Demons of the Heart: Chapter 26

Cat and Mouse

“Did you miss me?”

Mark turned to see who had spoken to him.

He snorted. “Hardly.” he said with a sarcastic smile.

Blue-haired, green-eyed Orin Larson stood before him. The skinny teenager was in normal clothing, and looked slightly tired. A small and benign smile alit his face, but Mark could tell that there was something hidden behind his passive eyes.

“Decided to crash the party?” Mark asked, while gesturing for Orin to sit down. They were outside on the upstairs terrace. Clinking champagne glasses, and melodious laughter could be heard from the gardens below. There was a cool breeze flowing through the starlit night. The Masque Ball was winding down.

“No…” Orin said quietly as he sat, “I just didn’t know where else to go.” He sighed as he gazed up at the blinking stars, “Riley is inside, we just got to the city a few minutes ago, and we came straight here.”

He turned to Mark and said, “Where is Brad?”

“Why the fuck would I know where he is?” Mark replied bitterly.

Orin’s eyes widened in surprise, and his mouth hung agape. “What happened while I was gone?” he asked.

Mark looked down at his hands as he bit his lip in anger, “Brad…well…he…” he said slowly, “He’s turned into such a girl.”

Orin snorted, but quickly stopped smiling when he saw that Mark was serious.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“I just want my old friend back, you know?” Mark replied, waving around his hand in frustration.

Orin suddenly grabbed Mark’s flailing hand, and his eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“What is this?” he asked, pointing at the bite mark on Mark’s finger.

“Nothing.” Mark replied quickly, jerking away from the other teenager.

“Was that…” Orin said slowly, “A Demon mark?”

“You know what?” Mark said loudly, standing up, “I don’t have the energy for this, I’m going home.”

He stomped back inside, leaving a bewildered Orin sitting alone on the terrace. The blue-haired teenager waited for a moment, wondering what to do next, when he noticed Riley sitting with Bryce at a table.

Orin stood up and made his way inside, weaving through the dancers, and finally reached Riley’s table. He sat down with a sigh, and turned to say hello to the Demon.

Who was not Riley. However, it was a very close resemblance.

“Hello Bryce.” Orin said instead, “I just ran into Mark, and he seemed mad at Bra-“

He was interrupted mid-sentence when the pseudo-Riley said “You know Mark?” rather loudly.

Orin sighed, and held out his hand, “Hello, I’m Orin Larson…and you are?”

The Demon smirked, and Orin felt a chill run down his back. He knew that smirk, it was Riley’s smirk.

The Demon took Orin’s hand and brought it to his lips, kissing the pale skin gently. “My name is Ezekiel Kain.”

Orin flinched involuntarily, and drew his hand away.

Ezekiel ignored the human’s odd behavior and said “So, you know Mark?”

“Yes…” Orin replied, “Do…you know Mark?”

“He has a little crush on him.” Bryce said with a smirk, as he watched Orin try to figure out how Ezekiel was related to Riley.

“Not just a crush,” Ezekiel said lavishly, “an obsession…I have an itch that needs to be scratched.”

“What?” Orin replied, looking to Bryce for answers.

The Demon shrugged and said, “He’s serious…at least for the moment.”

“I am serious!” Ezekiel interjected, his eyes sparkling, “and I know exactly how I’m going get what I want.”

Orin snorted, “Good luck with that.” he said.

“Is that Orin?” Brad asked Zero, pointing at the table across the room. The two teenagers could clearly see the blue hair.

Before Zero could reply, he felt someone grip his shoulder with a sturdy hand. He turned around to see his best friend, Riley Kain, standing behind him.

“Dude,” Zero said with a smile, “It’s been awhile.”

Riley returned the smile, and took a quick glance at Brad. “I see you two have figured out whatever issues you were dealing with…” he said blithely.

Brad, however, was not listening. He was still watching Orin from across the room, and realizing how much he missed his friend.

“It’s great to see you Riley,” he mumbled half-heartedly, “I’m gonna go over there.”

