The Cold Truth

Kiev's grunt echoed against her ear as she released her hold on the nail filer a ribbon of lava seared her wrist. Squeezing her eyes tight against the pain Harper clenched and unclenched her fits, testing the hold of the bands around her when she felt an arm snake around her waist and pull her tense figure backwards.

"I'm not doing this with you." He seethed harshly. The menacing tone in his words had her shrinking away.

Mumbling something incoherently Kiev wrapped his other hand around her midsection just as the heat burning her flesh evaporated back against her skin, awaiting her next defiant action. The thought registered in her mind and the part of her that feared Kiev stepped back into the shadows as her anger returned in full force. Thrashing wildly against him Harper felt the towel loosen from the position she put it in moments ago and would have slipped down to her ankles if it weren't for the pair of arms wrapped around her.

"Let go of me!" She growled, hating that he wasn't breaking a sweat as he dragged her into the bathroom? Her eyes widened as her feet came in contact with the cool tiled floor of the bathroom. For a moment she stilled wondering why he was bringing her here of all places when the shower curtain was yanked open and the shower head spluttered to life.

He wouldn't! Would he? Gulping back her fear she began to kick her feet, her arms waving wildly in the air but never making contact with his stupid face! The arms that were around her torso released her for the briefest of moments when those same strong, bare arms folded over her chest from behind as she was lifted in mid air. Yelping in surprise, Harper dug her fingers into his forearm in fear of him dropping her. Her breath hitched as a very naked Kiev walked them both into the spraying water. A shuttered gasp tore from her lips as the icy cold water hit her still wet skin. Still wrapped in the towel she thrashed against him in a vain attempt to get out of his grip and away from the cold pelleting water. The steel like arms only tightened around her as she wiggled to no prevail.

"W-whaat are you doing?!" She hissed.

"First, you're going to cool down and then you're going to explain why you stabbed me." He replied, his voice dangerously deep.

"I stabbed you because you're a killer!"

"That's not something you didn't know." He snorted.

Despite the cold water Harper felt a wave of heat slam into her, she did know it and yet she pushed the small fact aside. A mixture of anger and disappointment filled her. She had ignored all these horrible qualities and truths and had fallen for his stupid game. She was no better than Olivia. Gritting her teeth she bent her arm and elbowed him in the gut in an attempt to avoid her shame.

  Kiev barely moved an inch, the only indication she had actually hit him was the way his breath hitched slightly. Frustrated by his response Harper reared her arm back intending on repeating the hit when she felt a pair of cool hands grip her elbows. Shuddering against the icy touch she glanced over her shoulder at the owner of the invisible hands with a dark scowl.

"You aren't going anywhere until I get an answer." He retorted with a simple tilt of his head.

  Ignoring the way her teeth clattered together Harper tried once more to wiggle out of his grip when the only barrier between their naked bodies slipped onto the bottom of the tub. She stared at the towel, her last source of dignity as the water pounded against it. A sense of defeat filled her as the blinding rage simmered down a bit. She wasn't sure if it was because of the ice cold water pounding her skin or if losing the towel knocked some sense into her.

  Her shoulders sagged as a sigh passed her lips, this is ridiculous. She wasn't going to get away from him, not now in the shower and not later with this deal. Liam's words from this morning repeated in her head, reminding her of what she promised him. Her bottom lip quivered at the thought of taking a life, a person she knew. It had crossed her mind earlier but she was sure now, she wouldn't be able to keep her promise to her twin. She couldn't kill Kiev.

  Tears clouded her vision at the realization as that same pesky hallow ache in her chest returned. Leaning back against Kiev in defeat she drew in a shuddered breath. How did she manage to get herself in this position? How the hell did she end up back into the world of Demons and Hunters?

"The attack on the Hunters, it was you. You almost killed my brother." She sniffed, feeling the first set of tears slide along her cheeks.

"Yes." Came his detached response.

Shaking her head she didn't know whether or not she appreciated his honesty or detested it. A part of her, a very small and stupid part of her had hoped that Liam was mistaken. That maybe Kiev wasn't the monster her brother thought he was. The truth was bitter sweet and difficult to swallow.

  The cool hands released her elbows allowing her to save face and swipe at the hot tears before he could spot them.

"I didn't lie to you."

Her brows knitted together in sudden confusion. "What?" 

