We All Fall

  Kiev's POV

  Running an agitated hand through his hair as he paced down the length of the small bedroom as a soft moan echoed in the room. The sound triggered a searing pain to tear in his chest, the pain so profound he had to halt in mid step. Gritting his teeth against the pain Kiev felt the shadows around him pull away from his being and glide across the carpeted floor. They entwined themselves around the bed like wild vines, creating a protective shield around the unconscious body on the mattress.

  A wave of regret resonated within him as he watched his extended shadows stroke Harper's pale skin. He did that to her. Clenching his fists he forced himself to take in her limp figure, his gaze raking over her expressionless face one of a corpse.

"Can you get these things away from her, I'm trying to work." Elena hissed venomously.

  Flicking a single finger in silent command Kiev was shocked when the shadows didn't immediately obey him. They lingered over Harper for a moment, their cold tips brushing across her lips in a soft caress before retreating to their master. Without a word Elena turned her attention back to her task.

  The witch had been hear for nearly an hour and had kept the same harsh tone with him. He didn't know who else to call. Other witches would ask too many questions and he couldn't trust any demons with this secret, he couldn't put Harper's life at risk by involving them.

But you already did, a voice sneered darkly.

  Pushing the thought aside along with the blanket of guilt Kiev turned his attention back to the witch. Kneeling by Harper's bedside she held a wooden bowl in one hand as she smeared a pink mud like mixture across Harper's skin while she mumbled an enchantment softly. Although most of her body was covered in the thick concoction Kiev couldn't rid the image of her body before Elena arrived. After he called the witch he decided to lay her down when he saw the dark purple bruises littering her smooth alabaster skin, the angry burgundy ribbons decorated her body reminding him of his accidental command, the imprint of his fingers around her throat.

  Bile rose in his throat at the memory of what he did. He was disgusted and ashamed of his actions. Caught up by his anger about the past he had been blinded for a moment, mistaking Harper's painful expression for her mother's cruel smirk. He put his hatred for the woman who took away his family upon her.

My mother's sins are not mine.

Her words repeated over and over again in his mind like a broken record, taunting him. They weren't he knew that now but he couldn't pull himself out of the past, couldn't separate his emotions from then and now. He saw Harper sitting there resembling her mother he couldn't help but think that he could avenge his parents by taking the life of Walter and Jillian Grant's child. A fresh wave of shame washed over him as he thought back to how he had wrapped his hand around her throat, watching her eyes widen in fear upon realizing he wasn't backing off. He could never forget how her body had fell helplessly against him, only then was he able to pull himself out of the spell he was under. The guilt weighed heavily on his chest as that same searing pain sliced through him.

Elena stood up off the ground and lifted the duvet over Harper's body, tucking it beneath her chin. She placed her clean hand on top of Harper's head as she bent down and placed a chaste kiss on the crown of her head. With a sigh the witch turned around as she swiped at a stray tear.

"Is she going to be okay?" Kiev asked as he started toward her.

Pulling out a small cloth from the front of her jean pocket she cleaned the pink gunk from her fingers before sending him a dark glare. "Yes, no thanks to you." She spat. "Don't think I didn't notice your fingers around her throat."

With that she pushed past him and over to where she had tossed her over sized brown leather bag at the foot of the bed. He knew he deserved that, more than that actually. He didn't tell Elena what he needed her for, all he said when he called her was that he needed her, no explanation or any details. When she arrived at the apartment she rushed into the room in search for Harper.

"Well you can go now, I'll stay and make sure she's alright."

Elena's words caused him to look up and find the witch standing before him with her arms crossed over her chest. Dressed in a pair of bright red jeans and a tie dyed t-shirt she resembled a moody teenager rather than a very old and powerful witch.

Sparing a quick glance towards the bed he turned back towards the scowling witch. "I think I'll stay a bit longer."

"Why? Haven't you done enough to the poor girl?"

"I didn't mean to..." He trailed off feeling his throat close up with emotion. Squeezing his eyes shut he sucked in a deep breath hoping to calm his frazzled nerves.

"You expect me to believe that's true? You knew this would happen when you first trapped her into this deal, it's apart of your master plan."

