Page 53 of Their Offering

Chapter 26

Lillian

I wasn’t sure what I expected Hell to look like––maybe a canyon full of fire––but it was not what I saw. I nearly gasped. To my left and right were thick woods; somehow, the line of trees looked more beautiful than the ones back home. They were certainly bigger, and much,muchtaller.

In front of us, maybe forty feet away, was the edge of a cliff. Even this far away, I could tell the view was breathtaking. I took several steps forward and walked the edge, keeping a large distance between me and the drop. I could see more trees and a river down below.

I looked up, and my jaw dropped. Twinkling bright in the sky were more stars than I’d ever seen before. I didn’t see a moon, but I chalked that up to being in Hell. Things were surely different down here.

“It’s…” I spoke softly, afraid that if I spoke too loudly, it would ruin the ambiance, “so… it’s… wow.Thisis Hell?” I looked at Keir and couldn’t help but smile.

He stared at me like he could see right through me. I blushed and looked to the ground, trying to push down the smile that threatened to spread across my face before looking back at him.

I swear, Keir almost smiled at my reaction, but for once, he didn’t glare at me when he spoke. “What did you expect? Let me guess… fire?” He winked and elbowed me playfully.

I laughed at the fact that Keir was actually teasing me rather than biting my head off. The feeling in my body was delightful, something I’d never felt before, flowing from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. I thought I might burst at the pressure building in my chest; I liked him much better this way.

I looked into his eyes, and my heartbeat picked up. He looked down at my chest as if he could hear it too, then back at me. There was a brightness to his dark eyes, which sounded crazy, but I could see it,feelit.

“What’s so funny?” The corner of his mouth lifted, and butterflies erupted in my stomach.

“Nothing.” I bit my lip, trying to rein in my ginormous, goofy smile.

“I’ll deny this ‘til the day I die if you tell anyone, but I like when you smile, when you look happy.”

I was about to tease him for going soft on me when I heard a twig snap, and both our heads jerked in its direction.

Keir’s demeanor quickly changed, and he moved to stand in front of me as several shadows stepped out from the trees. “Stay behind me,” he commanded. I didn’t object.

It didn’t take long for the group to reach us. There looked to be seven or eight of them, one in front with the others on each side. As they got closer, the details became clearer. The figure in front was a built man, ugly as sin. His face was straight out of someone's nightmare. He had two small horns protruding from his forehead, and his teeth were too big for his mouth. I could have sworn I saw fangs, but it was too dark to be sure. He stood proudly, clearly the leader.

The ones behind him were smaller, but still creepy looking. Their skin was dull, their eyes glowing. Most of them looked deformed, like their faces were melting off.

They were all demons, I knew that. How did I know that? They were the kind of demons you’d see in horror movies, not the attractive, sexy demons who’d claimed me as their offering. Why did they look so different? They were ugly. The princes were decidedlynot.

They’re lower-level demons,Keir’s voice sounded in my head.

What the hell? How did you do that?I responded voicelessly.

Our emotions are heightened. It must drop the wall between us.His voice made my eyes roll back.

I silently reminded myself to focus; naughty thoughts were not welcome.

So why don’t you look like them?

Are you saying you find me attractive?I immediately blushed at his words.

No. That’s not what…I…I didn’t mean––

Relax, Lillian. I’m messing with you. The less powerful the demon, the more monster-like they appear. The more powerful the demon…

The sexier.I gasped audibly at my words.

The chuckle that came from his throat sent tingles straight to my core. There was no denying that he affected me, even just his laugh.

I didn’t…I started but stopped myself. I wasn’t sure what to say. Ihadmeant it. The princes were sexy, all three of them. I never meant to admit it to Keir, though.

I know. I won’t tell. Your secret is safe with me,he teased.

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