  The seconds ticked by as the silence stretched between them. For a moment she wondered if  Kiev had spoken at all when the water switched off. Shivering against the cool mist surrounding them she rubbed her arms in the hopes of warming herself.

"When you asked me if your brother was alive, I didn't lie to you. You never asked if I had anything to do with it." His reply was soft and filled with uncertainty.

  Despite the new set of tears that welled in her eyes Harper felt a sardonic smile stretch across her lips. As much as she wanted to argue she knew he was right, she specifically told him she didn't care how it happened but she did. She did now more than ever because she could be a suspect. If anyone discovered their deal she would be accused of betraying her people. His actions could seal her fate.

"Okay, fair enough." She sighed. His fingers uncurled from her arms but lingered against her wet skin. "I have to ask, how did you even find the base? Are you- are you working with someone in the Hunters organization? Are you working with my sister?" The last part came out in a soft, broken whisper.

  A long pause followed her question as she had predicted but she couldn't remain in the dark. Not when Olivia might be involved in something that could cost her her life. A part of her really didn't want to know, the same part of her that leaned against him for support. That small stupid part that convinced her being with Kiev would be okay. That same part was curious, did Olivia and Kiev have something going on between them? Shaking the thought away she forced herself to ignore the twinge of jealousy and think about the problem at hand. Getting a name out of him was far fetched but if she could confirm that their was indeed a mole maybe, just maybe she could get in front of this problem and save her own ass before she received an unexpected visit from the council.

  A cold shiver slithered down her spine as she was reminded of their naked and wet state. Maybe she could step out now and warm up since his plan to 'cool' her down obviously worked. Before she could grab the shower curtain a soft squeak echoed in the small tiled room as the shower head once again came to life. Half expecting the same frigid water Harper was momentarily shocked to find the streaming water warm comforting against her cool skin.

  A content sigh tumbled from her lips as her she stepped further into the warm water. Ignoring the warmth of Kiev's body pressing against her back Harper took a moment to bask in the warmth before she had to return to their conversation. She was allowed to have a moment to herself.

  Running her fingers threw her soaked hair she felt his strong hands pull away before they wrapped around her waist again. Chancing a glance down at his large hands she was stunned to find her yellow shower puff in his hand. Giving the small puff a few squeezes he ran the soapy puff across her torso in small, soft circles.

  Lowering her arms to her sides she watched as his free hand massaged after the puff, his fingers lightly caressing her soap studded skin. Her lower regions tingled, fully aware of the naked man behind her. She watched with parted lips as he made his way up towards her swollen breaśts, gliding the rough puff against her already sensitive nub before his hand gently cupped the heavy mound. He caught the perk nïpple between his two fingers, his thumb grazing across the pebbled surface and extracting a guttural moan from her.

  Pressing herself further against him she knew she should have ended it before they went too far. She did have a few more questions for the sneaky man but it was difficult to see reason when her body succumbed to his tender touch. When every stroke of his fingers enticed a moan from her gaped mouth. How the uneven panting by her ear had her back arching into his touch, wordlessly pleading for more. Her own breathing was labored as he turned his attention to the other breaśt.

  Piercing her bottom lip with her teeth she muffled a moan, her knees wobbling slightly as a heavy pressure formed below her pelvis. Drawing in a ragged breath Kiev parted his legs and took a step forward. Releasing her bottom lip Harper couldn't contain the whimper of pleasure that echoed in the room as his erect member pressed flush against her bottom. Moisture pooled between her legs at the feel of the hot steel nudging her teasingly from behind.

  Lowering her gaze she spotted her abandoned towel on the bottom of the tub. The image of the soaked fabric caused the hazy cloud of desire to clear just long enough for her to recall her earlier plan. To interrogate Kiev.

  Wrapping her fingers around his sturdy forearm she took a step back and turned to face him. With the warm stream of water hitting her from behind Harper -despite her flushed cheeks and glazed over eyes met Kiev's vivid green eyes with determination.

"Answer my question."

   His chest rose and fell with his labored breath, his arms dropping back to his sides. Water droplets drizzled from his ink black hair and down the sharp outline of his jaw, over his tightly pressed lips. For a moment Harper thought he'd disappear without answering her when he huffed out loud.

"There is no mole."

"So Olivia didn't tell you about the base?" She queried.

