Beyond His Evil

~~~

"Devon!!!"

He didn’t come.

Breath ragged, I screamed again. This time he came.

I didn't see him, but I felt him. The shift in the air. The weight behind me.

“Kira,” he whispered.

My hands clenched into fists as I turned to face him.

He wasn’t wearing the clothes I’d last seen him in. He had changed into a simple shirt and trousers. His hair was tousled, his eyes stormy, his entire presence looking like hell had dragged him through and spat him back out.

His crimson eyes held too many emotions for me to name. I didn’t even try. I just wondered what he saw in mine.

There were no hunters. No humans. Just us. Two broken things trying to find words.

“Kira,” he said again, softer. Like a prayer.

I looked away. He had a way of saying my name, like he needed me. Like I mattered. Like maybe... maybe he felt something close to what I felt for him.

“Kira, please. Look at me.”

I had to, so I did.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I never meant to hurt you.”

He was talking about when he had physically hurt me. He didn't know I had become aware of his betrayal and lies. Tears blurred my vision.

“Please. Forgive me,” he whispered.

I hated the way his voice broke. I hated that it made me want to crumble, too.

“I need you,” he said.

“Why?”
My voice came out cracked. Distant.

His eyes locked with mine. “Because I love you.”

He loved me.

A beautiful, perfect lie.

“I love you, Kira.”

I laughed. Cold and hollow.

Then I started clapping.

His brows pulled together, confusion flashing across his face.

“Wow,” I said. “Great acting.” I bowed mockingly. “Who knew vampires were amazing acting coaches?”

Silence.

I stared hard into his crimson eyes. "Demons don't feel love. It's impossible. You and your buddies should have remembered that before they gave you your script."

His face shifted—just slightly. His voice turned cold.
" What did Rya tell you?”

And just like that, I knew.

He took a step toward me, and I pulled out the dagger hidden beneath my hoodie.

“Come any closer, and I swear I’ll drive this straight through your heart!”

He froze.

I had taken the dagger from Kate’s stash before I left. I didn’t know why she had so many weapons—but I had one now. And if he tried anything, I would use it.

“What do you want to do?” I asked. “Hurt me again? Drag me to them?”

His face fell. Hurt. Regret.
“I only wanted to see if you were still wearing the necklace.”

I laughed bitterly. “Oh, you mean your gift?”
My words dripped sarcasm.

He winced. “Yes.”

I pulled the necklace from my pocket and tossed it at his feet.