Chapter 43

Joel locked the door of my chamber and joined me on the couch. He hasn't said a word since he came in, just a feint smile. I was still caressing my calf with my palms unconsciously.

"Stop touching that like it's a forbidden tattoo. You weren't forced to take it anyway. " he smirked. "you are one of us now nothing can change that ."

Now he's behaving like he's really the prince, the thought of that made my stomach churn. I managed to sit at the far end of the couch, on its arm.

"Hei, don't play games okay?" I said. "I'm dead serious" that was true. " how did you get here? What are you doing here? What are you even saying Joel?"

I haven't been convinced that he's Julian. Well, I'm just following my heart.

He chuckled staring intently into my eyes. "you didn't change. I knew you can never. " he paused. I was seething and he noticed it. "Must I answer all of them now. Can't you respect the fact that you bumped into an old friend after... "

"old friend my foot!" I spat.

He arched a brow. " Wow, You've become more violent than I presumed. " he grinned. "fine, I'll answer your questions but they're too much. Can you ask little by little again?"

I inhaled deeply and exhaled trying to calm down.

«Katty calm down you are overreacting »

"are you a clone of someone else?"

"what do you think?" he grinned. Teasing the little patience I had. I cursed under my breathe, I hate to explain myself... Especially now.

"you are not Prince Julian, are you?"

" I am"

I was shocked. Right then, I wished the ground had a door I could yank off and throw myself in. What the heck?! I just embraced the demon prince. Confused, I bit my lip, stood up and paced about the room. I have no doubts that he is Joel.

Gush Katty, are you already delusional? Or maybe you're missing Joel so much that you are mistaking him for another person. How humiliating? You're so stupid to have believed in heart beats Katty. 

But my subconscious still taunted me.

 «you know Joel when you see him don't you?»

"Are you saying you are not Joel?"

"i am"

That didn't register quickly. " I mean are you Joel of McAfee high school?"

"I am"

I heard that but it didn't sound true. I might be hallucinating again.

"what did you say?"

" I am Joel of McAfee high..."

I faced him, wanted to grab him shirt and shake him for playing a filthy prank on me but I controlled myself.

"your pranks are the worst I've ever seen... Too boring. " I faked a yawn.

" C'mon Katrienair, it's not a prank. There's just a lot you need to know. " I sat back down on the chair. "I am prince Julian and I am also your Joel. "

My cheeks flushed red.

Your Joel? I barely know him. I'm just a fucking new student.

This made my mouth totally shut, I had to deal with my face first. He got the opportunity to explain himself.

"you remember that faithful day you got your grip in school"

Grip? He meant my attack. New name, hehehe!

"you lost your lungs to it"

"I know that. " I managed to talk.

"you had to be saved from that world, for the sake of your purpose. That's how we got here. "

"that's not what I want to know. I didn't ask you for my life history. How..."

"maybe, just maybe I'll be able to talk if you keep your sharp mouth mute. "

I was infuriated. "Are you trying to..."

"yes!" he said. " fine, I didn't mean to but Hei.. You've got to allow me talk. "

"fine!" I scoffed.

"I've always been the demon prince. This is my home. Our meeting on earth I believe is destiny. I left this territory as a runaway and I changed my name. " he paused cupped his head in his palms.

"I'm back here because of you Katrienair."

Shocking? Yes, Joel is a demon. Who would have thought that? And he's back because of me? How?!

"Because of me?" I asked. "you barely know me. I'm sure you don't know what you are saying. "

I was trying to sound like I didn't understand while my subconscious was screaming "he loves you too" to me.

"yes, I've always known you were not an ordinary being. I'm here to help you achieve your purpose. "

Disappointed, but am I supposed to be?

"what?!" I could not hide my anger. " you came back because of a potential in one vulnerable girl that looks like she would do nothing without your damn help. That's a damn lie. "

He looked surprised — surprised that I was taking it this seriously. I'm surprised myself but I can't control my anger, not now that there are feelings attached. He never liked me but my gifts and purpose. And I loved him. I should have been more careful. I trusted him to quickly, leaving my heart vulnerable.

"Answer me you dummy!" I spat.

His countenance changed suddenly. 

"you are overreacting. Calm down and listen!" he yelled, more like a command.

I am overreacting. He might just be as confused as I am. I consoled myself. I decided to change the topic.

"where's my mum?"

"she's still in her castle up there. " he said. " Sylvia helped get us here. She promised to keep watch on us since she isn't here. She could not come with us. "

Oh Sylvia, I miss you so much. You've left me when nothing but memories but I'll never forget you, ever.

"why didn't she come with us?"

"it's not safe if she does. Sylvia has some things to sort out with herself before she can embark on a journey like ours. She promised to visit someday. "

We were silent. I was thinking. I had multiple questions but could not utter any.

Then I remembered, Emiliar!

"Where's Emiliar?"

He looked lost but later spoke.

" Huh, you mean Emily, your best friend?"

"She's Emiliar. Do you always have to name people you own way?" I hissed. "where's she?"

"she's safe, in my chamber. "

Happily sad, I forced on a smile.

" So now you can explain all that happened to me without interruption."