  He shook his head, his eyes narrowing on her soap covered breaśts. A wave of heat washed over her as his dark, lust filled eyes raked over her body in unmasked hunger. A muscle in his jaw twitched as did another part of him when she shifted, the action made by her subconscious.

"What about the contract with Olivia?"

  He took a step forward, his gaze traveling ever so slowly back to her face. "What about it?" He mumbled.

Moistening her parched lips she took a step backwards and further into the stream of water causing the soap suds to glide down her body and reveal her fully. His upper lip curved upwards as a animal like snarl tore from his throat. His gaze narrowed into slits as a dangerous and knowing look glimmered in his emerald gaze.

"Olivia's signature wasn't in her blood, was it binding?" She asked calmly even as her heart thumped against her ribcage.

He's too close. Gulping past the lump in her throat she willed herself to resist him. Resist those tempting green orbs, ignore his heavy panting, pay no mind to those delicious full pink lips even as they inched closer and closer. Her lower region clenched in anticipation as his hot breath fanned her jaw, her nîpples taunt against his smooth, bronze skin as he pressed his chest to hers. Suppressing a moan of delight she shook her head in warning when he pounced like an animal.

"No, it wasn't." He answered.

One arm wrapped around her hips as the other settled on her heavy breást, his hot, skilled mouth finding the pulse on her neck. Closing her eyes against the sensation of his teasing hand and that wicked tongue as it tasted her skin. On their own accord her arms wrapped around his shoulders, her nails biting into his wet skin, pulling him closer. A voice screamed in her head for her to stop, to release the grip on him and push him away. To get away from the mouth latching onto her neck. Parting her lips to voice her protests she hadn't expected the large hand on her hip to glide across her wet skin and along her thigh. A soft whimper left her lips as that same hand slid under her thigh, his fingers digging into the soft flesh as he pulled her leg up and on his hip.

   Throwing her head back Harper cursed as his member lined up with her throbbing entrance. Her breaths came out in harsh pants as he edged her backwards, her back colliding with the tiled wall as he pressed his hips into hers. His hot mouth kissed, nibbled and suckled down along the column of her throat extracting moan after moan. With her eyes squeezed shut she had long forgotten what they were talking about, her thoughts a muddled mess. Her hips rolled against his enticing a deep growl to rumble from his chest, the sound bringing a smile to her face.

"Why don't we take this somewhere else?" He whispered against her flushed skin.

   Without a word of warning he pulled her other leg around his waist and turned them around as the shower curtain was yanked back. Taken by surprise by the sudden action Harper's lids fluttered open as the water was switched off and Kiev started toward the now open door with his head buried between her breásts. Her legs tightened around his slender waist as he effortlessly walked them into the bedroom. Without pulling his mouth away from her skin he gracefully led them to the duvet covered bed and gently placed her onto the soft surface.

The weight of his body on hers caused her thighs to immediately clench, forcing his erect member to settle against her throbbing entrance.

Stop, a small voice chided in her head. Scoffing inwardly Harper arched in pure ecstasy as those open mouthed kiss were peppered across her abdomen, a single hand slipped between their joined hips and stroked her swollen bud.

  His digits traced her entrance, the tips of those long fingers gently nudging her opening. A need so fierce burned through her entire being, scorching all coherent thoughts and common sense in its wake. A heaviness like she never felt before settled over her mid section as the ache in her chest faded away as if it never existed. Groaning against his shoulder Harper turned her head to the side as Kiev pushed three pre moist fingers into her core, his thumb pressing against her throbbing nub. She could feel her climax building, the heaviness of the storm brewing within her causing her hips to jerk against his hand in search of the delicious end. Lifting her head she watched his dark head slightly bouncing as he leisurely sampled her skin with both his lips and tongue.

The sight of him so engrossed in kissing every inch of her skin turned her on and caused her thighs to clamp around his wrist tightly as a burning urge to touch him edged her to lean forward. Pressing her lips tender over his shoulder she slipped her tongue past her pink lips and licked the water droplets off his smooth, sun kissed skin. She felt him shudder and wondered if he preferred to do the kissing when she felt his mouth latch on to the tender skin beneath her belly button and suckle on the skin like a starved child.