It was true. Swallowing hard he twisted on his heels and started toward the bed as his eyes reopened. That was the plan, it was the final attack that would send the Hunters on a whirlwind that would lead to their demise. Much like Jillian Grant, Kiev had the plan figured out down to the last detail. Every move was carefully calculated to abide by the rules of both worlds, everything was thought out, every possible surprise carefully thought through but he hadn't expected Harper. Rubbing a hand over his face he ignored the shadows as they pooled around the bed, surrounding her body from his looming figure. Harper wasn't what he expected. She was prettier, feistier, prouder and so damn stubborn he couldn't stand it. She was strong and he couldn't help but admire her for it. To top it all she had nothing to do with anything the Hunters have done.

   She didn't know about what her mother did. Dropping his hand back to his side he stopped to kneel by her side where Elena had spent the better part of an hour sitting. Brushing his fingers across her cheeks he felt his heart strings pull as a shuddered breath tore from her pale lips. The look of shock and sorrow in her soft caramel eyes spoke the truth, she really knew nothing.

In the beginning he walked into the plan with his mind clear and set on one goal but she was clouding his judgement. Forcing him to step out of the form position he has always held and planted a delusional idea that maybe he did have another choice. What about Cade? He'll die. Cade. Retracting his hand Kiev slowly stood. How could he forget about his brother? How could he forget the torture he was facing at the hands of the Hunters? His people need their leader, they needed a victory and vengeance for the injustice they have faced. They all needed him to do this, to stand up for them all.

"You know there's more to this than what I want." He bit off harshly.

Sparing her one last glance he turned his back to Harper's sleeping form and the guilt eating at his insides. He couldn't afford the luxury of guilt and any personal feelings. This was a war, a war that was older than Harper and most of her family. This was a war that his father had trained him for, that his mother had tried so long to end. A war that was threatening to take away his brother. No more. He would end this war forever.

"And you know the only person who will play the price is Harper." Elena shot back. "All of you entered this war willingly, she didn't."

Anger simmered within him, his hands clenched at his sides. "I didn't bring her into this Jillian did."

"And then she left this world behind but you had to force her back in. You couldn't let the little girl who testified against your father to get off easily could you?"

Despite the truth of her words Kiev felt himself unraveling, his anger seeping through the mask he tried to put up. It was true, everything the witch said was true. Her eyes narrowed on him, thin brows pulling together.

"I could protect her then but I'll be damned if I let you and her father mess with her again."

"You're under oath." Kiev reminded her. "That means you can't tell anyone anything."

"I know." She spat darkly. "Both you and her father had the same twisted idea."

Walter recruited the witch nearly seven months ago, something his wife had done before she plotted his mother's death. It was no coincidence and both Kiev and Elena knew that. The Hunters were out for blood again but he wouldn't allow history to continue to repeat. He wasn't able to stop Walter Grant from kidnapping their queen nearly five months ago but he could get her back. The first step was getting a witch on his side, the second was keeping Cade calm until he could bring his soulmate back to him. He refused to have his brother end up like their father, not again. Elena assisted him in keeping all his plans in the very slim margin of the laws of their worlds, everything had to be legal.

"Then you know my hand was forced." He replied with a tilt of his head.

  With a sigh her shoulders sagged, her features softening slightly. "I just wish Harper wasn't involved. She's a really good person Kiev, she's not like you guys."

  A pang in his chest caused him to avert his gaze to keep the witch from seeing the painful expression that flashed across his face. "I know."

"Do whatever you want with Walter, the council, Liam hell you can even take your anger out on Olivia just leave Harper out of this. Please."

  Shaking his head he felt that seed of doubt Harper had unknowingly planted sprout. Could he really reach his goal without Harper? No, she's the key. With a growl of frustration Kiev shoved a hand through his disheveled hair tempted to pull at the dark strands in the holes of relieving some of the stress. He couldn't reach his goal with out Harper but many he could orchestrate everything so she wouldn't have to die. Maybe he could rearrange some events, pull another attack here and then maybe with some luck Harper could walk away from all of this unscathed.

  That meant revising his already thought out plan. Going back to the drawing board wouldn't be easy and this his time frame was much shorter. He would have to work around the clock, push his people to their limits and for what? A huntress? How would he explain that to them?

"How do I keep her safe?" He questioned out loud.

  The sound of footsteps grew closer as Elena crossed the small space between them. Placing a gentle hand over his shoulder she turned him to face her, her expression soft and pleading. "I'll help you do it. I just can't watch as she suffers anymore."

  Kiev wasn't sure if it was Elena's pleading expression or the words he had been echoing in his own mind. Either way he found the hard mask dropping as he sighed and gave her a nod in response. He didn't want Harper to be harmed anymore than Elena. It wasn't fair.

