Chapter 203: A Demon Mark
"I am here because Aliana’s parents made a request. They, along with myself, are currently unable to get in touch with her because her phone is switched off."
Cillian gave her a nod. "They must be on their flight back to the city by now."
"Right," Jade replied.
"So, what is this request they have?" Cillian asked, taking another sip of his coffee.
Jade met his gaze and answered, "You and I both know that Aliana has been staying with Gavriel for reasons concerning her safety. But her parents have no idea about any of that. They asked me to pass along the message that they want her to return to their mansion to stay with them for the next two days before the wedding. They simply want to spend more time with her and see her off from her childhood home."
Cillian’s brows pulled together at the information.
Considering the dangerous events unfolding around Aliana, it would be highly problematic to leave her in the mansion where she had previously been targeted, even with heavy security on the premises.
Not to mention, he had no idea if she or Gavriel would even agree to such an arrangement.
"That... would be a problem," Cillian replied, all the amusement vanishing from his eyes.
Jade released a heavy sigh. "I know, which is why I thought it would be best to speak with you in person. I did not know what to tell them, especially since they don’t even know that Aliana is currently out of the city."
She leaned back slightly, her expression turning sombre.
"I do not know the exact purpose of this trip she took with Gavriel so close to their wedding, but I know it must be something deeply important that could not be delayed. Her parents are oblivious to everything. They know nothing about the supernatural occurrences turning their daughter’s life upside down. All I know is that they will be deeply hurt if she refuses this request."
Cillian placed his cup down and leaned back, his mind tracking every single complication attached to the situation surrounding them.
One of the major hurdles was the fact that Aliana had no idea what Gavriel actually was. Had she known, half their problems would be solved right then and there, as Gavriel could simply use his powers openly to keep her protected at all times.
But sadly, that was not the case.
He tapped his finger against the armrest before shifting his gaze back to Jade, who was silently observing him.
Almost immediately, he slipped right back into his charming persona. "Well, thank you for letting me know. Since I am going to receive them myself later, I will make sure to pass this along."
"You are going to receive them yourself?" Jade asked, her brows lifting in surprise.
"Yes. Let’s just say Gavriel can be a little... demanding," Cillian replied, a bright smile plastered across his face that earned him a wary look from Jade.
Releasing a sigh, she finished her coffee, set the porcelain cup down on the saucer, and rose from her seat. "Well, anyway, thank you for your time and the coffee. I am afraid I must leave, as I have several appointments to get to."
Her movement prompted Cillian to stand as well. "Appointments?" he repeated with a raised brow, unable to resist teasing her one last time. "Boyfriend?"
Jade’s serene expression instantly twisted into a scowl. "Would you stop?"
"Why? Are you ashamed to answer?"
"Why would I be? And why do you even care to know?" She narrowed her eyes, giving him a slow once-over. "Don’t tell me that you are in love with me or something?"
"Please," Cillian scoffed. "I was only asking in good faith. Do you want me to be in love with you?"
"I am sorry, but I did not drop my brain outside the building before entering this office to think anything remotely close to that. I know the only person you could ever love is yourself."
Cillian grinned. "You got that right."
Jade rolled her eyes, glancing around the space before she murmured, "I am surprised a diva like you doesn’t have a mirror in your office. Or perhaps it is tucked safely away inside your private suite to hide the obsession from others."
"Good thought. Want to go check it out?"
"In your dreams, demon," Jade replied with another dramatic eye roll, turning on her heel to head toward the exit.
But before she could reach it, Cillian’s eyes narrowed the instant he caught sight of dark tendrils coiling around her neck, only for them to vanish as though they had never existed.
Jade reached for the door handle, and just as her fingers curled around it, Cillian appeared behind her in the blink of an eye, startling her.
He caged her in by planting his palm firmly against the door, stopping it from opening. His sudden proximity stole the air from around her, leaving her frozen for a split second.
A startled gasp left her lips when she spun around only to find his handsome face dangerously close to hers.
Her heart skipped a beat as she asked, slightly flustered, "W-what do you think you are doing?"
Instead of answering her, Cillian’s sharp gaze remained fixed on the space behind her neck.
He lifted his free hand, brushing her fiery red hair to the side, and commanded in a low voice, "Don’t move."
Jade’s heart began to race rapidly at the cool touch of his fingers against her skin.
’Wait a minute. What is happening right now?’ Frantic questions flooded her mind, while sudden heat crawled up her neck all the way to her cheeks.
He was so close that she could smell his expensive cologne, a rich scent that smelled strangely wonderful to her.
She remained perfectly still, but a gasp escaped her lips when she felt his fingers brush against the nape of her neck, sending a rush of goosebumps across her skin.
Cillian, on the other hand, was oblivious to the effect he was having on Jade. His brows were pulled tightly together as he stared at a dark mark on her neck that had begun to glow the moment he touched it.
It was the shape of a hollow black circle, intersected by a single vertical line.
A demon mark.
It was a sigil a demon left on their chosen target to track them down no matter where they hid, allowing the demons to control them or slowly feed on their lifeforce.
He was baffled to see such a curse placed on Jade, and his expression darkened at the realisation that someone was actively targeting her.
But who could it be? And why her?
Regardless of the motive, Cillian did not waste time overthinking.
He commanded, "Turn around."
"W-why?" Jade stammered, looking up to see just how severe his expression was.