Chapter 25

Keir

I felt his evil presence before the door even opened. The increase in my heart rate, cold sweats, and the flipping of my stomach was a reaction ingrained into my fucking DNA thanks to the monster.

He didn't even greet me as he walked in. "I was made aware of something that does not please me, Keir."

I fought rolling my eyes. If only I hadn't heard this line a million times before. I'd have been more surprised if he walked in and said something along the lines of "I'm so proud of you and your accomplishments, Keir. You work so hard and get so much done."

The breath I took to ground myself before speaking didn't work as I grumbled, "And what would that be, Father ?"

He stood across from me on the other side of my desk, his bodyguards remaining at the door. "You've been slacking off." It took immense self-control to not react as he toyed with the items on my desk, throwing off the order I prided myself on. "A whole three percent drop in productivity, to be exact." He tutted. "You know I can't have that sort of lackadaisical nonsense happening in the office, especially from my own son." He walked from my desk to look out the windows over his kingdom, his only pride and joy. "How do you think that makes me look?"

At first, I didn't respond, expecting him to move on to ranting about how useless I was and how much of a fool I made him out to be, but the look he shot at me after a five-second silence was enough to make me mumble, "Not very good, I'd imagine."

He gave a grunt of approval at my answer. "Precisely, but unfortunately, everyone knows what a ‘hard time' you're going through, having all those issues with your pet ." Spit flew from his mouth to the window on the last word. To my surprise, he actually reached up and cleaned it off with his forearm. "Seeing as you have some of the peoples' sympathies, it would look even worse on me should I punish or excuse you." He paused, whipping around to face me with an uncomfortable look. He didn't like what he was about to say. "I see no other choice but to put you on leave." His typical, snide smirk returned to his face. "You should be home with your pet, spending what little time she has left with her."

I felt my face grow hot and contorted as I rushed at him. I stopped toe-to-toe with the man who made every day in Hell—well, hell. He didn't move an inch, but I didn't miss how his left eyebrow twitched slightly with surprise.

"Be careful how you proceed, Keir," my father said quietly, though no one was close enough to hear everything. His bodyguards were still at the door, though I could see them watching closer than they had been, waiting to step in. "We wouldn't want anything unfortunate to happen to your precious human, would we?"

Fucking bastard.

"I'll pack my things." My teeth were clenched, but my words came out more steadily than I thought they would.

I felt his eyes on my back as I grabbed a few things I didn't want to leave here and put them in my computer bag.

"Smart choice," he said approvingly.

I didn't look at him until I was packed and ready to leave. I stood tall, refusing to let him see any hint of being bothered by him and his wicked ego.

Pulling the strap of my bag over my shoulder, I mustered up as much respect in my tone as possible and asked him, "Why even bother with all of this?"

He turned from the window, looking surprised, probably not expecting me to have said anything more. He pondered my question briefly, and then wickedness flooded his eyes. "I want to squash the hope from you and your brothers." He narrowed his gaze. "You three think this pathetic human has a chance of surviving these trials, even though I keep reminding you that isn't even a possibility. You think she will make it to the end and become your precious little demon companion. You think you will get to keep her for an eternity."

"News flash, my son ," he spit out as his rage bubbled to the surface. He took slow, controlled steps in my direction. "Your beloved human will perish. It will most likely be during the first trial, maybe the second if she gets lucky, but no matter the timing, she will not make it to the end. She will not become a demon. She will not be yours any longer. She. Will. Not. Fucking. Survive." His finger was in my face, emphasizing his words. He quickly composed himself, brushing down his suit and straightening his cuffs. "I want to watch the light fade from your eyes as she dies, quite possibly in your arms if I am feeling merciful. Maybe then, you will realize your potential and stop this childish fuckery of defying me every step of the way. You will suffer. You will break. And once this whole thing is finally finished… you will beg for my forgiveness and start behaving like my heir."

I flexed my jaw, unvexed by his speech. He wanted a rise from me, but he wouldn't get it. He meant what he said, that was true, but he was intentionally pushing my buttons, trying to make me slip up. All he wanted was a reason to go straight for Lillian.

I gave him a curt nod before walking to the door, happy to leave this miserable place and go home to be with Lillian. The thought brought an actual smile to my face and a settling peace in my heart.

As pissed off as I was, the ride home was pleasant, and my knee was bouncing with excitement by the time the driver dropped me off at the flat.

I wondered what Lillian was doing right now. I checked my phone for the time as I rode the elevator up. It was still before lunch, so Nicholas should have her working with the jewels.

Nicholas told me she was struggling but getting better every day. I tried to not dwell on the struggling part. If anyone could do this, it was her. She still had time. We just had to keep her focused and rested.

My heart suddenly accelerated with each floor the elevator passed.

Was I nervous? Why were my palms sweating? Why was my mind hazy?

Before the doors opened to the flat, my stomach tightened, and a wave of pure lust overtook me.

Those fuckers .

I was hollering before I reached the hallway, headed right for them, knowing what they were up to without a shadow of a doubt.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I roared as I stepped into the room.