Chapter 8

“Um… what are you doing?” Layla asked the man who was not saying anything but bumped their foreheads and that’s it. “I thought you’re going to tell me what happened?”

Zev opened his eyes and moved away. “I changed my mind. It’s better if you don’t know anything,” he replied although deep in his mind, he was wondering why it didn’t work for the lady. Bumping their foreheads like that should allow them to exchange some particular memories and that’s what he did. It didn’t just turn out like what he expected.

“As a punishment for breaking the deal which you proposed, you will be my companion from now own. If you don’t understand what it means to be a companion, then let me put it simply for you,” Zev held her chin and looked at her face thoroughly. “You have to stay by my side and you’re not allowed to leave. If you failed to do your duty, I’ll kill you.”

Layla’s face lit up in glee when she realized she wouldn’t get killed but after he said he’s going to make her his companion and had to stay with him, she felt a little disheartened. Her memories from last night juggled up and the last thing she remembered was a man’s voice crying in pain while she was losing her consciousness. She knew her name was Layla and it’s only Layla… nothing else. Her age, she didn’t know it. Where she came from? An image of a dark room with iron bars caging her came into mind. All in all, she was like an empty book that was yet to be filled in. Or that’s what her disguise at least.

“Mm… okay!” She answered with a toothy smile. Layla was glad both of her eyes can see again and her vision seemed to be fine after wearing a blindfold for years. She honestly thought she would go blind for the rest of her life. Given a chance to live, Layla wouldn’t waste it, even if it means forcing herself to forget what she initially knew about herself. To fool the enemy, she had to fool herself.

“Okay? Are you fine with my condition?” Zev asked her, and she nodded her head as a response.

“Yes. I will accompany you in exchange for my life. I don’t know you yet but I could tell you’re powerful. You can easily kill me if you want,” she answered as a matter of fact. “If you don’t mind me asking, master,” Layla deliberately used the word ‘master’ to play a part in her plan to getting information from the man. “That wolf I saw earlier… was it you?”

Zev threw her a firm look, but she didn’t flinch instead, she felt adored whenever his gray eyes were focused on her. She hadn’t seen anyone looking at her like that before, although when she closed her eyes, she could tell someone was looking at her and that was that. She didn’t know how that person looked like. Her senses had grown stronger, thanks to her blindfolded eyes.

“Why do you ask?” Zev asked her back. He was standing in his naked glory in front of her and the thought that the lady was unfazed by his presence annoyed him so damn much. If not for his natural indifference, he had already shown up his true reaction towards her treatment. “I am your master and you have no right to ask,” he added and moved his eyes on her body. ‘TSK, just a skinny brat,’ he thought when he saw how small the lady was.

“I am sorry, master. I thought I should know about it, so I would be able to take my actions and words into consideration while being with you starting today and in the future,” Layla responded while bowing her head slightly. His mocking smile at her didn’t escape her eyes. She hated it that even the demon was looking down on her. “Please forgive me,” she continued, feigning innocence.

The man began looking at her fondly when she was bowing her head repeatedly, like an obedient pest she was expected to be. He felt proud knowing that she was scared of him. It was the right choice not to tell her about the truth, or she might betray him and kill him with her own hands someday. As long as he didn’t know what’s her relationship with the deity who cursed him, Zev wouldn’t let Layla go.

“Enough of the pleasantries. Get dressed and follow me downstairs. We have a lot of things to discuss the rules that you need to follow,” he said and walked to the wardrobe to pull a set of clothes.

Layla bowed her head down and waited for the man to leave the room after getting dressed. When she was finally alone, she jumped off the bed and looked for clothes to wear. A pair of black pants in a smaller size and a white shirt was all she could find. She got dressed and watched her self in the mirror for some time, appreciating her once in a lifetime chance to wear something that could cover her small frame. Her dark brown hair was falling on her back, hiding her almost shrinking cheeks. She may be wondering why she couldn’t find any marks or bruises she should have in her body, yet she didn’t linger too much about it since she could still feel the pain all over especially her back and legs. The young lady stretched her lips to smile only to end up laughing at herself at how hilarious she could look like.

Sighing, Layla pushed the door open to exit the room. Her jaw almost dropped in awe when she realized how huge the place was. A long, carpeted staircase welcomed her when she took a few steps forward. She carefully held on the rails and slowly, she strode down. An empty huge living room also didn’t fail to amaze her. There were only several comfy chairs placed on the corner and well… a wooden round table in the center where a bunch of unfamiliar flowers was carelessly put inside the vase. The floor was made of hardwood and each step she took would create a soft knocking sound on it every time her bare heels bounced on it. Layla turned to her right and saw a hallway leading to somewhere. Curiosity beat her hard when she found herself trailing the dark corridor.

She was careful with her steps, making sure she was not creating any loud noise that would alert anyone in the house. Layla was planning to ran away when she had a chance but then, where would she go? There was no guarantee she could live a peaceful life in town or villages nearby if there’s one. She might only end up getting caught by the royal guards and would be thrown into the dungeon again. Unless she was one of the nobles who were allowed to do whatever they wished to, she could probably have a better life.

“Grrr!”

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the growling sound coming from the end of the hallway. She knew someone must be there and while her mind was telling her to stay away, her feet wouldn’t cooperate. Layla took a few more steps forward. She was standing in front of the door where she could hear the growling sounds. It was getting louder as she went closer to its source.

‘Is it him?’ she asked herself while gently putting her ear on the door to listen carefully to what was happening on the other side.

“ACK! Argh! Grrr! Ah!”

Grunts and groans were all she could hear. One thing she could tell for sure was it’s the beast man’s voice. She didn’t know what to call him as she was torn between referring him into a beast or a man, Oh, he’s also called the ‘demon’. Besides, the guy wouldn’t tell her his name. Layla knew she shouldn’t be too nosy but the knowledge was her only power. If she continued being ignorant, she would never survive another day.

“Are you all right?” Layla knocked on the door when no one answered her. She could still hear some noises from the inside. “Master, are you inside?” She asked again, hoping her doubts would be confirmed. “Master---”

“STAY AWAY!” A deep, loud voice yelled from the inside. Layla shrugged and decided to leave since her objective was already achieved. She confirmed that the person inside was her ‘master’ and that’s what all she needed to know.

She turned around softly to leave when the noise inside went louder and painful.

“Argh!”

“Eh? Is that a dying demon?” After contemplating whether to stay or leave, Layla chose the latter. She was curious about what was going on, but she wouldn’t risk her safety just to find out the answers. There should always be another way to find out what she wanted to know. She walked away while thinking about what to do next. After luck came to save her the previous night, she was no longer hoping it would happen again. If she wanted to survive, she could only count on herself.

‘How funny. The world outside is filled with selfish humans and this place, if I didn’t know he’s the demon of the forest, I would have considered this place a paradise,’ she thought with a solemn look in her eyes. She stopped on her track and felt her once blinded eye, “Thank you for letting me see this damn world once again. I will make sure to put this eye into use for my plans,” she whispered.

A gentle breeze touched her skin. Layla sneered when she realized what was going on. “Hey, if I don’t fit in anywhere…then can I just create a place to rule, right?” A creepy smile formed on her lips. “Let’s rock this world…what do you think?”