With that, he walked off, leaving Zero and Riley alone in the middle of the room.

Riley chuckled slightly at the peeved look on Zero’s face and said, “You’re still being upstaged by the little squirt huh?”

“Hey man,” Zero replied, “Don’t forget that you want that little maggot as much as I want Brad.”

“I’m not worried,” Riley said pointedly, “Brad has proved that he clearly likes the more...shallow, buff type.”

Zero stuck his tongue out at his friend, “Screw you too buddy.” He said sarcastically.

Brad felt a little nervous walking up to Orin. So much had happened since he had seen the blue-haired teenager. He supposed that a lot had happened for Orin as well.

He had to do a double take when he thought he saw Riley sitting with Orin, but on closer inspection, it was clear that this man was not the Demon Brad knew.

He sat down in between Orin and Bryce. He tried not to make eye contact with the Demon who had professed his love for him only an hour earlier.

It would have been awkward.

“Hey Orin…” Brad said with a smile.

The Demon who looked like Riley cut off the blue-haired teenager before he could say anything, “So you’re Brad…my competition.” he said rudely, his eyes narrowed.

“Excuse me?” Brad replied.

“You’re the one who Mark is in love with.” The Demon replied.

An awkward and confused silence fell upon the table.

“Excuse me?” Brad repeated.

“He thinks that Mark is in love with you.” Orin said, rubbing his temples with his thumbs.

“I got that part,” Brad said, “Now…who are you, and why do you think that Mark loves me?”

“I’m Ezekiel Kain of Kain Industries,” the Demon said, “and I know Mark loves you because he was so upset that you’ve chosen my brother’s friend over him.”

Once again, the table fell into an awkward silence.

“Brother…” Orin mumbled, as the relation dawned on him.

Suddenly Brad started chuckling uncontrollably, “That’s the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.” he said between the laughter, “I think Mark would cut his own head off before he ever fell in love with a dude.”

“Yes…” Ezekiel said slowly, “He did mention something about only liking girls.”

Suddenly, Bryce stood up. He had had enough of sitting there, discussing some bigoted, annoying teenager. He had never really liked Mark.

“I think the vacation is over.” he said, “I think it’s time to go back to Melean.”

Melean Prep, high school for the rich. Headmaster Thomas at the helm. Three thousand students descending down upon its venerable halls at the same time.

And everyone was talking about the same thing.

There had been a rumor going around that Brad Jameson had been seen dancing with Bryce Moon, and than Zero Kedd. Someone even said that the three had been yelling at each other on the dance floor.

So, the reigning football king had been seen with the ex-football captain. This was huge in the world of high school rumors.

On a side note, someone else had noticed that there was a rift between Brad Jameson and Mark Hone once again.

“I’m so fucking tired of people staring at me.” Mark said angrily to Cosette as they walked down the hallway.

“There’s nothing you can do about it Mark.” the girl replied merrily, “You joined the juiciest gossip circuit when you started fighting with Brad.”

Mark snorted derisively, “At least I’m not part of some ridiculous love triangle.” he said, motioning towards Brad.

The teenager was leaning against the lockers, having a discussion with Bryce Moon. This did not go unnoticed by the entire student population.

“Won’t Zero get a little angry if he sees you talking to me?” Bryce said with a smile. His heart was beating rather rapidly.

Brad sighed, “Bryce,” he said quietly, “Why can’t we be friends, why can’t we just hang out and talk about…I don’t know…football or something?”

Bryce grinned and said, “Because I want you.” There was a slight twinkle in his eye.

Brad remained silent, and than shook his head, “You’re impossible.” he said with frustration as he started to walk away.

“Think about it.” Bryce yelled after him, still grinning from ear to ear.

Mark shook his head angrily at the entire scene. He was about to start complaining to Cosette again about his ex-friend, when something caught his eye.

“Why…hello…” he said with a low whistle.

A beautiful girl who he had never seen before had just walked into the classroom he was about to enter. She had ivory skin, and black as night hair.

“Oh…” Cosette said when she saw who Mark was looking at, “That was Wendy, the girl Bryce used to date.”

