Page 66 of Dark Captivation

I wasn’t a flower who needed to be protected. I was a warrior with opinions that should be valued. A flame lit up in me and I intended to continue the argument when I sensed Mellow stir. Mellow was groggy and tired but something seemed to be troubling her.

Malek forked a large piece of fish and placed it in between his lips.

“Stupid girl. Why have you been ignoring your intuition? Can’t you sense that something is wrong? Don’t you feel the danger looming?” Mellow's voice came barreling to the surface. She sounded irate, like she would bite my head off if she could.

“Malek may be dangerous to many people. But he wouldn’t hurt me. You’re wrong about him, Mellow.” I replied to her telepathically.

“I still don’t trust the big demon. But I’m talking about the smaller demon you saw earlier. The one with the funny smell, he’s sitting just two tables away.” She said; and sure enough, two tables away was the same guy in the shades I saw a few times today. Was he really following us?

“Why is it that every time I’m in a good mood you ruin it by telling me I’m in danger and nothing ever happens? Could this just be anxiety talking? I haven’t let you out in days. This is my fault for neglecting you. I promise you I’ll shift as soon as I get back to the palace and we’ll go for a run.”

“Stupid girl. This is not anxiety. You’ve surrounded yourself with demons. Endangering not only your life but mine. Leave this place. This pretty demon is only going to get us killed.” Mellow hissed before going dormant again.

Malek poured us both a glass of wine. I perused the funny smelling demon in shades. He ate dinner at a table occupied with four women, his shades making it impossible to tell where his attention was going.

He seemed deeply embroiled in conversation. Was he secretly looking over here? If so, what did he want?

Why couldn’t life remain drama free for more than five minutes? Now Mellow thinks these demons were going to be the death of me. One wanted to fuck the life out of me and if Mellow was right, another demon wanted to end my life.

Every shifter knew that to ignore your wolf’s instincts was dangerous and reckless. Wolves were magic touched and had innate wisdoms gifted to them by the gods. If Mellow said there was something up with the guy in the shades, there probably was. I downed the glass of sweet wine and paid keen attention to what was happening at the other table.

I still had a lot of headway to make with Malek if I was going to steer him on the path to peace and away from the road of bloodshed and discord. I only hoped that chaos hadn’t come looking for us instead.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

LIVY

Awaitress set down a plate of lamb chops with pineapple sauce on the only empty inch of the table. I barely paid attention, my eyes were set on the demon sitting at an adjacent table.

He spoke with the woman beside him. They laughed about something, but by the tilt of his head I was almost certain he was staring right at me and Malek.

“Penny for your thoughts? Your food is getting cold.” Malek placed two pieces of lamb onto his plate and smoothed some sauce on them.

“I think someone’s been following us through the dimensions, but I can’t figure out why. Is he an employee of yours or something?”

“Everyone in Sandalia right now has been thoroughly vetted with extensive background checks.” Malek turned around, following my eyes to the demon in shades.

“Hmm.” Lines perked up between his brows as he fidgeted with his fork.

Melak turned to two men who waited past the tables, near the cooking station and beckoned them with an inward curl of his fingers.

“Yes, my King?” The two demons rushed to Malek, each brandishing a gun shaped bulge on their thighs.

“Go and check the ID and ticket on the demon behind me. The one in the shades and blue T-shirt. Make sure everything is on the up and up.” Malek instructed them and they rushed over to the man’s table doing as they’d been told.

“I didn’t know you brought security with us here,” I said.

“I never leave the palace without someone nearby that I can call in case of an emergency.” Malek sipped his wine with a cool, unreadable expression on his face. “Don’t worry. If there is a problem, my men will get to the bottom of it.”

My head tilted to the side as I observed the security interrogate the demon.

Watching him scramble to find his wallet and give them his ID with shaky hands made me deeply regret causing trouble for him. The women at his table wanted to know what was going on and he seemed so incredibly embarrassed.

“Relax, Sunny.” He dabbed a napkin over his lip. “It’s good to be aware of your surroundings. This is a sign that you’re well equipped to protect yourself in this dangerous world. I’m proud of you for speaking up when you noticed something suspicious.”

Having checked his ID and ticket to their satisfaction, the guards strolled past our table and gave Malek a thumbs up.

“Well, it seems like a false alarm. But now they’ll be keeping an eye on him just to make sure.”

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