother, she missed seeing her father's smile, she missed the days when Olivia didn't having some sort of drug addict, she missed her mother's bear hugs and comforting words. Harper missed her family, the bond she had with them, the security and happiness she had spent most of her childhood in. There was no denying the envy she felt watching Liam return to Chicago and resume work they had always done together, being welcomed back with open arms when she could barely get a nod of acknowledgement from her own father. She felt lonely, abandoned and angry. Angry at herself, at her mother for putting her in this position, at Liam for never noticing her loneliness, at Olivia for bringing her to this point and her father for being himself.

I miss my family.

The emotional damn burst with those four words that she hadn't said in years. She felt herself drowning in the sorrow, overcome with the crippling loneliness she had tried to downplay over the years with meaningless relationships. Years of shoving emotions aside came forth like the waves of the sea during a storm Harper felt like she was drowning in suppressed emotions.

Her heart yearned to express its anguish, her soul aching for a shoulder to cry on and someone to confide in. There was no one though and the bitter truths of her life came forth to reminder her just how alone she truly was. Kiev was neither friend or foe. Liam moved on with his life without her. Olivia betrayed her for a bag of drugs. She was alone in this and as much as that sucked it was the truth.

Inhaling a shuddered breath Harper knew that the truths she'd have to face would hurt, maybe more than she was prepared for. Hell there was more she didn't know and crying over feeling abandoned wouldn't help her.

Blinking back tears Harper took a small step back causing Kiev's hand to drop between them. "Thanks for helping me get the blood off." She murmured in the hopes of changing the topic.

Despite the questioning look he gave her Kiev gave a small nod. His wordless response made her feel unease almost as if he could see her inner turmoil.

Clearing her throat she turned towards the vanity in attempt to avoid his intense gaze. Grabbing her hairbrush Harper hoped to untangle her hair and maybe give Kiev a reason to step away from her. His presence so close to her was fogging her mind with thoughts and feelings she didn't want to dwell on. To her disappointment Kiev hadn't taken the hint and instead of returning to the bed he remained rooted behind her, a small frown nearing his full, pink lips.

"So how are you going to explain what happened in your club earlier?" She asked in a very obvious attempt to steer the conversation away from herself.

Kiev looked her over, his keen green eyes searching for something unknown to her. "I don't need to explain anything to anyone. It's my club, my dancers, hence for my business alone." He replied as he continued to squint at her reflection in the mirror.

"There's a body so yes, you have some explaining to do." Harper countered dryly.

"I'll talk to the shapeshifters and explain that one of their rogues decided to force himself on my newly hired dancer who has quit."

Harper lowered the brush from her hair. "That's not true."

"No, but it will have to do since I can't exactly explain that the said dancer is an ex huntress who gets a cheap thrill off of pissing me off."

"I wasn't doing it because of you." She denied even if she knew it was a bald faced lie. "I was following Olivia and she just so happened to be at your club."

Shifting onto the other foot Kiev set her with a dubious glare. "And giving a random werewolf a lap dance who would have snapped your neck in a blink of an eye for denying him was apart of your genius plan to what exactly?"

"I was improvising." Harper shot back angrily. "And I wouldn't have to tail my own sister if you and your crazy brother weren't selling her drugs!"

"You should be thanking me for saving your sister."

Slamming the hairbrush down on the vanity Harper whipped around, a murderous expression on her face. "Oh thank you Kiev for getting my sister hooked on drugs. She'll be better off now because of you." She said, the sarcasm dripping from each word.

"She's better off addicted to shade than heroin."

Her brows pulled together in confusion. "What?"

"Your sister was addicted to heroin long before I met her. I offered her freedom from her addiction."

"By offering her shade? How is that better?" She asked knowing that shade was just as addictive.

  The super natural drug was rumored to be made up of the same energy demons like Kiev fed off. It could only be made by demons because it was from them, from the euphoria they could give by feeding on humans. It was one of the priciest drug due to its pure and potent compound. But like any normal human drug it had side effects especially if someone were to inhale more than their body could handle.

"She was stressed by the pressure to be better, to live up to the expectations set for her. When I first crossed paths with your sister she was willing to sleep with a regular client of mine for one tenth of a gram. What I offered her was much safer with less side effects and she didn't even have to suffer through symptoms of withdrawal. Shade gave her the ability to focus, to become more productive and numbed her to the comparisons."

"What comparisons?"

  Kiev shrugged in response. "I'm not sure but she kept rambling on and on about needing to silence the voices. Something about not being enough."

  Running a hand through her hair Harper felt as if she were going to hurl. She knew what Olivia meant by not being enough even if Kiev didn't. When their father remarried he had hoped his next child would be as skilled as his elder children but much to his disappointment Olivia was born fully human. Hunter law prevented Walter from casting Olivia aside much like everyone thought he would -even Harper thought so. But after Olivia's mom died on the field only two months after giving birth the same laws forbid him from remarrying. That didn't stop Walter from pushing Olivia into a world she didn't fit into, he pushed her to her limits, not physically like he did with the twins but mentally and emotionally.

