The Demon's Mate

Chapter 3: The Mayor's Guest

A Week Later

As expected, mama refused to send me away. She isn't just the woman that took care of us orphans. She's our mother and we are a family. How can a church expect a mother to give away her children?

Mama would never.

However, her refusal brought a huge crisis to us. We live in a small town. There are fewer opportunities here. Only Cassie and I work at the castle, which doesn't pay much.

We were heavily relying upon the church to bear our monthly expenditures. The locals donate to the church regularly, and they give a portion of it to Mama. As I mentioned earlier, they had high regard for her. The keyword here is had.

All of it changed once Mama refused to send me away. They've cut off their help and now we're in dire need of some money.

I can't see my siblings starving just because of me. I can't deny that some of it is indeed my fault. They shouldn't have to suffer for it.

Mama decided that we should take the matter to the mayor and appeal to him. Unfortunately, mama got sick due to the rain shower we took on our way back home. So only I will be making my way to his manor.

I wear a long coat to protect myself from the cold and head out. Only the rich own a car so I have to make my way by foot. But it's not much of a hassle as he lives close by.

Walking through the forest path, I can't help but admire its beauty. The moon glistens in the lonely night as the leaves flow with the gentle wind.

There is soothing tranquility in the environment, enough to heal a broken heart. Cold wind glides against my face, whispering to me tales of the ones before. Stories that reach far beyond my existence and I can't help but look back at the castle on the hill.

Far away from human existence, yet all the more alluring. There is hidden beauty in this town. But what is beauty if not a curse?

My trail of thoughts is broken by a sharp horn. I realize that I've reached the road and someone is honking behind me. I look back to spot a car.

That's rare. Only a few own a car in this town and all of them can be recognized. But the car itself feels new, it's much more expensive than the rusty ones I've spotted in this town.

To my utter surprise, the stranger stops his car right beside me and rolls down his window. This reveals to me a gentleman, probably in his early thirties.

He's clad in modern clothes. A royal blue dress-suit layers his body. The hand that rests on the steering wheel is encircled with a Rolex watch.

The mayor has often talked about how he wants to own one. Given how rich he is, he still hasn't bought that. But this man has it. So all I can conclude is, he did indeed come from the city and seems to be extremely wealthy.

Though what is peculiar about him is that he has black shades, covering his eyes. Even at this time of the night.

" There are dangerous things out there. " He states and I look back at him.

Trying to comprehend the meaning behind his words. He's new to this town. I know more than him. Besides what mortal could harm me when a literal demon is behind me?

Reality doesn't scare me, not as much as my dreams do. I've walked this path several thousand times and now I'm far too familiar with it.

" You shouldn't be out all alone at this time of the night. " He advises, as his gaze remains fixed on me.

He continues to observe me from head to toe, looking for something. What is he trying to figure out? I can't tell much as his eyes remain hidden, hiding secrets within the depth of his orbs.

" Has no one told you that, little one? " he asks a queer question, causing me to tilt my head.

Why is this stranger so concerned about my safety? His tone seems to be changing its vibe and I can detect a hint of wrath in his voice. Perhaps it is something that I said.

" I need to go to the mayor, urgently. " I mutter, not knowing why I'm giving this stranger the information.

It just came out of my mouth, on its own.

" You need not to. " He corrects in a stern voice.

His words to me, seem ignorant. But he says that with a peculiar confidence.

How would he know? All that I'm facing right now.

" But get in. " He directs, all of a sudden.

I don't want to go with a mere stranger I just met.

" So..sorry? " I can't help but apologize, maybe I heard him wrong.

" I'm going there. " He entails, being brief with his choice of words.

" I'll drop you there. " He puts out.

" N...no thank you. " I reject politely.

" I wasn't asking. " He grits out, the rage in his voice is now quite evident.

" I barely know you, sir. For all I know you could be a kidnapper. " I tell him.

He can't expect me to hop in his car happily. That's even more dangerous than walking this path.

" I wouldn't need to kidnap you, little one. " The man states, his tone now holds a playful touch to it.

I can sense that he is no longer angry but in the mood for something different. He gives me one look from head to toe and then asks.

" What have you got to offer? "

He's checking me out! Such impure notions he has regarding me.

" You swine! " I mutter under my breath.

" That's not very nice sweetheart. " He corrects in a berating tone. As if scolding a child.

Who does he think he is?

" Walk your way, Mister. " I spit out, walking away.

" Very well. " He states, all of sudden his facial expression changes.

He is no longer playful about the banter. The fact that I asked him to leave doesn't settle well with him.

I can tell he took the insults very well, but my demand to be left alone is what irked him. Like I owe him my company. Or he owns my presence.

" But you will regret it. I'll make sure of that. " His car leaves me in a cloud of smoke and dust with the final warning.

After the stranger goes away, I continue my venture toward the mayor's house. Fifteen minutes later I arrive there.

" I'm here to talk to the mayor. " I inform the house help.

" He's a little busy with someone. " She replies, signing me to go away and come back another time.

But this is urgent. I can't let my family starve because of me. I won't get my next paycheck until a month. And this paycheck will only last us a week.

