Blaire jumped backwards, sliding out of Death’s persistent, thirsty hands. The knife shoved forcefully into her grasp clattered crudely onto the chilled floor between Coal and Blaire. Not a soul moved.

“We’re not ready for you, yet,” Death growled.

“The lady is,” the intruder contradicted as he stepped onto the patio.

He was an excessively tall man with bones two sizes too large, stretching his translucent flesh to its limit as he knelt in his charcoal gray suit, reaching for the ignored blade. “Stand, Coal.”

“Coal, don’t stand.” Death glared at the new arrival. “Glais, you don’t give orders. And Asper, don’t let people in without my permission.”

A twisted smile curved up the man’s face. “Rei, you knew I was coming. You know what I’m here for. This isn’t time for playing.”

“Does it look like I’m playing?”

Dismissing Death, the new stranger turned to Blaire, his glacial blue eyes soaking in her presence.

“Were you aware that you had a meeting with me this morning?” Glais asked Blaire who can’t gather the energy to shake her head. “Do you know who I am?”

Blaire dumbly stared.

“My name is Glais. I am a family friend and ally. I am also here as your judge and jury. My job,” Glais offered his free hand, “is to confirm the validity of you as Viperei’s Chosen.”

His eyes roamed to the fresh wound pulsing wildly on Blaire’s neck.

“Should your bite come from someone other than Rei, then you as his Chosen would prove fraudulent.”

Glais’ hand wrapped around Blaire’s and a shock of ice water dumped over her soul, drenching her to the core.

“If my bite…is fraudulent?” Blaire breathed out, shuddering from the unnatural chill.

A flash of white fangs glimmered wickedly as he grinned wolfishly. “Then I’d have to decapitate you. Have you eaten? You look very pale…”

Shocked by the cold of Glais’ words and touch, Blaire’s legs crumpled. Before her knees could graze the floor, Coal hoisted her into the air with an arm wrapped around her waist.

“Sorry,” he murmured to his father, who waved his hand dismissively.

“Set her down over here.” Glais motioned to Blaire’s brunch seat. “There we are.”

“How do you feel?” Death hovered near, anxious, as Blaire shrunk away from Coal’s burning, gentle touch.

“You can leave now.” Glais looked up at the other men. “Both of you.”

Death hesitated, and even Blaire found herself fearful of being alone with a man whose touch turned her to stone.

“There’s no need to worry.” Glais settled smoothly in Death’s seat. “Just give me some time alone with Blaire. Then you can have here back for good.”

“Eat some more.” Death pushed Blaire’s untouched food towards her. “I’ll be just inside.”

Blaire remained frozen, her eyes glued to the table as she tried to ignore her surroundings. But the harder she ignored them, the more she was aware. Aware of the musky scent of Coal, the feel of his shadow, the alluring desire as he passed her, then evaporated once he entered the mansion.

Blaire shifted uncomfortably, aggravated by the itchy feel left from Coal’s touch and Glais’s frosty stare.

“You don’t have to be scared,” Glais said once they were finally alone. “I have no intention of killing you—even if you weren’t bitten by Rei.”

“You don’t.” Blaire didn’t believe him.

“You are a human Rei wasted a decade on; risked his throne for. I’d be suicidal to hurt you.”

Blaire’s brows furrowed. “But you just-”

“A joke. An honest one. I do sentence Chosens, but Rei’s is an exception.”

Blaire stared warily. “How?”

Glais glanced at the food on the table and frowned in dissatisfaction. “It’s as if Rei didn’t even care I was coming…the selfish man.”

“How am I an exception?” Blaire repeated.

“Because you’re Rei’s.” Glais paused, mulling over his next words. “You must know by now that he is no ordinary demon lord. He’s a snake king. The Snake King of the Ophidia Clan, who still reigns after ten years with no Chosen.”

“So? To me you’re all the same.”

“For now. Very soon you’ll know the difference. You’ll be glad your Rei’s Chosen and not someone else’s.”

Blaire tugged down the side of her collar, baring her mauled neck. “Why would I be glad for this?”

Glais stood and glided to Blaire’s side, making her tense in wariness.

Perhaps it was a better idea to sit submissively until Glais had done what he came here for.

“Don’t move,” Glais ordered softly, though it was hardly necessary. As his fingers traced over her throat, Blaire found herself incapable of even breathing.