Smiling to herself she leaned in to continue when something caught her eye. To her right a drawer was yanked wide open, nearly toppling out of its slot. Her brows knitted together as the sight of the drawer pierced through the cloud of lust that consumed her. Racking through her brain for a reason as to why the drawer was yanked violently out of place when it dawned on her, she yanked it out. Like a bucket of cold water reality slammed into her pulling her out of the haze of desire Kiev had effectively set on her. The many questions she had came racing to the front of her mind as did her conversation with Liam that morning.

What am I doing?

Dropping her legs back to her sides she gripped the broad shoulders in front of her and shook Kiev. "Stop, stop..." She squeaked, unable to keep her voice from cracking.

Responding with a deep hum Kiev continued to pump his fingers out of her although it didn't seem to feel as great as a few moments ago. Now with her mind clear of desire and her thoughts returning she didn't enjoy the invasion of his fingers as they stretched her walls. Grimacing against the pain she shook him once more, her fingers digging into his flesh.

"Kiev." She hissed, tears pricking her eyes as the burning sensation grew below. "Kiev, stop. You're hurting me."

His large frame stiffened, whether from the words she spoke or the tears in her voice she wasn't sure. The fingers inside her halted in their movement before very slowly he slipped them out of her core. She couldn't help the sharp intake of breath as the large man on top of her lifted his dark head from her torso revealing an impassive expression. Although his features revealed nothing the same couldn't be said about his eyes. The mixture of emotions filling those green orbs sent her heart putter patting. The fusion of guilt, concern, desire and a twinge of something she couldn't quite put her finger on shimmered in his eyes. His brows pulled together as he searched her face for an answer to what happened.

With her chest heaving with labored breaths, heart pounding mercilessly in her chest, Harper placed a cautious hand against his cheek. He recoiled from her touch, his features twisting into something dark and menacing. Before she could comprehend the situation he rolled to the other side of the bed. A wave of hurt washed over her at his bristled reaction to her touch. Pushing the feelings aside Harper grabbed a fistful of the duvet and tossed it over herself in an attempt to salvage the what remained of her dignity.

"I thought you were... I mean I didn't realize...." He stuttered on, each sentence blending into the other as he adjusted himself at the foot of the bed still naked as the day he was born. Taking a deep breath he hung his head low in shame. "I'm sorry."

Swallowing past the lump in her throat Harper wondered if Kiev had ever spoke those two words before. They seemed foreign coming from him yet she could hear the sincere regret in the two simple words. He truly hadn't meant to hurt her.

Chancing another bristled brush aside reaction Harper slid forward, taking the duvet with her until she sat inches from him. His throat bobbled as he swallowed hard, his gaze just barely meeting hers. Still unsure about his reaction she cupped one side of his jaw with one hand, her fingers brushing the smooth skin in an attempt to soothe the sorrow in his eyes.

"It's okay." She whispered hoarsely, her lips stretched into a soft smile.

Expecting a response Harper watched him carefully but as the seconds ticked by he remained rigid and unmoving. Although he didn't pull away from her touch Harper could feel the sudden distance between them grow as he avoided her gaze. Her heart ached to comfort him but she didn't know how to do that when she didn't understand what upset him to begin with. She thought of asking but quickly shook the idea away, recalling she had another set of questions for Kiev.

Gnawing her bottom lip nervously Harper inched closer to his large figure, her hand remained splayed across his cheek as her thumb stroked the outline of his jawline. Nervous over his reaction to her questions Harper wondered if he was going to leave, she hoped not. Not only did she desperately need the answers to the questions she had for nearly a decade but she also needed to hear with her own ears about Kiev's role in her family's affairs. She needed to know if he really did want all the Grants dead, including her. If she was being honest with herself she was terrified of the answers to all her questions. If Kiev had a role in her mother's death or a weird vendetta against her family for his father's death she wasn't sure how this...thing between them would work. There would be no unhearing what she would hear right now and that scared her more than anything.

Mustering as much of her courage as she could she sucked in a ragged breath and began. "I wanted to ask you if..." She paused, unsure how to phrase his threat without coming right out with it, so she did. "Are you going to kill me?"

"What?"

Ignoring the way his gaze darkened at the question she elaborated further. "You told Liam you're going to end the Grant bloodline, does that include me?"

Sighing, he turned his head so his face was out of reach much like the man himself. A gulf ball sized lump formed in her throat as her brain deciphered his reaction to her question. Entwining her fingers together she placed them across her lap as she tried and failed to ignore the familiar sting of tears. Be strong, it's better to know his intentions now, a sober voice added.

