I took short slow breaths so that they wouldn't notice me.. My heart beat was ringing in my ears and I had to look over to Dante to make sure he couldn't hear it. I was probably overthinking this but I couldn't help the seed of doubt that had been planted in my chest. Being taught about a new perspective in the world and then seeing the person you thought you could trust talking to someone you shouldn't doesn't really help.
Calming myself I slowly tip toe towards the huge garbage bin which would put me in a hearing distance and a good view of Dante and the 'rouge'.
I crouched down and peeked from the side of the bin making sure to grip the handle so I don't topple forward. That would definitely not put me in the good books of the 'rouge'. I chuckle silently at my own thought. I turn towards Dante and strain my ears to listen.
"How could you not tell me she was in this town! I've been living here for centuries and the thought just crossed your minds." Dante was the one talking. His voice was calm but his rigid posture and tense expression gave him away.
The 'rouge' just shrugged at this. " The council does what it wants. You especially don't have the right to complain about being told about her later than sooner. You would not have any use of her anyways, you're fine as it is."
This confused me. Dante's a demon and would die like us humans, so why wouldn't he need her? Second how has he been here for centuries?... Shaking my head I listen into their conversation once again, not wanting to miss a second of it.
"I've made it abundantly clear this is my 'home'. If any of you even try to ruin my town, finding the girl won't be the only think you'll have to worry about." Dante growls at the 'rouge'.
I've heard about Dante being feared around the school and this clears it up. I definitely wouldn't want be that 'rouge' at the moment. I saw the 'rouge's' posture stricken at this."You know what I'm capable of. I warning you. Don't test me."
The 'rouge' stares at Dante for a second too long before sighing. "You can't blame me. I'm just here to deliver a message. You did anger the council a while back remember. I'm pretty sure this is their way of paying you back." Dante relaxes slightly but I could see he had his guard up.
My doubt towards Dante was decreasing but the lingering voice in the back of my mind just wouldn't go away... He can't be trusted
I sigh and focus my attention back to their conversation.
"The Silver Tear is the council's property. Don't do something you'll regret Dante. This is a warning. Not from a messenger but a former friend." The 'rouge's' expression softens while he speaks and even Dante seemed more relaxed now. I ignored this.
Property?..
They make it seem like I'm disposable. I expected that from the 'rouge' but Dante? The seed of doubt sprouted a bit more. But I was more than just doubtful I was hurt. Tears sprang into my eyes but I pushed them back down. I will not cry over this. It's not like Dante knows it's me. Hell, even I don't fully know if it's me.
"Understood." Was Dante's simple reply. The hope I had before crumbled to the ground.
"I'll see you soon then." The 'rouge' said while turning around.
"Don't hold your breath." I heard Dante mumble underneath his breath and I couldn't help the twitch that quirked up at the corner of my mouth.
Having enough of this I started stepping backwards to make my way back to my car. Of course luck wasn't on my side as I didn't see the shovel which was planted right behind me. I tripped over it and went tumbling to the ground, very gracefully might I add.
What is wrong with me? I couldn't perform a stealth mission for my life. Knowing my cover had been blown I stayed on the ground, while wincing at the pain that shot through my skull. I closed my eyes and groaned. Opening my eyes I came face to face with Dante who was standing over my body which was now sprawled onto the hard cement ground. He was staring at me with an amused smile.
"You're the most clumsiest person I've ever met, Laura." He states while chuckling. He offers a hand which I push away. Hurt registers on his face. Ignoring the tightening of my chest I push myself off the ground. Dusting my clothes I turn towards Dante surprised to see him staring. Raising an eyebrow at his action I turn and continue to make my way back to my car.
"Wait!" Dante calls from behind me. I ignore it and keep walking. I'm suddenly tugged by my forearm into a hard chest. Snatching my arm away I turn towards Dante.
"What the hell!." I glare at him my anger from before resurfacing.
"What's wrong?" He asks.
My eyes widen at his statement. Is he serious?!
"What's wrong? Really? I just saw you talking to a 'rouge'! You know the same one that you showed me yesterday. The one that kills and goes on a rampage with everything in it's path." By now I was waving my hand around frantically and out of breath. I probably looked crazy but I didn't care.
Dante looked taken back at what I said. At first confusion swirled in his eyes before realization spread onto his face. And then he did something that made my jaw hang open. He chuckled.
Chuckled!
Huffing I turned around and walked away.
"Okay, okay. I'm sorry." He said in between laughs. I wasn't having any of it.
He dared to laugh after lying to me.
His face suddenly turned serious and he spoke with such intensity it almost knocked me off my feet.
"I didn't lie to you. I just forgot to mention one small detail that's all. This is new to me too. I've been a demon all my life and lived in secret. You're the only human that I've told about this so I'm sorry if I forgot to tell you some details. And even if I didn't it was for your safety"
My heart swelled at his words. Realizing I was a little out of line myself I speak up, "I'm sorry too. I overreacted a bit."