Mark nodded, but wasn’t really listening to the blond teenager. He was mesmerized by this…Wendy.

“Is she a…Demon?” he asked.

Cosette gave him curious look. “No…” she said hesitantly.

“Good.” Mark replied with a smile, and walked into the classroom. He saw that the seat next to the girl was empty, and figured that none of the guys had had the guts to sit next to her. He had the guts.

“Hello.” he said when he reached her, “My name is Mark.”

She appraised him with a knowing smile and said, “Wendy.” in a silky smooth voice. Mark retuned the smile, and sat down next to her. He heard a small cough from the other side of him.

“Oh,” he said, “and this is my friend Cosette.” He gave Wendy a charming smirk, “she’s just a friend.”

Wendy nodded as her lip curved upwards slightly. ‘Like shooting fish in a barrel.’ she thought to herself.

Suddenly, there a few squeals of delight when the door opened, and a rich and deep voice rang out, “Hello class, I am your new teacher for the semester.”

Mark looked up, and felt the bottom of his stomach drop out. “No, no, no.” he said repeatedly.

Cosette looked over at her friend, and saw that Mark had gone completely pale. “Do you know him?” she asked.

Wendy overheard and snorted at the girl’s ignorance. “That’s Ezekiel Kain.” she said, “That rich playboy who is in like…every magazine.”

Mark was still sitting at still as a statue, and the color had yet to return to his skin. He felt a small throbbing pain on his finger, and looked down at the bite mark.

He wanted to throw up.

“Yes,” Ezekiel said from the front of the classroom, “Some of you may know my brother, Riley.”

There were more squeals.

“Or…you may know me for other reasons.” he continued with his trademark smirk.

More squeals.

“Anyway, I am now your teacher.” he said, his cool, black eyes zeroing in on Mark’s brown ones. “Good luck.” he said.

The whole class laughed.

“He’s so charming.” Wendy said, “And he’s really not that much older than us.”

“Why are you teaching?” someone yelled out.

Ezekiel gave the person a dazzling smile, “I wanted to try something new.” he said.

He was wearing leather pants again, and a black silk shirt with a blood-red tie. He looked like a fashion model, and he was sending the girls into hysterics.

His smile never faded as he leaned lightly against the teacher’s desk. He picked up the roll sheet, and took a quick glance at it before he started to stroll down the rows of desks. With each name he called out, he patted the corresponding student on the head.

When he reached Mark, he paused and gripped the teenager on his shoulder, almost at the base of Mark’s neck.

“Mark Hone.” He said silkily, “That sounds…very familiar.”

“Fuck off.” Mark muttered under his breath, as he glared at the scratched woodwork of his desk.

“Excuse me?” Ezekiel replied, leaning down so that he was talking into Mark’s ear.

“I said fuck off!” Mark said loudly, as he tried to shove Ezekiel’s hand away from his shoulder. The class gasped in shock.

Wendy watched avidly, obviously Melean was going to be a fun.

“Mr. Hone, you would be wise to respect your elders.” Ezekiel said with a velvet and cold tone as his eyes narrowed.

Mark glared up into Ezekiel’s eyes, and wished that all Demons would just die.

“Yes sir.” he said with as little emotion as possible.

Ezekiel’s smile returned to his face, and he continued on past Mark. “Good.” he said, “but I think that you should stay after class….we need to have a discussion.”

He finished with the roll sheet, and headed back to the front of the classroom.

“So,” he said, his eyes twinkling, “Shall we begin?”

As Ezekiel commenced to lecture about the importance of early Demon literature, Cosette leaned in towards Mark and said, “What was that about?”

“Nothing.” Mark replied quickly, “He’s obviously just an asshole.”

“A powerful asshole.” Wendy said from the other side of Mark, “His family’s shipping industry just bought out their biggest competitor.”

“How do you know these things?” Mark asked bitterly.

“I pay attention.” Wendy replied, as she combed through her perfect hair with her fingers, “One of the world’s most eligible bachelors is now our teacher.”