Yet she couldn't ignore the ache in her chest even as she willed her tears away or the disappointment that washed over her. She had deluded herself into thinking he cared for her the way she had began to care for him. A jolt of pain shot through her chest like bolt of lightning in the sky. Her hand flew to her chest, clawing at the area where the most pain was with a grimace.

"I thought we weren't going to talk about Demons and Hunters when we're together."

  Gliding a single finger beneath her bottom lash line she sent him a dark scowl. "This is different." She murmured, while continuing to wipe at her tears.

"Why?" He asked. The bed groaned beneath his weight as he turned to face her with a fierce determination in his hardened gaze.

"Because you're trying to kill my family."

"They are doing the same thing to my family and people." He spat back. "Your family has inherited the need to kill innocent beings as did your ancestors. They kill hundreds of thousands of my people for no reason."

  Shaking her head Harper felt her stomach flip in disgust at his words, the bitter taste of bile rising in her throat. "Why would they do that?"

  The question was meant to defend the Hunters' actions but she found herself genuinely asking him why.

"Do you know what started the feud between Demons and Hunters? One couple falling in love centuries ago."

  She nodded. Harper recalled hearing a few lectures about her cursed great, great, great, great grand aunt Victoria and how she had fallen in love with a Demon general. The demon was a prisoner, kept alive to retract supernatural secrets and illegal activity. The stories weren't clear on how it happened but only days after being assigned to torture the General Victoria escaped with the demon. Everyone had assumed he killed her until a few years after the incident she was spotted on the arm of the same general at an all councils' gathering meeting. The Hunters disowned Victoria on the spot and the Demon, Hunter relationship was never the same.

"Did you know it was the Hunters who killed Victoria when they discovered she was with child?" He asked in a harsh, clipped tone. "Did you know that out of spite your ancestors ripped her open while she still lived and killed the child before turning the same blood covered knife onto the mother?"

  Horrified, Harper pressed a hand to her trembling mouth. No words could describe her shock and disgust with what her people had done even if it was well beyond her time. To harm a child out of hatred was another level of psychotic. Through countless lessons none of her teachers had spoke of how Victoria died, only cursing her in her grave as they moved on to another topic. Not even her father explained her death. Looking past her fear stricken expression Kiev continued.

"General Taylor took his own life less than twenty four hours later. He preferred death over the tragedy he had to endure because your people couldn't accept two beings from different worlds falling in love." He jabbed an accusing finger towards her while his loathing stare remained trained on her. "That's when the feud stared, after your people declared it by slaughtering an innocent." 

   Appalled and disgusted with her ancestors Harper lowered the hand from her quivering lips. Peering through semi wet lashes she stared at the slightly trembling man at the foot of her bed. His body remained rigid yet alert as if he expected someone to barge in on them. Those once shimmering emerald orbs had been flushed out by a dark, cold black abyss.

"That was decades ago, surely your people would have moved on from such a tragedy." She spoke in a soft, unsure tone as a sense of dread filled her. She felt as if she had just stepped into a more complicated situation as Kiev's head snapped up.

"We did." He growled menacingly. The raw hate he had for her people clear as day in his tone as he slid closer to her.

  Despite telling herself to remain strong and remain neutral Harper felt her body tilt away from his looming presence. Gulping nervously she met his burning gaze with one of hesitance and uncertainty. His eyes narrowed, sensing her unease at the close proximity.

"The Hunters couldn't forget or move on.." He continued through gritted teeth. "Your mother didn't."

  At the mention of her mother all the unease was sucked out of her leaving only curiosity and a craving for more information about her mother.

"What do you mean my mother didn't? What did she do?" Harper questioned.

  His brows furrowed together as he looked her over in puzzlement. "You don't know?" He scoffed in disbelief.

  Shaking her head in reply Harper leaned forward, her fingers curling around the plush fabric covering her body. Anxious to finally receive answers about her mother Harper stared unblinkingly and was met with a skeptical glare from Kiev. He took a moment to look her over his upper lip curling in distain before he spoke again.

"She killed my mother."

*********

Oh yes I did just did that!!! Cue evil laugh XD sorry my lovely readers but I had to the chapter was getting too long. But I promise the next chapter -which I'm currently working on- will be up in the next week maybe sooner;)

Thanks for the support and being patient with me. I appreciate every, comment and silent read!! xoxoxo