  A hopeful smile spread across her face. "I swear to you by all things magical that I will do everything I can to help you."

With a nod of acknowledgement Kiev shifted his gaze to Harper's pale face, the pink gunk smeared across her chin reminding of how he had lost control. He seemed to always lose control around Harper. It baffled him how one woman could come around and turn his world on its ear.

  She wasn't what he had expected. He thought he'd be dealing with a meek girl too scared of him to attempt to fight and what he got was a wildcat. Her tongue was sharp, her will strong and she had that classic Grant stubbornness that was strangely attractive on her. He couldn't deny that her body didn't play a factor, those curves had him panting like a dog in heat and the way she reacted to his touch was so much more different than the other females he had been with over the years. She burned and moaned like any other female but her body called to him, beckoned him to submit to her every soft curve, to explore every hidden spot that would send her to the depths of euphoria. Every moan that passed her plump lips fed a primal part of him that craved her sounds of pleasure. Her lustful gaze as he kissed every inch of her soft, creamy skin had him feeling like a young incubus.

  She drove him crazy and calmed him all at once. It was bittersweet being around her, enjoying what she offered him while knowing he would take everything away from her. Last night and this morning was a small taste of what could have been had they met on different circumstances.

"Most of her injuries will heal by tomorrow but I can't stay the same for her anger."

  A sad smile caused the corner of his lips to curve upwards. He knew what she meant, Harper wouldn't forgive him and he honestly couldn't blame her. He had nearly punished her for a crime she didn't commit, he was no better than the Hunters.

"She told me last night not to break her heart." He spoke to himself not intending to speak the words out loud. "I think I shattered it."

  Almost as if to respond to him a soft whimper passed her lips. Dropping down onto one knee he pressed his lips to her forehead, lingering a moment to savor the sensation of her skin beneath his lips. Reluctantly he pulled back to look her over and found his heart sinking beneath the heavy weight that was regret and guilt.

  There were no words that could fully express the moment he managed to snap out of his anger and saw her hunched over and unconscious. The cold grip of fear clutched his heart mercilessly as his anger dispersed like a flame in the wind. Shaking her body and getting no response felt like a punch in the gut. The simple task of breathing became difficult as he flipped her over and saw the bruises sprinkled across her flawless skin.

  Never in all his years of existence had he ever experienced such heart stopping, body numbing fear as he did when he thought for a brief moment that Harper had died. The sound of a heartbeat had never sounded so sweet when he pressed his ear to her chest. It was strange now that he thought about it.

  His brows knitted together in puzzlement. Before today he thought the only living person he cared about was Cade. His older brother had always been like a second father to him, teaching him the ways of their world, helping him open feeding clubs all around the globe. Cade had even taken the burden of being King from Kiev's shoulders. Cade knew more than anyone how much he detested the position destined for him since birth. His brother was always there for him and he loved him. Losing his brother would be heartbreaking but when Kiev had thought he killed Harper it had felt soul crushing.

  Losing his parents in such a horrible and sudden way had been very painful but what he felt an hour ago made the sorrow he felt after his parents died seem like a raindrop in the ocean of misery. Placing a hand over his heart  he rubbed the hallow ache in his chest. The ache started when he noticed Harper's unconsciousness and had lessened slightly over the past hour. He had never experienced that searing white, hot knife like jabbing in his heart before and that worried him.

  A soft hissing sound pulled him from his thoughts. He lifted his gaze to find his extended shadows wrapping their dark and twisted form around Harper's sleeping figure. They stroked her bare skin enticing a shuddered breath to pass her slightly parted lips. A long shadow lay beside her head, the wiry shadow settling by her head like an obedient dog.

  Kiev froze as he stared at his shadows attempting to soothe Harper, none of their actions were commanded of them. They want to help her. The realization smacked into him like a freight train. His wide eyes followed the twisted shadows wondering why he hadn't noticed they were acting on their own accord which had never occurred before this moment. It was as if their loyalty lied with her now.

"This will all be over soon and Harper can go back to the life she always wanted."

  The witch's words were barely audible over the loud pounding of his heart as his mind placed the pieces together. No, she can't be. Not her, not now.

"You are going to free her from the deal, aren't you?" Elena questioned, mistaking his silence as hesitation.

  Without thinking he shook his head causing the witch to huff out in frustration and rant on about Harper's innocence and how she was clueless to everything going on around her. Kiev wouldn't have been able to understand a word of her ranting even if the witch were scaring in his ear.