“You know,” Mark said, “There’s nothing wrong with an only slightly rich guy.”

Wendy smiled at him, “Of course not,” she said, “but there’s nothing right about an only slightly rich guy either.”

“What a bitch.” Cosette whispered into Mark’s ear.

“Ms. Monroe,” Ezekiel said suddenly from the front of the class, “Would you please not speak to Mr. Hone, and pay attention?”

Cosette blushed as she back away from Mark, who shot her an “I told you he was an asshole.” look.

“He’s just so…commanding.” Wendy said with a dreamy smile.

“I can be commanding.” Mark replied.

“Mmm.” Wendy said, not really paying attention to the teenager.

When the bell rang, the class stood up to leave. Mark quickly started to gather his things, hoping to scoot past the horde of girls that were crowding Ezekiel.

“Um, Mr. Hone…where do you think you are going?” the Demon asked, just as Mark was about to make it through the door.

Mark sighed as Cosette walked past him, and squeezed his hand slightly. “Good luck.” she whispered on her way out.

Mark walked back over to Ezekiel, who was caught up in conversation with Wendy.

“…and I just love your tie,” she was saying as she ran her hand down the silk material.

“Thank you darling.” the Demon replied, “but if you will excuse me, I must have a discussion with our dear Mr. Hone here.” he said as he slapped a hand down on Mark’s shoulder.

Wendy sniffed, and said, “Sure thing.” She shot a curious glance at Mark, and walked out of the classroom.

Mark felt his heart skip a beat as the door shut.

The second the clicking of the automatic lock was heard, Ezekiel shoved Mark against the desk, their bodies flush together. The Demon’s arms circled the teenager, as his broad shoulders enveloped Mark, his hands gripping into the human’s back.

Ezekiel was breathing heavily, as he took one long, amorous whiff of Mark’s hair, and sighed.

“Get the fuck off of me.” Mark said coldly, as he tried to remain motionless.

He only felt the Demon’s grip tighten.

“Remember that night?” Ezekiel asked, as he started to slide his hand into Mark’s shirt, through the collar. He grazed the fading bite mark with his hand.

“If you get caught like this, they will fire you.” Mark replied.

“Hardly.” Ezekiel said with a smirk, “You really don’t understand how money and power work do you?”

Mark slumped slightly in the Demon’s arms, as he tried to figure out what he should do.

“What do you want from me?” he asked. His blood chilled as he felt Ezekiel stroke his neck with his lips.

“One night.” the Demon responded, “I want to feel that macho football player squirm under me for one night.”

“Let go of me.” Mark replied. The Demon obeyed and Mark backed away from him.

“I’ll never do that.” he said.

Ezekiel smirked, “Well…than it appears that we are at an impasse Mr. Hone, because I will never let up until you do.” He leaned in towards Mark, “and believe me, I have the resources to be a pain in your ass for a very long time.” he said.

“For instance,” he continued, “I noticed you looking at that Wendy girl rather amorously…too bad she’s developed a little crush on me.”

Mark glared at the Demon. “You don’t even like her.” he said.

Ezekiel smirked, “I’ve never liked anyone Mark, especially you. I have conquests, that’s all.”

Mark nodded. He couldn’t see a way out of this. It was obvious that Ezekiel had the means to bother him for the rest of his life…he managed to become a teacher in less than a week.

“Let’s make a deal.” Mark said resolutely.

Ezekiel cocked his head, and smiled, “Alright…” he said, “and what are the terms of this deal?”

Mark paused, unsure if he should go through with this. “Well…” he said, “If you help me…get Wendy…” he paused, and gulped slightly.

Ezekiel smirked, “Than you will sleep with me?” he said.

“One time.” Mark replied coldly.

“One time.” Ezekiel repeated with a nod. He walked over to the door, and opened it, “Well Mr. Hone, it has been a lovely chat. I will be seeing you tomorrow than?”

Mark didn’t reply, he simply grabbed his bag, and headed straight out of the classroom.

What had he just agreed to?