  After Harper left the Hunters his treatment of Olivia only worsened. He forced her to join rookies in training, dragged her along meetings to learn the art of political talk, something Harper had exceeded in. He often tainted and manipulated the youngest Grant with false stories and guilt. Often times Harper worried about Olivia because she was only human but she would never have guessed her sister would turn to drugs.

I should have gotten her out of there, Harper thought feeling the guilt for what has become of her younger sister.

"For how long has she been on drugs?" She asked, despite not really wanting an answer.

"I've been giving her shade for about eight months. I'm not sure about her other dealers but I know the guy she was begging in my club had been supplying her for three years."

  Three years! Harper stumbled backwards in shock, she gripped the edge of the vanity to keep from fainting. How could she not have known her baby sister was on heroin for three years?

Kiev stepped forward his hands gripping her shoulders. "I give her doses in moderation to limit the chance of an overdose but she's going through them to quickly. That's what she was doing at the club today, for a refill."

Swallowing hard Harper turned towards him and found concern and regret etched into his features. "And your brother, what's his part in all of this?"

Kiev's dark brows furrowed. "Nothing. Yuri came to visit me but only I deal with Olivia. Did you see him?"

Nodding Harper sighed finding the newest information deeply disturbing. "He took Olivia outside but she went willingly." She said, recalling how Olivia sent the two dancers away when he first approached her.

"Yuri shouldn't be in contact with her at all, I'll deal with this and make sure she's safe." Kiev said in a tone that left no room for argument.

Shrugging his touch away Harper looked him over wondering how they were discussing her sister's safety when the man standing before her was her dealer. Sending her sudden turn in thoughts Kiev lowered his arms back to his side.

"Olivia is safe with me."

"You told me you weren't working with Olivia, you lied."

  Shaking his head Kiev lifted his right hand in an attempt to take her free hand in his but thought better of it and lowered his hand.

"I'm not working with her, I'm not working with any Hunter. I told you before there is no mole."

"Then why are you giving my little sister drugs? You trapped me into this contract already but you're still supplying her and meeting in secret. What's in it for you?"

  A dark thought crossed her mind as she asked the question, could Kiev want Olivia for different purposes? Personal purposes that had nothing to do with this war. As horrid as she felt about her thoughts and her doubt in Olivia's character she couldn't help but think that way. Her sister was proving to be unpredictable and reckless. Maybe Harper had to face the cold truth that maybe she didn't really know Olivia and they weren't as close as she thought. Why else would Olivia never come to her with her problems? Why didn't she come to her when the stress became overwhelming? Didn't Olivia know she would do anything for her?

"I can't tell you that." Kiev sighed. Shoving a hand through his hair in frustration he released another sigh when Harper shook her head in response to his answer. "I promised to tell you everything when all of this is over but what I can tell you now is that your sister is safe with me."

  The dark thoughts clouded her mind and before Harper could think her response through the words tumbled from her lips. "Have you slept with Olivia?"

  Kiev's brows shot upwards, his eyes widening in complete shock at her candid and bluntness. Despite the soft hue of pink the spread across her cheeks Harper arched a brow in silent questioning. There was no point in feeling embarrassed now, the words were out in the open and she wanted an answer.

"No."

  Relief washed through her at his immediate reply but a part of her didn't fully believe him. Sending her doubt Kiev closed the space between them, his right hand cupping the side of her jaw as he leaned his forehead against hers so they were at eye level. As Harper stared into his glimmering green eyes she felt all doubts melt away. The mask remained off and all that stared back at her was Kiev.

"I have never slept, touched or even kissed Olivia." He added much to Harper's relief.

Nodding, she watched his expression soften at her response. The fingers splayed across her jaw stroked her skin tenderly. It was easy in that moment to pretend they were a couple, that they weren't discussing the possibility of him sleeping with her sister in return for drugs, supernatural drugs. With the details swept away Harper was left with her love for a man she didn't completely trust and who might not return that love.

Inching forward, Kiev lowered his gaze to her parted lips and Harper knew what was going to happen when their lips touched. All her senses would be silenced by the sensations that his kiss would provide. That one kiss would turn into two then three and when kissing would suffice they would switch to touching and all too quickly they'd end up naked. As appealing as the thought was the last thing her conflicted heart needed was a quickie with Kiev.

Pulling away from his soft touch, Harper averted her gaze to avoid being sucked in by his soft green orbs. "I think it's better we don't."

  With her gaze firmly on his shoulder she heard the disappointment in his voice when he responded. "If it's what you want."

"It is." She replied with a nod. Ignoring the dull throbbing of hurt in her chest Harper knew this was for the best. She had to safeguard her heart from Kiev before he took her heart from her completely.

***********

Well? What are we thinking y'all? Was this worth the wait? Is Kiev forgiven? Do you agree with Harper's response to Kiev's actions? What about Olivia? I know all of you are bursting with responses and theories so go on, lay it on me!