Chapter 22: Chapter 22

I was hiding from Lukas. I had no desire to entertain the demon any longer. He was downright rude and vile. There was no way we would find a common ground so it was better if I stayed away. I felt like it was the right decision at that moment.

Spending an entire day inside Lauren's room wasn't exactly a good hiding spot but I had no option. It was not like I knew about the edges and corners of the mansion. Even if I did Lukas would easily find me because he owns the place. I did not want to give him that opportunity. He was already cocky enough.

"You really are the best subject I've had so far" Lauren gushed as she finally patted at the paper. I eyed her carefully because she has been doing the same sketch since the last few hours. It started from me volunteering to be her muse for some statue she was displaying, gradually progressing to being a subject for her painting. As I had nowhere to be I decided to agree. It's not like people recognised me in Hell.

I blushed, waving my arm, "You flatter me too much"

"It's the truth!" She exclaimed as she clipped the two sides of the paper. I was never a student of art but it fascinated me. So when I agreed to be her subject I was interested in seeing myself on the paper.

"As if!"

Lauren shook her head, "You have no idea that kind of people I have painted for. They do not understand art and have absolutely no respect for the skill. During my time people used to think that it was crazy for a woman to be interested in arts and literature."

I hummed softly. I could not even imagine what it must be like for her. She was not from a progressive age so she had no idea how much people have changed. It is impossible to imagine arts and literature without women being the centre of it.

"Times have changed Lauren. If you were a painter on earth at this age I'm sure you would be famous"

Lauren giggled, "Now who's being a flatterer!"

"It's the truth" I smiled.

She peeked at me before staring back at the paper. I stood up from the stool, suddenly feeling and ache in my lower back. No wonder people did not like sitting for paintings. It was truly a pain to experience. But if the end results were satisfactory I won't even complain about the pain.

"Can I see it?" I asked softly, dusting the invisible lint off my leggings. Lauren frowned as I neared the paper and quickly covered it up.

"It is not done yet. I have to give some final strokes after it dries"

I hummed, "I'll just take a quick peek"

She shook her head and moved the canvas away from me. I twisted my lips at her but it did not work as she got a new Canvas. She sat on the stool and stared at the blank canvas.

"Are you going to paint again?" I questioned, eyeing her as she lifted the zero brush.

"Obviously. Don't worry we'll talk during dinner"

That meant I had to leave. She doesn't like being disturbed during her session of painting. I had to stay quiet the entire time I was sitting on the stool and it was tedious.

"Okay I'll see you later"

***

When I opened the door of my room, a gasp slipped my lips noticing Lukas lounging on my bed. What did he want? After the last encounter, I was unable to look at him in the eye. I thought that being away from him would make him suffer. Then again it had been only a few hours so probably he did not even notice that I was trying to punish him.

I crossed my arms in front of my torso as Lukas seemed calm at my presence. He did not even move from my bed. I have to ask Kira to burn the sheets as soon as leaves. I thought to stare at him.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as much, glaring at the sinful smirk on his face. He always had that smirk on his face like he knows everything which pissed me off. Who did he think you were? The Demon King of course.

"Why are you so hateful? I was just warming the bed for you"

My cheeks burned red at those words and I huffed, turning towards him. If only there was a way I could wipe off the smirk on his face. Sometimes he was so crude without even realising or maybe he did it purposefully knowing that how much it affected me. I was not going to back away easily and let him walk over me again. After all, he was at fault as much as I was.

Clenching my fist I gritted my teeth together, "Can you please leave?"

"You're so cute to even think that you can hide from me."

My blood turned cold at those words. So he did notice that I was trying to hide from him. As he stood up I took a step back.

He flashed his pearly whites, "So did you have fun with Lauren?"

My mouth parted open in shock. There was one thing in knowing that I was purposefully hiding but how did he find out about me and Lauren? Was someone feeding information to him? I wouldn't be surprised if it was Lauren herself because she was very loyal to him.

"How did you-"

The words died on my lips as he strode closer. For a moment, all I could hear was his rapid breathing and the almost deafening click of his shoes against the floor. The air rushed out of my lungs when I felt the wall touch my back. Again I was trapped.

The King grabbed my arm as I was trying to look around and find a way to escape. When I raised my head towards him I noticed that he was close. Very close. I couldn't breathe. All that was running through my head was 'This is it. He's going to definitely try something'

I suddenly remembered the time when he dragged his fingertips across my throat earlier, across the bridge. The thought of being close to him again bought back so many memories. That night in the club flashed to me. It was very terrifying.

When I felt a hand on the side of his neck I was dragged him back down to reality. I immediately tried to break out of his hold but it was no use, he only managed to tug me closer.

A gasp slipped out of my lips as Lukas buried his face into my neck. I shivered as I felt his breathing in between the hollow of my neck. The cold tip of his nose brushed against my pulse and I shuddered, breathing stuck in my throat.

"Lukas..." I sighed, trying to wriggle from his grasp. It angered me that even though I was trapped because of him I wasn't able to push him back. My body was betraying me into wanting him.

"Shh," He pressed his nose deeper, sniffing at my scent. My body felt hot all over again. I was aware that I could easily duck him and set myself free but I was numb.

I rolled my eyes back, trying to remember the first time I saw him and how enchanted I felt. The stranger who rescued me from the bad guy. My knight in shining armour. Then the bitter memory replaced that, bile rose in my throat as I thought of how he sent Dean to capture me and said those hurtful words in the red room.

"Get away!" I pushed at his chest.

He went cold, no emotions on his face. It made me remind of the article I read in one of the books. Demons, atleast the ones who are upper class can easily conceal their emotions. Those books were the only thing helping me understand Lukas.

"Don't flatter yourself, Talia." He murmured, a scoff in his tone.

I felt offended at that. He didn't need to remind me that he no longer fancied me.

Licking his lips, his eyes finally met mine, "The only reason I came here is to ask you to join us for dinner"

Before I could question he continued, "My friend-Leo he is joining us today and I want him to meet you. Is that clear?"

I hummed, wrapping my arms around myself, "Okay"

"Uhh...is Leo a demon?"

He chuckled his hands in his pocket, "Of course. Do you really think I'm going to let myself have a filthy human friend"

I shivered at his tone. He despised humans so much that it was unsettling. Why did he sleep with me then?

"Fine I'll be there" I mumbled, looking towards the door. With a huff, he walked out.

***