Marked Ones: Advent of the Demon Prince-Chapter 372: Cracks

Helena's expression had yet to change. It was far away and unamused. Though Lucius's blade was still dangerously close to removing her head, they both know the weight of his threat had lessened greatly.

"What else happened because of her actions though?" the elf asked. "Though I am independent, as a former lady-in-waiting of Lady Shiyani, I still receive information from time to time about those she interacts with. Correct me if I am wrong, but because of her actions you were able to remain in the care of Kalivas Kane. Were you not?"

He remained silent.

"Sure, you remain scarred. Physically and emotionally… but you lived." Helena pressed. She leaned forward, her disinterest melting away. "I am sure you already know this, given the number of resources you put into trying to find her. Shiyani does not let her targets get away."

The elf was right. Annoying, but right. Everything he knew about Shiyani showed her ruthless efficiency. Every client she ever took was satisfied completely by her services. Even Master Rank warriors and mages fell to her.

No one who had fallen under target of her blade had escaped. No one except for him.

"Are you saying she let me live on purpose?"

Helena shrugged. "I don't know. The Lady Shiyani I knew, and the woman she has become are wildly different people. But based on the reports I have read… you are the only person to escape her. You are a stain on her perfect reputation and yet…"

"She has never tried to rectify it." He finished.

Helena nodded. Lucius fully relaxed and returned his weapon to its sheath. The room seemed to let out a collective sigh now that a fight had been avoided. Berk remained more interested in finding the bottom of his tankard than continuing to interact. Mar'Eeyen held a careful eye on Natali, surprised at the woman's speed and efficiency.

The woman in question turned her eyes to him. In her characteristic hoarse voice, she asked, "Is it alright if I take a moment to myself?"

Natali's body was tense. Lucius could see that she was wound up tight. With a simple nod she bowed and left the building. They had talked about her relaxing on her servile actions, but years of habit did not vanish in a day.

***

Natali hurried down the street, trying her best to get as far away from Lucius as she could. Years of fawning over him from Lyrah's stories and dreaming about what kind of man he truly was… none of it had ever prepared her for truly coming to know him.

Natali rushed past annoying merchants peddling cheap goods. The doors of the inn she and Lucius agreed on using rapidly appeared. She rushed through the doors, reserving a single room with two beds. The innkeeper couldn't hand her the key fast enough. When her fingers brushed the metal object, both her and the key vanished before the innkeeper could blink.

She burst through the door to the room and hurriedly locked it behind her. Her heart beat wildly in her chest. It was so loud that she worried even normal humans could hear it. And if they could, then Lucius absolutely would too.

Until now, she had done everything she could to remain calm around him. She held back, not wanting to get in the way of Rena or Kalliope. Tempering her heart grew harder and harder with each passing day. Natali thought back to when Lucius approached her at the broken demon tower and asked to improve their relationship.

Excitement threatened to consume her then, but it was nothing she couldn't hide. Now though? It was just them. No Rena. No Kalliope. No Jade. Just them…

Seeing his rage and power so close… She had seen it many times. But each time was more enticing than the last. His power threatened to overwhelm everyone around him. It threatened to truly consume them. Devour them. Drown them all in blood, death, and violence.

Natali felt the heat in her face move lower. Gods above, she wanted him to devour her as well. Slowly, but surely her façade was slipping. How much longer could she hide this from him?

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"Lyrah, you evil girl… You knew I was breaking, didn't you? You knew that the professional face I show the world is cracking." A small moan escaped her lips as her hand ran lower down her body. "That's why you sent me. To shatter the image that I constructed for myself. Gods above you are incorrigible. Yet, I thank you. From the bottom of my heart, my friend."