“Did you hear?”

Orin looked up to see Brad standing over him.

“What?” the blue haired teenager asked.

“Jake Feller ran away and joined the army. Dietrich is going to be so pissed.” Brad said with a smile. He sat down next to his friend, “I heard that he left during the Masque Ball, and never came back.”

Orin remained silent for a moment, and pondered the situation. “I think Jake will be happier in the army,” he said, “He always felt kind of directionless before.”

Brad nodded. Before he could say anything else, Zero swooped in and landed a kiss on the human’s cheek.

Brad’s eyes widened, and he felt a blush spread across his face. He still wasn’t used to the whole ‘together with Zero in public’ thing.

Orin smirked at the look on his friend’s face. He looked over in surprise however, when Riley sat down next to him.

There they all were. Orin, Brad, Riley and Zero…all sitting at the same table.

“This is fun.” Zero said with a smirk, “but I have to say, I never thought it was going to happen.”

“Thought what was going to happen?” Orin asked.

“Oh,” Zero said languidly, as he wrapped one arm around Brad’s shoulder, “Me and Brad, you and Riley.”

“Me…and Riley?” Orin replied with confusion, “There is no…me and Riley.”

He looked over at the Demon next to him, who was currently avoiding eye contact.

“We’re not together.” Orin said quietly, “…right?”

Riley looked up at the blue-haired teenager and said, “I sent in the request of courtship yesterday.”

“The what?” Brad asked from across the table.

“Request of courtship,” Zero said, “It’s a form Demons fill out when they are courting a human they intend to permanently mark.”

The two humans fell silent for a moment.

“Permanently mark?” Orin said, “Riley…I don’t understand.”

The Demon turned to Orin, and gripped the teenager’s hand, “Orin, I intend to marry you after high school.”

Orin’s vibrant green eyes widened for a moment, and than he stood up and rushed out of the room. Riley followed quickly after him.

“Well…that was strange.” Brad said, “Hey…Zero…did you send in one of those uh…courtship things?”

“Yes.” Zero replied absently, as he started to nibble on Brad’s ear. Several girls a few tables over started to giggle at the sight.

“You did?” Brad replied, as he tried unsuccessfully to push Zero away from him, “Don’t you think…we should have talked first?”

Zero sighed, and rested his face against Brad’s neck. “Darling, please understand, it’s too late for you to back out of this…there’s really nowhere else to go from here but marriage.”

“Really.” Brad replied, “I’ll have to think about that.”

He stood up, and headed out of the room. He walked aimlessly for a couple of minutes, wondering where he should go.

There was always one place that helped him think clearly.

The football field was well managed, despite the lack of action over the past couple of weeks. The grass smelled wonderful to Brad.

He noticed a lone figure standing out on the field, and as he neared, he could tell it was Mark. The teenager was just standing still, with a football in his hand.

“You usually need at least two people to do anything constructive with that.” Brad yelled out.

Mark turned around, and stared at Brad for a moment with a passive expression. Suddenly, he chucked the football at Brad with all his might, who only just managed to catch the rocketing leather.

“Fuck them!” Mark yelled at Brad, “They fucking ruined everything!”

Brad didn’t need to ask whom Mark was talking about. He walked over to his friend, placing his hand on Mark’s shoulder.

Mark flinched, reminded of the spot where Ezekiel had punctured his skin.

“They aren’t so bad.” Brad said quietly.

“To you maybe.” Mark replied, “You found one who loves you…and I…”

“You what?” Brad asked curiously, his friend sounded so defeated.

“Nothing.” Mark replied, “Never mind, I can deal with it on my own.”

There was an odd fire that alighted in his eyes, “Let’s play ball.” he said with a smirk. If Ezekiel wanted to play dirty, than Mark would rise to the occasion.

Brad smiled, and nodded. He ran back a couple of yards and threw the ball back at Mark, who caught it gracefully.

They may not be Demons, but they were still the best of the best.

“””

“”’

((Author Note))

Well…I hope that didn’t disappoint. Thanks for reading!