Dante raised an eyebrow.
"Okay maybe more than a bit and I may have jumped to conclusions a bit too fast without hearing your side of the story." I admitted. " But you can't blame me, this whole demon thing is too much altogether, so you're gonna have to lay it straight with me or I won't be able to understand."
Dante nods at this and smiles. Relief flooding into his features.
"Dante?" I ask
"Yeah?"
"Can you read minds?" I ask. This had happened three time already and it was honestly starting to creep me out.
He chuckles. "No, not usually."
I look at him expecting him to go on.
"We can sometimes see the thoughts of humans. You see, human thoughts and emotions can be a dangerous thing so it's usually guarded. However there are times when there's a thought that's been unblocked and allowing the thought to go into the minds of us demons. This usually happen without the human realizing it themselves."
"So basically you're saying I can send my thoughts directly to you without talking." Dante think for a second before nodding.
"Basically. However human usually can't do that often or ever. You however have done it numerous times already." My minds drifts to my birthmark and for a second I think of telling Dante about it. My actions are halted however as the word property flashes through my mind.
"I guess I'm just that awesome." I state smugly with a shrug.
"Sure you are." Dante replied smiling. "Come on. I want to show you something in the office."
I halt. "You haven't told me why you were talking to a 'rouge'. And how in the world it didn't try to kill you.."
He keeps on walking and I follow after him"Remember when I told you about the darkness that controls the 'rouges'?" I nod.
"Very few have the power in them to actually control the darkness and harness the power instead. The 'rouge' you saw before was a former friend of mine. He was forced to kill his cousin by the council to turn him into a 'rouge' in order to punish him for something he didn't do. However the plan backfired and he was able to harness the power and turned into a half demon. The black eyes forever branding him.."
I followed Dante silently to my car absorbing the new found information. I guess I jumped the gun way too fast. Instead I ask.
"What's the council ?
"They're an underground organization who looks over the activity of demons and 'rouges'. If they see someone step out of line they either imprison them or hunt them down to kill them. In Alex's case though they punished him. Or at least tried to."
"Alex?" I ask
"Yeah the 'rouge' you saw me with."
"Oh"
We had reached my car by now. I was about to open my door when Dante calls out.
"Come to the office. I told you didn't I... I have something to show you." I smile at him and nod. Satisfied with my answer he turns to get into his own car.
I follow Dante's car to the office. Reaching the office I turn the key turning the car off, I slide the keys in the pocket of my jeans and slip out. Once again I look up at the building in awe. I could work here for years and never get used to the view. I stopped as the pain starts resonating from my shoulder yet again. I ignore the tiny amount of pain and follow Dante.
I look at the ground towards Dante's feet so I don't have to think about the numerous eyes on us at the moment. As the elevator door shuts I release a breath in relief. Dante smiles.
"You don't like the attention?" He asks curious.
"More than anything." I reply. Dante laughs. I always get a good feeling by making him laugh. The elevator door dings open on level 99 and we both step out.
"What did you want to show me." I ask while walking over to the couch and laying down and making myself comfortable while marveling at the astounding view. It was getting easier and easier to be with Dante. I didn't have to pretend. It felt nice.
"Right." Dante walks over to and opens his office by placing his hand on top of the writing paragraph. I squint at it and my eyes widen. I could read bits and pieces of it. Or at least the first line.
The Hallister lies at our home, in the palm of the ocean...
Huh? The Hallister? I scratch my head in confusion. My head starts aching and for a second I thought I would faint. I grip the couch and stable myself. The pain slowly disappears but the slight throbbing still stays.
My thoughts scatter when Dante walks out of his office with book in hand. It's huge. He drops the book in front of me on the coffee table. Dust flies and scatters into the air at his action. I cough and splutter as dust fly onto my face. I turn and glare at Dante.
He smile sheepishly and shrugs. " Sorry. It hasn't been used in while."
" I can tell." I say in between coughs.
Dante reaches over and dusts the remainder of it off, making sure it doesn't fly into my face this time. He opened it and flips through the pages of the massive book.
"I'll read it since it's written in an old demon language." he explains. Curious I lean over and furrow my brows.
"Demons. An almost extinct species...." I read the first line of the page Dante had opened up. His heads snaps in my direction.
"You can read it?" He asks with surprise evident in his voice. I nod and was going to read the next couple of paragraphs when the pain in my shoulder starts. This time three times worse and combined with the throbbing in my head, which had also increased.
I cry out and almost fall flat onto the ground. Dante catches my body his warm hands holding my trembling one.
"Laura!" He yells yet his voice seemed far away. My eyes begin to drop and then darkness.