I need to do something about it!

" It's important. " I tell her, hoping she'll let me go.

" He's more important. " The woman admonishes, eyeing me for even having the courage to argue.

" Pl...please. " I beg, ready to plead in front of the maid just so she'd let me go. I am in need after all.

" Stand outside his office. Only enter once the gentleman has left. " She puts out, finally agreeing.

" And I warn you, girl, do not piss off the guest. " She cautions, just as I'm about to trot away.

" He's an important man, and the mayor values him a lot. So wait your turn and do not barge in. " She advises.

" Alright, thank you so much. " I mutter, as I walk towards the mayor's office.

I can't help but ponder about the man's identity. In our town, the mayor holds the highest authority. If he says something, even the church has to do it. He is an influential man and nothing happens without his permission.

Then who must be the guest, that is so important to the mayor? I can only tell that he's even more powerful than the mayor himself. Not wanting to piss off such a wealthy man, I stand aside. Waiting for my turn patiently.

Seconds turn into minutes, and minutes turn into hours. My legs start going numb and I can barely stand anymore.

In a state of unrest, I accidentally lean against the door to get some support but to my misfortune, I end up opening the door and falling face-first on the carpeted floor.

" So...sorry. I didn't m...mean to. " I mutter, trying to get up on wobbly legs as my heartbeat picks up.

It's no secret that I messed up. I did exactly what I was told not to do.

" Hazel, what is the meaning of this? " The mayor asks, furious that I barged in.

But it's also quite evident that I fell, which isn't the equivalent of barging in. However, arguing with the mayor at this point would do me no good. So I stay silent, not lifting my eyelids. Ready to hear his berating.

" Greggory. " A man calls his name, and that is enough for the mayor to quiet down.

For a moment, I fail to believe my ears. The man not only addressed the mayor by his first name but shut him down just as quickly.

All I can conclude from this is, I must not get on the man's bad side. He is far too powerful than the mayor.

" Nice to meet you again, stranger. " The man greets and it is only then do I lift my lashes and make eye contact with him.

He's the same man I met on the road! s**t, what did I do? Why did I call him a swine? I'm in so much trouble right now. If the mayor comes to know of my disrespect, I'd be an old tale, long forgotten.

I don't wanna be punished in the town square like the rest. It's so painful and humiliating.

" What is it that you want? " The man asks, more interested in probing into the matter.

I gaze into those gray orbs, only to find a hint of playfulness in them. What is so enjoyable at the moment? I seem to be fearing for dear life right now.

Mayor would not forgive me if he finds out how I misbehaved with his special guest. I'll have to apologize to him later.

" I want to talk to the mayor. " I mutter, being brief with my request.

I don't want him to judge me like the church did.

" Go ahead, he's listening. " The man replies on behalf of the mayor.

" Can you ask the church not to stop our funding, Mayor? " I ask in a polite tone, trying to be respectful after the little disaster that happened.

" Why did they stop it? " The man inquires yet again, on behalf of the mayor.

What shocks me more, is that the mayor is letting him speak. The Mayor is a power-hungry man, and he doesn't like the idea of authority being handed to someone else. Usually, he is stern about his authority, that he is the sole administration in this town and no one else should be referred to. But in this case, authority isn't being handed to the guest. It is as if he had it from the very start.

Only I was unaware.

But in this case, he seems quite comfortable with the strange man taking over. It is easy to identify who the dominant one is among the two.

" Be...because they think I should be sent away. Bu..but Mama refused. " I murmur, a little ashamed to be opening up in front of a stranger like that.

" And why is that? " He further probes, seemingly inquisitive about my personal life.

Before I can answer, the man decides to stop me.

" Eyes on me sweetheart. " He states, with a stern tone. Not liking the fact that I am continuously looking up to the mayor while answering His questions.

It is him I should be looking at.

" Be...because the...they think I'll bring da...danger to the town. " I whisper, this time making eye contact with the stranger.

He seems to like that and smiles in my direction. His eyes hold a weird mix of emotions.

A hint of playfulness with a merry smile yet a dominating aura. It is indeed hard to read the stranger's thoughts.

" It wasn't that hard, was it? " He questions, and I can tell what he's referring to.

Answering him was not that hard, and something tells me I should have done that from the very start.

" No sir. " I can't help but acknowledge him with due respect, given his intimidating aura.

" You can handle it now, Greggory. " He tells the mayor, and soon enough mayor opens his mouth.

" Take my son to the church. He'll handle things on your behalf. " The Mayor states, to my utter shock.

Just a few moments ago, he was so mad at me and now he's agreed to help me. Though I can't help but notice that the Mayor only spoke after the man permitted him to do so.

Whatever, the case is, I'm happy that I got the help that I needed and my family will no longer have to starve.

" Thank you! " I utter, wholeheartedly. Grateful for the help I received.

Just as I'm about to flee the scene, I hear the low-pitched voice of the man that holds too much power in the room.

" And Hazel, we're still not done. " He rasps out in a husky voice, letting me know that he holds our initial meeting to his heart.

And that he will make me Regret my disrespect.