"She's the one." He murmured softly. The shadows hissed and rattled from side to side in response causing the bed to tremble.

The sudden movement caused Harper's thin brows to pull together, a small crease forming between them as a soft groan tumbled from her lips. The sound of discomfort caused the ache in his chest to throb. With a grimace Kiev cupped the side of her face, the pad of his thumb stroking her smooth skin.

"What did you say?"

Harper nestled into his touch with a moan that broke his heart. A sad smile pulled at the corners of his lips as he watched her knowing it would be a while before she would willingly accept his touch again. A part of him wondered if she still had any intention to keep their deal, he had only just tasted the sweetness that was Harper and was far from having his fill of her.

"I think Harper is my other-"

"No!" Elena interrupted in a thunderous tone. "Don't you fücking dare say your other half." She warned.

With his hand remaining on her cheek Kiev glanced over his shoulder and found the witch with her fists balled, her expression one of fury as her short brown hair flew behind her.

"I'm not sure but it feels like she might be." He said in the hopes of calming her.

Her eyes narrowed into slits. "I couldn't protect her from her mother and I couldn't protect her from your deal but I can protect her now and you can bet your ass I will." Jabbing an angry finger towards the bed she continued with a slight glimmer of tears in her eyes. "As soon as the deal I made with Walter and you expires I'm telling her everything."

Stunned by her admission Kiev raised a brow in questioning. "Everything?"

"Yes. I'm going to tell her how everyone has been on these ridiculous plans. How she has been dragged into another battle between two stupid races who can't stop hating each other to see they are hurting her in the process."

Pulling his hand back to his side Kiev shifted so his body was fully facing the fuming witch. A slight redness had flushed her cheeks in the midst of her rant. He could see the determination mixed with the tears quickly filling her eyes.

"I won't let you drag her into a world she fought so hard to leave behind. You haven't preformed the ceremony so you aren't linked yet. And you better not preform it." She warned with a pointed look.

The shadows rose up off the bed and hissed in protest as Kiev thought her words over. He understood where Elena was coming from but this was his possible mate. Even if he didn't bond with her he -as well as the rest of him- would always know who his soulmate is. In the back of his mind he'd always know where to find her. The fact that it was Harper Grant only made it worse. The Hunters would never allow such a union and he couldn't see it ending happily if they tried.

I won't be like my father.

  He wouldn't share the same fate as his father. He refused to give into the curse and seal his fate. It was very possible to live without a mate so long as he didn't give in to temptation and bond Harper to him. Sorrow washed over him as he came to the realization that his wish would come true. All these decades she has avoided finding his soulmate and he might just have and it was near impossible for them to be together. The irony didn't escape him. Life was cruel.

"Alright." He sighed defeatedly. The shadows rattled the bed in anger obviously displeased with their master's decision. His throats felt raw with the sudden emotions plaguing him; the sudden loss, the disappointment and the relief. The identity of his mate was no longer a mystery. "I think it's better for the both of us that we don't try to bond."

"Ever." Elena bit off.

  The words he tried forming lodged in his throat, clawing to remain inside of him. Opting for a simple nod Kiev gritted his teeth as the throbbing twisted into a heavy pulsing.

"Good." Elena sighed, her entire demeanor softening. "No one can know either."

  Nodding, Kiev turned his attention back to Harper. He knew the risks better than anyone if anyone were to find out she was his soulmate.  Kiev was the last full bred demons left and one of the most powerful beings still roaming the earth and this would be the key to his downfall. His self destruct button as his father had teasing referred to it.

  Leaning forward Kiev ignored the wiry shadows as they hissed at him and pressed his lips over her still ones as he made a silent vow to never tell Harper either. Despite her hard exterior he had seen her gentle, caring side and had no doubt in his mind that she would -if given the chance- allow him to preform the ceremony. She had the power to destroy him and she didn't even know it.

"I swear I'll keep you safe." He whispered the promise against her lips intending to keep his word. Whether he had to protect her against the Hunters, the Demon council, her family or even him.

**************

   Alright so I'm a day and a bit off my intended goal -hides face in shame. The good news is we have an insight into the very confusing mind that is Kiev. Learned a few other things about Elena, the role she plays and that they are many other players in this game. With all that jammed into one small update I can't wait to hear what you guys thought of this chapter. I can't wait to hear all your new theories and thoughts about our sexy demon Kiev now.