Page 10 of Tortured Soul
He let out a long, obnoxious exhale. “Look, if you make friends with a binded group and they accept you, you can transfer. But in the meantime, you’re going to have to share a house with other unbinded.”
That was going to be a problem…I gave him a shaky nod, my throat too tight to utter any words, and followed as they climbed the steps of a large white stone building.
Chapter 4
Lola
Atemple. Really? That huge building that looked like a roman construction was built like a fuckingtemple?
What did they need a temple for exactly? As far as I knew, there were no humans here. Demons were not known to go and pray to Lucifer. Especially free demons. As for angels, I’ve been told they had a sort of link connecting all of them together in their heads, including their preciousoh, holy one.
What a nightmare to hear voices all the damn time. Definitely something to make you go crazy.
There had been stories in the past of humans blessed by Divines who ended up killed or locked up for hearing those voices. What a blessing, right?
Hard pass, thank you.
The main room was extravagantly large and buzzed with busy Immortals. They were running around, zigzagging between large stone pillars, spreadsheets or boxes in hand, exchanging instructions in hushed voices before dispersing in other rooms and coming back with more stuff or furniture. Carrying tables, chairs, more boxes.
Was there going to be an event here soon? Whatever was happening, I was glad no one paid us any mind.
I was escorted right past them toward a dimly lit corridor on the back left of the room where far less people roamed. After so many turns that I was certain I could not find my way back on my own, we stopped in front of a closed door. The demon from the stairs knocked three times before opening, without waiting for an invitation.
They nudged me inside and closed it behind us.
It was an office. A large wooden desk sat in the center of the room and filled bookcases covered the entire back wall. The lights were warm and a large window showed an illuminated park on the right side. Theroom was big enough that it had a sitting area under the window and I really wanted to let myself fall and sleep on that very comfortable looking dark green sofa for a day or two.
“Good evening everyone,” a voice said from the far left corner of the room.
“Kai,” the stairs demon said, nodding his head at him respectfully. “Arc asked us to bring this one to you.”
His attention turned to me, his head tilting slightly to the side in wonder. I forced myself to stand still, to not fidget under his scrutiny. To keep my focus on his face and not his tattooed and scarred uncovered chest.
“I know,” he said, finally focusing on someone else. “Why do you think I’m here and not at home enjoying some well deserved quality time with my group?”
I exhaled a slow breath in relief. He was in a binded group. He had mates. I was safe with him.
“She’s a Succubus,” another masked guard said.
“I know,” the demon, Kai, sighed. “Ergo, not Jeremiah’s problem. Arc’s busy with security issues. Carter doesn't want to be in the same room as her, which means I’m the only one who can take care of her paperwork.”
Carter didn’t want to be in the same room as me?Alright, over-exaggerating diva.
“You guys can go back to your occupations,” he dismissed them. “I’ll take it from here and make sure she’s settled.” They all nodded and hurried to the door. “Oh, and Marcus?” The stair demon stopped and turned slowly in our direction. “If you see Carter, punch him in the face for me. We won’t tolerate him acting out like he did again.”
Marcus gave him a tight nod before taking his leave with the others, leaving me alone with Kai. Binded Kai. Safe.
I am safe.
“Please, take a seat.”
He smiled, pointing to an armchair facing the desk and I sat slowly. He took the seat behind his computer, exhaling a tired breath as he faced me.
“I apologize for Carter’s behavior. He shouldn’t have handled you like he did. I’m sorry for the delay, it seems you stayed in that tower for a long time while you should have been processed the minute you gothere. Don’t worry about him anymore, Marcus reported him to Arc a couple of hours ago, which led us to discover you had arrived.”
So Carter truly had a problem with me. I doubted my teasing caused it…Why, then? I was a lower demon and he was a Divine, but it didn’t seem to be a problem here. From what I’ve seen so far, everyone lived and worked well together.
“I’m Kai, by the way. Head of the Hellrisers. If you ever have a problem or need anything, you can come to me. Jeremiah is the head of the Divines, although Carter likes to meddle. I’m guessing you met Arc?”