The chill from his touch seeped through the fresh wound, cleansing it of a lingering burn.

“What a cruel bite,” Glais murmured sympathetically. “How foolish of Rei to place such a valuable Chosen in the hands of another, less experienced, demon.”

“I don’t know what you’re saying,” Blaire lied weakly.

A piece of her doubting the safety of her life with Glais lingered. If the truth was revealed, who knew what punishment lay in store for her? The victim who had done no wrong?

Glais scoffed and pulled back. “Please. This is the bite of a vivacious, passionate demon. No respectable demon would lose themselves in their senses and injure their Chosen. That would be a great humiliation; an admit of no control to their power.”

“No one’s perfect,” Blaire replied non-apologetically.

“I suppose…” Glais lowered his hand, smiling knowingly. He was not fooled by a human. “Ten years is a long time to be deprived of a Chosen. Any demon would expect to break eventually. Still, there is no excuse. His bite has cost him three days of deprivation.”

“Three days of what?”

“Your neck. It’s too sensitive to be bitten for about another three days.”

Death can’t touch her? None of the demons can? For three days? That’s better than three hours.

Blaire felt hope swell inside her before she could control her senses.

This was good, wasn’t it? Surely, she could take advantage of this somehow, some way.

“This isn’t good news for you, either,” Glais said, reading Blaire’s glowing expression.

“What do you mean?” Blaire asked with dread.

“An Ophidia Chosen’s bite is a powerful addiction. Being denied the bite is used as torture.” Glais tilted his head upward, as if considering something. “Perhaps if you find some other means, like injection, your suffering won’t be too bad.”

Blaire swallowed and stared defiantly at Glais. The thought of Death placing his mouth on her neck repulsed her to the edge of vomiting. The day she craved the bite of Death or one of his people was the day she’d kill herself.

“It’ll never happen,” Blaire vowed through tight teeth and narrowed eyes.

“It’s natural to hate the idea now, but eventually you’ll grow used to the bite, and be thankful you even have it.” Glais reached out and straightened Blaire’s collar, covering her wound. “Rei is not the villain you make him out to be.”

“He kidnapped and murdered my best friend,” she spat.

“He could have done a lot worse.” Glais smiled fondly at Blaire, seeing warm memories in her image. “In time you’ll be thankful.”

“Not in this lifetime,” Blaire sneered.

Ignoring Blaire’s dramatics, Glais glided towards the entrance doors. They opened before he reached them.

“I’m satisfied with Blaire,” Glais said as his friend came to a stop before him. “You’ve chosen one fit for a king. How are you planning on introducing her to Ethelinda and the others?”

“I have a few ideas in mind,” Death vaguely answered.

“Whatever you have in mind, don’t commit to for another three days,” Glais responded.

Death frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Your careless bite has made Blaire too sensitive. You will not be able to bite her for another three days.”

“Three days!” Death exclaimed in dismay. “But she will-”

He stopped and glares at the floor like a petulant child.

If there was a time to discipline Coal for his ruthless bite, now would be the time. But Coal was absent, replaced by Asper and a guard. Blaire couldn’t help but feel relieved.

“I suggest you don’t involve her in anything that will excite and open Blaire’s wound,” Glais advised. “That includes forcing her to participate in one of your shows of authority I’ve just witnessed. You have plenty of time. Move at her pace. Tossing her into your world and assuming she can instantly adapt has only done you harm. Maybe give her a tour of your home, if you haven’t already.”

“You do know I’m here,” Blaire intervened, standing to be noticed.

She couldn't say Glais was wrong. The thought of being in control, of having time and learning her surroundings, was definitely appealing. A want that wouldn't ever disappear.

“You want that?” Death stared earnestly at Blaire.

I want to be home.

But he already knew that and has proved unwilling to grant. So, what would he be willing to give her?

Blaire nodded. “I want that.”

“Well,” Glais breathed, “now I’m just in the way, aren’t I? Asper, walk me out? I’ve been meaning to talk to your pretty face a bit longer.”

Understanding and weariness flickered across Asper’s face before he somberly nodded.

Glais nodded in brief farewell with snowflake eyes sparkling at Blaire before bowing lowly at Death; the first sign of respect he had shown since his arrival.

And then Glais was gone, spiriting away Asper and answers to questions Blaire forgot to ask.